Why Do You Have to Empty the Water out of an Electric Teakettle After Each Use?

Types of Teakettles

• Electric teakettles come in glass, stainless steel or plastic versions. Choose the version with the most decorative appeal to match your kitchen, office or other area of use. Glass teakettles allow you to see clearly whether scale forms on the interior, as well as the overall cleanliness of the kettle.

Safeguards

• Unplug the teakettle when not in use. Never clean the kettle while it is still plugged in and don't clean it before it's cool. Watch out for children and pets if pouring boiling water, always using the handle to lift and pour. Inspect the cord regularly and do not use it if the cord frays or is otherwise damaged. Do not allow the kettle or the cord to become immersed in water because electric shock or fire can result.

Water Mineral Content

• Scale buildup results from the mineral content in the water. Buildings dependent on well water might be more prone to "hard" water than those relying on municipal water services. Use of a water softener removes minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium. While scale forms more quickly in hard water, it eventually forms on the interior of the teakettle no what kind of water you have. If you don't empty the water in the kettle after each use, you could see discoloration in the water more quickly.

Cleaning

• Under normal use, a deposit of scale may form on the inside of the tea kettle. If using the teakettle daily, clean the interior every month to remove any scale deposits. If your water is hard and you do not have a water softener, clean the kettle more frequently. To get rid of scale, place a cup of water and a cup of vinegar into the kettle and boil for five minutes. Then unplug the kettle and let the liquid stand for 15 minutes. Empty the kettle, then rinse thoroughly with water.
  If scale is still apparent, repeat the process. Do not use any soap or similar cleaners in the kettle.