The best kettle descalers for longevity and efficiency

Once you've picked out the best kettle for your kitchen, you'll want to stock up with the best kettle descaler to keep it as good as new. As water courses through your kettle, it brings along a hidden challenge that can gradually diminish its performance and lifespan: limescale build-up. This is where you'll want your kettle descaler to hand.

Limescale build-up in kettles is primarily caused by the presence of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, in the water that you use to fill the kettle. These minerals are naturally occurring and are often found in varying concentrations in different water sources. When the water is heated, these minerals can precipitate out of the water and form solid deposits, commonly referred to as limescale or mineral scale. The build-up of limescale can have several negative effects including reduced efficiency, taste and odour, an unsightly appearance and long-term damage.

Best kettle descalers at a glance:

• Best overall: Oust Powerful All Purpose Descaler - view on Amazon UK
• Best environmentally efficient kettle descaler: Ecozone Kettle and Iron Descaler - view on Amazon UK
• Best kettle descaler for ease: Chef Aid Stainless Steel Doughnut - view on Amazon UK

Alongside regular cleaning, if you want to limit the amount of limescale going into your cup, you can opt for one with a limescale filter or a kettle design for hard water areas. Scroll down to take a look at the best kitchen descalers, helping to preserve the efficiency, taste, and longevity of your treasured kitchen appliance.

The best kettle descalers

Kettle descaler FAQs

How to descale a kettle

You can use any of the products included above to descale your kettle, simply follow the instructions on the packaging. Alternatively, there are a few natural ways to descale a kettle that you can try too.

How often should you descale an electric kettle?

The frequency of descaling an electric kettle depends on the hardness of the water in your area and how often you use the kettle. Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits (primarily calcium and magnesium) that build up over time from the water you boil. These deposits can affect the efficiency of the kettle and the taste of the water.

In areas with hard water (water that has a high mineral content), mineral deposits tend to accumulate more quickly. Here are some general guidelines:

Moderate hardness water: If you have moderate hardness water, it's a good idea to descale your electric kettle every 2-3 months. This should be sufficient to prevent a heavy buildup of mineral deposits.

Hard water: If you have hard water, you might need to descale your kettle more frequently, around once a month. The higher mineral content in the water leads to faster scale buildup.

Soft water: If you have soft water (low mineral content), you can descale your kettle less frequently, perhaps every 4-6 months.

Remember, these are just general guidelines. You should also consider how often you use the kettle. If you use it multiple times a day, you might need to descale it more often compared to someone who only uses it occasionally.

Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.