Scaling has a detrimental effect on both the kettle and human he alth. And it does not matter on what principle the water is heated, or what material the kettle is made of, scale is certainly formed on the walls and the heating part of the container. It is impossible to prevent this process even with the help of various water filters that can only slow down the intensity of sedimentation. But this problem should not be ignored primarily because of the significant effect of scale on the body.
It is also capable of damaging electrical appliances, having low thermal conductivity, which leads to overheating of the heating system. Among other things, scale increases the period of boiling water in a metal kettle and leads to unnecessary time and energy costs. You can fight this phenomenon in various ways, among which everyone can choose the best option for themselves, how to remove scale in a kettle.
Ways to prevent limescale
Everyone knows that it is always better to prevent a problem than to solve it later. Especially in the case of scale in the kettledoing this is not at all difficult, adhering to elementary recommendations:
- The first rule that you need to remember not only for the sake of the kettle, but also for the benefit of your he alth is to boil water no more than once. Always use fresh water.
- The best option would be to use purchased purified water. Usually, in the city water supply system, the level of s alts and metals in the water is many times higher than the safe indicator for he alth.
- To soften and purify water, it is possible to use special filters that require regular replacement. But one must understand that such systems can only reduce the content of harmful substances in water, but not completely purify it.
- Silicon is also used to remove harmful substances from water. A few pieces of it are placed in a small container of water for a week, so if you drink a lot of liquid, this method will not be effective.
- Keep the kettle clean by rinsing it regularly with fresh water. She must not be allowed to stagnate in it.
- It is recommended to carry out a monthly preventive maintenance of deposits by diluting 1 tablespoon of citric acid in a full kettle of water and boiling it.
- If the water in the region is very hard, then regular preventive maintenance of the kettle will be required. To facilitate such work, it is better to purchase a plastic electric kettle, from which it is easier to remove scale than from a metal one.
Cleaning the enamel kettle with baking soda
Since this type of kettle is very versatile, which is why it is widely used in our kitchens, many will be interested to know how to remove scale in an enameled kettle.
One of the most common ways is cleaning with soda. It is suitable not only for removing a thin layer of scale, but also for old deposits. First you need to boil a full kettle of clean water, and then add soda to it at the rate of 3 tablespoons per liter and continue to boil for about 40 minutes. If especially thick layers have formed in the kettle, then to be sure, immediately after the end of the first cleaning procedure, boil water for 20 minutes with the addition of vinegar. The last step will be to lightly clean the walls of the kettle from thick deposits with a wooden spatula.
Use of vinegar when cleaning enameled and electric kettles
You can use vinegar to remove scale in the kettle, only this cleaning method is designed for an enameled surface with a slight layering. Water with the addition of vinegar in the proportion of 5 tablespoons per liter is boiled in a kettle for two hours. For best results, you can use vinegar essence by diluting it in water in a ratio of 1:5. It takes no more than 40 minutes to boil such a solution.
Table or apple cider vinegar can also be used to remove scale in an electric kettle. It is necessary to collect an incomplete kettle of water, add 100 ml of vinegar there, heat the water strongly, but do not let it boil. As the water cools, it is heated again, after which you can proceed todescaling. It usually doesn't take much effort as the buildup will fall off on its own.
Cleaning an enameled teapot with apple and pear skins
To get rid of scale in the kettle during the summer season, peels from apples and pears are used. It is enough to boil it in a kettle for half an hour, and not only deposits will disappear, but the former color of the enamel will also return.
Cleaning metal and electric kettle with citric acid
Descaling the kettle with citric acid (stainless steel appliance) is quick and easy. It is enough to pour one and a half liters of water into it, stir a 25 gram pack of citric acid in it, wait for the water to boil and keep it in a boiling state for about 3 minutes so that the acid can best react with the sediment. If the latter managed to thoroughly eat into the surface, then the procedure must be repeated 2 or 3 times. When the kettle is clean, be sure to rinse it with fresh water and boil it before use.
But citric acid to remove scale from a stainless steel kettle is suitable not only for metal appliances, but also for plastic electric kettles. Just in a slightly different way. In a kettle filled with water, add citric acid in a ratio of 1 tbsp. spoon per liter, boil and let the water cool. Do not completely fill the kettle with water, as the resulting solution will foam strongly when boiling and begin to come out. After the water is drained, the kettle is washed. If athe sediment has not completely disappeared, the walls and the spiral are wiped with a hard sponge. In case of large deposits, it is recommended not to drain the solution, but to leave it overnight. The final cleaning with a sponge can be done in the morning.
Descaling a metal kettle with lemon
Lemon refers to a special way to effectively descale a kettle. It is desirable to apply it to metallic materials, since lemon has an aggressive effect, and not every material can withstand it safely. There is an opinion that in this way it is possible to clean the electric kettle, but such actions will be performed at the peril and risk of the owner of the device. The method of such cleaning is simple: the lemon is cut into slices, placed in a teapot and filled with 2/3 water. After boiling, the lemon should be boiled for 30 minutes. Water is drained only after complete cooling. The remaining scale is wiped off with a sponge.
Special descaling products
Of course, you can remove the scale in the kettle using both folk methods and special means. It is better to select such a tool according to the general rule: the manufacturer must be known and have a good reputation. This method may not be budgetary, but here everyone has their own priorities.
The procedure for using such products is indicated on the packaging and usually does not have any difficulties: the composition of the package is poured into boiled water for a certain time, or initiallyadded to the cold until boiling. The main thing is to observe the indicated proportions and rinse the kettle thoroughly after cleaning. You must also understand that all chemical-based products are unsafe for the human body.
Combined method of dealing with scale in an electric kettle
This method is used when all previous methods have failed. The water in the kettle is diluted with 1 tablespoon of soda and boiled several times. If the plaque does not disappear, then it will thoroughly soften. Then any of the above methods is used, how to remove scale in the kettle. When using products with acid, it is important to add them before boiling water, and not after it. Gloves should also be used.
As a result, we see that there is nothing complicated and costly in the existing methods of descaling a kettle. Therefore, each of us can easily monitor the condition of his teapot, timely removing s alt deposits that have appeared. These cleaning methods will help prevent premature failure of the kitchen appliance and avoid he alth problems.