Kettle that looks like Adolf Hitler selling for up to $199 on eBay after selling out in stores

Adolf Hitler (left) and his look-alike kettle (Getty Images)

A kettle that looks like Adolf Hitler is brewing up a storm on auction website eBay after selling out in stores.

Reddit users initially pointed out the similarity between Adolf Hitler and the J.C Penney kettle after pictures were posted on the forum of a billboard sign advertising the stainless steel teapot.

The Michael Graves-designed kettle quickly became an unlikely hit in stores and yesterday it appeared to have sold out.

The kettles normally retail for around $40 but have subsequently turned up on eBay selling for a red hot $199, while others had reached bids of $185 and $180.

In a bid to avoid further embarrassment J.C Penney has removed the billboard that drew the original interest in the product.

Earlier this week the company made clear that any resemblance to the dead Nazi dictator was completely unintentional repeatedly tweeting the clarification at those curious about a Hitler connection.

"If we had designed it to look like something, we would have gone with a snowman or something fun," the store tweeted at followers.