From pour-over coffee to a soothing cup of tea, enjoying delicious hot drinks is easier with an electric kettle. However, this appliance isn't limited to beverages. It can also heat water for soup, noodles, oatmeal and other dishes.
With regular maintenance, your electric kettle should stay in good condition, but kettle owners often dismiss descaling—it can’t really be that important, could it? Turns out, it’s very important. Here’s why.
What is descaling?
Naturally occurring minerals in water, including magnesium and calcium, tend to stick to the kettle during the heating process. This buildup is normal, especially in areas with hard water. Descaling an electric kettle involves removing the limescale buildup that accumulates inside. It's a thorough process, as the minerals can't be easily wiped away.
How does descaling differ from cleaning?
Rinsing your kettle regularly with water is essential, and you can occasionally give it a deeper clean with soap. This process typically involves wiping the outside of the appliance and cleaning the interior of the container.
As mentioned, descaling is a more invasive process that eliminates mineral deposits that form inside the kettle. Limescale removal also requires a stronger cleaning solution.
Why is descaling necessary?
Descaling is an important maintenance task that helps enhance water quality and appliance performance.
The limescale that naturally builds up on electric kettles worsens over time. The longer you wait to descale a kettle, the more difficult it is to remove the mineral deposits. If your kettle has significant buildup, you may notice a difference in the taste of your food and drinks.
The deposits might also affect how well the appliance works. Excess mineral buildup can slow down the water heating process, which means you have to wait longer, and the kettle uses more energy. If the deposits get bad enough, they could damage the heating element, or you may have to toss the appliance completely.
How often should you descale your kettle?
Deciding how often to descale an electric kettle depends largely on the type of water you have. Hard water contains a higher concentration of minerals, so the buildup will likely be greater. This means you'll need to descale more often, possibly once a month. If you have soft water, you may only need to descale every two or three months.
Of course, if you’re not using your electric kettle every day, you may not need to descale as often. But even minimal use can leave deposits behind, and the longer you let them sit, the more difficult it will be to descale.
How can you tell when it's time to descale your kettle?
Keep a close eye on the interior for any buildup. It usually appears as a whitish residue inside the kettle that doesn't easily wipe away. It may also feel chalky or rough. Symptoms of scale build-up can include lagging temperature readout response, over-boiling, inaccurate temperatures, and poor heating efficiency; if you notice any of these issues with your kettle, scale build-up is the likely culprit.
How to descale an electric kettle
To descale an electric kettle, you need a mildly acidic solution to attack the stuck-on minerals. You can use vinegar or citric acid to descale. Both are safe and effective cleaning solutions; however, citric acid is a bit stronger and doesn't leave a lingering scent like vinegar may leave. If you prefer to buy a ready-made solution, we recommend descaling with Urnex Dezcal, which you can buy from Amazon and many other retail locations.
If you use vinegar, heat a solution of half vinegar and half water in your kettle. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it sit for at least a half-hour before dumping it out and rinsing the kettle thoroughly.
If you use citric acid, heat a solution of 500mL of water and 2 spoonfuls of citric acid. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it sit for at least a half-hour before dumping it out and rinsing the kettle thoroughly. For more information, please read the instructions on the product.
If you need to wipe the inside of the kettle, use only soft cleaning tools, such as a sponge, to prevent scratches.
Other maintenance tasks
In addition to descaling your electric kettle, cleaning the kettle itself is another important maintenance task. Avoid submerging it in water or cleaning solutions. The easiest way to clean the outside of an electric kettle is to wipe it down with a cloth or sponge after it cools. A quick wipe-down after every use prevents spots and splashes from forming on the outside.
For the inside, use a small amount of gentle soap and water. Wipe the interior, pour out the soapy water and rinse it well to ensure your next drink doesn't taste like soap. Since the inside only contains water, you don't need to clean it as often as the outside.
Using your electric kettle as directed can also extend its life. Avoid overfilling the pot, and don't turn it on if it's empty. Ignoring these guidelines could damage the kettle's heating element.
With regular care, your electric kettle should remain in peak condition. A well-maintained kettle heats water efficiently and without any strange tastes. Establish a cleaning routine and watch for signs that your electric kettle requires descaling for optimal results.