Instant Hot Water Taps

[Jenise]

As a tea drinker, I've always lusted after Instant-Hot water taps, and as a cook I think it would be a benefit to any new kitchen. However, that's theoretical, I've never actually used one. Does anyone who has one know of any reason I shouldn't install one?

Have you looked into their reliability? I have limited experience with them, but the one we have at work has required repair several times over the last few years. I also seem to remember a friend who had one that broke down.

That's the only reason I can think of to avoid them, though, and it may not be an issue.

As a tea drinker, I've always lusted after Instant-Hot water taps, and as a cook I think it would be a benefit to any new kitchen. However, that's theoretical, I've never actually used one. Does anyone who has one know of any reason I shouldn't install one?

You'll still need to use a tea kettle, though, unless you plan to dispense boiling water, a dangerous practice if even feasible. Do you see the advantage as a decreased wait for hot water? Perhaps you've got a lot more pipe than we do, but our hot tap water gets to temperature (140°F) in about 30 seconds.

Just curious,
Mark Lipton

You'll still need to use a tea kettle, though, unless you plan to dispense boiling water, a dangerous practice if even feasible. Do you see the advantage as a decreased wait for hot water? Perhaps you've got a lot more pipe than we do, but our hot tap water gets to temperature (140°F) in about 30 seconds.

Just curious,
Mark Lipton

I think the things are adjustable from 140 to 190 or so; I would think you'd want the upper end of that range to brew tea. Mark, why do you think hot (even boiling) water would be any more dangerous in than it would be out of a tea kettle?

From where I sit, this is one of those few things a microwave does really well. Slightly less convenient, perhaps, but no additional appliance required (assuming you've already got a microwave, that is).

[Jenise]

From where I sit, this is one of those few things a microwave does really well. Slightly less convenient, perhaps, but no additional appliance required (assuming you've already got a microwave, that is).

Totally agreed, and it's how I make my daily pot (in a pyrex quart measuring cup)--don't even own a tea kettle. The tap seemed like a good idea for the occasional single cup of tea, or adding water to something that's already cooking.

Jenise,
I decided against any fixed counter gadget. I really detest having to clean around the base of faucets, sprayers, soap dispensers, filtered water dispensers, hot water dispensers and the convenience factor lost out. I wanted an uncluttered look and a counter that I could easily swipe clean with as few obstacles as possible. Consequently I have a single faucet at the island sink and a single faucet with pullout sprayer for the main sink. The filtered water for cooking is from the pot filler over the cooktop.
I am not aware that you can get 212 degree water from a dispenser. Lower temps would be good for the oolong/greens/whites but you still would have to boil for blacks. Tea is a different ritual for me and I enjoy the preparations and service and do not have it every morning at home. With my induction burner I get boiling water in less than 2 min and that is how I heat tea water.

Yeah, I think 190 in their top end.

I had one. It lasted about a year.

Jenise,

If you can stand the thought of another counter-top appliance these are great for the quick cup of tea, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Wate ... 952&sr=8-2

Just pour your cup of water into the top, hit a button, and it shuts off automatically about a minute or so later then you put your cup under the spout and press another button to dispense your boiling water right into the cup. No muss, no fuss.

Ours conked out, and we haven't had it fixed. When someone buys the house, I'm sure the inspector will catch it and we'll have it fixed then. We hardly used it. Just for the occasional tea, and I'd use it to coddle an egg for Caesar salad. Let the egg sit in the water for a few minutes.

Jenise,
I have the Kohler Executive double sink with a single faucet on a pull out stainless tube. Next to that is my soap dispenser and next to that is the instant hot water faucet. We love it. I use it for tea, and instant soup packages. I freeze my home made tomato sauce in one cup plastic containers. I put them into the sink upside down and turn on the hot water for about 15 seconds to thaw the bottom of the sauce just enough so they drop out quickly into my sauce or whatever I am making.
I like to make Miso soup from the instant packages for a warm snack on cold days. I use it for all sorts of other small things, and you will find uses for it, as well. Next to that is a flat button to turn on my disposal. I use these things all the time and have been for eight years since our remodel. Get good stuff, installed by a plumber who knows his trade. Oh, the one thing they did do was to install a wall switch just in case the disposal button fails, since it is set in granite. It can be replaced, but they wanted me to have back-up. I also love my soap dispenser, it does not leak and requires no more cleaning that anything else around it. In fact, my plumber was just here because I want to replace the pumping part because the paint has started chipping off. I found out the finish is guaranteed for life, so it will be free!
Two years ago, my single white faucet started to yellow where it faced the window. I call Price Phister and told them that it was near a window, and the sun did shine on it ...no matter....the finish was guaranteed, I got a free faucet!

I have an instant hot tap. I've had it for over 15 years, and I had it replaced when I had my kitchen remodeled. However, I never use it for tea. I just need to have boiling water for that. Occasionally I'll use it to add to something to thin the consistency when I need hot water in an instant (perhaps frosting, refrigerated pesto, butter, etc). More often, I use it when I need to add more water to a pot of beans, stew, soup or something that I want to keep cooking at a simmering temperature without having to wait for water to boil in the micro or on the stove. It's handy but doesn't necessarily improve the quality of your culinary life.

My house is way overdue for a kitchen remodel. The last time it was done was before we bought the house in 1980 and there was a hot water dispenser built in. The brand is I.S.E. (In Sink Erator), the same people who make garbage disposals. Occasionally it would gurgle and spit steam into the sink. It broke in 1982. This was because the water was shut off in the house while I remodeled the upstairs bathroom and I did not shut it down. The water all evaporated out and the heating element burned out. For a long time I considered fixing it. I even worked for a while for a plumbing wholesaler and could have gotten the parts cheap. However, about the time it broke, we got our first microwave and never really had a use for it. I've never removed it because then I would have to contend with the hole in the top of the sink. I've been thinking of putting in an under-counter filter and using the hole for that tap, but haven't got around to it yet. Personally, I think it's a useless appliance that wastes electricity. I will probably be starting a new thread in a year or so about wanting tips to remodel my kitchen, but I won't bother with one of these.

[Jenise]

Perhaps you've got a lot more pipe than we do, but our hot tap water gets to temperature (140°F) in about 30 seconds.

Actually yes, that's another problem/motivation. It can take a minute to get hot water out of the tap, and I feel pretty guilty about the waste.

[Jenise]

If you can stand the thought of another counter-top appliance

I can't. I'm building an appliance bar into the new pantry in order to free up all counter space of surface clutter. I can see where that device would be handy, but if it came to that I'd just use the microwave to heat single cups as I do now.

I understand the aversion to another single-use, hardly ever used piece of plastic with an electric cord. That's why the last one I used is in a box somewhere. I got over my green tea phase. But it was handy.

I've never liked to boil water or reheat soup, etc. in the mic. I think (imagine, maybe) that reheated liquidy things taste better when brought up to temperature in a pan, over a burner. Perception or realty?

Had two installed.

One in the last house, one in the current house.

Both work (ed) just fine.

We installed the small/regular size.

At work, they installed a larger, high volume size. It has periodic problems. Ours never have.

We love having ours at home.

I have ISE model and it is now unplugged and disconnected. The tank started leaking after about 4.5 yrs and soaked the insides of the box which doesn't help the electrical bits and pieces. I checked out replacements and just couldn't justify the $200. to replace it.


-mike

I think the things are adjustable from 140 to 190 or so; I would think you'd want the upper end of that range to brew tea.

That would depend on the type of tea. Black tea we brew with just-boiled water, but Sencha we brew at 140°F.

Mark, why do you think hot (even boiling) water would be any more dangerous in than it would be out of a tea kettle?

It's a safety question. Very hot water scalds instantly, and it's all too easy to have a hand or arm nearby when the water comes out. A lot of people turn down their water heater for that same reason (especially if there are children in the house).

Mark Lipton

More often, I use it when I need to add more water to a pot of beans, stew, soup or something that I want to keep cooking at a simmering temperature without having to wait for water to boil in the micro or on the stove.

Oh yeah! I used to use mine for that quite a bit too.

Mark, why do you think hot (even boiling) water would be any more dangerous in than it would be out of a tea kettle?

It's a safety question. Very hot water scalds instantly, and it's all too easy to have a hand or arm nearby when the water comes out. A lot of people turn down their water heater for that same reason (especially if there are children in the house).

Mark Lipton

At one of our parties, an elderly gentleman came to the kitchen sink to rinse his hand of something and since someone else was using the main faucet, he went for the instant hot and scaulded his hand. Luckily for him, I think he was too drunk to feel it. Our unit looks a little like one that cold water would come out of. A gooseneck style with a little black lever on it. My parent's version would be safer, I woud think. It's the stout version--you turn a top knob counter clockwise.

[Jenise]

At one of our parties, an elderly gentleman came to the kitchen sink to rinse his hand of something and since someone else was using the main faucet, he went for the instant hot and scaulded his hand. Luckily for him, I think he was too drunk to feel it. Our unit looks a little like one that cold water would come out of. A gooseneck style with a little black lever on it. My parent's version would be safer, I woud think. It's the stout version--you turn a top knob counter clockwise.

Ouch! The one we used to have at an office I worked at had a red plastic tap--visually, that says 'hot' to just about anyone.

Those of you who have liked your taps, which brand(s) did you have?

My instant hot water device does not take up any room, it is under the sink with a faucet on top near the sink faucet. Also, one would have a hard time scalding their hands when washing because you need to use one hand to hold it on.....when you let go of it, it is off.

Also, one would have a hard time scalding their hands when washing because you need to use one hand to hold it on.....when you let go of it, it is off.

I know, but our friend only had to rinse one hand so that's where the trouble came in!

[Jenise]

Had two installed.

One in the last house, one in the current house.

Both work (ed) just fine.

What brand(s) did you buy?