Brilio.net - An electric kettle is a very practical tool for heating water quickly. But sometimes, users forget when boiling water in it, so the kettle burns when the water runs out. This is then made worse when the kettle is filled with scale due to the accumulation of calcium or minerals from the water used.
Water that contains a lot of minerals such as calcium or magnesium can leave deposits inside the kettle. If the kettle is used continuously without being cleaned regularly, these deposits will build up and can stick to the heating element, causing uneven heating and burning the inside of the kettle. In addition, kettles that are not turned off immediately after boiling water can also potentially cause excessive temperatures that damage the inner surface.
To prevent this problem, it is important to perform regular maintenance on the electric kettle , such as cleaning the scale with natural cleaning agents. Choosing water that has a low mineral content or using a water filter can also help reduce scale formation. But if it has already burned and crusted, there is a special way to clean it.
Luckily, a TikTok user @cicisolutippp once revealed the method through one of the videos uploaded. He admitted to only using natural ingredients found in the kitchen. Well, this ingredient can be very effective in removing burnt crust on the inside of an electric kettle without having to scrub hard.
How to clean burnt crust on the inside of an electric kettle
TikTok/@cicisolutipp
As reported by BrilioFood from TikTok @cicisolutippp on Tuesday (10/12), the kitchen ingredients in question are vinegar, salt, and ice cubes. To do this, you only need to put in 3 handfuls of ice cubes until the bottom is completely covered. Then, pour in 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 tbsp of salt.
How to clean burnt crust on the inside of an electric kettle
TikTok/@cicisolutipp
Next, let it sit for 1 hour. Then discard the soaking water. Then boil water as usual in a teapot. This is done to help neutralize the pungent smell of vinegar in the teapot. Or if necessary, you can also boil it with baking soda so that the vinegar smell is even more gone.
How to clean burnt crust on the inside of an electric kettle
TikTok/@cicisolutipp
Once done, wash the kettle as usual with soap and running water. Guaranteed the kettle will be shiny and odor-free again. Now, you can use this electric kettle to boil water as usual without worrying about odor and taste contamination.
It is important to note that these three kitchen ingredients can help remove burnt crust very effectively. Vinegar, for example, contains acetic acid which functions to dissolve minerals such as calcium and magnesium which often form crust in the teapot. The acid will dissolve the crust and reduce the buildup of these minerals. In addition, vinegar also has antibacterial properties which help clean dirt and odors left in the teapot.
Salt, on the other hand, acts as a mild abrasive that can help scrape off scale without damaging the inside of the kettle. When mixed with water and vinegar, salt helps create more friction to remove tougher scale. Salt also helps stabilize the acid in vinegar, increasing its effectiveness in dissolving scale.
Ice cubes can be used as a cleaning agent because the rapid cooling effect can tighten the scale particles and make it easier to scrape. When ice cubes are added to the kettle with a mixture of vinegar and salt, the changing temperature can help loosen the tougher scale and remove it more effectively. This combination provides a natural and safe way to care for your electric kettle, making it last longer and free from scale.