Chantal Anniversary Enamel-on-Steel Teakettle (2 qt)

Why It Tops the List

America's Test Kitchen gave the Chantal Enamel-on-Steel Anniversary Teakettle its Winner and Top Pick in the stovetop kettle review by Lisa McManus, executive editor for ATK Reviews. The current version is dated September 1, 2022. The 2 qt kettle is the only model in ATK's 12-kettle lineup to earn the top rating, 3 out of 3, in the page's structured data. It is filed under "Highly Recommended" and judged on ease of use, performance, and cleanup/durability. ATK sums it up as "a lovely, sturdy (but not heavy) kettle" that "comes in a rainbow of colors at a moderate price." No other kettle in the test matched that score.

The win came after a retest. In a note dated November 2021, ATK says it heard complaints that its earlier winner splashed boiling water from the spout after each pour. The team tested a new copy, confirmed the problem happened sometimes, and demoted that kettle as "at best messy and at worst dangerous." The Chantal took the top spot partly because it pours cleanly: ATK writes that "the spout pours neatly." Homegrounds also ranks the Anniversary its Best Overall stovetop kettle and calls it "our top choice for ease of use and pour." Both publishers reached the same top choice independently, ATK through a lab-style protocol and Homegrounds through a coffee-and-tea-focused roundup.

How ATK Put It Through Testing

ATK's method explains why its verdict carries weight. The editors bought kettles in stainless steel, enamel-coated steel, and borosilicate glass, with capacities from 0.84 to 3 quarts. They weighed each kettle empty and full, measured how much water it really holds, and judged how easy it was to fill. Each kettle was boiled several times at its maximum and minimum fill. The water was then poured into a mug, teacups, a 1.5-quart teapot, and a pour-over coffee filter to see which spouts stayed controlled and which ones splashed or glugged. The durability tests were rough on purpose. Testers scrubbed off baked-on oil, left kettles damp to check for rust, rapped them with a wooden spoon, and dropped them from 3 inches above the counter. They also tasted the water for off-flavors. ATK says the Chantal "showed no damage from our abuse testing and cleaned up nicely." That result matters for any enameled kettle, because chipped enamel is the usual way these kettles fail.

Capacity, Weight, and Boil Time

ATK's spec sheet for model 37-ANN BQ lists a practical capacity of 2 quarts, or 8 cups, which matches the label. The editors point this out because several kettles in the test held less than their names suggested. The Chantal weighs 2 lb 2½ oz empty and 6 lb ½ oz full. ATK calls it "lightweight and easy to lift" and notes that it "held plenty of water for its size." The base is 6⅜ inches wide. Chantal's own product page lists a 6.25-inch exterior base diameter and an item weight of 3 lb, so the manufacturer's and ATK's figures differ slightly.

A full kettle boiled in 11 minutes in ATK's test. Most of the lineup took roughly 8 to 11 minutes, so the Chantal sits at the slow end of that normal range. It is nowhere near the outliers that needed 18 to 30 minutes on the low-to-medium heat their makers specify. Chantal credits the wide, flat bottom for even heating, and Homegrounds notes that the flat base keeps full contact with the burner. If speed matters most, this is a steady performer rather than the fastest kettle tested. ATK published its timing figures for every model, so this result is a measured comparison, not an impression.

Pouring, Handle, and Whistle

Both reviewers single out the handle and spout. ATK writes that "the raised, open handle leaves plenty of space below for opening the lid and keeps hands out of harm's way." That addresses the hazards ATK lists at the top of its review: handles that get too hot, splashy pours, and steam that rises to scald your hand. ATK also calls the lid loop "big and comfortable to pull." Homegrounds describes the handle as an "ergonomic stay-cool curved handle design" and says it is only a half handle, which makes the lid easier to take on and off. Both descriptions point to the same practical benefit.

On pouring, Homegrounds writes that "the water never streams or splashes when pouring." ATK's spec sheet confirms the whistle can be switched off. Chantal describes the spout as a press-gate design that gives a steady flow and a precise pour. ATK says the kettle "whistles loudly." Homegrounds calls the whistle loud enough to hear in other rooms "but not so loud it'll wake the dead." Chantal's own copy calls it a "gentle whistle," so it is worth knowing that independent reviewers heard it as loud. Being able to turn the whistle off is useful in a household where someone is still asleep when the first pot goes on, and the loud setting helps when you leave the kitchen.

Build, Enamel, and Cleanup

Chantal makes the kettle from high-tensile carbon steel in a seamless one-piece body. The exterior has a triple coat of enamel fired at high temperature, and the interior is lined with enamel as well. Chantal says the interior is non-reactive so it does not flavor the water. ATK tasted water from every kettle for off-flavors, and its write-up raises no taste complaint about the Chantal. Homegrounds says the fired enamel makes the kettle "extra durable" and that the interior enamel resists hard-water and mineral buildup. ATK reports that the Chantal "cleaned up nicely" after the baked-on-oil scrub. Homegrounds credits the wide opening and round shape for easy cleaning. ATK's spec sheet lists the kettle as not dishwasher-safe, so plan on washing it by hand. ATK found it works on all stove types, and Homegrounds specifically mentions induction. Chantal currently sells it in Chili Red, Canary Yellow, and Tidal Teal on its own site, and ATK's photographed sample was Glacier Blue.

Where It Falls Short

ATK's only stated complaint is the interior color: "We wish the interior were lighter." The enamel lining is dark, which makes it harder to see the water level when filling or to spot scale building up. The 11-minute full-kettle boil was also at the slow end of ATK's normal range. Several kettles in the same test were faster, so this is not the pick for someone who wants hot water as quickly as possible. There are practical limits too. ATK lists it as not dishwasher-safe. The handle is plastic, and Chantal's own listing warns that it "may require hand protection when using a gas or professional stove," because high flames can wrap around the base and heat the handle. Price has also moved. ATK's review listed $44.95 at the time of testing, but Chantal's site lists it at $68.00 today, which weakens the "moderate price" point from ATK's write-up. ATK's hands-on test also dates from 2021 to 2022, so it reflects the kettle as it was sold then.

Who It's Best For

The Chantal Anniversary suits households that boil a full 2 quarts at once, for a teapot, a French press and a refill, or several mugs, and want a kettle that stays light enough to pour one-handed when full. ATK's 6-pound full weight and Homegrounds' notes on the clean, splash-free pour both point to a kettle that is easy to handle. The loud whistle that can be switched off suits people who leave the kitchen while the water heats, and it also suits anyone who wants a quiet kettle some mornings. It also fits cooks moving between stovetops, since ATK confirmed it works on all stove types, including induction. The enamel finish and the range of colors appeal to anyone who leaves the kettle on the stove for display. It is less suited to people who want the fastest possible boil, who want dishwasher-safe gear, or who cook mostly on high-output gas burners, where Chantal itself recommends using hand protection on the handle.