Electric kettles require very little maintenance in general. The accumulation of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, from your local water source on the inside is something to keep an eye out for. The amount of accumulation may impact how long it takes the kettle to boil water.
The process of "descaling" is used to get rid of this mineral accumulation, and how frequently you descale your electric kettle will depend on how "hard" your water is. You'll need to descale more frequently if you have hard water because it has more mineral deposits. Generally, you might wish to clean it once a month or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Some manufacturers sell descaling solutions specifically for this process. The best DIY way to do it, however, is with distilled white vinegar. You can also use lemon juice, citric acid, or baking soda; it's the acid that does the trick. In this article, we'll walk you through the three main DIY methods for descaling a kettle.
Method 1: With Vinegar
Fill the kettle with three parts fresh water and one part white distilled vinegar. You don't need to fill the kettle more than a third full, according to our experience. Use 1/4 cup vinegar and 3/4 cup water for a 1-liter electric kettle. Try mixing 1 1/2 cups water with 1/2 cup vinegar if your electric kettle is bigger. 2. Boil the water and vinegar for two minutes, then turn off the heat and allow the mixture to stand for 20 minutes. 3. To remove the accumulation, rinse it several times with fresh water. You can also wipe the inside of the kettle with a gentle sponge or cloth if the accumulation is severe.
4.To ensure any lingering vinegar taste is gone, you can optionally refill the kettle with water only, boil and discard.
Method 2: With Lemon Juice or Citric Acid
Lemon and tea go well together, so there won't be any unpleasant aftertastes. The acid in lemon juice can help descale an electric kettle. You can also use citric acid powder, which dissolves in water and works similarly to lemon juice in breaking down muck. For this approach: 1. Fill your kettle's bottom with enough water to cover 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or 1 tablespoon of citric acid. 2. After bringing the liquid to a boil, turn the kettle off and let it settle for roughly 20 minutes. Remove the mixture, then thoroughly rinse the kettle with new water.
Method 3: With Baking Soda
A tried-and-true descaler, baking soda works effectively to remove light deposits from the bottom of your electric kettle. Use it as follows:
1. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda to the kettle before topping it out with at least halfway of the water. 2. Boil the mixture for two minutes, then switch off the kettle and let it rest. 3. Rinse the kettle with water, then use a sponge or soft cloth to clean the bottom. Make sure you rinse again to get rid of all the baking soda residue.
Cleaning methods are the same whether your electric kettle is made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel.Hope these methods can help you.
