are enamel-on-steel kettles safe?

You didn't mention the manufacturer's location. If the kettle was manufactured in China, then perhaps you might want to have it test for its lead content? Just an idea, otherwise I have no clue.

Sky

Oof, well I'd imagine it to be either from the kettle or your water. I'm hoping it is the kettle though because if your water is that bad you got bigger fish to fry. Wipe it out real well and try boiling some bottled or distilled water in it and see what happens. If you still get black then you know it is the kettle (which I'm guessing it is).

You may want to retire it to a decorative kettle and get something different.

- Dominic

I think the residue is just minerals in your water. I get the same thing in my stainless steel tea kettle.

Rina

Add a couple of tablespoons of 5% white vinegar to the pot when you fill it with water. Will keep the stuff from precipitating out on your pot.

George

Won't that adversely affect the flavour of your tea?

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. I kinda doubt it could be from the water, because i have other pots (not sure if they are stainless steel or aluminum) and i dont get any of that residue there when i boil the water. But i ll try to boil bottled water and see what happens.

health concern about using glassware or enamelware comes from components used in making, glazing, or decorating them, such as pigments, lead, or cadmium. These materials are harmful when taken into the body, so the risk of them entering food is controlled during the manufacturing process.

In Canada, glazed ceramics and glassware are regulated and cookware made of these materials can not be sold, advertised or imported if it releases more than trace amounts of lead and cadmium. Products having greater than the allowable levels of lead and cadmium must be identified by a label indicating the presence of lead and/or cadmium, or by a design feature such as a hole or a mounting hook, indicating that they should not be used for food.

Howdy,

Distilled water may be what you want for your test, but ordinary "bottled water" may well be higher in mineral content than your tap water.

All the best,

You probably clean other pans immediately, or if using them for water, other things go into that water, such as pasta or potatoes, you wouldn't notice the residue.

Tea kettles seem to get water added and boiled several times before thoroughly cleaning again. (In my kitchen at least, or am I just a slob ,<laughing>) I do begin each morning with a freshly cleaned tea kettle.

That's one thing that annoys me about many tea kettles, the top opening is too small to get your hand in and scrub the kettle...

Rina

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. I kinda doubt it could be from the water, because i have other pots (not sure if they are stainless steel or aluminum) and i dont get any of that residue there when i boil the water. But i ll try to boil bottled water and see what happens.

You WASH the tea kettle? I remove the lime buildup once in a while but WASH???

Hence proving I was right not to try washing the blasted thing. Clearly too dangerous since if you get your hand in you may need a cutting torch to get it out.

Yes, I Wash my stainless steel tea kettle... as I do the rest of my pots & pans. The lid comes off and I can put my whole hand in and swish a dish cloth or sponge around and remove the previous days residue.

We have well water from a deep artesian well, its high in mineral content. Left in the kettle, the kettle gets gritty.

Rina