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1. **Choose the Right Toothpick**: Use a plain wooden toothpick without any coatings, colors, or flavors. Avoid plastic toothpicks, as they can melt and ruin your kettle.
2. **Place It Inside**: Drop the toothpick into the kettle before filling it with water. It will float and move freely during boiling.
3. **Boil as Usual**: Turn on your kettle and let it do its thing. The toothpick will silently improve the process without interfering with functionality.
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### Additional Tips
– **Replace Regularly**: Switch out the toothpick after a few uses to ensure cleanliness.
– **Combine with Cleaning**: If you’re dealing with limescale, pair this hack with regular kettle cleaning using vinegar or lemon water for optimal results.
– **Safety First**: Always check the inside of your kettle before pouring to avoid accidental spills of the toothpick into your drink.
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### Alternative Uses for This Hack
While the toothpick-in-the-kettle trick is primarily for preventing overboiling and limescale build-up, it’s a great reminder of how small adjustments can improve everyday tasks. Other creative uses include:
– **Using a Toothpick to Test Baking**: Insert one into cakes or muffins to check if they’re done.
– **Unclogging Small Spouts**: A toothpick can clear a blocked spout on a kettle or teapot.
– **Measuring Water Level**: Mark a toothpick with the desired water level for consistent boiling quantities.
### Conclusion
The humble toothpick isn’t just for appetizers or dental hygiene—it’s also a surprisingly useful kitchen tool. Sticking a toothpick in your kettle is a quick and easy hack that can improve your boiling experience and keep your kettle in top shape. Try it out, and you might just discover your new favorite kitchen trick!
