What solution will work to clean out the sediment that settles in non-electric teapot? We gave very hard water in our area and the pot if full of white flakes after the water boils.

detailed instructions are here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4451477_clean-deposits-from-teapots.html

Copy following link for element resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
You can soak element in white vinegar to remove scale, and that will reduce some of the whistling noise.
Cleaning sediment out of tank can restore full efficinecy to electric water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html#electric
Another cause of water heater noise are factory-installed heat traps.
http://waterheatertimer.org/New-water-heater-making-noise.html
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If you clean sediment out of tank, it will restore full efficiency to electric water heater:http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html#electric
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
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You posted under electric water heater.

1) Gas or electric, the noise is from sediment build-up inside tank.
Once sediment builds up, the only way to solve problem is to clean the tank out.

2) To restore full efficiency to electric water heater and stop the noise, clean the tank:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
3) To clean gas water heater is more difficult and less successful:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

4) To prevent sediment problem, flush water heater each 6 months before sediment can build up.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html#flushelectric

5) Other things to know for water heater maintenance.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

The sound is from sediment.
Sound signals need to clean out tank:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

Electric water heater can be restored to full efficiency after cleaning:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html

To find age of Rheem, look at 2nd and 3rd digits on serial number, for example 06 is 2006.
Rheem normally uses 4500Watt bolt-in type element, available at home center or hardware.

There are two water lines connected to water heater.
One is marked Hot and the other Cold.
The shut off valve is on the Cold line.

To eliminate sand and dirt from entering your water heater, the 'sediment' filter should be installed on Cold line.
Sand and dirt are sometimes called sediment, but this type of sediment is not the same as calcium carbonate sediment that accumulates inside a tank that receives hard water.

When you have hard water, then water heater makes calcium carbonate 'sediment' deposits that accumulate in bottom of tank. A 'sediment' filter will not prevent this problem.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

If you have hard water, to prevent calcium carbonate from forming inside tank, you need a water softener.
Water softener will prevent calcium carbonate sediment forming inside tank.
However water softener will shorten life of water heater anode rod.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

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This may be a hard water issue, but assuming it's not:

Pour 1 liter of white vinager into your dishwasher and run through a full cycle.

If this fails:

Pout 1/2 liter of CLR into you dishwasher and run through 3 full cycles.

N.B. Vinager is preffered as it's non-toxic.


Other possible issues:

hard water, lime/sediment buildup in hot water tank, not using rinse-aids like "jet-dry"

IF THE BUILD UP OF SCALE IS BAD YOU MAY HAVE TO TREAT SEVERAL TIMES TO CLEAN. VINIGER IS A GOOD CHOICE, JUST FILL ABOVE THE COILS AND LET SIT AND DO THIS AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES TO CLEAN THE COILS. ANOTHER GOOD PRODUCT IS CALLED- CLR MOST HOME DEPOTS HANDLE THIS PRODUCT IT STANDS FOR C-CALSIUM / L- LIME / R- RUST
THIS IS A LITTLE STRONGER THEN VINIGER BUT DOES THE SAME THING. BOTH WILL TAKE SEVERAL CLEANINGS

I do not understand why i must pay all I want to know is how to clean the greae from the Alessi non electric teapot so far I have tried 10 different produsts nothing works. thanks

it is very hard to get rid off ass the sediment comes from the tap water untill you boil the water you dont see this sediment and take it for granted that the water is clean but as soon as you put it in a electric kettle this sediment builds up on the element then it brakes off and floats around in the kettle most new kettles have a filter near the spout so when you pour the water out it traps it in the filter then this can be removed and cleaned but the sediment floating in the kettle is hard to get out you can clean the element and descale it and then just keep pouring water in and out of kettle till its all out but it will soon build up again there are two ways to stop sediment one is filter all the water before putting in kettle but this can be slow process so not worth doing or the best sollution is buy a kettle that has a filter by the spout of the kettle and clean this regularly hope this is some help to you............................................