Kettle v Hot Water Dispenser

elsmandino

Hi there,

My electrical kettle is about to bite the dust and I was on the lookout for a new one.

I note that hot water dispensers are pretty popular at the moment and was just wondering whether one of these should be considered as a viable alternative.

I like the idea of instant hot water but do really save any money?

Thanks in advance.

Myser

It is convenient but, you wouldn't save money as the water is being constantly kept at the required temperature for your beverage.

This is more cost effective in an office/workplace with many staff where boiling a kettle every few minutes would not be practical.

elsmandino

Hi there,

Sorry, I should have clarified that I was looking at one of those one cup jobs that literally heats the water as it is required (as opposed to a mini boiler that keeps it hot). I think that Breval and Morphy Richards are some of the major makers.

Hintza

We have had the Breville (fixed amount of water) for 3 years I think it is fantastic. You also get one that you can vary the water slightly bit it costs more.

The only down side is when you are making tea for a number of people.

I think the savings on electric make it a must have unless you have a large family.

A pound or so cheaper than when we bought it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breville-VKJ142-Hot-Cup/dp/B001L5SSGQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1371216011&sr=1-1&keywords=Breville+VKJ142

Edit:- a few negative comments on Amazon. I think the water temp is fine and not an issue. We did find it filled smallish mugs very full but over time have got some slightly bigger ones.

iammumtoone

Just clicked on this thread as I am in the same situation as the OP and I must say wow those dispensers look really smart I had never heard of them.

When you say fixed amount of water does that mean every time you use it you have to fill it back up again otherwise it won't work?

As a single person (apart from a child who doesn't drink tea!) It would be ideal for me (especially if it saves money) but I can see a downside I do often use the kettle for other things I always use it to boil water for cooking vegetables and soaking greasy trays before washing them up.

Myser

Isn't it just the same as a rapid boil (3kW) kettle? You can measure the amount of water with a mug and pour it into the kettle or use the markings on the side.

It seems that you are just paying for a fancy looking kettle!

ariba10

We have a Delta (either Aldi or Lidl) and would not like to be without it.

No waiting for the water to boil. No wastage of water or heating of water we do not need.

You heat and dispense only what you need.'

poppellerant

The water dispensers with variable dispense amount actually boil the same amount of water each time, regardless of the setting you choose, then dispense the amount of hot water you have chosen.

That aside, they are very good and you do notice the difference in your bills. Not massive, but enough to make you realise that perhaps filling the kettle quarter of a way for a cuppa is a bad idea.

The one thing I do miss is being able to fill pans or large objects with boiling water from the kettle. For that reason the old kettle comes out!

goodmorningsunshine

My mum has one of these one cups, although I have seen one that holds more water than for one cup - which looks good. But the one cup is great for extremely fast boiling water, with my mums you fill your cup with cold water, empty into boiler, put cup underneath spout and switch on, 30 secs later its spouting out the boiling water into your cup.
Fantastic, only drawback has already been mentioned, if you have any amount of people in, or are trying to make soup, etc - you then need your kettle.

olly300

I've used:
1. Kettles on a stove
2. Normal electric kettles
3. Rapid boil electric kettles
4. Hot water dispenser taps
5. One cup dispensers

In terms of ease of use for various functions around the house and speed rapid boil kettles are best. Unfortunately they don't last as long as a normal electric kettle.

One friend was binning her rapid boil kettles every year - she went through 3 before giving up on them - while I managed to get 18 months out of one. However I do have a grubby Breville electric kettle that I've had for 8 years that still works but I don't use.

System

olly300 wrote: »

One friend was binning her rapid boil kettles every year - she went through 3 before giving up on them - while I managed to get 18 months out of one. However I do have a grubby Breville electric kettle that I've had for 8 years that still works but I don't use.

Do what we have done. get one from Argos with thier warranty. ours always fail (due to overuse) within the warranty period. We just go back and get it replaced, together with a new warranty.

After the initial purchase each new kettle then only costs the price of the warranty