Can You Put Milk In An Electric Kettle?

Can You Put Milk In An Electric Kettle?

Although it is tempting and may seem time-saving to boil milk in an electric kettle, the simple answer is no. Milk is a dairy product and will spoil if heated to the high temperatures necessary for boiling water. It is not recommended to boil milk in an electric kettle.

In addition, milk will form a scald on the inside of the kettle, which will be challenging to clean and may affect the taste of subsequent batches of water that you boil.

In this article, we will walk you through the possible dangers of this activity. And if you’re still not convinced, we will also give you some tips on how to boil milk in a kettle without it being a complete disaster.

First, let’s see how an electric kettle works!

How Does An Electric Kettle Work? Are electric kettles designed for boiling milk?

Electric Kettle

An electric kettle uses resistive heating to heat water. This heating element is usually made of metal and is located at the bottom of the kettle. When the element is turned on, an electrical current flows through it, and resistance to that current causes the element to heat up.

The heat then transfers from the element to the water in the kettle, causing the water to boil. The boiling water then rises to the top of the kettle, where it can be poured out. An electric kettle is not advised for milk because of the high temperatures necessary for boiling water.


Is It Safe To Boil Milk In A Kettle?

Milk Jug & Glass of Milk

No, milk is not safe to be boiled in a kettle.

The following reasonings will help you understand.

When milk is heated, the proteins begin to break down. This process is called denaturation.

At lower temperatures, the proteins unwind and reform into new shapes. But at boiling temperatures, the proteins coagulate and stick together. These clumps will float to the surface of the milk and form a scald. This is why milk changes texture when it is heated or cooled.

The scald will not only be unsightly, but it will also affect the taste of your water. In addition, it won’t be easy to clean out your kettle.

Another problem with boiling milk is that it can cause the kettle to overheat. This is because milk has a lower boiling point than water. When milk is heated, it will reach its boiling point more quickly than water. This can cause the kettle to overheat and shut off.

Note: Even if the kettle does not shut off, the milk can scorch and stick to the bottom of the kettle. Not only will it change the taste of your water, but it will also be a hassle the clean the kettle later.

Reasons to Avoid Heating Milk in your Electric Kettle

If you are ready to face the following consequences, you can try heating milk in your electric kettle:

1. Milk may spill over

Since milk and water have different properties, you cannot expect milk to react in the same way as water. For starters, when water is heated, it evaporates. But the milk will cause a mess by spilling over.

Such an overflowing of milk might also cause a short circuit in the kettle.

2- Milk is prone to scorching easily

Since milk gets heated faster, even more in the kettle, such a situation might end up ruining the kettle as well as the milk.

3- Milk leaves residues

Milk contains fat and protein that leaves behind some residue on boiling it. Such a residue might be challenging to remove, given the shape of your kettle. It can also hamper the functionality of the kettle.

How to Boil milk in a Kettle without Burning?

There are multiple issues with putting milk in an electric kettle. But if you still want to try it, here are some tips on doing it without ruining your kettle.

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is to choose the proper kettle. You will want to find a kettle that has a temperature control feature. This will allow you to set the temperature of the milk and prevent it from overflowing.

Step 2

Next, you need to add the milk to the kettle before adding the water. This will help to prevent the milk from scorching. But make sure that you do not fill the kettle more than half full. This is because milk will expand when heated, and you don’t want it to spill over.

Step 3

Once the milk is in the kettle, you will want to add the water slowly. You do not want to add too much at once, or the milk will boil over. We don’t recommend boiling more than 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk at a time because it will be more challenging to control the temperature.

Step 4

Now, you need to set the kettle’s temperature to just below the boiling point of milk. The boiling point of milk is around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you will want to set the kettle to 175 degrees.

Step 5

Once the milk reaches the desired temperature, you can turn off the kettle and enjoy your hot drink. It would help if you also remembered to clean the kettle afterward to prevent the milk from spoiling.

Keep in mind that these steps will not prevent the milk from forming a scald on the inside of the kettle. What it will do is keep the milk from overflowing or scorching.

How do you Clean an Electric Kettle After Boiling Milk?

Once you have finished boiling the milk, it is essential to clean the kettle. Milk left on the inside of the kettle can spoil and cause bacteria to grow.

You can use either of the following solutions to clean the electric kettle:

1. Vinegar solution

The first thing you need to do is empty the kettle and rinse it out with water. Then, you will want to fill the kettle with a mixture of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Let the kettle sit for 30 minutes to allow the vinegar to work.

After 30 minutes, you can empty the kettle and rinse it with water. Repeat this process at least a few times to remove all milk residue from the kettle altogether.

Once you have cleaned the kettle, you can dry it with a clean towel.

2. Using Kettle Cleaner 

Using a kettle cleaner is pretty simple. All you need to do is boil some water in your kettle and let it heat. Once you see it boiling, add the kettle cleaner and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Remove the water and scrub any nooks or corners. Rinse it with water and let it dry or clean with a towel.

FAQs

Can you put almond milk in an electric kettle? 

While you can boil any kind of milk in an electric kettle, including almond milk, the same is not recommended. This is because it can potentially ruin the milk as well as the kettle’s functionality.

Does boiling milk in a kettle ruin the kettle?

Yes, boiling milk in a kettle can ruin it. It can cause a short circuit, unnecessary spills, and even leave behind residue.

What temperature do kettles boil to?

Kettles boil at slightly over 100 degrees Celsius. This could be due to the impurities present in the water.

Is boiling water in an electric kettle safe to drink?

Yes, it is perfectly healthy to drink water boiled in an electric kettle. However, one must ensure that the kettle is cleaned before using it.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several reasons why you should not put milk in an electric kettle. But if you still want to try it, there are some steps you can take to prevent the milk from ruining your kettle. Just remember to clean the kettle afterward to prevent the milk from spoiling. Hope you found this article helpful!

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