My kettle does not switch itself off. What is wrong?
Check the lid first. Kettles like this usually sense steam to trip the switch, so a lid that is not fully closed lets the steam escape and the switch may not click off; press it down until it catches. Limescale building up inside can also get in the way, so descale if you are in a hard-water area. Boil-dry protection is a separate safeguard, so it can still work when the shut-off does not. If the switch still fails, contact Mueller, which can be quick to send a replacement under warranty.
How do I descale a glass kettle?
Fill it partway with a white vinegar or citric acid solution, bring it to the boil, and leave it to stand for a while. Then empty it and boil two or three changes of clean water to clear the taste. Do it whenever you can see a film on the glass or the base plate, which is the advantage of a glass body: you can see the need rather than guessing. In a hard-water area that will be often; with filtered or bottled water it is rare.
Why does descaling matter beyond looks?
Scale is an insulator, so as it thickens the element has to work harder to heat the same water, which slows boiling and adds strain. Loose flakes also clog the spout filter. And because the shut-off depends on steam, heavy scale can affect how cleanly it switches off, so descaling is a reliability job as well as a cosmetic one.
Is a glass kettle fragile?
Borosilicate handles heat well, which is why it is used for kettles and cookware, but it is still glass. The body feels sturdy rather than thin, and it copes with daily boiling. Do not pour cold water into it straight after it has boiled, never let it boil dry, and treat it with the care you would give any glass jug near a hard tap or stone worktop.
Does the water taste of anything?
It should not. Glass does not flavour the water, so there should be no smells or odd taste. Mueller also describes the kettle as BPA free.
Why is it pouring slowly?
Usually the spout filter, which catches limescale flakes and gradually clogs. Lift it out and rinse it under the tap; it is removable and washable, and worth rinsing regularly, more often if you see white deposits on it. If it drips rather than pours slowly, check that you have not filled past the maximum line.
