Expert: Henry Boyter - 9/7/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I purchased water in plastic containers and used it in a water heating electric kettle.  I never bothered cleaning the kettle out because I only heat water in it. So I only refill it when it becomes empty.  Ater refilling about 6 times, there was a accumulation of a white gooey substance on the bottom of the kettle. I didn't think much about it and just cleaned it out. But it happened again...and now I'm wondering what it was that I was putting in my body every morning when I have my cup of coffee?
Answer -
Without seeing and testing it, there is no way of knowing.  Take some of the substance to a local lab.

Try this.  Take a clean pot and boil some of the water in it (by the way, you didn't say what type of water it was).  If you don't see the same buildup, it must be coming from the kettle itself.


The water is Danon spring water.  The electric kettle is stainless steel made by T-Fal.  I've used other water brand names and did not have the problem, so I'm sure it is Danon's spring water.
Thank-you for taking the time to repond to my question...If it's not too expensive, I will try taking a sample to a lab.
Thanks again,
Susan

Answer
Unless you try the water in another pot, don't jump to conclusions.  It could be that the kettle took this time to lose something.  Other odd things I've seen are loose tea bag pieces left in the kettle, childrens plastic toys, leftover cleaning soap that wasn't rinsed, or the kettle was cooked to dryness and started breaking up.  Try the other pot experiment.

The lab is probably only going to be able to look at the material and do a visual exam.  Actual testing would be expensive.