Can you heat milk in an electric kettle

The first time I shared my trick on how to clean the inside of a kettle, I got the question: “Can I put milk in a tea kettle?” Most people say no, but some say yes… So, what’s the definitive answer? Can you heat milk in a kettle of water or not? In this post you’ll find out what you can expect if you do put milk in your tea kettle, if there are better alternatives and how to avoid common mistakes.

Can you put milk in an electric kettle?

The short answer after extensive research: heating milk in an electric kettle is NOT a good idea.

An electric kettle is a very time-saving gadget in modern kitchens. This electrical appliance will boil water in a jiffy so you can make tea, coffee and anything that needs hot water very conveniently. Electric kettles also save energy when you bring water to a full boil to cook pasta or boil eggs (among others) with it.

I do really love my electric tea kettle, so I understand, it might be tempting to you use one to warm milk too. But the thing is, electric kettles are only meant to heat water. That’s why most electric kettle usage instructions specifically state not to put anything but water in them.

Reasons to avoid heating milk in your electric kettle

There are several reasons to leave the typical electric kettle just for heating water:

1- Milk may spill over

When milk is heated, it expands and may rise up, spilling over the kettle. This isn’t just a mess to clean up, but it can reach and damage the electric elements of your kettle.

2- Milk is prone to scorching easily

If you let the milk boil, it will form a crust on the bottom of the kettle that is difficult to remove. And while there are great tricks to clean the inside of an electric kettle, it’s still better to avoid the problem in the first place.

3- Milk leaves residues

Even if you don’t let the milk boil, it will still leave sticky traces of protein and fat. Since it’s difficult to scrub the inside of electric kettles and you also can’t leave them to soak, this film can be hard to remove. This may give place for harmful bacteria and affect the heating mechanism, heat sensor and other critical elements. Not to mention, these milk residues also pass on an unpleasant smell to the kettle. And no one wants to ruin their favorite tea with odd tasting water!

Can you warm milk in an stovetop kettle?

We’ve seen that it’s a bad idea to put milk in an electric kettle. But what about those traditional stove kettles that you heat on the gas stove?

Since they don’t have an electric component, it might seem like it would be safer to put milk in them.

But the only difference between a non-electric kettle and an electric one is that the first one doesn’t have electronic parts. Otherwise both were made for boiling water, not to boil milk. So, it will be probably better to avoid heating milk in a stovetop kettle for the same reasons as with electric kettles: it may get messy and remaining milk residues may affect the taste of your tea.

In top of that, you’ll have to clean the stovetop if the boiling milk splits.

How to warm milk in a kettle

While I don’t recommend you heat milk in a kettle, I understand that sometimes you might not have any other option to warm a glass of milk.

If this is the case, there are certain precautions you can take to avoid ending with a bunch of burnt milk, whether you use an electric or stovetop kettle:

• Use a small amount of milk: The less milk you use, the less likely it is to spill over.
• Don’t let the milk boil: Boiling milk will make it more likely to stick to the kettle and form a crust.
• Stay close: If you leave milk unattended, it can easily boil over or burn. It’s better to be there to take the kettle off the heat source as soon as the milk is warm enough.
• Let the top of the kettle open:Don’t cover it so you see how the milk is heating up
• Put first a little amount of water at the bottom:Some say the cold water act as a sort of protective layer.While I haven’t found scientific data to support this claim, I use this trick when heating milk in a pan (such as when making creamy hojicha latte) and it seems to work just fine.

In case you are using a stovetop kettle, also:

• Put the kettle on a low heat: Boiling milk can easily scorch, so it’s best to warm it gently.
• Stir often:This will help the heat to distribute evenly and prevent scorching.

Better ways to heat milk

As we’ve seen, it’s better to avoid putting milk in a tea kettle, whether it’s electric or stovetop. Fortunately, there are other possible ways to heat milk and they are all quite easy:

Use a pot on the stove:

This is the most common way to heat milk. Place the milk in a pot on the stove and heat it over medium heat, stirring often.

The microwave method:

This is probably the most convenient method. Just make sure to use a microwave-safe container.

Use a milk kettle:

Yes, there is such a thing!While traditional kettles and electric tea kettles are only designed to heat water, there are also kettles that are made especially for heating milk. These have a coated wall to prevent scorching and come with a steam wand to froth the milk. Actually, most of the times you’ll find them under the name of electric milk frother or electric milk steamer.

How to clean your kettle if you’ve put milk in it

If you’ve made the mistake of putting milk in your kettle and now it needs cleaning on the inside, don’t despair: check out my post on how to clean the a kettle with white vinegar or lemon for some helpful tips.

If your kettle isn’t electric, you may also soak it entirely in a solution of powdered dishwasher detergent or regular dishwasher and water before you scrub it with a bottle brush.

If your kettle is electric and you aren’t sure if the electric components are still okay, it’s best to consult a professional or the manufacturer to avoid potencial dangers.

Other related questions about putting milk in a kettle

In conclusion: Can you put milk in a kettle?

The straight answer is “better not”.Just to recap, electric kettles are only meant to heat water and most stovetop kettles aren’t really designed for milk either. If you want to heat milk, it’s best to do it in different ways, like in a pot on the stove, in the microwave or using an electric milk frother. And if you’ve accidentally put milk in your kettle, follow our tips on how to easily clean the inside of a kettle.

I hope this article has helped clear any doubts you had about whether you can put milk in a tea kettle!

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