How to Clean Your Stainless Steel Coffee or Tea Kettle

Surely, you want to make sure that your coffee or tea is great-tasting every single time. The thing is that even if you make the best coffee or tea but your equipment isn’t clean enough, you will still end up with a bad-tasting beverage. And nobody wants that. Make sure your coffee or tea tastes great all the time! Here are some tips on how to clean your stainless steel coffee or tea kettle.

First of all, we have to clarify that a tea kettle and a teapot are two different things. A tea kettle is what you use to boil water on the stove, then to be poured into your teapot. However, due to modern technology, there are already manufacturers that create a “tea kettle and teapot in one” as this is more convenient and time-saving for many.

Cleaning your kettle with dish soap and water regularly will keep it clean enough, but in some cases, you may need to remove some stubborn stains or hard water buildup from the inside of the kettle. This commonly happens, so it is really essential to remove the buildup to avoid any damage to your kettle, as well as negatively affect the taste of your coffee or tea.

Descaling is the process of removing limescale buildup from the metal surface inside the kettle. Water commonly builds up in places with hard water containing minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals dissolve into the water, and when this water comes in contact with metal like the inside of the kettle, it hardens when it dries. It can be difficult to get rid of when you leave it for a long time.

Most of the things you need for descaling can easily be found in your household or the local store. The methods to descale are also very doable. You can do this to a stovetop kettle, and even to an electronic kettle (either corded or cordless).

Using Vinegar

Vinegar is a common acidic ingredient that can help descale water buildup, as well as remove stains and rust. Also, take note that the strong smell of vinegar can stay in the kettle for quite some time so it’s best to boil water alone in the kettle for 2-3 times or even more until the smell is gone.

You need:  

– White vinegar or apple cider vinegar

– Water

– Soft cloths or scrubbing pads

Steps to clean: 

1. Fill the kettle with one part water and one part vinegar.

2. Bring the liquid mixture to a boil.

3. Allow the mixture to keep boiling for at least 15 minutes.

4. Drain the kettle, and refill it with water.

5. Boil the water for another 15 minutes.

6. Dispose the water and wait for the kettle to cool down.

7. Unplug it (for electronic), and use a soft cloth or a scrubbing pad to wipe off the insides of the kettle.

8. Wash the kettle and rinse completely with clean water.

Additional tip:

Dilute vinegar on a soft cloth and use it to polish the exterior of the tea kettle.

Using Citrus Juice

Sometimes, the manufacturers disapprove of using vinegar as a cleaning agent. In this case, you can use pre-squeezed citrus juice such as that of lemons or limes as an alternative.

You need:

– Lemons or limes (1 to 2 tablespoons of its juice will do)

– Baking soda

– Water

– Soft cloths or scrubbing pads

Steps to clean:

1. Put 1-2 tablespoons of citrus juice to the kettle and fill it with water.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil.

3. Allow it to keep boiling for 30 minutes.

4. Drain the kettle and refill it with plain water.

5. Boil the water for 15 minutes.

6. Wait for the kettle to cool down.

7. Add some baking soda to the kettle and use a soft cloth to wipe out the interior.

Additional tip:

If you’re using fresh fruit, you can slice the fruit after extracting its juice, and add it into the kettle during the first boil. The citric acid from the pulp and peel also helps to soften the buildup even more.

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is another popular cleaning agent. It’s not hard to find and can be used for nearly everything in your house that needs cleaning.

You need:

– Baking soda

– Water

– Soft cloths or scrubbing pads

– Bottle scrubber (like the ones used for baby milk bottles)

Steps to clean: 

1. Put one cup of baking soda into the kettle.

2. Fill the kettle with water and bring it to a boil.

3. Remove the kettle from the heat and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

4. Using a bottle scrubber, gently scrub the interior of the kettle.

5. For leftover buildup, pour most of the boiled water then leave out just a small amount.

6. Put additional baking soda.

7. Using a scrub brush or pad, mix the baking soda and water until you create a paste.

8. Continue scrubbing the interior of the kettle. Add more baking soda as necessary.

9. Once done with scrubbing, wash the kettle as normal and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Additional tips:

Use soft scrubbing brush or pads only to avoid further damaging your kettle. It’s best to use nylon or plastic scrubs.

Never allow the kettle to boil dry as it will create scorch marks on the inside, and it will be even harder to clean it again.

Take care of your equipment! It’s your investment too! 🙂