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Hot water dispenser or kettle?

(45 Posts)
shysal Tue 04-Feb-20 11:31:24

My aching shoulders are making it more difficult to lift a full kettle. I don't drink hot drinks but I do fill hot water bottles and saucepans. Would anyone recommend a hot water dispenser instead of a kettle? The one I am looking at isn't limited to a cup-full at a time. Are they as quick and efficient as they seem?
Any of your thoughts would be welcome please.

Franbern Sun 09-Feb-20 18:22:30

georgia - hot water taps have an excellent safety feature built in which prevents that tap being put on by accident.

Maxblank Sun 09-Feb-20 12:14:47

You can get an adaptive stand for.your kettle, approx 30-50 and just fill from a small jug.

You don't need to lift the kettle, it tilts safely in a cradle.

A lot safer n cheaper than going to the expense of a water heater, all the filters you'll need to buy, when the cradle will fit almost all kettles, Inc cordless types.

Willitwork Sun 09-Feb-20 12:09:11

Wouldnt be without mine. Saves water, saves electic as it only boils one cup at a time. And no lifting except to fill it up x

FlexibleFriend Sat 08-Feb-20 13:03:14

I'd say that depends as you can carry a full hot water bottle under your arm whereas a kettle or saucepan the strain is through your wrist elbow and shoulder.

JackyB Sat 08-Feb-20 11:50:07

I'm still puzzled as to how Shysal will solve this. Surely a full hot water bottle is just as heavy to lift as a full kettle or full saucepan?

georgia101 Sat 08-Feb-20 10:58:47

Regarding boiling water taps, I always worry that a child might scald themselves using this by accident instead of the ordinary ones. Does anyone have any info on whether this is likely?

georgia101 Sat 08-Feb-20 10:51:17

Shysal, we have one very similar to the one in your picture and it's brilliant. Only takes about 30 seconds per cup, and if you make one straight after another it's even quicker as the element is already warm. We only use a kettle if we have visitors now. It's more efficient energy wise as it only boils a cupful at a time. The only thing I would say is to get one that will boil enough for a mug and not just a cup if that is what you drink from. The weight is the same as a kettle, but you only fill it after making about 6 cups as the water in the tank is only stored and not boiled each time you turn it on. Hope this helps.

shysal Sat 08-Feb-20 09:48:47

Ramblingrose22. I think the taps are cheaper to run because the water is only heated (or cooled) as it flows through the tap, so no hot water reservoir. A bit like my gas combi boiler which gives instant hot water with no tank. Mind you, it would take some time for the saving to cover the cost of fitting one of the whistles and bells taps!!
The machine I posted about works on the same principle.

Franbern Sat 08-Feb-20 08:41:50

Aeogirl - that is why earlier on I advised getting a hot water dispenser with a large capacity. I fill mine with a jug - no effort. Also has a filter in it, so water is very fresh tasting.

grannyscott Fri 07-Feb-20 20:06:49

Have one and it’s AMAZING. Not cheap I admit but if you can afford it don’t think twice.

Ramblingrose22 Fri 07-Feb-20 19:46:05

Sorry to deviate from the original topic but I have often wondered how the running costs of a hot water tap that is on a boiling point all the time matches a kettle that is frequently boiled with small amounts for just one or two mugs of tea.

Does anyone know?

I live in a very hard water area and get really fed up with descaling my kettle but assume this isn't an issue with a hot water tap.

SueWll Fri 07-Feb-20 18:02:44

I like my water dispenser as I'd put the kettle on, walk away, come back, boil the kettle again etc. and never actually get a drink. Now, after I've put it on I do at least have a lukewarm drink waiting for me.

Aepgirl Fri 07-Feb-20 17:35:48

These water heaters still need to be filled from a jug, or taken to a tap, unless you buy an expensive one that is plumbed in. I have friends with one and to me the water always tastes stale.

4allweknow Fri 07-Feb-20 14:09:39

Don't know anything about hot water dispensers afraid but did research a hot water tap. So expensive to install and very expensive to run. Takes about 15 years to break even compared to boiling a kettle.

shysal Fri 07-Feb-20 14:06:24

Pearlsaminger, I ordered from appliancesdirect.co.uk. Mine was cheaper as it was new with damaged box. If your neighbour wants to make cups of hot drink I wouldn't recommend this one as it flows continuously until turned off. It would be easy to walk away and forget! Other models have the option of dispensing just a cupful at a time then stopping automatically. Most domestic appliance retailers sell a selection of suitable models.

Mine came today. It does a good job but the flow is quite slow. I must be sure to take my own advice and not walk away!

Jaye53. Thank you for your suggestion. I have old shoulder injuries which limit my movement (for which I received physio) plus Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sometimes I have no problems but on other occasions a heavy kettle causes pain.

T56ers Fri 07-Feb-20 12:58:13

I was sent this a few days ago. You might find it of interest.

Pearlsaminger Fri 07-Feb-20 11:34:49

Shysal

May I ask where you ordered this unit from please? It would be ideal for my elderly neighbour who has trouble lifting the kettle also. And it’s a fantastic price.

I’ve been looking recently and can’t find anything that looks as good

Thanks smile

icanhandthemback Fri 07-Feb-20 11:19:34

We have a hot water tap and it is brilliant. I don't ever want to go back to the kettle! Before that we had a "press the button" kettle which provided a cup at a time. It was ok but nothing like our hot tap which also provides cold filtered water too.

Jaye53 Fri 07-Feb-20 11:13:59

Shysal have you not considered physiotherapy for your aching shoulders? Your doctor would be able to offer this and other treatments available.

Acciaccatura Fri 07-Feb-20 11:06:53

Two years ago I bought the beanbag type of 'hot water' bottle that you heat in the microwave for just over a minute - very easy and convenient. Might be the answer for you. Doesn't solve the saucepan problem though except they're much easier to fill than a hot water bottle.

Franbern Fri 07-Feb-20 10:18:01

Good luck with this Shysal, do let us know how you get on with it. Have got 3 workmen in my flat today, building my new fitted wardrobes). Made them tea when they arrived, but have got down the kettle for them to use for themselves. Unless you are used to these hot water dispensers they would cause them problems.

shysal Fri 07-Feb-20 09:34:01

Franbern, thank you for your input. The model I considered has only a continuous flow function, which is what I would need, not liking hot drinks. I have therefore ordered one. I shall keep the kettle in case I find the flow a bit slow for larger quantities. If I get on well with it I can upgrade to a more expensive all-singing-all-dancing one in the future.

Franbern Thu 06-Feb-20 13:19:23

Wizend, hot water taps and hot water dispensers are two entirely different appliances. We were asked about Hot water Dispensers, not the taps.
I have been considering the taps for sometime, in place of my dispenser at some future dare, but for now - and for the paast three years have used the dispensers, which are - for me - extremely useful, fast and safe.
As I am in a small flat now, I need to see how much under sink room the taps would take up before I would consider getting one,.

Witzend Wed 05-Feb-20 10:39:13

OP, how about a little travel kettle?

I wouldn’t want a hot water tap, primarily because it’d take up too much room in the cupboard under sink. I’m not exactly overflowing with kitchen cupboard space anyway.

If neither cost nor space is an issue, then I can see that they’re useful - a lot of people seem to be very pleased with them.

Franbern Wed 05-Feb-20 08:58:46

with mine, do not know about hot water bottles, rarely use one, but when I remove the drip tray to place any of my saucepans under the machine, I put it on to 'continuous pour', so I can put in as much water as I need for that pan, and it just seems to to continue to dispense that hot water until I stop it.
Suppose, like all appliances, you get what you pay for.