We went through a lot of kettles before finding a reliable, stainless steel (zero plastic, aluminum , or iron) kettle that worked on induction, electric, gas, and over a fire if need be.
The Gipful German 2.3qt kettle is #WorthTheSats. Had it for nearly a decade now. Will last at least another decade.
Should we avoid aluminium and iron?
Abstain from aluminum usage.
Iron is fine, as long as it's not oxidized (rusted) -- so keep your iron cookware well oiled for protection against unwanted chemical reactions!
I actually don't recommend cast iron because elemental iron, as opposed to heme, is extremely toxic to the body.
Same reason I avoid elemental aluminum.
There's no free lunch.
Some women have trouble with stainless because even small amounts of elemental nickel can be problematic.
On balance I think it's the best of the options.
A glass kettle is great if your stove/situation supports it.
aluminium is fine for cooking on.
aluminium salts that get added to hygiene products are toxic
iron oxide (rust) is good for you if you have an iron deficiency.
Stainless steel is iron with nickel coating
No, stainless steel is not just iron with a nickel coating. Stainless steel is an alloy, a mixture of iron with specific elements added to enhance its properties. The key ingredient that makes stainless steel "stainless" is chromium, not nickel. Typically, stainless steel contains at least 10.5% chromium by mass, which forms a protective layer of chromium oxide on the surface, preventing rust and corrosion.
Nickel is often added to some stainless steel alloys (like the popular 304 or 316 grades) to improve strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance, especially in harsh environments. However, it’s not a coating—it’s mixed into the alloy during the manufacturing process. Other elements like carbon, molybdenum, or manganese can also be included depending on the type of stainless steel.
So, rather than being a coated product, stainless steel is a homogeneous material engineered for durability and resistance to staining and rust. Coatings can be applied to iron or steel for protection (like galvanizing with zinc), but that’s a different process from what defines stainless steel.
Yes chromium is another alloy. 18/8 is 304 stainless 18% chromium and 8% nickel remainder ferrous which is Iron. Food grade is usually 316 stainless which is higher in nickel and chromium. 24% chromium and 10% nickel remainder ferrous with trace amounts of other elements
nice but you do understand that stainless steel is made from iron right?
