Electric pots are very convenient kitchen equipment because they take less time to heat water compared to stovetop pots. And they are more efficient than using a microwave to heat that cup of water. A clean electric kettle has optimum performance in heating water for your coffee.
The downside is that hard water have mineral deposits which result in scaling. This is bad news as lime scale deposits take its toll in the water quality and performance of the kitchen appliance. This means cleaning your electric kettle from time to time is necessary to maintain its functionality and extend its lifespan. This blog will teach you how to descale an electric kettle.
What is Limescale?
Lime scale refers to the buildup caused by hard water. It appears as a white powder lining the bottom and sides of the pot where water is constantly contacts. Hard water has a lot of minerals like calcium and magnesium, and they can be a real problem if left alone. These minerals cannot escape the pot through evaporation, so they are left inside piling up over time. Thicker lime scales are usually found at the bottom, and they become cemented when dried. Fortunately, you can use something that you might have already in your cupboard to get rid of this buildup.
Ways of Removing Limescale From a Kettle
How do you clean an electric kettle? In this blog, we will share 4 ways how to clean inside of electric kettles and how to remove rust from electric kettle using 4 simple things that are maybe already in your kitchen countertop or cupboards.
How to Clean Electric Kettle With Vinegar?
- Mix one part of water with one part of vinegar and pour the pot halfway.
- Turn on the pot and let boil before turning it off.
- Leave the solution for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Put the solution away and rinse the pot multiple times to completely remove the vinegar.
- Dry the kettle inside and outside using a clean towel. Air dry.
- When completely dried, remove remaining vinegar traces by boiling water again.
How to Clean an Electric Kettle With Lemon Juice or Lime Juice and Baking Soda
- For every 500 milliliters of water, add an ounce of lemon or lime.
- Boil the solution inside the electric kettle for around 20 to 25 minutes.
- Unplug, empty, and leave the appliance.
- Pour some baking soda on a damp cloth and wipe away any remaining lime scale inside the kettle.
- Rinse the appliance for at least 5 times to ensure it is well-rinsed before using it again.
How to Clean Electric Kettle With Lemon Slices and Lemon Juice
- Don’t throw away lemons after extracting their juice. We’ll be using both of them.
- Pour water in the kettle hallway and add lemon juice extracts and lemon slices.
- Boil the mix for 15 minutes and let it soak until it cools down.
- Fish out the lemon slices and pour out the mixture.
- Pour clean water in the kettle and let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes again.
- Wash the kettle inside and out and dry with a clean towel.
In addition to these methods, you can buy commercial limescale cleaning products from your local supermarket or home improvement store. These are sachets of powder that are diluted to make your pot sparkling clean. They are especially helpful if you’re not sure how to clean plastic electric kettles.
Tips for Cleaning an Electric Kettle
If the thick lime scale buildup is giving you a headache, make a stronger solution by adding in more vinegar to the mixture and give it an overnight.
You can completely remove the stubborn residue after descaling the pot by dusting the inner surface of the pot with baking soda and using a damp cloth or sponge. Scrubbing baking soda gently is enough to get rid of the remaining deposits.
You should avoid scrubbing the heater inside the pot because you might also scrub away the coating that protects it.
Lime scale catchers are available for purchase. They help slow down or prevent lime scale build up.
The filter might also be infected by the limescale deposits. In this case, let it soak in a cup filled with vinegar. It might take a few minutes for the vinegar to loosen the buildup. And then clean it further with a scrubbing pad.
Try not to let water stay inside the electric kettle for long durations. Some people leave leftover water inside the pot, but this isn’t a good habit. You should empty it after every use. It’s a good idea to only boil enough water for your needs which also saves electricity.
Never immerse the entire electric pot in water because this results to damages to the heating system.
These simple methods can easily maintain the functionality of your electric pot. You’ll be glad to know how this small measures can keep your pot working. Make it a habit to descale electric kettles every other month. There are some places where they have harder water which means they have to clean inside more often.
FAQs
How to Clean Electric Kettle - Baking Soda
Baking soda is used in conjunction with an acid which can be vinegar or lemon juice. Baking soda is a slight basic compound while vinegar is an acidic compound. Their combination is like an explosive chemical reaction that can do a lot of wonders. For this, they are usually used to clean tools, appliances, equipment, drains, and many more.
How Does Limescale Affect Health?
Should you be worried about drinking water that a lime scale? Well, no. In small amounts it doesn’t have any negative effect on your overall health. They are actually healthy for you as there are minerals like calcium and magnesium mixed in. The only threat that lime scale brings is the build-up inside your pot which may compromise its performance.
How to Clean a Plastic Kettle?
It’s best to use a solution of water and vinegar to descale plastic pots. Scrubbing it might leave discolored lines and marks. Let the solution set in the pot overnight. You can rinse the pot repeatedly the next day to remove traces left by vinegar. To clean the outer surface, use a soft sponge with warm soapy water.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Electric Kettle?
You can use any solution mentioned above to clean stainless steel pots. For more stubborn hard water traces, use a brush preferably one with longer handle. Or you can use a scrubbing pad sprinkled with baking soda.
How to Clean Glass Electric Kettle?
Water marks inside the pot aren’t very pleasing to look at. You can use lemon, lime, distilled vinegar or sodium bicarbonate to get rid of it. Please refer to the steps above how to do it easily. Don’t throw the water solution. You can use it with a sponge and gently clean the outer surface of your glass pot as well.
Conclusion
We hope this blog has given you the best idea how to clean your electric kettle. Find the best electric kettles on MyKitchenAdvisor.com when it’s time to replace your old one.
