Kettles offer numerous advantages, which is why they have long been established in many households. However, the devices also require a certain amount of maintenance and care. How to clean a kettle optimally, we have summarized for you in this guide.
Advantages of the kettle
Kettles have long been able to establish themselves. This is not only due to the low prices of kettles. The water is hot much faster than in a pot or kettle on the stove top. At the same time, the device is usually also much more economical in terms of power consumption. However, this is only the case if the kettle is cleaned regularly. This includes, above all, regular descaling.
Tap water almost inevitably leads to cleaning and descaling
The amount of lime in water varies greatly from region to region. In the long run, however, calcification occurs in almost all kettles. This is also because tap water is preferably used for cooking in the kettle. This is not surprising, since tap water is of drinking water quality.
Remember: drinking water is treated in the kettle.
But even when it comes to descaling, differences become apparent in kettles compared to other appliances such as washing machines or steam cleaners. Because in the kettle is actually prepared drinking water, which should also be supplied to the body. Thus, cleaning limescale from the kettle should not necessarily be done with a commercial limescale cleaner or descaler; even though the appliance in question is still extensively cleaned by rinsing after descaling.
Suitable means for cleaning the kettle
So, if you want to clean your kettle and start descaling, you should resort to less chemical descaling aids. For the kettle, we recommend the following products or agents for descaling:
- Vinegar or vinegar essence
- Citric acid (be sure to follow the procedure for citric acid described below!)
- Baking soda and baking powder
Cleaning and descaling the kettle with vinegar or vinegar essence
The vinegar is added undiluted to the container of the kettle. The heating element should be generously and completely immersed in the vinegar. Then you can heat the vinegar like water in the kettle. Then, leave the vinegar in the kettle for another two hours or so. However, if you just want to clean the kettle without doing any major descaling, you can also dump out the contents after heating it.
However, this would be a waste, because if you leave vinegar to work for the next two hours, even small lime deposits will be dissolved. After that, the kettle is not only rinsed intensively. Before you use the device again for boiling drinking water, for example for tea or coffee, you should start two to three passes with water that you do not intend to consume. This will ensure that the water then reused in the kettle does not take on a taint of vinegar.
Use of vinegar essence
Cleaning and descaling the kettle with vinegar essence works the same way in principle. However, vinegar essence is more concentrated acetic acid. Therefore, you should never use vinegar essence pure.
This could also attack plastic seals in the appliance, resulting in leaks through use. You should therefore dilute the vinegar essence with water in a ratio of 1:4. So to one part vinegar, use four parts water. Otherwise, follow the described procedure for descaling and cleaning the kettle with vinegar.
Cleaning or descaling the kettle with citric acid
Citric acid offers the advantage of not producing the odor typical of vinegar. However, when using citric acid to clean the kettle, other aspects must be considered. First, you need to mix the water with the citric acid for descaling. To one liter of water, you should add one teaspoon of citric acid. Often, the powder is also offered in appropriately small sachets, which they can use completely if the amount is sufficient.
But now comes the big difference when descaling and cleaning with citric acid. Under no circumstances should the water used be hot or heated. Preferably, the water used to clean the kettle is cold, but at most lukewarm. This is because if you heat the water with the dissolved citric acid, it will trigger another chemical process on the calcifications. This lime is then transformed into calcium citrate. Unlike lime, however, this calcium citrate cannot be dissolved at all.
This is also the reason why such electrical appliances, where the heating of the water cannot be controlled or turned off, should never be decalcified with citric acid. In the case of the kettle, this would mean that it could no longer be cleaned. The only thing left to do would be to dispose of the k ettle. Appliances where citric acid should not be used either would be coffee machines or steam cleaners as well as washing machines.
Cleaning the kettle with baking soda or baking powder
The kettle should be filled no more than halfway with water. Then, one to two teaspoons of baking soda or baking powder are added. Then, stir in the baking soda or baking powder well and heat the water. Then let the mixture stand again for at least two hours.
Please do not be alarmed, but the baking soda will cause the liquid to “swell” or foam up, which does not look very appealing. But it is an efficient home remedy for dissolving lime, which is otherwise completely harmless. This is also the reason why the kettle must not be filled with water more than halfway.
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Decalcify kettle with vinegar
Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green is a seasoned home chef and culinary expert who has a passion for all things kitchen-related. With her extensive knowledge of the latest kitchen products and appliances, Elizabeth provides insightful reviews and recommendations to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Whether you're looking for a new refrigerator, blender, or cookware set, Elizabeth is your guide to finding the best kitchen products available in the UK.
