How do I clean, maintain and descale my Fellow electric kettle? How do I clean, maintain and descale my Fellow electric kettle?

How do I clean, maintain and descale my Fellow electric kettle?

Cleaning your kettle

We highly recommend cleaning your kettle at least once a month to properly maintain its performance. Here are some steps for effective cleaning of your electric kettle:

  • Prior to cleaning, be sure the kettle has cooled completely. Empty any remaining water from the kettle.
  • Wash the inside of the kettle with soapy water and rinse. Never submerge the kettle in water or other liquids.
  • Wipe the exterior of the kettle and base with a damp cloth or sponge and allow it to dry. Do not use abrasive soaps, cleansers, or scouring pads on any part of the kettle as it may damage the finish.
  • Do not place it in a dishwasher. Neither base nor kettle is dishwasher safe and both include electrical components that could become damaged.

 

Descaling your kettle

If you notice stains on the bottom of your kettle's interior that resembles water spots or rust, this is likely a harmless and common buildup of minerals called limescale. Limescale is composed primarily of calcium carbonate, and can present itself as light-colored stains, typically white or off-white in color.

Limescale or mineral deposits are a direct result of heating up water and thus inevitable in all kettles. How long it takes for mineral deposits to show up will depend on the mineral concentration in your water source. Symptoms of scale build-up can include lagging temperature readout response, over-boiling, inaccurate temperatures, and poor heating efficiency; if you notice any of these issues with your kettle, scale build-up is the likely culprit.

You can remove the mineral deposits through a process called descaling, where a gentle acid is used to remove the deposits without damaging the metal. You can use vinegar or citric acid to descale. Both are safe and effective cleaning solutions; however, citric acid is a bit stronger and doesn't leave a lingering scent like vinegar may leave. If you prefer to buy a ready-made solution, we recommend descaling with Urnex Dezcal, which you can buy from Amazon and many other retail locations. 

Descaling instructions:

  • If you use vinegar, heat a solution of half vinegar and half water in your kettle. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it sit for at least a half-hour before dumping it out and rinsing the kettle thoroughly.
  • If you use citric acid, heat a solution of 500mL of water and 2 spoonfuls of citric acid. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it sit for at least a half-hour before dumping it out and rinsing the kettle thoroughly. For more information, please read the instructions on the product.

Note: Scrubbing the bottom of your kettle with steel wool or an abrasive brush will damage the inner surface of the kettle, ultimately leading to worse limescale and could also result in the development of rust. Please use a sponge or soft brush to clean the inside of your kettle.