A kettle, sometimes called a tea kettle or teakettle, is a type of pot, typically metal, specialized for boiling water

The first kettles were used in ancient Mesopotamia for purposes other than cooking[citation needed]. Over time these artistically decorated earthenware containers became more frequently utilized in the kitchen. In China, kettles were typically made of iron and were placed directly over an open flame. Travellers used the kettles to boil fresh water to make it suitable for drinking.