Can you boil milk in an electric kettle? However, electric kettles are not designed specifically for boiling milk. They are mainly used to just boil water. But, yes, you can boil milk in a kettle with some precautions. Boiling milk in an electric kettle is not a good practice. As it could go wrong in a number of ways. Table of Contents Why electric kettles aren’t suitable for boiling milk? There are several reasons that make an electric kettle not a suitable option for boiling milk. Here are some of the main reasons for that. Milk can spill instead of evaporating: As you may know that milk does not evaporate like water. Milk has some unique properties. When water gets heated, it evaporates, but milk does not, which results in spilling and a messy scenario. This happened because milk contains water, fat, and protein. Therefore, when milk is heated, the fat and protein present in the milk disperse from the water. That results in a distinct crust form on top of the milk. It prevents the evaporation of water present in milk and begins to boil the milk. The overflow of milk from an electric kettle can cause a short circuit if it gets in the electric base of the kettle. Kettle won’t turn-off automatically : Most of the modern electric kettles come with an advanced function of auto-shutoff. In this function, the mechanism automatically shut-off the kettle when the steam hits the top of the pot. After touching the top of the kettle, the steam travels down the drain, causing the bimetallic plate to extend. The power then goes off. Due to the distinct crust form on top of the milk, a lot of steam does not rise from the milk. That prevents the auto shut-off mechanism from working and the milk keeps on boiling until all the water present in the kettle gets evaporated. That further results in, burning of the protein and fat content present in milk. Protein and fat can stick to the bottom of the kettle: I have noticed that after boiling milk some residues are always left at the bottom of the vessel. That can also happen in the electric kettle. As most of the electric kettles have narrow openings due to which electric kettles are difficult to clean. If residue remains trapped in the nooks and crannies of the electric kettle. Over time, it can negatively affect the functioning of the kettle. A foul smell: Boiling milk in an electric kettle not only leaves some residues behind but it also leaves a strong smell like burnt cheese in the kettle. It can affect the taste and flavor of the water you’ll next boil in the kettle. These are some of the main problems that you can come across while boiling milk in an electric kettle. Can boiling milk in an electric kettle ruin it? It’s not sure that it can ruin the kettle but electric kettles are not designed for boiling milk. However, you can boil milk in electric kettles but you have to be extremely careful otherwise bad consequences can be as listed above. In order to understand how boiling milk can damage the kettle, you have to first understand how an electric kettle works? The main element in electric kettles is the heating element that heats up and further heats up the water. The heating element is the coil that is located under the inside of the water reservoir of the kettle. It used to be visible at the bottom of the kettle in few-year-old models But today, in most of the kettles it is concealed under a plate. It gives an aesthetic look as well as makes it easy to clean. When power is on, the coil heats up when electrical current travels through it. That boils the water in just a few minutes. Instant kettles available in the market can boil the water even faster as they use more electricity and generate more heat. When water starts boiling, steam is produced. Then the steam is transported to a thermostat via a tube that automatically turn-off the kettle. Moreover, some kettle comes with an advance “keep Warm” feature that keeps the water hot at a certain temperature for an extended period of time. In the case of boiling milk in an electric kettle, it can stop the thermostat from working. Because of the thick layer of fat and protein produced while heating the milk steam can not exit. The continuous build-up of steam causes the milk to boil again and again. Continuous heating of milk can turn the milk into a char that can coat the heating coil. It makes the kettle difficult to clean and decreases its heating capability. How can I boil milk in an electric kettle? However, it’s not recommended to use an electric kettle for boiling milk but if you still want to try it, you can try this best procedure to do it correctly: Pour the required amount of milk in the kettle Keep the lid open in order to keep a watch Turn on the kettle Keep an eye on the milk as it can overflow very quickly When milk gets heated, keep stirring it evenly with a tablespoon. Once you notice that milk is going to boil and can overflow anytime, turn off the kettle and add 1 to 2 tablespoon of cold water in order to prevent any sort of damage. After that transfer the milk to your cup or vessel. Here is another method that you can try Pour a small amount of water in the kettle Take the milk in glass and place it in the kettle Now switch on the kettle and make sure you cover the lid It will take 10 to 15 minutes to heat up Then, turn off the kettle and take out your glass. But be careful while doing so as it can be too hot. Is it important to clean the kettle after boiling milk ? Yes, it’s mandatory to clean the kettle afterward in order to prevent complications and enhance the life span of the unit. As boiling milk leaves some residue that sticks to the base and becomes difficult to clean later. It can also leave some smell in the kettle. Therefore, it’s good to clean the kettle. How to clean an electric kettle after boiling milk? You can clean your kettle either with a kettle cleaner or with vinegar solution. Kettle cleaner is available in the market in powder, get, and liquid forms. They all work well and properly cleans the kettle. When it comes to using vinegar, follow these steps: Mix water and vinegar in equal proportion. Half fill the water with the solution. Boil the solution in the kettle. After it starts boiling turn off the kettle and let the solution stay inside the kettle for upto 20 minutes. After pouring out the solution if there are still any residues left inside then rub them with a non-scratch sponge. Properly rinse the kettle to elimite the vinegar smell. You might have to do it multiple times in order to clean the kettle properly. Related posts: How does a cordless electric kettle works? How to clean an electric kettle? How to repair an electric kettle? Difference between teapot and tea kettle Post navigation ← Previous Post Next Post → Related Posts How to Repair an electric kettle at home when it won’t turn on? Can you boil milk in an electric kettle? How does a cordless electric kettle work? Teapot VS Tea Kettle | Difference between teapot and tea kettle What are PVR and DVR? What is the difference between PVR and DVR? How to get recorded shows off Directv DVR Search Search Can You Stack Mini Fridges? ( EXPLAINED ) Why is there a “D” in the fridge but not in the refrigerator? How Long Does Cool Whip Last in the Fridge? 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