Pot-Pourri: Removing The Heat From Hot Water

If you've noticed white spots or rings on your pots, it's likely that you have a calcium build-up problem. This is caused by the minerals in your tap water, which are left behind when the water evaporates after boiling. Luckily, there are several easy ways to get rid of these stains and prevent them from becoming permanent fixtures on your cookware.

Use vinegar and water to remove calcium deposits

Calcium deposits are caused by "hard water", which contains a high concentration of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. When hard water sits in a pot for an extended period of time, or the pot is washed in hard water and left to air dry, calcium deposits can form. These deposits appear as a white, chalky residue or ring inside the pot.

To remove calcium deposits from your pot, you can use vinegar and water. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Combine equal parts white distilled vinegar and water in the pot. You can also use apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or other types of vinegar, but avoid those containing sugar, as it may burn into your pot.
• Place the pot on the stove and turn on the heat.
• Bring the mixture to a boil. You can also heat it until it gently boils, then let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let the hot solution dissolve the deposits. You can agitate the solution with a wooden utensil occasionally to help break down the deposits.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for about 24 hours.
• After the solution has cooled, carefully pour it out. If any residue remains, scrub the stained area with a nylon scrubber dipped in vinegar.
• Rinse the pot with soap and water (optional), then dry it with a dish towel or soft cloth.

For heavier calcium buildup, you can try a different method:

• Fill your sink with enough hot water to submerge the pot and add 1 cup of vinegar per quart of water.
• Soak the pot in the vinegar and water solution for about 15 minutes.
• Drain the sink and refill it with plain hot water and a squirt of dish soap.
• Scrub the pot with a sponge or soft cloth to remove the loosened calcium buildup and the remaining vinegar solution.
• Rinse and dry the pot with a clean, dry rag or towel.

Lemon juice can be used as a natural alternative to vinegar

To get rid of the hot water smell from your pot, you can try a few things. Firstly, determine if the problem is only with the hot water by checking both hot and cold taps for any signs of debris, discolouration, or odours. If the problem is only with the hot water, the next step is to flush the water heater tank by draining it, allowing it to refill, running a heating cycle, and then draining it again. If the odour persists, you can try adding a small amount of bleach or white vinegar to the tank and repeating the flush process.

Lemon juice has a pH of around 2, while vinegar has a pH between 2 and 3. Lemon juice is a great natural alternative to vinegar for cleaning, as it is cheap, safe to use around children and animals, and environmentally friendly. However, it is important to note that lemon juice should not be mixed with bleach, as it can cause toxic fumes.

Flush out the hot water heater to get rid of rotten egg smell

If you've noticed a rotten egg smell coming from your hot water, it's likely that there are trace amounts of sulfur-reducing bacteria in your water, or a chemical reaction is occurring between your system's magnesium anode rod and your water. If the smell is present in both your hot and cold water, it's likely that it's caused by hydrogen sulfide gas in the groundwater below your house.

Flushing out your hot water heater can help to get rid of the rotten egg smell. Here's how to do it:

• Turn all faucets inside and outside your home fully open and let the water run for 10 minutes, then turn off the water. This will flush out all the pipes in your home.
• Do not turn off the incoming water supply. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve on the lower side of the water heater. Run the other end of the hose outside and open the valve to drain the hot water heater.
• After 10 minutes, take a sample of the water coming out of the garden hose and collect it in a white cup. Check if there are any particles settling at the bottom of the cup.
• If there are no particles, turn off the drain valve, disconnect the hose, and return it to normal use. If there are particles, let the water run and check every 10 minutes until no particles are present. Then, turn off the drain valve, disconnect the hose, and return it to normal use.
• Repeat this procedure every 6 months to maintain your water heater.

If the rotten egg smell persists, you may need to disinfect your hot water heater to kill the bacteria producing the odour. Here's how to do it:

• Turn the temperature setting on your hot water heater to HIGH for two hours to kill the sulfate-reducing bacteria.
• Flush the water heater by following the steps outlined above to remove the dead bacteria cells. Ensure your water heater has an operable pressure relief valve, as this method can be dangerous without one.
• Reduce the temperature setting after treatment to prevent scalding and avoid high energy costs.

If the issue still persists, you may need to chlorinate your hot water system. Contact a professional for assistance if needed.

Use citric acid to descale your hot water pot

Citric acid is a great option to descale your hot water pot, especially if you have hard water. It is a naturally occurring substance, typically found in citrus fruits, and is safe to use.

To descale your hot water pot with citric acid, start by boiling water in the pot. Once the water has boiled, add in the citric acid—you'll need about one tablespoon of citric acid for every few cups of water. Let the citric acid sit in the hot water for around 20 minutes. Then, empty and refill the pot with fresh water, boiling and dumping this water out to ensure any residue is gone.

You can also use a solution of half water and half vinegar, or lemon juice, if you don't have citric acid. Simply fill your pot with equal parts water and vinegar, or squeeze the juice of a few lemons into the water, and follow the same process as above.

If there is still some scale left in your pot, repeat the process, or scrub the remaining white flakes with baking soda and a brush or rag.

It is recommended that you descale your hot water pot every three months or so.

Soak with dishwasher detergent to remove burnt food

So, you've burnt your dinner and now you have a crusty pot to deal with. Don't worry, it's not the end of the world and there are several ways to tackle this. The first step is to simply soak the pan. Fill the pan with water, adding a few drops of dish soap or dishwasher detergent. Let the burnt pot cool slightly, then soak it for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Burnt food will naturally loosen as it absorbs water.

If you're using dishwasher detergent, add one dishwasher tablet, 1 tablespoon of powdered dishwasher detergent, or 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap to the pot. Fill the pot with a few inches of hot water and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. You can then use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pot, testing to see if the burnt food lifts off easily. If not, bring the water and detergent mixture to a simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it soak as it cools, then discard the liquid and scrub off any remaining residue.

If your pot is still burnt after the initial soak, there are a few other methods you can try. One is to use baking soda and vinegar. The alkaline makeup of baking soda helps loosen burnt food, while vinegar neutralises acid. These common household ingredients also produce a fizzing action that is effective on burns and stains. After soaking, fill the pot with a mixture of half vinegar and half water and bring it to a boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of baking powder and let the mixture fizz. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then pour it out and scrub gently.

Another method is to use a scouring pad or cookware cleanser, such as Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser and Polish, or a steel wool soap pad. Note that these products should not be used on non-stick pans as they may cause scratching. Always try these products on a small area of your pan first to make sure they don't cause any damage. After soaking the pan, use a sponge and cookware cleanser or a steel wool pad to gently scrub the surface in a circular motion. Rinse the pan, then wash with soap and water and rinse again.

For very tough stains, let a mixture of Bar Keepers Friend and water dry on the surface of the pan, then rinse and scrub again. You can also try making a paste with water and baking soda and letting it sit on the pan for 1 to 12 hours. After, rinse and try scrubbing again.

If you're dealing with a burnt non-stick pan, first remove as much food as possible with a wooden or rubber (never metal) spatula. Soak the pan with hot or boiling water and a squirt of dish soap for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Pour out the water and gently rub the pan with a sponge. If food is still stuck, repeat the process or try bringing 4 tablespoons of baking soda to a boil in your pan. Remove from the heat and let it cool, or soak overnight. Pour out the water, add a sprinkle more of baking soda and gently rub with a sponge.

If all else fails, it may be time to retire your burnt pot or pan.

Frequently asked questions