Maya Ellison
A kettle that tastes of plastic is usually caused by a reaction between the plastic in the kettle and chlorine in the water, forming chlorophenol. This can also be caused by BPA in the plastic reacting with water. To remove the plastic taste, you can boil vinegar or lemon juice mixed with water in the kettle. Alternatively, you can use an abrasive cleaner, such as Jif, by adding a spoonful to warm water, scrubbing the inside of the kettle, and then boiling and discarding the water several times.
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What You'll Learn
The plastic taste may be caused by a chemical reaction
The plastic taste in your kettle's water may be caused by a chemical reaction. When new kettles are manufactured, the inner surface (and sometimes the outer surface) is coated with chemicals or lubricants. These chemicals are applied to the kettle during manufacture to protect it at certain parts of the production line and to prevent rust when stored in warehouses. One of these chemicals is Bisphenol A (BPA), which can react with water to produce a plastic taste. This taste can be removed by boiling vinegar or lemon juice mixed with water in the kettle and allowing it to sit for a few minutes before pouring out the mixture. This process can be repeated with water to remove the vinegar smell.
Another possible cause of the plastic taste is the reaction between plastic in the kettle and chlorine in the water, forming chlorophenol, which is also known as TCP or the plastic taste. This can be avoided by using a BPA-free kettle, which ensures that no plastic comes into contact with hot water.
In addition to the chemical causes, the plastic taste may also be due to mould or limescale buildup in the kettle, which can be removed by washing the kettle with soapy water and then boiling water several times. Alternatively, a desert spoon of an abrasive cleaner like "Jif" can be added to half a kettle of warm water and left for about 10 minutes. The inside of the kettle, including the lid and underside, can then be scrubbed with a dishwashing brush before discarding the contents and refilling and boiling the kettle several times.
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It could be due to the kettle's manufacturing process
The chemical taste and smell are common byproducts of the kettle's manufacturing process. The chemical coating on the kettle's surface reacts with the water, resulting in a plastic taste. This is often caused by BPA in the plastic, which can react with water to form chlorophenol, commonly known as TCP or the plastic taste.
To remove the plastic taste and smell from your kettle, you can follow these steps:
- Boil the water 3 times and discard it after each boil.
- Add vinegar or lemon juice to the kettle and fill it with water up to the 'Max' level. Bring this mixture to a boil and then discard it.
- Boil the water once more to ensure that any residual taste or smell is removed.
Alternatively, you can use an abrasive cleaner like "Jif" to scrub the inside of the kettle, including the lid. After scrubbing, refill and boil the kettle several times, discarding the water each time. If the water still has a plastic taste, you can repeat the cleaning process with the abrasive cleaner.
It is important to note that the plastic smell in water is caused by BPA, which has been linked to various health issues. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid drinking water that has a strong plastic taste or smell.
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Chlorine in the water may react with the plastic
The water in your kettle may taste like plastic due to chlorine reacting with the plastic in your kettle. Chlorine is routinely added to water by water companies to control bacterial and viral contaminants. While small amounts of chlorine are not harmful to health, it can be tasted in water at just 1 PPM.
If your kettle is new, it may be that the plastic taste will go away after a few uses. To speed up this process, you can boil vinegar mixed with water in the kettle. After the mixture comes to a boil, let it sit for a few minutes before pouring out the mixture and then boil the kettle with just water several times to remove the vinegar smell.
If your kettle is not new and has recently started to make your water taste like plastic, it may be that the base of your kettle is lined with something other than stainless steel which is leaching into the water. In this case, it may be worth buying an all-metal kettle.
If the taste of plastic is coming from your tap water, it may be due to the type of plumbing pipes used. Plastic pipes have become common in recent years, and the taste of plastic may be coming from these pipes. In this case, you may want to consider investing in a water filtration system for your home.
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The kettle might be coated with manufacturing chemicals
It is common for water from a new kettle to taste and smell a bit like plastic. This is usually harmless, but it can be off-putting. The plastic taste in the water could be due to the kettle being coated with manufacturing chemicals. When new kettles are manufactured, the inner surface (and sometimes the outer surface) is coated with chemicals or lubricants by the manufacturer. These chemicals are applied to the kettle during manufacture to protect it at certain parts of the production line and to prevent rusting while it lies in warehouses or shops.
One such chemical used in the manufacturing process is Bisphenol A (BPA), which can react with water to produce a plastic taste. BPA can cause adverse health effects such as cancer, infertility, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and deformations in unborn children. Therefore, it is essential to remove the plastic taste from your kettle before use.
To remove the plastic taste and smell from your kettle, you can follow these steps:
- Boil the kettle with water a few times and discard the water.
- Boil vinegar or lemon juice mixed with water in the kettle.
- After the mixture comes to a boil, let it sit for a few minutes before pouring out the mixture.
- Rinse the kettle with clean water.
- Boil the kettle with clean water again and discard the water.
By following these steps, you should be able to remove the plastic taste and smell from your kettle, making it safe to use for boiling water.
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Clean the kettle with vinegar or lemon juice
A new kettle may impart a plastic taste and smell to the water, which is harmless but undesirable. This can be due to mineral buildup, namely calcium and magnesium deposits from your local water supply. To remove the plastic taste and odour from your kettle, you can follow these steps:
Using Vinegar
- Boil water in the kettle 3 times and empty the kettle after each boil.
- Fill the kettle halfway with water and add vinegar until the water level reaches the 'Max' level.
- Boil the mixture.
- Empty the kettle and refill it with water up to the 'Max' level. Boil the water once more.
- To ensure any lingering vinegar taste is gone, optionally refill the kettle with water, boil, and discard.
Using Lemon Juice
- Boil water in the kettle 3 times and empty the kettle after each boil.
- Fill the kettle halfway with water and add lemon juice until the water level reaches the 'Max' level.
- Boil the mixture.
- Empty the kettle and refill it with water up to the 'Max' level. Boil the water once more.
- Alternatively, you can boil lemon slices in water, leave the mixture for 30 minutes, boil again, and then rinse with clean cold water.
It is important to note that before cleaning your kettle, you should refer to the owner's manual for care and cleaning tips. Additionally, the cleaning methods described above are suitable for glass, ceramic, or stainless steel kettles.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic taste in your kettle is likely caused by Bisphenol A (BPA), which can be harmful to your health. It could also be due to a reaction between the plastic in the kettle and chlorine in the water, forming chlorophenol.
To get rid of the plastic taste, you can try the following methods:
- Boil a mixture of vinegar or lemon juice with water, then boil water a few more times to remove the vinegar smell.
- Use an abrasive cleaner like "Jif" to scrub the inside of the kettle, then rinse and boil water.
Yes, you can try using bicarbonate of soda (baking soda). Fill the kettle with water, add two tablespoons of bicarb, boil, then rinse well.
Yes, you can purchase a BPA-free kettle made from materials such as stainless steel, glass, or plastic that doesn't come into contact with hot water.
