585019 Sun Jan 04 13:49:05 -0800 2009 8 41 Cookware 0 4295276 We love our Braun electric kettle and it does yeoman duty. But we may be loving it to death. The inside has developed that cruddy whitish substance which I guess is mineral deposits. Or something else from chemistry class. Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions about what to use to clean the inside? TIA. Sun Jan 04 13:49:05 -0800 2009 137881 BerkshireTsarina 1 4295294 I have just a regular stove top kettle that has REAL particulate in it. I'm sure it's because we're on a well. It's the kind of kettle with the little whistler thingy so I can't get down into it. Hopefully those who help you can also help me. I'm guessing I need to boil something in it ? Sun Jan 04 13:55:48 -0800 2009 4295276 131001 c oliver 1 4295414 Some mild acid. White vinegar, tartaric acid, citric acid, something like that. Heat will speed it up. If you use vinegar, do it outside! Sun Jan 04 14:38:49 -0800 2009 4295276 170353 dscheidt 1 4295705 Go to your nearest Kosher or Indian grocery, and look for sour salt or citric acid (same thing). Dissolve a couple of tablespoons in your full kettle, bring to a boil, and let sit. Rinse, and repeat if necessary... Sun Jan 04 16:38:52 -0800 2009 4295276 10606 Joe Blowe 2 4295770 Thanks, Joe. Will give it a try. It's too cold to go outside here, with or without vinegar, ds! Sun Jan 04 17:00:20 -0800 2009 4295705 137881 BerkshireTsarina 1 4296679 Can you not get purpose made de-scaler in the US? Widely available in the UK, it comes as a sachet of liquid or crystals which do the trick in a few minutes. Mon Jan 05 01:46:10 -0800 2009 4295276 156990 Robin Joy 1 4296681 Just found this! http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-descale-a-kettle Mon Jan 05 01:49:55 -0800 2009 4295276 156990 Robin Joy 2 4296863 Robin, that's AMAZING. All the options. We have a plastic electric kettle, so I think lemon juice or quarters would be the mildest; we'll start with that. And what a treat to have a visit from an English Kitchen Maven! Thanks very much. Mon Jan 05 06:28:19 -0800 2009 4296681 137881 BerkshireTsarina 1 4299047 White vinegar. It is what the English really use on their kettles, and it works beautifully every time. Just mix about half and half with water, and let it sit for an hour or two or three, whatever seems to do it, depending on the condition, and the crud will dissolve. No need to heat it up. It will not scrub off -- this stuff is hard (minerals) and needs to dissolve. If you have to, do it again. I use this about once every other month, before it gets too thick, and I can clean my Texas hard water minerals off in about fifteen minutes. Buy a larger bottle to do the whole kettle, and just be patient, It dissolves itself. You can try a stronger solution for faster results, but the minerals really need some water to dissolve, so don't use full strength. Mon Jan 05 17:48:04 -0800 2009 4295276 87837 RGC1982