Five kettle habits that shorten its life — and what to do instead

A kettle is the most-used appliance in most homes and the least thought about. RADOCO Support reviewed a year of kettle enquiries and found that most problems came from five habits.

1. Never descaling. By far the biggest. In UAE water, scale builds in weeks; it slows the boil, causes the rumbling noise and eventually trips the thermal cut-out. Descale monthly with vinegar or citric acid — see the guide.

2. Leaving water standing. Water left in the kettle overnight deposits minerals and dulls the interior. Empty it after the last cup.

3. Boiling with the lid open. The auto switch-off relies on steam reaching the sensor. With the lid open the kettle can boil dry.

4. Overfilling. Above the max line, boiling water can spit from the spout. Below the min line, the element can overheat. Both marks are there for a reason.

5. Winding the cord tight. Wrapping the cord hard around the base strains it at the plug. Use the cord storage loosely.

The RD-LK1309 retro kettle has a 2200 W element, a 1.7 L stainless-steel body, boil-dry protection and a 2-year guarantee. Owners with a kettle that boils slowly after descaling should contact Support.