Hot Water Dispensers for Your Home

Instant hot water dispensers can be both a money and time saver. Available in both under sink and countertop models, they are one convenience that almost every beverage drinker hopes for. Though mostly used for making tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, they can also be used to blanch vegetables, make instant cereal instantly, cook al dente pasta, warm plates, melt chocolate, cream butter, thaw frozen foods, warm an ice cream scoop, and loosen jar lids. There are even lots of dispenser recipes online! Those who have one wonder how they ever lived without it.

 Instant Heater

 Tankless water dispensers are considered "instant hot water" appliances. The water is heated only on demand, and will not be stored hot, or heated up inside some type of vessel (such as an electric kettle.) The heat source is directly in the water line, so water flowing over it heats instantly. Small instant heaters are a good option for almost any household, but must be kept out of the reach of small children. If you do install such a unit, make sure the safety features are really reliable.

 How to decide what type of dispenser is right for your kitchen?

 The first choice you must make in a dispenser is to decide if you want an under-the-sink or countertop model. If counter space is tight, the obvious choice is to select an under counter unit; in that case you will obtain your hot water right from the faucet. (The faucets are sold separately. If you do choose an under-the-sink heater look for high spouts that can be used to fill pitchers and other taller containers.) If you want to have a more elegant appliance-almost like an espresso machine-a nice looking countertop model is ideal. Really nice models also supply cold water on demand, and some include water filters.

 Top-of-counter units are available in a wide variety of finishes, and the under-counter heaters offer lots of faucet choices. (Faucet options are as varied as with any new faucet. Most of the faucets can be used with several different brands of heaters.) The under-counter units can also be combined easily with a filtration unit.
There are some domestic-use hot water dispensers that can be purchased in most retail and discount stores for very reasonable prices. Plugged into a handy outlet, they can be used in the kitchen, the desktop, a camper, or any other place that a small amount of hot water is needed quickly. (The water is provided faster than it could be heated in a microwave.) They usually shut off after one use and have a fairly limited capacity. If you do choose to purchase this type of unit definitely checks the warranty.

 Options

 Counter top heaters often have interesting features including temperature adjustment settings and timers. Just like any small appliance they require maintenance, which includes periodic cleaning-often with white vinegar. Sizes are quite varied, but make sure to think through how much water you realistically use at one time. It is tempting to buy the biggest hot water dispenser you can find, but if you need only a few cups there is no need to allocate that much space.

 If you choose your hot water dispenser or drinking fountains carefully, you will enjoy its benefits for a long time. Just make sure to do your homework first. Then you can sit back and enjoy that perfect cup of tea.