How To Clean an Electric Kettle – Descale It The Easy Way
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Key Takeaways:
This is how you can clean an electric kettle.
Step 1: Descale the kettle with a mixture of equal parts of water & white vinegar.
Step 2: To clean with citric acid, fill the tank halfway with water and bring it to a boil.
Step 3: Now add 1 to 2 tablespoons citric acid and let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 4: Pour off the water and scrub with a bottle brush or scrub as needed and rinse.
Electric kettles have become incredibly popular because they can boil water for a cup of coffee or tea in a fraction of the time that a stove-top kettle can. They are even considered more efficient than using a microwave for the simple task of boiling water.
But after months of use, electric kettles can build up mineral deposits from the water you’re using. It’s worth taking the time to give it a thorough clean. Of course, you don’t want to clean it with anything that’s not food-safe or that will be too harsh.
Where do these scales in the kettle come from?
The frequency of cleaning will depend upon how often you use your kettle. The exterior should be wiped down to remove smudges and splatters at least once a week. If you are using it daily to heat water, the kettle should be descaled to remove hard water minerals at least four times a year. If the kettle has a water filter or cartridge, it should be cleaned every other month or as recommended by the manufacturer.
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What You”ll Need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Citric acid
- Water
- Bottle brush
- Microfiber cloth
How To Clean An Electric Kettle
Descale the kettle with white vinegar
An acidic compound, in the form of vinegar is the perfect tool for getting rid of those nasty scales.
Add equal parts water and vinegar to the kettle until it is about halfway full. Bring to a boil; allow the boiled vinegar water mixture to sit in the kettle for 15 or 20 minutes.
Pour off the mixture and rinse the kettle. If there are still scales or gunk inside the kettle use the bottle brush to remove anything that is sticking around.
Clean the kettle using citric acid powder or lemon
Citric Acid, a naturally occurring element in citrus fruit, is good at breaking down gunk and grime, it’s also good for getting rid of mildew, mold, and bacteria.
To use it to clean your kettle, start by filling the tank halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water boils, add 1 to 2 tablespoons citric acid and let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour off the water and scrub with a bottle brush or scrub as needed and rinse.
To finish it – Boil a pot of plain water once or twice and dump it. This will remove any remaining vinegar odor or taste.
Clean the exterior of the kettle
Wipe down the exterior of the kettle with a non-abrasive sponge dipped in a solution of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to remove any smudges or splatters. For tough-to-remove spots, dip the damp sponge in some dry baking soda. The gentle abrasive nature of the baking soda will help remove the mess.
Once the exterior is clean, wipe the kettle dry with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.
How to prevent kettle limescale
To prevent future limescale build-ups, use a kettle protector — such as the Zojirushi Kettle Descaler — a stainless-steel wire ball which attracts deposit away from the base and sides. Rinse and squeeze each month to clear the scale.
Amit Gupta
Hi, my name is Amit Gupta, and I am the owner and contributor at Cafeish. My obsession with coffee started when I received my first French press as a gift almost ten years ago. Since then, my love of coffee – and the number of coffee gadgets I own – has grown considerably.
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