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

by Anonymous Monk
on Feb 01, 2013 at 10:52 UTC ( [id://1016516]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...

I use an Electric kettle , haven't used a stove of any kind in quite a few years

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 :)

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Re^2: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...
by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Feb 01, 2013 at 11:06 UTC
    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.)


    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.

      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.

        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.

        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...

      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

        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

        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 £4.50 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 £3.00. 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.
      White vinegar! Save your malt for the chips.
Re^2: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...
by jmlynesjr (Deacon) on Feb 01, 2013 at 18:59 UTC

    Clean with white vinegar

    $3.25 USD per gallon for store brand.

    James

    There's never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over...

Re^2: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...
by ww (Archbishop) on Feb 01, 2013 at 21:19 UTC
    Vinegar, likely (definitely, if the residue is chiefly lime). Ordinary white vinegar can be diluted w/H20 as much as 1:1. Simply run thru a boil and (mostly) cool cycle; discard remaining liquid; rinse, repeat (if necessary).
Re^2: I usually boil water for tea using a(n) ...
by girarde (Hermit) on Feb 07, 2013 at 21:45 UTC
    Cream of Tartar dissolved in water, boiled, rinsed a few times cleans them up fine.

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