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I usually simply use dishwasher and my sponge. But it's always a pain to get to the bottom where the electric coil limits my movements. Then I'm also forced to rinse repeatedly and boil clean water at least twice to make sure all vestiges of the dishwasher are gone.
Is there any trick you use to get a satisfactory cleaning?
Either buy a commercial de-scaller or put some white vinegar in there without water. That does a good job, but remember to rinse a few times before making yourself a cup of tea or you wont enjoy it.
Just buy a new one every now and then, cost $20AU but it's clean :-)
Otherwise, if it's a good kettle, I have pulled them apart to clean them. Definitely not worth buying the plastic kettles, very hard to clean.
Yeah. That's my bad. I go for the cheapest. It irritates me spending money on these little appliances. I promise myself today is the day I will spend some serious money on a good one, but then I lose heart when I get to the store. Bah!
Vinegar occurred to me. But am a little afraid of using it on a plastic kettle. Chances are it will take forever to remove.
I usually clean with tartaric or malic acid (vinegar stinks too much). Either of these can be acquired at a homebrew shop
CLR works great, it available in the US, not sure what its called in Portugal, although I'm sure there is a similar product, its intended to remove calcium and lime from yoru hot water heater, but works great for smaller jobs too..
Yeah. I've seen CLR before. It's imported. Could give that a try.
White vinegar will effectively remove the scales. Only need enough to vinegar to rise about 5-10mm above the base of the kettle, the more the cleaner. Leave it for about 0.5 - 1 day.
Vinegar is the answer!
And it was indeed. It's now clean as new. Literally.
And was way easier to wash out than I first thought. No vestiges of smell or anything.
I miss having an electric kettle - I've never seen one here in the States.
Eh?
It's got to be an irony. I'm just missing its meaning :p
No, I'm being serious. I want an electric kettle, but no one seems to make or sell them in the States.Quote:
It's got to be an irony
Have you ever had an electric kettle? They are one of the most pointless -- and as Mario points out, conceptually flawed -- devices of all time.Quote:
Originally Posted by sean
Unless you do not have a stove to heat water on. But in that case, I would rather use a cheap coffee maker. If you do not put coffee in it, it serves up (and keeps warm!) hot water. Plus, they are usually much, much easier to keep clean inside (at least one whole side comes off) and do not seem to build up minerals to anywhere near the same extent for some reason*.
I had a roomate once who repeatedly would put an electric kettle on the stovetop (it does not survive). That would have been fine, since IMO it was better off occupying space in a garbage can than on a counter top, except it really was repeatedly....
* my guess is because they are mostly plastic inside and they use a rapid evaporate-and-condense to the pot, such that much of the mineral content is carried right thru in the steam/water vapour and does not have a chance to collect.
:)