'Fantastic' gadget that boils water in 60 seconds has fans ditching their kettles

[Scholes]

Kent Live has a shopping piece on a hot water gadget that is getting rave reviews from buyers who say they have stopped using their kettles altogether. The appeal is that it heats water in around 60 seconds and dispenses just what you need, rather than boiling a whole kettle for one cup. Reviewers are calling it fantastic, and it seems to be a hit with people trying to keep energy bills down. These instant hot water dispensers have been around for years, but they seem to be having a moment again

The logic makes sense. Most of us overfill the kettle, boil far more water than we use and then boil it again twenty minutes later. A dispenser that heats a single cup at a time cuts out that waste. With energy costs still high in the UK, anything that saves a few pence a day adds up over a year

There are downsides though. The water is usually dispensed at just below boiling, which some tea drinkers will say is not hot enough for a proper brew. They also take up more counter space than a kettle and need descaling regularly, especially in hard water areas like much of the South East. And if you need a big pan of boiling water for pasta, a kettle is still the quicker option

I have to admit I am tempted. Mornings in our house involve several separate cups at different times, which means the kettle gets boiled over and over again. Something that gives an instant cup on demand sounds ideal for that. Would I ditch the kettle entirely, though? Probably not

Is anyone here already using one of these? Does the tea taste any different, and have you noticed any change on your energy bill? I would love to hear some real experiences before buying one

Gadget that boils water in 60 seconds has fans ditching kettleswww.kentlive.news

[CodyRhodes29]

We have had one for about three years and would not go back. The difference in the morning is huge when everyone wants a drink at once. It also stops people leaving a full kettle of cold water sitting around. My only gripe is the descaling, which has to be done every few weeks here

[Eastern Aaron]

Counter space is the big issue for us. Our kitchen is tiny and the dispenser is noticeably bigger than a kettle. We ended up giving it away after a few months

[FirewallBadger]

Worth checking the safety features before buying. A good one should have a proper lock or child safety button, because it dispenses near boiling water at the touch of a button. With young kids around that matters a lot

The cheaper unbranded ones online do not always have them. Spend a bit more on a known brand

[Carol_83]

Tea purists will hate it. The water comes out just under boiling and you can taste the difference with a strong builder's brew

For coffee, hot chocolate and instant noodles it is perfect. Just not for tea if you are fussy

[ParkTheBus88]

Kent water is so hard that I would be descaling every week. Anyone in the area using a filter jug with theirs? That might help keep the limescale down. I had a kettle element die from scale in under two years. Descaling tablets are cheap at least

[Octopus]

The energy saving is real but small. Boiling one cup instead of a full kettle saves a few pence each time

Over a year it might pay for itself, but it is not going to transform your bill. Heating is where the real money goes. Focus there first