Cottage Cheese in Cast Iron Tea Kettle

[5kidzrus]

I just bought a tea kettle with "NO RUST" ... on the outside ... but the inside looks like cottage cheese - I think it is calcification from the heavy minerals in the water boiled in the kettle.
Can this be cleaned with electro or lye? I really don't want to break out the dremel or wire brushes.
Thanks!

[C. Perry Rapier]

Hello Patty. We have talked about that on here, several times in fact. Theres something you buy and put in there, that breaks down these mineral deposits. I can't think of the name of it. Can somebody else help us out here?  :)

[Jesse and Kim Dunfee]

CLR ?????? :-/       Dip-It  ?????? :-/

[Tom Penkava]

I think the CLR would be best, it dissolves lime deposits which is usually what builds up on the inside of those iron kettles.  Depending on amount of build up, several soakings may be needed.
Available any hardware store and most grocery stores.

[Jeff Seago]

CLR will dissolve the minerals and the rust without harming the iron kettle.  I inadvertantly left it in a kettle for two week once with no ill effects.

[5kidzrus]

Thanks everyone - My husband is off to the store to pick up some CLR - Thanks again!

[C. Perry Rapier]

I'm not sure what "CLR" is. What is it?  :-/

[Mike Bohannon]

I'm not sure what "CLR" is. What is it?  :-/

Perry, CLR is a household cleaner for removal of Calcium, Lime, and Rust.  I think I read somewhere it is not for use with cast iron but I don't have any so not sure if that info is correct or not.  I would check the label and contents before using it on cast iron.  Mike

[C. Perry Rapier]

I'm not sure what "CLR" is. What is it?  :-/

Perry, CLR is a household cleaner for removal of Calcium, Lime, and Rust.  I think I read somewhere it is not for use with cast iron but I don't have any so not sure if that info is correct or not.  I would check the label and contents before using it on cast iron.  Mike

Thanks Mike. Thats a good idea and I will.  ;)

[Jeff Seago]

I didn't read the label  ;D  I used it for a piece I cleaned for a friend of mine.  It was one of those new dime a dozen tea kettles that he told me I couldn't get cleaned so then I had to do it  :D  Still seasoned just fine and I didn't notice that it did anything to the cast iron so I would use it again.

[5kidzrus]

I read the label twice and did not see anything on there regarding NOT using it with cast iron.
I gave the pot one soak and didnt do much ... I am going to go get some lye for the pot and then after a bath try CLR again for the lime ...

[Sam Roberts]

One other thing you might try. Mix about a 50/50 mixture white vinegar and water, pour it into the kettle, put on top of stove and bring to a boil. Remove and let sit for an hour or so. Empty and rinse with water. That should remove most of the built up.

[fatfutures]

I have a bit of a phobia about cleaning out ALL the build up inside a kettle. I've had two nice users become USELESS after removing the interior build up, only to find holes!  :-/

[5kidzrus]

Michelle - You mean the build-up was covering/plugging the holes --- or cleaning them caused the holes?  :o I just set mine in a lye bath!
I am attaching my 'before' (before lye - but after vinegar/water and CLR soaks) picture:

[Roger Barfield]

I have a bit of a phobia about cleaning out ALL the build up inside a kettle. I've had two nice users become USELESS after removing the interior build up, only to find holes!  :-/

I hate it when that happens :'(

[fatfutures]

Patty, I mean that the build up was plugging the holes. I'm sure that cleaning didn't cause them.

[Dwayne Henson]

A number of years ago I was looking at a Lodge Cast Iron Teapot with the tag still on it. Before using it, the tag recommended filling with new Teapot with water and to boil the pot dry a few times to create a build up to protect the cast iron from rusting and tainting the boiled water.