Thinking about investing in a Le Creuset kettle? Already have a kettle and notice what appears to be rust in the bottom? No need to panic; we've done the research and will share proper care and use of the fancy high-end Le Creuset kettles.

If the Le Creuset kettle is not cleaned on a regular basis or is left to boil dry, it will develop rust in the kettle.

You've got a Le Creuset kettle, you've taken a peek inside your kettle, and to your dismay, found rust. Don't toss the kettle! Surprise, it might not even be rust at all! We will take a look at what the kettles are made of, why they rust, what possibly could be besides rust, and how you can clean the kettle and keep rust from reoccurring.

A blue colored kettle on the stove, Do Le Creuset Kettles Rust?

 

Le Creuset Kettles

Le Creuset is an international brand established in 1925 in France, offering various cookware products, the most popular being their enameled cast iron. They also offer nonstick and stainless. Their stoneware, enamel on steel, and dinnerware all come with a porcelain enamel coating in their signature colors. They come with a limited 5-year warranty, but many owners of the Le Creuset brand report cooking with their products trouble-free for 20 plus years!

Check out this Le Creuset kettle on Amazon.

Why do kettles rust?

Rust is the oxidation of the metal. Metals rust because they are exposed to both oxygen and water. This is why allowing standing water to sit for long periods of time in the kettle forms rust and is not advised. You should not leave water overnight in the kettle or for any excessive periods of time. Furthermore, it can cause an excess of limescale and mineral deposits on top of the rust.

Ideally, your kettle should be well taken care of and cleaned every day after use. Proper washing of the Le Creuset kettle is a gentle hand wash in soapy water and thoroughly drying the kettle after rinsing. You should never put the kettle in the dishwasher. If the kettle ends up in the dishwasher, it will void the limited lifetime warranty and cause excessive rusting.

Check out the Le Creuset kettle on Amazon.

Limescale

If you have what appears to be rust in the bottom of the kettle, it may not be rust; it could actually be limescale. They can look similar at the bottom of the kettle. What is limescale? Limescale is a buildup of minerals that frequently forms in the bottom of kettles, pipes, and hot water heaters/boilers. If you have hard water, this will build up and occur much quicker than with softer water. You should descale your kettle every four to eight weeks as per regular maintenance.

Limescale removal

There are two natural methods and one chemical method to remove limescale from kettles.

Lemon Boil

  1. Slice up one lemon into thin rounds and dump in the kettle.
  2. Fill your kettle up with water so it covers the affected areas of your kettle.
  3. Boil the water with the lemons in it.
  4. After the water has boiled, turn off the heat and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
  5. Boil a second time, then once cooled, rinse with water and dry thoroughly.

Vinegar Method

  1. Simply mix a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water, pour it in the kettle, let it sit overnight.
  2. After the overnight soak, pop the kettle on the stove, allowing it to boil for five minutes, and then let sit for about a half-hour.
  3. Rinse the kettle. If the limescale is gone, go ahead and give it a gentle washing and thoroughly wipe dry.

Commercial Descaler

If the limescale persists, you can repeat the directions with pure vinegar instead of the water mix, or you can use a gentle store-bought descaler. Don't be intimidated by the commercial descalers; they have very straightforward directions and are easy to use. Typically an eight-ounce bottle will give you two separate descaling treatments.

Check out this descaler on Amazon.

If you want to minimize the buildup of limescale, ideally, you should wash your pot after every use, but if that's not possible, a simple rinse and wipe dry after every use will suffice and really prevent the build up.

What are Le Creuset kettles made of?

Le Creuset kettles are porcelain enamel on steel. The Le Creuset website states they are crafted from fast-heating premium carbon steel then glazed in the same enamel colors as their other cookware, easy for coordinating colors in the kitchen. They state the kettle's enamel is "non-reactive, non-porous, and resists stains, rust, scratches and flavor absorption."

How do you get the rust off a Le Creuset tea kettle?

First, if you'd like rust to never appear in the first place, make sure to properly wash it after every use making sure to dry it out after the wash with a dishtowel. If you aren't able to commit to doing that and you've already got rust to deal with, here is how to treat the rust that has accumulated:

  1. Add up to three tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of baking soda, and water in the kettle, making sure not to scrub the solution.
  2. Boil for 30 minutes, making sure you're not boiling the kettle dry; if the kettle is nearing getting dry, add water.
  3. Move from heat and allow the kettle to cool completely.
  4. Rinse thoroughly and perform a gentle washing, scrubbing at the bottom of the kettle. At this point, the kettle should be rust-free.

Never use a scouring pad made of metal or a steel wool pad on the surface of the kettle; this can damage the porcelain enamel coating and void the warranty. A dishcloth or scouring pad made specifically for use with nonstick, glass, or enamel labeled non-scratch is all that should be used.

Check out these non-scratch scouring pads on Amazon.

How do you clean a Le Creuset kettle?

It is very important to clean the kettle after every use to prevent rust and limescale deposits. To clean the kettle, simply hand-wash the kettle with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly with a dishtowel. Your Le Creuset kettle should never go in the dishwasher or be left on a heat source unattended, boiling it dry.

Most kettle owners leave them on the stovetop for easy access and to add a pop of colorful decoration in the kitchen; this makes the exterior of the kettles prone to food splatter and grease from cooking. If the exterior of the kettle gets grimy, you can use a warm soapy water solution with nothing more abrasive than the non-scratch scouring pads, rinse and dry.

Are Le Creuset kettles safe?

With proper use and care, Le Creuset kettles are safe and should serve and last you a good long while. While drinking the water from a rusted kettle is not advised, once you remove the rust from the cookware, it is once again safe to use.

In Summary

The Le Creuset kettle is an expensive investment, but this kettle will last you a long time with proper care and maintenance. They're a gorgeous piece of cookware to add to your collection, and if your kettle does develop some rust or limescale, you are now fully equipped to clean, maintain and prevent the occurrence.

What Type of Pot is Best For Boiling Water?

5 Best Saucepans For Making Tea

33 Kitchen Gift Ideas For Moms Who Love To Cook

Leave a Reply

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