How to Get Rid Of Metal Taste in New Kettle Before Making Your First Cup of Tea

how to get rid of metal taste in new kettle

Last Updated on October 11, 2022

Tired of a bad taste coming from your kettle? In this article, we’re sharing how to get rid of metal taste in new kettle and properly care for it, so your coffee or tea tastes the best it ever has.

Why Your New Kettle Has a Metallic Taste

So you’ve purchased a new kettle, but it has a strange taste and smell. What’s that all about? Don’t worry; this experience is popular for many new-kettle owners.

The last thing you want when you’re crazy for a warm cup of tea after a long day is to be greeted with a drink that tastes like chemicals or has an overall completely bizarre taste. Unfortunately, this nasty taste can sometimes happen, and there are several reasons for it. One popular reason for this happening is the chemical coating on the inner or outer surface of the kettle that manufacturers use when they’re designing the kettle. Although these chemicals are present to protect the kettle from damage, they can leave an unwelcoming, funny taste in your kettle.

The best solution for this is to fill the kettle with water and bring it to a boil. The boiled water will thoroughly rinse the kettle, preventing a plastic taste or metallic taste that’s off-putting.

Other Reasons Your Kettle Has a Weird Taste

Hard Water

Consider the water in your area. If it’s hard, then your tap water will contain a lot of magnesium and calcium, and when these minerals reach your kettle, the waste tastes strange and unfavourable. One way to avoid this from happening is only to boil filter water in the kettle.

Chlorine in Water

Another common reason for a strange taste and smell is due to chlorine in your tap water. Chlorine is beneficial to water because it removes slime bacteria and moulds on storage tanks and water mains. On the other hand, it can create a questionable taste (that isn’t one you were hoping for).

The best solution to this dilemma is to boil water in the kettle to eliminate chlorine buildup within the kettle if the kettle is the root of this problem. You can also remove chlorine by pouring tap water into a container and leaving it covered in the fridge for several hours before pouring it into the kettle.

Plastic Kettles

If your kettle is plastic, this material could easily start to melt when the water reaches a boiling point, resulting in bad smells and taste. The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure you purchase a BPA-free kettle, so there’s no reaction between the plastic material and chlorine in the water.

How to Clean a New Kettle

Cleanliness and maintenance are key to keeping your kettle in tip-top condition and avoiding a bad taste.

Step 1: Add Water to the Kettle

The first thing you’ll want to do with a new kettle is to fill it to the maximum line with water and bring it to a boil. Then, remove the boiled water from the kettle down the sink. You shouldn’t drink this water because it’ll be coated with chemicals from the kettle’s interior, so it’s important that you discard it. After you’ve emptied the water, you might notice that your kettle has a slightly different interior colour; this is completely normal because you’ve removed the chemical lining from the base. After this stage, we recommend wiping down the interior with a clean cloth.

Step 2: Repeat Boiling the Water Several Times

For some kettles, you might need to repeat this process several times of filling the appliance with water. In some scenarios, you might need to boil the water up to four times to ensure that the kettle is thoroughly clean and free from chemicals. After this point, you should then be able to drink water from the kettle.

Step 3: Add Bicarbonate of Soda

If you’re not satisfied with the taste your kettle is creating, add two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to the kettle and fill it to the maximum line with water. Bring to a boil and leave the kettle to cool for an hour or two, so the bicarbonate of soda has plenty of time to absorb the chemicals and leave your kettle clean. Then, dispose of the water and rinse the kettle with tap water to remove any leftover bicarb. Boil again and dispose of the water down the sink.

Step 4: Use Vinegar

If you’re still aware of an unpleasant taste from the kettle, you can continue the cleaning process by adding a tablespoon of vinegar into the boiled water. Leave the solution overnight to enable the mixture to absorb any nastiness. The following day, discard the solution and refill the kettle with clean water and bring it to a boil and discard it again.

General Tips for Your Kettle

If you’ve recently bought a new kettle, below are some cleaning and maintenance tips to keep your drinks tasting at their best and fresh.

Don’t Leave Water Inside

We’re probably all guilty of it, but leaving leftover water in the kettle can create mineral buildup inside, especially if your water is hard. Instead, only boil the amount of water you need. You can do this by filling your mug with water and adding this exact amount to your kettle to prevent waste. Or, if you have leftover water sometimes, pour it down the sink.

Clean the Inside and Outside of Your Kettle Often

Kettles can get dirtier than you think. When you’re cooking in the kitchen, you’re bound to splash food, liquid, or herbs onto the kettle by accident. So check the kettle’s exterior by wiping it down often. You should also regularly remove the lid to wipe the interior and remove any buildup of mineral deposits caused by hard water. Never wash your kettle after immediate use, and wait for it to cool first.

Sweet Taste of Success

So that’s how to get rid of metal taste in new kettle, as well as some handy tips on general kettle maintenance. It’s important to care for your appliances so you can enjoy a good cup of tea for many years to come.

Now that you’ve heard about our advice on caring for your kettle, we’d love to hear if you have any tips for looking after a kettle. If so, share them in the comments.

Additional Resources

2 thoughts on “How to Get Rid Of Metal Taste in New Kettle Before Making Your First Cup of Tea”

  1. I’ve booked my kettle several times and fine with bicarbonate of soda, I’ve just washed in washing up water and boiled and am hoping that that will be the end of the metal taste. I didn’t, of course, get the water on the outside.

  2. HD
    I made a mess of that email with predictive text it should have read that I’d boiled my kettle and also with bicarbonate of soda 😊

Leave a Reply to Heather Dee Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *