Will this wire wool ring save your kettle from limescale?
Product test

Will this wire wool ring save your kettle from limescale?

Livia Gamper
4.1.2023
Translation: Eva Francis

My electric kettle is full of limescale deposits. That’s no surprise, as I’m drinking gallons of tea at the moment. Kessy, a wire wool ring, is supposed to trap limescale. Well, some of it.

I hate to see limescale deposits in my kettle. As hard as I try to remove it from alll the nooks and crannies, I can’t keep up.

Limescale isn’t harmful to our health in small amounts, but I still don’t want the chemical compound in my kettle. It can corrode the appliance over time, and I’m convinced my ginger and lemon tea doesn’t taste as nice when the kettle looks like it’s filled with a layer of snow.

Therefore, I decide to try out Kessy the so-called limescale trap.

Using and cleaning Kessy couldn’t be easier. Before I use it for the first time, I need to rinse it with hot water. Then it goes where it belongs – in the kettle. It stays there and boils along with the water.

Kessy in my descaled kettle.
Kessy in my descaled kettle.
Source: Livia Gamper

Environmentally friendly and without scrubbing

Kessy is made in Germany by the company Buck who produce what they call «technical knitwear». That’s exactly what Kessy is; a ring made of knitted stainless steel. Kessy’s surface feels a bit smoother than the steel wool that’s known for scrubbing things clean.

The knitted surface attracts limescale and traps it inside the ring instead of in my kettle. I can see that it works, as Kessy is wearing a whitish veil after a few days. That’s good news, as it keeps me from having to clean my kettle with vinegar, acids or other chemicals. Best of all, for the time being, I don’t have to go through the hassle of scrubbing the kettle clean.

My verdict after one month

After one month with Kessy, it’s time to draw a conclusion. I used the kettle a lot during this time, but never cleaned it. There is some limescale deposit in the bottom of the appliance, especially around the heating elements. But it’s minimal compared to the time before Kessy. What I find particularly handy is that once Kessy fills with limescale, I can just wring out the ring by hand, rinse it off and it’s ready to use again. And it lasts forever.

After a month with Kessy, my kettle has only slight limescale deposits.
After a month with Kessy, my kettle has only slight limescale deposits.
Source: Livia Gamper

There isn’t only less limescale, it also feels easier to get rid of. A little vinegar and a dish brush do the job. The only downside? Kessy scratches the bottom of the kettle slightly. That doesn’t bother me, though. Kessy is staying in my kettle. By the way, if your water contains a lot of limescale, the manufacturer recommends using two or three wire wool rings at once. I might be getting a second Kessy soon.

Cover photo: Livia Gamper

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Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.


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