Hot water dispensers provide instant hot water for mixing baby formula, oatmeal, soup, tea, coffee or a bowl of ramen noodles.
Some are good for general home use, others for dorms, RVs and small apartments. All have their quirks.
Boil On Demand Hot Water Dispensers
Some dispensers, like the Sunbeam Hot Shot, boil one or two cups of water when needed. They are basically small, quick boil electric kettles.
They work a bit like drip coffee machines. Water is poured into the top. After the water has boiled, pushing a button releases the hot water into the cup below. While not strictly "instant", they are quick and convenient.
Advantages
- Small and portable. Doesn't take up much space.
- Cheap, about $20.
- No installation required.
- Doesn't waste electricity keeping water hot the whole day.
Disadvantages
- Not really instant, 1 to 2 minutes to boil.
- Limited capacity, 1 to 2 cups.
- Needs to be refilled.
Hot Water Tank Dispensers
Plugged directly into the water mains, hot water tank dispensers (such as those from Insinkerator) are the most convenient.
Water is piped in from the water mains and heated in an under-sink or over-counter tank (fixed to the wall). Hot water is dispensed through a faucet at the sink.
A built-in water filter is normally included, as is a thermostat to adjust the water temperature.
Advantages
- No need to refill, just turn on the tap.
- Large capacity. Good for big families, homeowners that throw parties or entertain regularly, offices.
- Adjustable water temperature, good for tea drinkers.
Disadvantages
- Expensive, a few hundred dollars.
- Plumbing work is required for installation.
- Possibility of major leakage as the tank is connected directly to the water mains. A leak in the tank can cause serious flooding.
- Not portable, limited to kitchens.
- Wastes electricity, keeping the water hot the whole day.
- Difficult or impossible to clean tank.
"Thermo Pot" Electric Kettle Hot Water Dispensers
The most common type of hot water dispenser is the "Thermo Pot". They are a combination of electric kettle and hot water flask.
After being boiled in the thermo pot, the hot water is left in the insulated pot, ready to be pumped out by a built-in electric pump when needed (older models used a manual push-down pump).
Popular brands include Panasonic and Zojirushi. Prices range from $50 to $200.
Advantages
- No installation required.
- Portable, can be placed anywhere in the house.
- Adjustable water temperature, good for tea drinkers.
Disadvantages
- Needs to be refilled. Water capacity is typically 2 to 5 quarts (2 to 5 liters).
- Wastes electricity, keeping the water hot the whole day.
The Best Home Hot Water Dispenser
Hot Shot dispensers are good for dorms, RVs, office cubicles and other small quarters with one or two people.
Hot water tanks are convenient but probably overkill unless daily demand for hot water is high (such as in an office pantry).
Thermo pots provide a good balance of capacity, price and convenience. This makes them suitable for most families.
Cordless electric kettles should also be considered.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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