Re^2: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...

Although the Electric kettle has gotten some disgusting mineral deposits, so I've been using the microwave until I figure out how to clean that stuff :)

Malt vinegar! (Just) Cover the element or base of the kettle with it and switch the kettle on for a few seconds until the vinegar boils; then switch it off. Leave to stand for 1/2 hour. Rinse with cold water to avoid an unpleasent (but otherwise benign) aftertaste. (Also, avoid sniffing the fumes. Again, not dangerous, but pretty eye-watering.) <p?(For really thick deposits you may need to repeat a couple of times!)

Malt vinegar is cheap as chips and far more effective(*) than those overpriced -- and usually noxious kettle cleaning products you find on the market.

(*Calcium carbonate (chalk) readily dissolves in Acetic acid.)

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Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.

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Comment on Re^2: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...

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Re^3: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by runrig (Abbot) on Feb 01, 2013 at 17:14 UTC
Any reason for malt vinegar instead of white vinegar? We use white vinegar for that sort of thing, and for many other cleaning uses. Also found a recipe for making pancakes that included how to 'fake' buttermilk...something like a teaspoon (or tablespoon?) of vinegar in milk, then let it sit a few minutes.	[reply]
Re^4: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Feb 01, 2013 at 17:26 UTC
Any reason for malt vinegar instead of white vinegar? Beyond the fact that malt vinegar seems to be substantially cheaper than spirit vinegar, no. 'fake' buttermilk I think my wife uses something similar -- using lemon juice instead of vinegar -- for making scones. With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday' Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.	[reply]
Re^5: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by runrig (Abbot) on Feb 01, 2013 at 17:42 UTC
malt vinegar seems to be substantially cheaper than spirit vinegar Interesting...I find the opposite to be true..a gallon of distilled white vinegar is around $5-6, and only a pint of malt vinegar is about the same.	[reply]
Re^4: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by Ari (Novice) on Feb 11, 2013 at 16:34 UTC
In the UK, malt vinegar is extremely easy to come by and cheap in larger containers. Large quantities of white vinegar, on the other hand, are expensive. In the US, it's the other way around. I guess Americans don't fully appreciate the wonders of chips with salt 'n' (malt) vinegar...	[reply]
Re^3: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by choroba (Cardinal) on Feb 01, 2013 at 11:39 UTC
I have also used citric acid several times. It can be bought here for cheap (I am not sure what its original purpose is) and its aftertaste is much less noxious. لսႽ† ᥲᥒ⚪⟊Ⴙᘓᖇ Ꮅᘓᖇ⎱ Ⴙᥲ𝇋ƙᘓᖇ	[reply]
Re^4: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by tobyink (Canon) on Feb 01, 2013 at 11:47 UTC
Powdered citric acid can be mixed with caster sugar and bicarbonate of soda to make sherbet. (Roughly a 4/2/1 sugar/acid/soda ratio.) `package Cow { use Moo; has name => (is => 'lazy', default => sub { 'Mooington' }) } say Cow->new->name`	[reply]
Re^4: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Feb 01, 2013 at 12:21 UTC
IF you can get pure citric acid (as opposed to lemon juice which tends to be watered down and expensive) that should be more effective as it has a lower pH value, 2 versus 3 for vinegar. When I went looking for an alternative to the Ł4.50 for 2 applications kettle defurrer product that my wife had been using as seems to be responsible for rotting the rubber seal on the kettle but barely seemed to touch the chalk, I found brown malt vinegar was available in 5 liter containers wholesale for Ł3.00. We've been using it twice a week for over a year and its still 1/2 full. Dunno what it tastes like, but who cares :) With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday' Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.	[reply]
Re^3: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ... by Anonymous Monk on Feb 21, 2013 at 00:06 UTC
White vinegar! Save your malt for the chips.	[reply]


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