It’s important to maintain your electric kettle for many reasons—it will increase its lifespan, keep your tea and coffee tasting fresh, and keep it looking its best. But like other kitchen appliances, you can’t simply throw it in the dishwasher or scrub it clean with a little soap and water. Below, we answer all the common questions related to descaling electric kettles.
Why do I need to descale my electric kettle?
The water contains natural minerals such as calcium carbonate and magnesium. When water boils, the heat causes those minerals to precipitate into a chalky white residue inside the kettle called limescale accumulation. Descaling your electric kettle will remove that buildup. Although limescale is not dangerous to your health, it can damage your kettle and affect its effectiveness—makes boiling water take longer. It can also affect the taste of the water.
How do you descale an electric kettle?
You can descale your kettle Use a solution of water and vinegar— Mild acidity helps to break up mineral buildup. Add equal parts water and vinegar to the kettle and bring to a boil. If you don’t have vinegar, you can also use baking soda or lemon juice. When using baking soda, you should add one to two tablespoons to two cups of water and boil it. For lemon juice, you can cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice or use ¼ cup of lemon juice. Then add the juice to a cup of water, mix and boil.
Depending on the amount of mineral buildup or how long you haven’t descaled the kettle, you can leave the solution inside the kettle for at least 15 to 20 minutes or as long as overnight. Then, pour out the water and wipe the inside with a sponge, soft cloth or soft-bristled sponge. You can repeat the process if you still see limescale.
How often do I need to descale my electric kettle?
If you live in an area with hard water (which is water with a high mineral content), you should descale your kettle every three months. If you live in an area with soft water (low mineral content), you may want to wait a little longer. However, you should also descale if you notice it mineral deposits in the pot, your tea or coffee tastes a little different or you see granular residue at the bottom of the cup.
