How to Fix or Replace Revere Ware Tea Kettle Whistles

Revere ware kettles are durable, but broken whistles are hard to replace.

Repairing a Revere ware tea kettle whistle can be a challenge. Spare parts for these sturdy kettles aren't easily found. If your kettle's whistle has gone silent, something may be blocking the steam from escaping the small hole in a pressurized stream, or a crack in the plastic top is creating a hole too large for the steam to build up enough pressure to make sound. Either way, you'll have to fix it or tolerate a quiet kettle from now on.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Revere ware tea kettle Kitchen scrubbing sponge Thin-gauge wire Scissors or wire cutters Vinegar Water

1. Examine the plastic cap with the metal center that retracts from the spout. Look for cracks and make sure the cap is making proper contact with the metal spout. If the plastic cap is cracked, it can't be fixed because glues and adhesive patches won't last under high temperatures. Continue using the kettle because it will still boil water for tea; it just won't whistle. Buy another kettle if you miss the sound.

2. Scrub the inside edges of the cap if it is intact and not cracked. Scrub the metal edges of the spout with the rough side of a wet kitchen sponge to remove mineral deposits that may prevent it from closing tightly.

3. Cut a 6-inch length of thin-gauge wire with scissors or wire cutters. Poke it through the hole in the metal portion of the tea kettle whistle. Wiggle it back and forth to loosen any mineral deposits from hard water that may be blocking it. Fill the tea kettle with a few cups of water and boil to see if the whistle works.

4. Listen for the whistle. If you don't hear it, empty the tea kettle and refill with a 50 percent solution of water and white vinegar. Set on simmer for 15 minutes. The acid in the vinegar will dissolve mineral deposits inside the kettle that you can't reach or see.

5. Clean the tea kettle every month or so with the vinegar-and-water solution to prevent future buildup that can block the tea kettle whistle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have to replace your Revere ware tea kettle, search the flea markets, vintage stores and online auctions first for older models of higher quality.

• Don't leave standing water in a Revere ware tea kettle overnight--this will lead to rust rather quickly, especially in newer, thinner Revere ware. Don't pour cold water in a new Revere ware tea kettle while the metal is hot. The bottom will warp and bulge.

References

• Revere Ware Parts: Care and Cleaning
• Revere Ware: Use and Care
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Cleaning Tea Kettles, Coffee Makers, Humidifiers, Irons
• Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering: Hard Water

Resources

• RevereWare: Warranty Information
• Cookware Talk: Revere Ware Tea Kettle