A Cuisinart electric tea kettle is a great appliance for brewing a perfect pot of tea any time, all the time. But your tea will taste much better if you keep the kettle impeccably clean. Nothing affects the taste of tea more negatively than the presence of lime deposits or the build up of tannic acid.
Most manufacturers offer a special cleaner available through their websites and usually include a sample of it with your purchase. These are great products, but it is not necessary to spend the extra money.
Just like your coffeemaker, a Cuisinart electric tea kettle can easily be cleaned using plain old white vinegar. Wash the pot, rinse it, and then add a half and half mixture of tap water and vinegar. Replace the filter basket and then run the kettle through its normal cycle. When it is complete, empty the vinegar mixture and fill the kettle back up with water. Run it through a complete cycle one more time and it will then be ready to make a fresh pot of tasty tea.
There are some special considerations depending on what material the tea kettle is made of. A stainless steel kettle, for instance, can scratch if you use a harsh powdered cleanser on the exterior. The same plain white vinegar you use to clean the interior can also polish the exterior finish to a shine. If it has baked on food or grease from uncovered pans on the stove, you can make a paste out of vinegar or lemon juice with baking soda to scrub it off. This natural scrub will not scratch the finish.
Be sure to rinse your tea kettle after each use and give it a thorough washing once a week. The vinegar cycle can be completed as needed but usually once a month is sufficient. Wipe the exterior with a damp sponge or rag as necessary.
Your Cuisinart electric tea kettle is made to last a long time with proper care. Keep it clean and you will find that every pot of tea you brew will be perfect, every time.