We live in a world of coffee lovers, but tea is healthier and arguably tastier than coffee. If you belong to the tea lovers club, you’ll enjoy this article because a good tea kettle is a must-have for anyone who likes this herby or fruity hot beverage.
But no matter how good the kettle is, you need to clean it and take good care of it. Glass tea kettles are actually easier to clean and maintain than metal ones. This is one of their main advantages, besides the lower price.
Read on and discover tips for using and cleaning glass kettles.
Glass Tea Kettle vs. Metal Tea Kettle
There are several important differences between metal and glass kettles. Most glass kettles are stovetop kettles, but some electric kettles are of both glass and metal construction. No matter the material and the type of kettle, you need to clean it regularly.
Glass kettles are usually much cheaper than the metal ones, but this doesn’t mean they’re necessarily inferior. They are, in fact, much easier to clean because glass can’t rust, and the stains can be removed much easier. Some may say that metal kettles are safer to use and here’s why.
Glass kettles are more prone to breaking, which can increase the risk of personal injury. Also, touching them is never a good idea while they’re hot. Their handles and the entire construction often overheat with use.
Therefore, it’s best to have some kind of cloth or gloves and not touch a glass kettle with your bare hands. What’s curious is that the methods for cleaning glass kettles don’t differ at all from methods you can use for a metal product.
How to Clean a Glass Tea Kettle
Maybe you’ve already heard of these methods before, and they might sound silly, but they’re actually very effective. You need something acidic to clean heavy stains from kettles, and you can usually use some common kitchen items, such as vinegar, lemon juice, and dish soap.
If the stains aren’t coming off, you can use a combination of these methods to remove just about any persistent stains. Furthermore, you won’t have to spend much money.
Using Vinegar for Cleaning Glass Tea Kettles
Vinegar is known for its efficiency in cleaning even the hardest of stains. If you use this technique, you only need fresh water and some vinegar.
For good measure, fill your glass kettle with vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio (50-50). Let the mixture rest for an hour, and then boil the mixture inside the kettle. When it boils, remove the kettle from the stove and throw out the liquid.
Use water to rinse out the vinegar smell. Then you’ll need a soft cloth, like microfiber, and clean the kettle on the inside. That’s it, your kettle should be clean as a whistle.
Using Lemon Juice for Cleaning Glass Tea Kettles
Lemon juice has the same acidic properties as vinegar, and the process of cleaning with it is nearly the same. You need two large lemons and some clean water. Simply squeeze out the lemons into the kettle.
Add water and let the juice mixture sit for a while. Then you can boil the lemon water until the limescale is dissolved. Remove the kettle from the stove and let it rest for several hours. Throw out the contents inside the kettle and rinse it with fresh water.
Then you can use some dish soap and water to rinse out the lemony smell. Use a soft cloth to dry the kettle from within. Additionally, you can rub a lemon on the surface of the kettle to remove any outer stains.
Alternatively, you can use citric acid instead of lime juice, which will clean the inside and the surface of a kettle really well.
Rinse out thoroughly with water and your kettle will look like new. Remember to be gentle when rinsing a glass kettle, because you can break it and cut yourself if you rinse too hard.
How to Clean Your Glass Tea Kettle Regularly
Since we’ve covered the best ways of removing hard stains, let’s talk about regular glass kettle cleaning. You don’t need to apply the outlined methods too often, once a month or once in two months is more than enough.
However, you should clean your glass tea kettle regularly to avoid stains from water build-up or the tea itself. Here’s a little guide for day-to-day glass kettle cleaning.
1. After using your glass tea kettle, rinse it out with hot water.
2. Manually wash all the parts of the kettle with some dish detergent or soap and warm water.
3. Rinse out the soap with warm water afterward.
4. Use a soft cloth or towel to dry out the kettle and prevent any water stains.
Some glass kettles can even be washed using a dishwasher. If you do so, remember to put your glass kettle at the top of the rack. Always use soft cloths, towels, or wipes to dry your glass kettle.
Most glass kettles can’t be put in a microwave, so don’t do so unless you’re 100% sure it’s suitable. Never put a hot glass kettle in a refrigerator, because sudden temperature changes are not good for glass.
If you glass teapot cracks even a little, refrain from using it, i.e. get a new one.
Tea Time
As you can see, cleaning glass tea kettles isn’t really that difficult. Actually, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble with such a kettle. You don’t have to worry about rust, heavy staining, etc. Just keep cleaning your kettle regularly and it will remain clean and shiny like the first day you bought it.
What’s great about glass kettles is their low price, so even if you break one, you can easily replace it with a new one. Of course, you don’t have to do that unless you break it, so be careful while using and cleaning your glass kettle.