Q. Where does the copper for the kettle come from?

A. It is believed that when our copper kettles were originally produced over 100 years ago, they were able to source from UK copper and tin mines – primarily in the South West of England in the counties of Devon and Cornwall. However, UK production of copper has since ceased and our copper is now sourced from Europe but our kettles are still hand-crafted in the UK.

Q. Is lead used in the production of Richmond kettles?

A. No, there is not any lead used in our products, just pure solid copper, silver and tin.

Q. Why does my kettle make a rattling noise?

A. Our uniquely engineered kettles create a melodic whistle through the lid, rather than through the spout like many more common designs. In order for this to occur, we have a ball and socket in the spout. When in the resting position, the ball creates a seal so that the steam is directed through the lid. When in the pouring position, the ball rolls forward to allow the water to be poured through the spout. The rattling noise is the ball simply rolling up and down the spout.

Q. Where should I fill the water level to?

A. Fill the kettle with water up to the centre seam, which is clearly visible through the lid aperture. If the kettle is filled above this level then it can potentially cause the following issues:

Firstly, the oscillations of boiling water can knock the ball bearing in the spout, causing the steam to escape from the spout and not create enough pressure/direction for the steam to escape through the whistle in the lid.

Secondly, the air chamber inside the kettle is reduced and so not enough steam can be generated to create the pressure required to whistle through the lid.

Q. I can see spots / marks inside my kettle – Is this normal?

A. Occasionally, small areas of the hand tin lining are not fully tempered in the process. This causes no harm to health or functionality of the kettle, just small areas not quite as bright as others. During the hand-crafting of our kettles, many stages are undergone but the final stage is a re-polish and clean. Some small marks from the craftsman may still remain inside the kettle, but many of these will reduce after the preparation for use stage.

Q. Can I use my kettle straight away when its new?

A. Not straight away. Prior to first use, rinse the inside of your kettle thoroughly, fill just below the centre seam. Boil the water and discard. Do not be alarmed if the bottom section appears discoloured after the first use, this is due to the polishing compound which is used during the manufacturing process. Once your kettle has cooled, the area can be wiped over with a soft lint-free cloth and warm water to remove most of this. We would suggest repeating the process a couple of times before first use.

Q. The lid is a little tight to apply and remove on my kettle – Is this normal?

A. Our kettles are completely handmade and so the lid fit varies slightly per kettle. The lid of your kettle should be a firm, secure fit and have a good seal to allow perfect function of the whistling mechanism. The best way to apply and remove the lid is to loop your hand over the handle and clamp the black knob (we call this the mushroom) between your index and middle finger, then gently lift up.

Q. Can you use this kettle on a glass top stove and will it whistle?

A. Our kettles have been re-engineered to have a completely flat base to maximise the use on all stove types. The flat base allows full contact with the stove top. The induction model will need to be purchased for use on induction hobs.

Q. My copper kettle marks very easily – Is this normal and how should I clean it?

A. Copper ages and marks very easily. Heat, water and fingerprints will become noticeable quickly during use. Many people love the unique and natural aging process and patina of copper. However, should you wish to keep your kettle sparkling, we recommend using our kettle polish on a regular basis. We strongly insist not to use lemon, vinegar or anything too abrasive and corrosive as this may have an adverse effect on the finish.

Q. My kettle boiled dry, is it safe to continue to use it?

A. Once a kettle has been boiled dry many integral parts can be damaged beyond repair, especially the tin lining. A repair from us is not an option and boiling your kettle dry will void our warranty. Should you wish to continue use of the kettle, you should only do so if you believe the tin lining to be fully intact but it would not be a recommendation from ourselves.

Q. Can you repair my kettle?

A. We do not presently offer a repair service for our kettle. If the repair is cosmetic then you may be able to source a local metal works company who could try to repair your kettle. This would be at the kettle owner’s discretion and the skills of the metal worker will determine the end result. If you require any further information, please contact our customer support and we would be happy to help.

Q. Why is the paint peeling off on the wooden handle of my kettle?

A. All our handles are hand-carved from the finest English wood so they do not get hot during use. If the kettle is left at boiling point for long durations, then this may affect the hand-painted finish. Or it may just be ‘wear and tear’, depending on the age of the kettle. We do offer a range of replacement handles on our website in the accessories section.

Q. Why is the whistle on my new Richmond kettle quieter than my old one?

A. The level of noise and pitch of the whistle will vary from kettle to kettle due to the handmade nature of our products. Over the years there have been many modifications to our kettles for design and manufacturing reasons. In more recent years the whistle has been quieter than previous years which means if you have experience of one of our older models then you would be able to notice a difference.

Q. Why isn’t my kettle whistling?

A. If your kettle no longer whistles, please follow these simple steps:

Firstly, empty the kettle of water and tip it forwards as if pouring. You should hear the ball in the spout tip forward and then go back when you put the kettle in its normal standing position. This is the first process of elimination.

Secondly, fill the kettle with water to the seam line and not above. Once filled and the kettle has been returned to a horizontal position, give the kettle a gentle shake to ensure the ball bearing in the spout has returned to its resting position.

Finally, check to ensure that the lid is pushed down tightly and that the whistling hole is facing towards the spout. Very often this is just an oversight by not actually closing the lid properly. The whistle occurs when the lid is pressed securely, the ball is in the resting position and the steam can then escape primarily through the reed in the lid.

One or a combination of the above – will affect the performance of the whistle.

Q. Where can I register the warranty of my kettle?

A. You can register your kettle by visiting our website and entering your details. You will need to use the Unique Kettle ID Number which you can locate in your Care Guide.

Q. What is covered under warranty / guarantee and how long is it for?

A. 12 months – replacement kettle and parts due to product fault.

Q. Is my kettle genuine?

A. To verify that your kettle is genuine, you can complete the customer form and we can verify it for you.

Genuine Richmond kettles are hand-crafted in England. We believe that some replica kettles from China have leaked into the market and whilst we endeavour to monitor and prevent this happening, it is virtually impossible to prevent it 100%. It is best to purchase our kettles directly from us to ensure its authenticity.