kettle descaling - citric acid?

[Deleted User]

I wasn't able to get any "kilrock" today in my nearest town (which imo is the best value, most effective proprietary descaler) so on the off-chance I bought some citric acid from the chemist.

My question is: anyone know how much to use per 1/2 kettle of hot water?

answers on a virtual postcard please The winner's prize? A cuppa tea, scale free, next time you're in Somerset!

katsu

I just use vinegar. Put some vinegar in the kettle (I just pour in a random amount - probably 1:5-1:10 strength), plus water to cover the scale, boil, leave to cool then empty, Rinse out before using for tea!

I live in a hard water area and have owned this kettle for over 10yrs so vinegar is definitely a good descaler.

magpiecottage

I put a dessertspoonful in ours.

I prefer the smell of citric acid to vinegar

[Deleted User]

It was only 73p a pot & it should last me for a good 4-5 descales! :money:

maryb

I haven't been able to get citric acid, none of the local chemists will sell it even to a middle aged woman with grey hair like me. One of them said to me 'If the local druggies heard we had any in stock we'd have our windows broken at night'
Not sure what they do with it, but asking for it certainly got me some odd looks

Chipps

Vinegar - cheapest stuff will do (assuming it really is vinegar and not non brewed condiment.. whatever that might be!)
Costs pennies & works really well, and as far as smell goes - it doesn't last too long!
It's worth watching it when it boils, cos it can really bubble up well! So if you've put in a generous helping be ready to turn the kettle off quickly! Great fun!

MsRed1

I use supermarket own brand lemon juice. Smell of white vinegar can linger.

janb5

My method is a bit different.

I fill the kettle with malt vinegar generally cheapest at Ldl or Aldi. I DO NOT BOIL! I leave the kettle overnight and then in the morning decant the vinegar back in the bottle using funnels and reserve this vinegar only for cleaning kettles ( not for chips!):j:j

If you boil, the mess is horrible and unnecessary. I find that I can use these bottle quite a few times and the result is a gleaming kettle. I live in hard water area so need to do this about every 6 weeks.

HTH

Zoelikesjam

Just for Maryb-Had to google this as it had me scratching my head and i was intrigued!

From Wikipiedia

Citric acid is commonly used as a buffer to increase the solubility of brown heroin. Single-use citric acid sachets have been used as an inducement to get heroin users to exchange their dirty needles for clean needles in an attempt to decrease the spread of AIDS and hepatitis[11]. Other acidifiers used for brown heroin are ascorbic acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid; in their absence, a drug user will often substitute lemon juice or vinegar.

calleyw

I saw some in the home brew section of a local shop. It was youngs branded. A little white pot 99p.

Yours

Calley

DianneB

Blimey, I used to use citric acid to make sherbet when my boys were little, you live and learn!!

Back to subject - I use white vinegar, just enough to cover the element and leave for about half an hour, don't boil, didn't know you were meant to. Pour back into bottle as soon as the kettle is nice and shiny then rinse a few times. Done. Only use that bottle for the kettle!!