Choosing the Right Steam Jacketed Kettle

The addition of a steam jacketed kettle to your kitchen can open up new avenues of efficiency and productivity, increasing total food production and decreasing time spent maintaining your soups, stews, and chilis. A tilt kettle, as they're sometimes known, can replace your stovetop stock pots completely, but these jacketed kettles come in a huge array of sizes with a number of features, and sorting through all of your options to find the right one can be challenging. Fortunately, our tilt kettle guide is here to help you find the best steam kettle for your needs. We'll go over all the choices you need to make to eliminate the kettles you don't need and find a unit that offers the perfect balance of cost and functionality.

Benefits of Using Steam Kettles

High cooking capacity means fewer batches and less work.
The kettle's jacket cooks from all directions, improving heat distribution and eliminating cold or hot spots.
Tilting mechanism makes distributing cooked food quick and easy.
Steam always cooks at a consistent 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frees up your stove for other tasks.

Shopping by Capacity

What capacity steam kettle do I need?

This is the first, and perhaps the most difficult, choice you'll need to make before purchasing a steam jacketed kettle. Tilt kettles range from small, 6-gallon countertop units to gargantuan, 250-gallon kettles suitable for serving an entire institution in one batch. The purpose of a steam kettle is to make preparing large batches of soups, broths, or stews a more efficient process, but purchasing one that's too large for your needs will waste energy and space.

To calculate the capacity you need, add up all the broth, soup, or chili – whatever liquid-based product you need the most of – and see how much you're using in a single serving period. If you make soup in a 3-gallon pot and have to cook it in three batches over the course of a meal period, you'll need at least a 9-gallon steam kettle to produce that much in one batch. Also consider that a larger steam kettle could enable you to prepare more than you currently do. If you find yourself running out of liquid-based product, your demand would be higher than your current supply, and adding a few gallons of capacity to your tilt kettle could be beneficial.

If you're in an institutional setting, consider how much a typical portion will be and multiply that out by the number of meals you expect to be serving in a given meal period. Steam kettles can keep large quantities of food at safe temperatures for extended periods of time, making them ideal for institutional kitchens that'll be serving hundreds of bowls per day.

Quick Shopping Tip: Add together the quantity of a single type of food you cook over the course of a serving period, and choose a tilt kettle that matches or exceeds that amount.

Should I get a unit with multiple kettles?

If your establishment needs high-volume production but doesn't cook one central dish at a time, multiple kettle tables are a perfect solution. These units have two or three steam kettles set together on a table, so operators can prepare multiple types of food at the same time. However, if you don't regularly prepare large quantities of two or more separate stocks, soups, or stews, then extra kettles aren't necessary and would be a wasted investment. If you have the capital available, multiple kettle units can provide improved versatility over a single, larger kettle.

Quick Shopping Tip: If you intend to cook large quantities of more than one type of food, get a multiple kettle unit. This saves space, cost, and energy over buying more than one individual kettle.

Do I need a floor or countertop steam jacketed kettle?

The placement of a steam kettle depends upon the capacity and the size of the kettle. The largest models don't come in countertop versions, and likewise, the smallest kettles don't come in floor versions. However, there is overlap for some capacities, enabling you to choose whether your kettle would fit better on the counter or on the floor.

Consider where in your kitchen would be easiest to fit a steam jacketed kettle. If you have unused counter space and only need a small single kettle, a countertop unit would be the best steam kettle for you. On the other hand, if you need one of the large capacity kettles, you'll have to find some floor space to situate the new equipment, as a standard countertop either can't fit or won't support the large options.

Quick Shopping Tip: Floor or countertop configuration is usually determined by the kettle's size, with some overlap. Figure out where a kettle would best fit in your kitchen, and choose a model that matches that space.

Shopping by Heat

Should I get direct or self-contained steam?

Direct steam kettles get their steam from an external boiler that pumps steam into the kettle jacket to heat the food. Self-contained steam kettles come from the factory filled with distilled water that is then heated to steam, which cooks the food. Self-contained kettles are more expensive, but can be used in any commercial establishment, regardless of whether or not you already have a steam generator. Direct steam kettles are affordable, but require equipment and maintenance that self-contained kettles don't.

Direct steam kettles must have their steam lines cleaned regularly to prevent condensate buildup, but are generally simpler pieces of machinery and have a lower upfront cost than similar self-contained machines. Because the external steam isn't coming in direct contact with the food, operators can connect house steam to the kettle without endangering guests or angering health inspectors. However, you need to have the appropriate equipment to provide steam to the kettle, and many establishments don't have the space or capital for an external boiler. If this will be your only piece of steaming equipment, the cost of adding a boiler is prohibitive.

In cases such as these, self-contained steam jacketed kettles are the way to go. While they have a higher initial cost than comparable direct steam kettles, self-contained units will only require power from your building, not steam. Self-contained kettles don't require operators to clean out supply lines, as the internal water can't escape the jacket, even as steam, and so can be used indefinitely.

Quick Shopping Tip: If you have access to a steam generator, choosing a direct steam kettle will save you money. If you don't, you'll need a self-contained steam kettle.

Should I get gas or electric?

This choice is simple: As long as you have access to both gas and electricity, you should make use of whichever power source is cheapest in your area. Gas and electric kettles will heat your food the same, so the only difference is in maintenance and utility cost. Since steam always cooks at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, as long as the heating element can turn the water into steam (and both can), your kettle will get the job done.

Quick Shopping Tip: Choose whichever utility is cheaper in your area.

Shopping by Construction

Which tilting mechanism should I get?

The tilting part of a tilt kettle can be either powered or manual. Usually the largest kettles have electrically powered tilt mechanisms because the full weight can be unwieldy or even dangerous for the operator, while medium and small steam kettles use manual tilt mechanisms. Manual tilt models can have mechanical assistance, in which hydraulic or simpler constructions amplify the strength of the operator and hold most of the weight of the kettle. Check the individual product specification pages to see what type of assistance the model you're considering uses.

Electrically powered tilt mechanisms will cost you a bit more initially and are another part that could eventually require maintenance, while manual mechanisms are simpler but require more operator strength to maneuver. If you're concerned that your operators might have trouble operating a heavy tilt kettle, consider purchasing one with a powered tilting mechanism.

Some steam jacketed kettles have spouts instead of tilting mechanisms. This enables operators to siphon out portions of soup or stew without having to maneuver the entire kettle and can be a handy feature for many high-volume establishments. The lack of tilting functionality could make it harder to clean or add ingredients, as the chef will only be able to access the kettle from above.

Quick Shopping Tip: If you're concerned about operators straining themselves when tilting a kettle, choose a powered tilt mechanism or a kettle with a spout.

Should I get a two-thirds or full jacket?

These terms refer to the amount of the kettle that is encircled by the steam jacket. A two-thirds jacket encompasses two-thirds of the kettle and, of course, a full jacket encompasses the entire kettle. You won't need a full jacket kettle unless you're going to be filling your steam kettle more than two-thirds of the total possible capacity. The majority of our kettles are two-thirds jackets, and this configuration provides plenty of heating area for almost all uses. However, if you can afford a full jacket, it does provide more overall heating.

Quick Shopping Tip: If you plan on using the entire capacity of your kettle – filling it to the brim – get a full jacket. Otherwise, a two-thirds jacket will be sufficient.

Additional Steam Kettle Features

The following are a few more steam kettle features that you'll want to consider before making a final decision on such a significant investment.

Insulation: Insulated kettles hold their temperature better and stay cooler to the touch than non-insulated kettles. Insulation will save you money on utilities but will cost more upfront.
Cold Water Connection: Some tilt kettles have connections that enable operators to pour cold water into the jacket when the food is done cooking, which can help cool it down for refrigeration if it won't be served immediately.
Measurement Markings: Many kettles have either etched or embossed measurement markings on the inside of the pot to make adding ingredients more convenient. Embossed measurement markings are typically preferred because they're easier to clean than etched markings.
Pan Supports: Pan supports brace the pan beneath the pouring spout to better control the dispensation of food.
Draw-off Valve: These valves enable you to draw broth from the kettle without splashing or tilting it. They normally have a strainer to keep the solid food in the kettle.
Faucet Bracket: A faucet bracket gives operators a place to attach a faucet at the top of the kettle to simplify adding water.