Kettles are a common fixture in most households, and there are various high-quality options available from different brands to suit everyone’s requirements. However, regardless of the kettle’s quality, you may observe that it develops an odor with time and usage. It is essential to determine the cause of this smell and whether it is still safe to use the kettle for drinking purposes.
Experiencing an unusual odor from your kettle after using it is a common occurrence. The cause of the smell may be due to chemical reactions between the water and the materials used in manufacturing or mineral accumulation inside the kettle. To eliminate the odor, you can clean your kettle with baking soda, lemon juice, or vinegar.
Fortunately, there are several methods to eliminate and avoid the unpleasant odor from your kettle, ensuring that it can last for an extended period without any issues.
Maintaining your kettle is crucial to retain its quality and guarantee a delicious cup of tea. In this article, we will explore the most effective methods to clean and maintain your kettle.
Should You Clean a New Kettle Before Using It?
It is advisable to perform a thorough cleaning of your kettle before using it for the first time. You might detect a plastic or chemical odor when you unbox it, but there’s a simple explanation and solution to this issue.
Manufacturers might apply chemicals to protect the kettle from rust. This helps to maintain the kettle’s quality while it is stored on the shelf, and may produce a detectable smell when taken out of its packaging.
When stored in a warehouse before purchase, the appliance may have accumulated dust and other particles. Although these substances are not dangerous to consume, they can cause an unpleasant taste.
It is important to clean your kettle thoroughly after unpacking it to avoid consuming any unintentional additives.
How Should You Clean a New Kettle Before Using It?
Before using your kettle for the first time, it is important to follow a few steps to ensure proper cleaning.
To avoid strange smells when using your kettle, start by cleaning it with regular dishwashing soap and rinsing it thoroughly. If you have an electric kettle, make sure not to get any of the electrical parts wet or submerge the kettle; instead, wipe it clean and rinse.
Next, after drying your kettle, fill it up to the maximum water level and boil the water. However, do not drink this water as it may contain any residual chemicals or dust that were present even after washing.
Next, it is necessary to perform another boil cycle using a full kettle of water at least once. In case your kettle emitted a chemical odor upon unboxing, keep boiling and pouring out the water until the smell disappears.
After boiling and discarding a few cycles of water, your kettle can be safely used for the first time once there is no longer any chemical odor.
What Can Be Used to Remove Smell From a Used Kettle?
If your kettle has developed an unpleasant odor after use, you can eliminate it by cleaning it using the same method as a new kettle, but with additional cleaning agents. Depending on what you have in your pantry, there are several effective options available. These methods can be used to effectively get rid of any lingering smells from a previously used kettle.
Baking soda is a commonly available cleaning agent in most households, and it can be used to clean your kettle effectively. To do so, fill the kettle with water and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Boil the mixture and let it sit overnight before discarding it. Finally, wash the kettle using dish soap as usual.
After rinsing thoroughly, boil a full kettle of water and dispose of it to eliminate any residue or baking soda, repeating the process as necessary until the strange odor dissipates.
If you do not possess baking soda or want to save it for your baked goods, you can substitute vinegar as a cleaning agent for your kettle. First, fill half of the kettle with water and then add vinegar to fill the other half. Boil the mixture and let it sit overnight.
To eliminate any odor or unpleasant taste, dispose of the water, clean the kettle with dish soap, rinse it thoroughly, and boil a fresh batch of water. Repeat this process as needed.
Finally, fresh lemon can be used as a substitute for baking soda or vinegar since the citric acid in it is also an effective cleaning agent. Slicing a spare lemon and adding it to the kettle, filling it up to the maximum fill line with water, and boiling it can help clean your kettle.
Boil the mixture for at least 30 minutes, let it sit, and then discard it before rinsing thoroughly. In case the odor persists, redo the procedure and use dishwashing soap to clean.
How Often Should You Clean a Kettle?
Once you have performed the initial cleaning of your kettle and started using it, it is crucial to keep up with routine cleaning to avoid the accumulation of minerals and rust.
To guarantee the freshness of your kettle and prevent the formation of rust and other buildups, it is recommended to hand wash it with dishwashing soap after every use.
Although many people do not consider cleaning their kettle frequently due to its high temperature, doing so can quickly and effortlessly prolong its lifespan.
It is advisable to descale your kettle once a month if you have hard water, or every three months if you have soft water, in addition to cleaning it after each use, to eliminate any buildup that may have accumulated despite your diligent efforts.
If your kettle is odorless, you can still use the methods mentioned earlier, such as baking soda, vinegar, or lemon, to descale and thoroughly clean its interior.
Can You Leave Water in a Kettle?
Leaving water in a kettle after boiling is not advisable due to the presence of minerals like magnesium and calcium in hard water, which create limescale upon evaporation. This limescale can cause erosion and leave behind a chalky residue that may harm your kettle, although it is not harmful to consume.
To prevent the formation of limescale in your kettle, it is advisable to clean and empty it regularly; however, if it does form, you can utilize the previously mentioned techniques to eliminate it, which is commonly known as descaling.
Standing water can lead to the formation of rust in your kettle, depending on its material. Although consuming small amounts of rust is not dangerous, it is crucial to eliminate it promptly to prevent any harm to your kettle.
To eliminate any rust buildup, you can utilize the descaling techniques that have been previously mentioned to clean your kettle.
Are There Other Ways to Maintain a Kettle?
Aside from performing routine cleaning with dishwashing soap and descaling every few months, there are some other methods to maintain your kettle.
Water is typically responsible for any harm caused to your kettle, such as limescale or rust. It’s essential to clean it frequently, but don’t forget to complete the process by thoroughly drying the kettle with a dish towel.
If you leave your kettle to dry without proper ventilation, it can lead to the accumulation of water residue that may cause harm. To prevent this, you can place a paper towel inside the kettle before storing it, especially if you reside in a damp area, to absorb any excess moisture.
While cleaning the inside of your kettle is important, it’s equally crucial to clean the outside to maintain its good condition, especially since most people keep their kettle on their stove or counter, making it vulnerable to grease and other harmful grime.
To enjoy your kettle for a long time, it is essential to take proper care of it by cleaning and descaling it regularly.
You can also check this video about “Why Your Kettle Can Smell Strange When Used”
