Why do you need to clean an electric kettle? Most people only give the outside a quick wipe-down and maybe even the power cord but do not think about the inside, which is more important.

With that said, learn more about how to clean electric kettles below.

The Outside

Cleaning the outside is not critical and is mainly for aesthetic reasons. If you fry a lot of food in your kitchen, the chances are that your sparkling kettle has an unsightly combination of cooking oil, grease, sauce, and dust on it.
Clean with any commercial household cleaner formulated to break down oil and grease. Environmentally friendly products are readily available today that do a great job. Alternatively, you can use items that you already have in your kitchen to clean your electric kettle.

The Inside

The inside of the kettle is another issue altogether. Over time the kettle builds up a deposit on the inside surfaces and especially the heating element itself. This deposit is usually suspended calcium. When heat is applied, it begins to deposit on surfaces it is in contact with.

This process occurs every time the kettle is used, and each subsequent deposit is slightly more than the previous one. The foundation for the next deposit improves each time the kettle boils.
This gradual process is only unsightly at first but does reach a stage where the kettle will take longer to boil because of the calcium deposit.

This deposit acts like an insulator that reduces the efficiency of heat transfer to the liquid. It sometimes adds an undesirable taste to your drink, and small bits can flake off and end up in your food or beverage.

To learn how to clean an electric kettle, follow these steps:

  • Make a solution of any commercially available descaler or a homemade one, which involves making a 50/50 water solution of white vinegar or lemon (cut in pieces) or bicarbonate of soda.
  • Fill the kettle to the three-quarter level. Do not overfill.
  • Boil the kettle as usual.
  • Leave to soak for a while.
  • Drain the liquid and inspect for remaining deposits.
  • If not, repeat the process. The solution can just be poured into the kettle and left to stand – from twenty minutes to overnight, depending on how much cleaning your kettle needs.
  • Finally, rinse with clean water and boil several times to remove all the descaling solution’s traces before regular use.

Electric Tea Kettles

If you own an electric teakettle, some teas cause a tannin deposit.

The next question is how to clean an electric tea kettle?
The tannin in the tea now mixes with the calcium deposits to make an even more unwelcome sight.

Use the steps outlined above to remove tannin. If the teakettle does not have a lot of scale, try using two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda or salt in a generous amount of vinegar.

Conclusion
Finally, depending on how severe your problem is, experiment with different combinations and strengths of the above household items. The problem is sure to be resolved.