An electric kettle is one of the many useful appliances that help you save time and makes work easy.
Whether you want a cup of tea, coffee or just a glass of hot water, a kettle can serve as a perfect companion.
Considering how handy how a kettle is, you obviously do not want to have it damaged after a short time of use.
So, Can You Leave Water In A Kettle Overnight?
You can leave water in the kettle overnight, but it is not a good practice as it facilitates the formation of limescale. Water can stay in a kettle for three days, meaning there is no big problem with just one night. Limescale is a white, grey or chalky lining that forms inside a kettle, especially when you use hard water. The water that has stayed overnight in the kettle has a different taste. Therefore, it is wise to remove water from the kettle and allow it to dry.
Apparently, it is a common mistake to overestimate the amount of water you want to use for coffee or tea. All the same, it gets hard to clean a kettle with large amounts of chalky substance.
This post will cover the critical kettle maintenance tips and the substance that forms inside a kettle.
Is It Safe To Use Water That Has Stayed In An Electric Kettle For An Extended Time?
As said, leaving water in a kettle for too long leads to the formation of limescale.
This natural substance builds over time and when your kettle is not regularly cleaned. Generally, limescale can be termed as a buildup of deposits that occur inside metallic appliances that hold water.
The natural minerals found in water react to form the unsightly limescale.
Burning water in a kettle with limescale will not react and deposit back into your water.
Therefore, water from such a kettle is still considered safe for consumption.
While you can still use the water that has stayed in a kettle, it is essential to note that this water will have a different smell. Use vinegar or citric acid to clean the kettle.
Why Should You Empty Out The Kettle After Every Use?
Leaving boiled water in the kettle for some time is considered safe as it does not put you at risk of getting diseases.
Leaving water in the kettle and reboiling it later is safe in terms of health.
After boiling a full-capacity kettle and just taking one glass to make tea, you can leave the remaining water and reboil it later when you need more hot water.
However, it is wise to empty an electric kettle after use.
If you find this difficult, you can better boil the amount of water you need.
If it is for two cups of coffee, one for you and another for your spouse, measure precisely two cups of water and put it in the kettle to boil. This way, you will not have any leftover water to waste.
Some people think that leaving water in the kettle helps keep it clean. But this is not true.
In fact, leaving water in your kettle for a long time does not support it clean; instead, it can make it dirty and unfit for consumption if it stays in for too long.
Depending on the purity of the water, leaving it stagnant in the kettle can catalyze the growth of bacteria, which exposes you and your family to health risks.
While you can reboil the water and kill all the bacteria, drinking the water is not a good idea.
It is also assumed that leaving water in the kettle for too long can shorten its lifespan and lower its effectiveness.
For such reasons, it is better to empty the kettle after use and ensure it has no water for more than two days.
Four Electric Kettle Maintenance Tips
Here are the basic tips for maintaining a kettle, avoiding the formation of limescale, and keeping the kettle hygienic.
1. Clean The Kettle
The simple and most important maintenance tip for a kettle is keeping it clean all the time.
- Do not wash it with running water because it will not get as clean as it should.
- Cleaning with running water can damage the electric appliance.
- Carefully pull out the kettle plug from the socket and wipe the exterior part using a clean piece of clothing.
- Pour warm water into the kettle and add vinegar. Allow it to stay for about 20 minutes, and remove the water. Use a scouring pad to scrub the kettle’s inner parts.
- If it has limescale formed, you will have to add extra effort to remove the limescale. Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the inner part.
2. Avoid Storing Water In The Kettle
Keeping water in the kettle for a long time is a common mistake that most people assume.
Storing water in your electric kettle for a long time will lead to the formation of limescale, which damages the appearance of the kettle.
Empty the kettle everyday and allow it to remain dry for an extended time before using it again.
3. Only Heat Up A Water Filled Kettle
This is a safety tip that you must always consider to avoid paying for high electrical damage.
Apparently, burning an empty kettle will affect its heating system and, in turn, lower the lifespan.
You can also invest in the modern advanced electric kettle that automatically cuts off the power supply when the kettle has no water.
This kettle will help you save the heating element’s lifespan and reduce the chances of accidents.
4. Boil The Amount Of Water That You Need
Train yourself not to put water that exceeds the limit mark on your kettle.
Boiling excess water can damage the kettle by making it work extra hard and takes more than the required time to boil.
This has a significant impact on the lifespan of the kettle. To be safe, just measure the required quantity so the appliance will function smoothly.
Conclusion
Leaving water in the kettle overnight is a good maintenance practice, but you should not get used to it.
Ideally, water can stay in the kettle for about two or three days, but when you make it a habit, your kettle will be damaged quickly.
It is better if you empty the kettle every day or after every use.