The Top 3 Hot Water Dispensers

Hot water dispensers can save time and make life in the kitchen that bit more convenient. If you’re in the market for one then don’t miss out on our ultimate guide.

Looking for a solid, dependable instant hot water dispenser? We’ve got you covered in today’s post. We review 3 of the top models available right now.

Find out how easy they are to install, how much energy they use, and how much hot water they make. We also recommend which one we’d choose above all others.

Start off by looking at the comparison table where you can quickly compare the key features. Then take a look at our more detailed reviews that follow.

We’ve also included a buyer’s guide and a little introduction to hot water dispensers for those new to them.

Compare the Best Hot Water Dispensers

Model	Capacity	Warranty	Power	Price
InSinkErator H-WaveC-SS	2/3 gallon	3 Years	750 Watts	$$$
Bosch Tronic 3000T	2.5 gallons	6 Years tank + 2 years on other components	1440 Watts	$
Waste King H711-U-CH	5/8 gallon	1 Year	1300 Watts	$$

Hot Water Dispenser Reviews

Check out each of the models in a bit more detail. We give the lowdown on the important features and what we think about them.

InSinkErator H-WaveC-SS Our Top Pick

Thankfully, the InSinkErator team put a lot more time into the design of their product than into choosing a name for it. It’s the most expensive of our top hot water dispenser picks, but it’s got a lot to show for it. The impressive service and warranty arrangement is one reason why it may be worth paying a little extra, but we’ll discuss that in more detail a bit later.

The H-WaveC-SS installs under the kitchen sink and comes with an elegant faucet (choice of chrome or nickel) that provides instant hot water at the point of use. The stainless steel tank is capable of holding 2/3 gallon of hot water and can supply 60 cups of 200˚F water over the course of an hour. This kind of water flow rate isn’t going to match your original hot water faucet, but that isn’t the point. This hot water dispenser is designed to make certain tasks like the preparation of food and hot drinks (and also cleaning) quicker and waste less water.

The InSinkErator takes water from the cold water line that supplies the kitchen sink. It keeps the 2/3 gallon tank constantly full and heated at the desired temperature. As hot water is supplied through its faucet, it immediately replaces this with more cold water which is then heated again.

The tank can produce hot water between the ranges of 160°F to 210°F. The temperature is easily changed using a control dial situated on its front. The temperature is monitored and regulated using a built-in thermostat. The thermostat ensures that no energy is wasted. InSinkErator says that the unit uses about the same amount of energy over time as a 40 watt lightbulb. This figure really depends on how often you use it though.

Installation is pretty straightforward. You will need to make a hole of 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″ in diameter to accommodate the hot water faucet. You’ll also need a couple of extra things like a T-fitting and control valve. These are relatively inexpensive to buy. If you’re unsure about exactly what you’ll need then take the installation guide to your local store. I’m sure they’ll be able to sort you out. You can check out the installation manual if you’re curious.

The InSinkErator is very well put together, but the thing we touched on earlier that makes it stand out is the warranty and service feature. They call this the ‘We Come to You’ warranty and it lasts for 3 years. It means that should you ever have a problem, they will send out a professional (that is trained and certified) to repair or even replace your hot water dispenser. The warranty includes parts and labor too! This is a pretty amazing offer that gives real peace of mind. I mentioned that this is the most expensive of our choices, but it also comes with an outstanding warranty.

Bottom Line: In our opinion, this is the best hot water dispenser around. It’s uncomplicated and well put together, and that warranty gives it the edge over the competition.

Waste King H711-U-CH Excellent Value

This Waste King instant hot water dispenser is another that comes with its own hot water faucet. It installs under the kitchen sink and draws water from the cold water supply line.

The Waste King heater has a marginally smaller tank than the InSinkErator model but is capable of producing more hot water (100 cups per hour compared to 60 cups per hour). The caveat here is that the InSinkErator dispenser is capable of producing a higher temperature of water (210°F compared to 190°F).

The Waste King can actually produce a temperature range of 140°F to 190°F. This can be adjusted using a control dial on the front of the tank. There’s a safety feature to provide venting to relieve pressure on the tank too. However, the open vent can sometimes cause dripping from the faucet (particularly when the system is set to higher temperatures) that may be an irritation for some.

The heating element uses 1300 watts of power to ensure a really quick delivery of energy. This means the 5/8 gallon tank fills with hot water in no time. As we mentioned before, it can produce up to 100 cups of hot water in an hour. This is quite a significant amount for an instant hot water dispenser and makes this unit well suited to larger households. Like the InSinkErator model, Waste King compare the energy usage to that of a 40 watt light bulb.

This model is significantly cheaper than the InSinkErator model. The biggest difference is with the warranty. This Waste King dispenser comes with a 1 year warranty, while the InSinkErator comes with 3 years.

Bottom Line: This instant water heater offers great value and is recommended for larger than average households.

Bosch Tronic 3000 T 2.5-Gallon Top Alternative

Now, I’ve cheated a bit here as this isn’t strictly a hot water dispenser. It has a lot larger tank but is still designed to fit under the kitchen sink. The difference here is that this will provide a lot more hot water, but it won’t run quite as hot.

Let’s start by getting straight to the point. This heater will only produce hot water of a maximum temperature of 145°F. To put that into perspective, the InSinkErator reaches 210°F and the Waste King gives 190°F. Now, this is still hot enough to scald and is about the temperature required to kill bacteria (dishwashers sterilize at 145°F), but it’s not close to the boiling temperature you might want for drinks (boiling point is 212°F).

What this water heater has going for it over traditional instant water dispensers is that it can produce a much higher volume of water. The 2.5 gallon tank (up to 7 gallons is available) is well over 3 times as big as the InSinkErator model and capable of delivering more hot water over a period of time.

Like the other two models, the temperature is easily changed using a control dial on the front of the tank. This heater gives a range of 65-145°F. The tank itself is well insulated for energy efficiency. The unit actually has a thermal efficiency of 98% which is impressive for something that doesn’t cost the world. As the 1440 watt heating element doesn’t have to work as hard to reach as high temperatures, the running costs are also lower than our other choices.

What this model excels at is reducing the waste water when you turn on the hot water faucet. In most homes, there is a delay of 10, 20, even 30 seconds before hot water is actually delivered after turning the faucet. During this time, the cold water that fills the pipes is wasted as it drains down the sink. This heater provides hot water straight away, which means less water waste and a more efficient energy solution at home.

Another major difference here is that this heater doesn’t require an extra faucet. It simply uses your original faucets. This is a real bonus if space is tight or installing a third faucet represents a problem.

The warranty on this heater is pretty decent with 6 years covering the tank, and 2 years on other components. The unit is well put together and Bosch makes some pretty durable products.

Bottom Line: If the lower temperature isn’t an issue then this is a great supplement for your hot water supply.

What’s an Instant Hot Water Heater?

An instant water heater is a tiny electric water tank that holds hot water at the desired temperature ready to be instantly supplied. This means things like hot drinks, cooking water, and cleaning water are ready in the blink of an eye.

These devices are small enough to be installed under the kitchen sink and tap into the existing cold water supply line. They then supply piping hot water through an additional hot water faucet that is situated at the sink.

Capacities tend to be around 2/3 of a gallon and heating elements can be as powerful as 1400 watts. These systems are capable of providing up to 100 cups of hot water an hour. However, the speed of delivery is a lot slower than a traditional water heater because they reach much higher temperatures. Instant hot water heaters can provide water as hot as 210°F which is only a couple of degrees below boiling point.

The best instant hot water dispensers come equipped with a thermostat. This allows you to control the temperature of the water and ensures that the system maintains water at this desired temperature.

Manufacturers generally compare the energy usage to that of a 40 watt lightbulb. However, this depends on how hot you want the water to run and how often you are heating cold water. A great tip to increase efficiency is to use a plug-in timer. These are really easy to use and mean that you can control exactly when the heater is in operation. That means you won’t be wasting energy while the house is empty during week days, for example.

Installation

The installation of one of these units is relatively straight forward. The biggest issue is probably drilling a new hole through the sink or countertop.

You will require a couple of extra bits like a T-fitting and a control valve. The safest way to do this would be to take the instruction manual to your local store and see what they recommend.

The best way to see exactly what installation involves is by watching a quick video. The following video is very brief but gives a great idea of the installation process for an InSinkErator model. The process is very similar to other brands too.

Maintenance

Like with any household electrical device it should be regularly inspected to ensure it’s running smoothly. Here’s a checklist of the kind of maintenance checks you should carry out on an instant water heater.

Check for signs of leakage and corrosion
- Corrosion can be indicated by discolored water
If the heater isn’t used for a long period of time or there are signs of corrosion then the unit should be drained.
- First, disconnect the unit from the power supply.
- Run the faucet until the water is cool.
- Shut off the cold water supply.
- Disconnect all tubes from the water tank.
- Remove the tank from the wall.
- Hold it upside down and empty it.
- Dry it off before reinstalling.
Keep a look out for the build up of scale. This can affect the efficiency of the heating element. If you have a problem with hard water (it produces limescale) then a water softener can be a big help.

Practical Uses

Here are some ways people use instant hot water dispensers in the kitchen.

Make hot drinks
Speed up cooking things like pasta and rice
Clean burnt pots and baked on food
Polish jewelry and silver (just add some ammonia)
Remove paper labels and stains
Heat knives to make cutting things like cheese easier
Perfect for baking (melting chocolate & heating butter)

Before You Buy

Here are a few key things to consider before you purchase an instant hot water dispenser for your home.

How easy is it to install?

The actual installation process is relatively straightforward and shouldn’t represent any problems. However, you must make sure that your kitchen is a suitable place to install one of these devices.

The countertop/sink thickness needs to be less than 3 inches for the new faucet to fit.
Is there sufficient space beneath the sink for the unit?
Is there room for a new faucet to be installed?
Is there a power supply under the sink?
Do you have the necessary skills to perform the installation or will you need to hire a professional?

Check out the warranty.

As we all know, even in this day and age electrical devices can let us down from time to time. That’s why getting a decent warranty is really important. Check out the small details too and make sure the warranty covers the components and not just the tank. Our instant hot water dispenser reviews make special mention of the warranties involved.

Consider the energy costs.

These systems are generally thought to use about the same energy as a 40 watt lightbulb. However, if you’re emptying the tank regularly then this will add up. These heaters use minimal energy when maintaining a set temperature but use a lot more when bringing cold water up to say 200°F.

A great way to save energy (and money) is by using a plug-in timer. This way you can set the heater to only function when it is needed. For example, you can turn it off when people are at work (or at school) and make sure it is on during the peak morning and evening hours when everyone is home. These timers are pretty cheap to buy and very easy to install.

Can it handle the hot water demands of your home?

This is where the capacity and water production rates are important. You should estimate the peak water usage for your home and make sure a system can handle it. The water production rate is usually measured in cups per hour. These systems tend to produce around 50 to 100 cups per hour. If you need more then check out the Bosch model that we discuss. It’s the best instant hot water dispenser in terms of the hot water production rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are instant hot water dispensers worth it?

Yes, absolutely. If your main goal is to have hot water at your disposal and save some money at the same time, getting a hot water dispenser is a good choice.

Shopping at major retailers, you can generally outfit the average sized home with individual electric instant hot water dispensers for around $725 and a mid-range whole house gas model for around $900.

That’s usually less than a whole house water heater and it can make your life a little easier as they consume less water in the long run.

How long do hot water dispensers last?

Usually, instant hot water dispensers last for about five years of moderate use if taken care of properly. You can extend its lifecycle by taking care of it, going through your model’s maintenance process, and descaling it in case of limescale buildup caused by hard water. In this sense, we recommend checking out our water treatment category to see which softeners, descalers, and reverse osmosis systems fit your needs.

Are hot water dispensers better than kettles?

Hot water dispensers provide you with hot water instantly. Because of this, you will save precious time when compared to a kettle or even a microwave. You can say goodbye to kettles and to waiting for the microwave to heat up your tea water. Moreover, the best instant hot water dispensers are built to be energy efficient; they always use a lower level of energy in order to keep the water warm

Can you drink hot water from a water dispenser?

Yes, just make sure to let it cool down a little so you don’t burn yourself. One of the benefits of using hot water dispensers is that the increased temperature kills bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other pathogens. Because of this, you are far less likely to come into contact with a disease – or at least one caused by organic matter.