Just bought a kettle and found that it has become much slower in boiling water after using it for a while. This is because scale has accumulated on the kettle, causing its thermal conductivity to deteriorate and wasting electricity. So, how can we remove scale? Let me teach you some methods to remove scale.
Causes of Scale Formation
Under high temperature conditions, calcium sulfate, which is slightly soluble in water, will precipitate due to water evaporation. Carbonate ions in water will combine with calcium, magnesium ions, etc., to form insoluble calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, or water alkali.
As water evaporates and concentrates, the alkalinity of the water increases until it reaches saturation, forming scale.
Harms of Scale
(1) Scale has poor thermal conductivity, which worsens the heat transfer on the heating surface and wastes fuel or electricity.
(2) If scale adheres to the heating surface of thermal equipment, it will endanger the safety and economic operation of the equipment.
Due to the poor thermal conductivity of scale, heat transfer is hindered.
The heat absorbed by the furnace tube from the flame cannot be effectively transferred to the water, affecting the cooling of the furnace tube. As a result, the wall temperature rises, causing bulging of the furnace tube and tube explosion.
(3) When scale solidifies, it often attaches a large amount of heavy metal ions. If the container is used to hold drinking water, there is a risk of excessive heavy metal ion dissolution in the drinking water.
(4) When scale fragments enter the stomach, they will react with gastric acid, releasing calcium, magnesium ions, and carbon dioxide. The former is the necessary substance for the formation of stones.
The latter can cause bloating and discomfort, and patients with gastric ulcers may even have the risk of gastric perforation.
Effective Methods to Remove Scale
1. Eggs
Crush two eggshells slightly, put them into a bottle, and then pour in half a teacup of cold water. Close the bottle with the cap and hold it with one hand, with the thumb and other fingers holding the neck of the bottle, and the other hand supporting the bottom of the bottle. Rotate and shake it up and down, left and right.
After about 20 seconds, remove the cap, pour out the eggshells, and rinse them twice with clean water.
2. Paper scraps + saltwater
Put some paper scraps in the bottle, then pour in warm saltwater, and gently shake it for a while to remove the scale.
3. Baking soda + vinegar
Pour about 500 grams of 1% concentrated baking soda water into the bottle, or heat vinegar and pour it into the bottle. Gently shake and rinse to remove the scale.
4. Noodle soup
Pour the water used to cook noodles into the bottle, shake it for a few minutes, then pour it out, and rinse with clean water to make it clean.
Precautions for Using a Kettle
1. Before filling the kettle with hot water, rinse it with a small amount of hot water for preheating. Especially in winter, when the temperature difference is large, the sudden cooling or heating of the kettle can cause it to explode.
2. The new wooden cork of the kettle should be soaked in water before use. Dry cork placed on the mouth of the kettle will naturally absorb water and expand, eventually breaking the kettle.
After pouring hot water, the cap should not be tightly closed in normal use.
