Learned the hard way: Stale water in my kettle breeds more than just bad taste

I've been using the same kettle for my pour-overs for months (you know how it is, busy mornings and all), and I got lazy about emptying it after each use. Last Tuesday, I poured water for my brew and noticed a faint, off smell. When I looked inside, there was a thin, white layer stuck to the bottom. I realized it was limescale and maybe bacteria from sitting water. I fixed it by boiling a mix of vinegar and water, then scrubbing it out. Now, I always dump the leftover water and let it air dry. If you use a kettle, don't skip this step, or you might end up with more than just weak coffee.

3 comments

3 Comments

holly_price10d ago

What's your vinegar to water ratio for cleaning? I'm terrible about leaving water in mine too and the buildup gets grim. Your method sounds way easier than what I've been doing.

mary96510d ago

Just wing it, like my other life choices.

phoenixdixon7d ago

Honestly, winging it can really backfire. I once tried to make salad dressing without a recipe and just guessed on the oil and vinegar. It was so harsh we had to toss the whole bowl. The lettuce wilted from the acid, it was a total loss. Now I at least look at one example online before I start pouring things.

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