Why is my kettle taking longer than usual to reach temperature?

You used to be able to set your kettle, grab a mug, and the water would be ready instantly. Now, it feels like you're waiting forever. If your Luna Electric Kettle Pro seems sluggish, it isn't necessarily "wearing out."

Here are the three most common reasons for a slow boil and how to speed things up again.

Reason 1: Hidden Scale Buildup

Even if your kettle looks clean, a thin, invisible layer of mineral deposits on the bottom sensor can sabotage performance.

• The Science: Limescale (calcium carbonate) acts as an insulator—just like the insulation in your attic. When the heating element turns on, it has to heat through that layer of "stone" before it can heat your water.
• The Symptom: The kettle makes more noise than usual (hissing or popping) but heats slower.
• The Fix: Descale it immediately. A quick boil with vinegar or citric acid usually restores the heating speed instantly. (See our Descaling 101 guide).

Reason 2: You Are Using an Extension Cord

Electric kettles are high-wattage appliances (typically drawing 1500W). They crave a direct line to power.

• The Issue: Long or thin extension cords cause "voltage drop." By the time the electricity travels through the extra cord to your kettle, the voltage is lower than what the kettle needs.
• The Result: A 1500W kettle running on a weak extension cord might only pull 1000W, significantly increasing boil time.
• The Fix: Plug the Luna directly into a wall outlet. If you must use a power strip, ensure it is a heavy-duty one rated for high-wattage kitchen appliances.

Reason 3: "Winter Water"

Sometimes the problem isn't the kettle; it's the season.

• The Issue: In the summer, tap water might come out of your pipes at 65°F (18°C). In the winter, that same water might be 45°F (7°C).
• The Result: The kettle has to work much harder to bridge that 20-degree gap before it even starts the "boil" phase.
• The Fix: This is normal physics! However, if you are in a rush, use room-temperature filtered water instead of ice-cold tap water.

Troubleshooting Checklist

If you have descaled the kettle and plugged it into the wall, but it is still noticeably slow:

1. Check the Lid: Is the lid fully sealed? If steam is escaping during the heating process, the kettle loses heat energy, prolonging the cycle.
2. Reset the Base: Unplug the base for 30 seconds to reset the electronic controller.