A boiling water tap – sometimes called a hot water tap – is a must have for those who survive each day only by drinking gallons of hot beverages. They can equally be handy to speed up the process of cooking pasta or rice.

However, there are some things that need to be considered before a final decision is made.

4 Things to Consider

It’s true you can buy speedy kettles these days, but if you want the very latest in kitchen gadgetry, a hot water dispenser will give you a steaming hot cup of tea at the touch of a button and in a matter of seconds.

1. Filter – Factor in the cost of replacements before you go for a hot water tap – they can be expensive.
2. Hard water – If you live an area with a hard water supply, you may find that your filters fur up quickly. That isn’t always the case though, so try and talk to a neighbour or friend who lives locally who has one installed first, to see if it’s an issue. The tip of the tap should be descaled every month by soaking in white vinegar.
3. Thermostat – The factory temperature pre-set will usually be 96C. You can adjust the water temperature by turning the thermostat dial.
4. Service – Most will require servicing every few years, which can work out to be quite expensive.

If you do not use the hot water tap for extended periods of time, you will need to unplug and drain the unit. Take care also in cold conditions. If it is below freezing, you will also need to unplug and drain the unit.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to replace the filter, It is recommended that carbon filters are replaced every six months.

Amazing Boiling Water Taps

From granite worktops and giant American-style fridges, to shiny integrated coffee machines, glossy kitchen catalogs offer a host of necessary and some unnecessary status symbols.

But there is one item many families claim they can’t do without.

As ever, property style guru, Kirstie Allsopp is leading this trend, saying she adores her “amazing but expensive” boiling water tap.

She has said “if I were getting married, I’d say sod everything else and get everyone to chip in for a boiling water tap”.

An Increase in Popularity

In a survey by home interior website “Houzz”, they topped the list of the most sought-after kitchen appliance, and in the past few years, fueled by the trend for minimalist clutter-free surfaces and time-saving devices, boiling water taps have become mainstream.

The taps can be used for making hot drinks, filling cooking pans and sterilizing baby bottles.

Lisa Roberts-Goldner from interior design company “The Open-Plan” says that when she started work 13 years ago boiling water taps were very expensive and only for very wealthy clients, but now they are much cheaper and very popular in the middle market intriguingly she adds “Normally, it’s the men who want them. They see them as stylish and more convenient.

I Agree, They’re, Brilliant

Anyone who doubts the trend should watch the latest series of “The Great British Bake Off”, where they are fitted on all the contestants’ kitchen counters.

Boiling water taps date back to 1970, when Dutch manufacturer Henri Puteri was working in Britain for “Unilever” and developing instant soup. Realizing it would never be instant if it took five minutes to boil water in a kettle, so he tried to find a better way.

He did his own trials in his basement, but early boiling water tap models were too unreliable, and by the late 70s he ran out of cash.

His son Niels relaunched the business in 1985 and continued the idea of an appliance that would make instant hot water.

But it took more than 20 years to develop, and it was not until 1992 that the “Quooker Basic”, designed by Niels Peteri was launched.

It first went on sale in the UK in 2005 with the slogan “Throw Away Your Kettle”.

Advantages

Inevitably, it swiftly spawned rivals, all emphasizing the advantages of the space-saving, energy-saving gadgets, though that last assertion is hotly contested.

Energy consultants say that while running costs are low, it would take years to recoup the initial cost of the tap, even for the most enthusiastic tea drinker and saucepan filler

Andy Smale, of energy consultancy “Expert Energy” says: “They draw a small amount of power continuously to keep the water hot all the time, and this can cost more than boiling a kettle a few times a day.”

What’s more, tea purists argue that while boiling water taps may be useful time-savers, for example, when it comes to cooking pasta and vegetables, they are not recommended for making a really good cup of tea. “They are usually not controllable in terms of the different temperatures required for brewing different teas, as they are set at just one temperature,” says Jane Pettigrew, of the UK Tea Academy, who claims that boiling water tap are not suitable for tea.

How Do They Work?

Connected to mains water, they require space below your sink for the boiler and filters.

Different brands operate in different ways.

For example, “Quooker is the only company to provide true boiling water at 100 °C. This comes from its patented vacuum insulation and thermos technology, which holds the water under pressure at 110 °C.

As it is under pressure, it does not boil until it exits the tap. The technology ensures that only 10W of energy consumption is required to maintain the water at this temperature.

Other brands use different technology to heat the water.

Most types use a small thermally insulated tank with a heater, which keeps the water hot.

When the handle is pressed, cold water flows into the tank and displaces the near-boiling water, usually with temperature at 90°C to 95°C s, which flows out of the spout. On releasing the handle, the valve closes and hot water stops flowing.

Cost Comparison

According to the “Energy Saving Trust”, each time we boil a kettle: it costs on average $0.14. However, “Quooker” and like many other firms, says its taps are environmentally friendly and cost just $0.03 a day to run.

“Not quite” says energy use advisor Andy Smale, who believes that any savings are minimal. He says: “If you are careful to boil only as much water as you need in a kettle, and assuming you make the equivalent of two small mugs of tea or coffee six times a day, then using a kettle will cost you around $0.38 a week, whereas the more energy-efficient instant taps will cost $0.37 a week, an insignificant saving of 1 P a week.”

People who boil a full kettle just to make one or two cups, could save around $0.70 to $0.90 a week, but even the least expensive instant cap would still then take well over 10 years to pay for itself.

Way to Avoid Accidents

Kettles caused hundreds of accidents a year, particularly among young children.

The “Child Accident Prevention Trust” says more than 6500 under-5s have to go to an emergency department each year because of scalds from kettles and spilled hot drinks.

There are no separate statistics available either for boiling water tap injuries, although anecdotal evidence on social media sites report the occasional scald on the back of the hand.

Boiling water tap manufacturers, of course, are quick to emphasize their safety features, from childproof handles and safety valves, to thermal coatings, which come as standard on most models.

Stephen Johnson from “Quooker” points out that boiling water taps are located at the back of the sink, and cannot be pulled forward like kettles on the flex, thus minimizing the risk of accidents. Also, he says the flow is a fine spray rather than a solid jet. “You can pass your hand through without getting burned,” he adds.

Pump and filtration systems meanwhile mean that the water is always fresh.

Boiling Water Tap Introductions and Manufacturers

Let’s talk a little bit about the boiling water taps.

Here we will try to provide information, news and data on boiling water tap systems, look at reviews and comparisons, comparing contrast models and give you some fairly in-depth information when you come to choosing your water running water tap system.

Wwwill also look at giving you some advice on best deals, maintenance cost, safety cost, safety features etc.

So What Is a Boiling Water Tap?

Well, it’s a tap that dispenses boiling water, and does it instantly.

The tap as you would expect, sits on the worktop or counter, but also it can sit next to the kitchen sink or some models can have their own font and can be away from the sink.

The boiling unit is hidden in the kitchen sink units underneath the counter, and some units are designed to fit below right on the floor.

What Does It Look Like?

Well, it looks like an ordinary tap in essence, but quite possibly more contemporary and modern than the ones you have in your kitchen currently.

It’s likely to have a few more and levers, knobs, lights, etc., and a little more functionality.

You might have to, for example, twister lever in before the knob itself turns or slider out before the boiling water knob turns.

These are safety features to protect people, children or the boiling water tap system.

You might have to push the tap in before it turns, for example

On the market at the moment there are some advanced types of water taps, and they not only boiling water, but also they cooling water and chilled water temperature is controllable.

So lots of options for you to have a look at.

But if you’ve been looking already, you might see that some manufactures call their systems “boiling” some “steaming hot”.

So let’s have a look at what’s in a name.

Different manufacturers have adopted for marketing purposes different terminology.

Some manufacturers produce boiling water from the taps at 100 °C or 212 °F, and others max out at 98 °C or 208 °F.

Some temperatures are controllable from the tap head itself, and some have knobs on the boil unit under the counter to control the maximum temperature.

The sort of terms you’ll see when you are searching the internet are:

• boiling water tap,
• steaming hot water tap,
• instant boiling water tap, and
• kettle tap.

So, if you’ve already seen that, then a boiling water tap isn’t necessarily just dispensing boiling water.

You can have in the tap system your normal hot and cold water:

• boiling or steaming hot water,
• chilled water, and
• sparkling or carbonated water, either from your normal cold or from the chilled sauce.

All of that water, with perhaps the exception of the hot feed, which comes from a combination boiler under pressure, or from a hot water tank, can be filtered or purified.

All this equipment and can sit nicely under the kitchen countertop or under the sink, in the sink cabinet.

Of course, if you buy the right tap, it can be all in one single tap.

So, let’s have a look at who makes what, and the order here is in alphabetical.

Well Known Boiling Water Tap Manufacturers

• “Frank” (makes the “Minerva”),
• “Grohe” (makes the “Grohe Red” boiling water tap, as well as “Grohe Blue” tap, which does chills water),
• “Insinkerator” (is widely available all over the world),
• “Itho” (depending on which site you go to .COM or .CO.UK for example, you’ll see the names of these systems as “H2O tap” or “aqua chef tap”),
• “Pure H2O” (company makes the “Quatreau” boiling water taps),
• “Quooker” (makes possibly the most technologically advanced boiling water taps)
• “Vivreau” (company which has boiling water taps with chilled water dispensers, and they have the “V2O” boiling water taps),
• “ZIP Industries” (have their “Zip HydroTap”, and this is long-established company with quite an exhaustive range of boiling water tap options, including boiling, chilled, filtered etc.)

So, those are the manufacturers, what next?

So, now if want to buy water tap, perhaps you’re just not sure what to buy after this many options.

Perhaps you didn’t even know you had all these options.

For more details you should go to the web, and look at each manufacturer’s website.

In this way you will find what best meets all your requirements.

Insinkerator Steaming Hot Water Tap Installation

It is important to note that steaming hot water tap should be installed by an authorized trades person

Before you begin to install the “InSinkErator” steaming hot water tap, make sure you’re familiar with all your local plumbing and electrical standards and follow them throughout.

Also, be sure to refer to your Installation care and use manual.

You’ll need an earth grounded electrical outlet under your sink.

For 230 volt countries this product requires a 10 amp fuse, and for 115 volt countries a 15 amp fuse.

Here are the tools you’ll need for the installation:

• a cordless drill,
• phillips and flathead screwdrivers,
• an adjustable wrench,
• pliers,
• utility knife,
• pencil,
• ruler,
• tube bender,
• tube cutter,
• a bowl to catch drips,
• ties or wraps, and
• a level.

Turn off the water supply, then unpack the steaming hot water tap, and carefully straighten the copper tubing.

Each model contains slightly different components.

Only the series 1100 models have the filter as standard, for example.

Note which model you’re installing.

The HC 1100, which provides hot and cold water, or the GN 1100, or H 990 which dispense hot water only.

First mount the tap.

You may need to consult a specialist before carefully drilling the 35 millimeter hole through your sink countertop.

Then feed the two copper and three plastic pipes, plus the threaded stud through the hole.

Make sure the seal is properly seated on the tap valve body, and that it surrounds the sink mounting hole.

Working from under the sink place semicircular mounting plate on the threaded stud.

For the series GN 1100 taps attach the hex nut, then using the tool provided, tighten the nut sufficiently to keep the tap from rotating.

The H 990 tap has a wingnut instead of the hex nut

Now, mount the hot-water tank under the sink, and position it vertically within 400 millimeters of the tap cold water line, and within 760 millimeters of a standard grounded electrical outlet.

Hold the tank in the selected position and pencil mark locations for two hanging screws.

Drill two 3 mm holes, and secure the tank.

Don’t extend plumbing or electrical lines, but do allow for drainage from the underside of the tank.

Without depressing the grey button, place the snap connected fitting at the end of the blue tube onto the left plastic fitting on the tank.

Push until it clicks into place.

Slip the white tube over the middle fitting, and slide it down approximately 13 millimeters.

Slip the small white tube over the far-right fitting and slide it down the same distance.

Look for pinched or crimped tubes, but don’t plug the tank unit in yet.

Filter installation may be standard or optional, depending on your model.

Install the head and filter bracket assembly in such a way that all plumbing connections can be made without stretching or kinking tube.

Also, make sure the mounting location allows for the filter cartridge to be replaced.

The filter should never be mounted over an electrical outlet.

Mark the mounting hole locations, and attach the bracket with the screws provided.

If you wish to redirect water discharge when the filter cartridge is replaced, slide one end of the 150 millimeter tube over the vent line that opens when the cartridge is removed and directed downwards, where the water can be caught in a bowl or towel.

Next, make the plumbing connections.

This involves making tube connections, and here you’ll find a couple of minor variations depending on your model.

Cut the tubing as square as possible to the desired lengths.

When cutting either plastic or copper tubing, care must be taken to remove all burrs that may harm the quick-connect fittings and be sure to insert tubing completely into them.

To remove, depress the release ring, and gently pull out the tubing.

When installing the F 701 filtration system, completely insert the 9.5mm polyethylene tubing into the inlet side of the filter head.

Do the same with a similar length of tubing into the outlet side of the filter head.

Make sure that, when routing the tubing between components, you keep it from interfering with the cabinet storage area.

Avoid sharp bends, and leave extra lengths for ease of servicing.

If you’re installing the GN 1100 model, you’ll now insert the outlet tubing into the quick connect union fitting, then insert the tap copper tube marked with white tape into the quick connect union fitting.

If you’re installing the H 990 model, remember, it has no filter.

To install the HC 1100 model, insert the tubing from the outlet side of the filter head into the quick connect Y fitting, then insert both tap copper tubes (one taped and one not) into the Y fitting.

To connect the polyethylene tube from the Input side of the filter to your cold water supply line, use the plastic adapter provided.

Simply push the adapter onto the cold water supply line, then push the tube into the adapter.

For the H 990 model, connect the 6 mm copper tube to your cold water supply.

If you have any problems during installation, or if your installation kit does not contain the fitting you need, contact your Local Service Centre.

Without plugging the unit into the electrical outlet turn on the cold water supply.

Then depress or turn the hot tap handle on, and hold it to fill the tank.

The tank will fill up and cold water will come out of the tap.

Run the tap for 3 minutes to flush the system, making sure all connections are watertight.

Now, you can plug in the tank to the earth grounded outlet.

The green LED light on the front of the tank will now illuminate.

It indicates that electrical power is connected to the tank.

It will take 10 to 15 minutes for the water to reach its target temperature.

Some water may drip from the tap during the first heating cycle, but this is normal.

Simply turn on the hot water for 15 seconds and allow it to reheat.

The system is now ready to produce 98 °C water on command, but you may want to adjust the temperature to the desired setting.

It’s preset at the factory to approximately 96 °C.

Care must be taken not to allow the water to boil. If this happens, you will experience steam, and water dripping from the tap.

Simply decrease the temperature, so that the unit operates at or below 98 °C.