Instant Boiling Tap vs Kettle
Whether you love a regular cup of tea or coffee, there’s one ritual you’re probably used to: waiting for the kettle to boil.
But, what if you could bypass time spent on waiting for water to boil entirely? That’s exactly what instant boiling taps can deliver.
With the press of a button, these taps let you instantly fill your cup with boiling hot water. They can also produce cold water, so you can use them in place of a regular faucet. Plus, some models offer enhanced features like chilled water, filtration, and the ability to produce sparkling and carbonated water.
But do instant boiling taps really live up to the hype? Let’s compare both boiling taps and kettles to find out which is right for you.
Benefits of kettles
Lower upfront cost
Let’s face it, kettles are incredibly cheap. For as little as $20 or less, you can buy a new kettle from places like Kmart. Even high-end kettles, the kind with adjustable temperatures, rarely exceed the $150 to $200 price range. Most importantly, even a cheapie will last you several years.
On the other hand, instant boiling taps have a higher upfront cost. Depending on your make and model, prices can range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more. You may also need to pay extra for professional installation if you’d rather not do the job yourself.
Keep in mind, though, instant boiling taps do offer long-term cost savings, as you’ll soon discover.
Easy set up
Setting up a kettle is a no-brainer. You simply unbox the unit, place it on the counter, plug it in, and you’re ready to go! At the very least, you might have to rinse the inside, but that’s about it.
Installing a boiling tap requires a bit more finesse. Most of these taps are comprised of various components including the tap, hot water tank, and additional filter. You also need to know which hoses to connect the unit up to. Thus, you’ll need the right tools and some technical knowledge to ensure the unit is installed correctly.
Visually attractive
Whether you prefer a classic or modern style, kettles come in a huge range of designs. This gives you the freedom to choose a model that looks good to you and complements the style of your kitchen. Plus, you may also feel a kettle helps the kitchen feel more ‘complete,’ which is something a tap may not be able to provide.
Benefits of instant boiling taps
Save time
Depending on the type of kettle you own, you’re probably used to waiting 3-4 minutes for boiling water. Imagine what you could do with all that extra time?
With an instant boiling tap, waiting is a problem of the past. From the moment you use the tap, a fresh stream of hot water is available to you. Not only will you save time, but it’s also great for commercial settings like bars, restaurants, and cafes, where speed and great customer service is essential to a positive dining experience.
Only use the water you need
Kettles are notorious water wasters. Why? Because most people have a tendency to boil more water than needed. In fact, according to research, kettle users could potentially be wasting 3,525 tonnes of CO2 every day on unused water.[1]
But, you can re-boil that water again later, right? True. But chances are, if the kettle is close to empty, then you’re probably going to refill the kettle before you boil again anyway. As a result, you’re bound to pour some unused water down the drain, resulting in excess waste.
However, with an instant boiling tap, you only pour out the water you need. And, since the water is already boiling hot, you don’t have to keep the tap running and ‘wait it out’ before the temperature rises, as is the case with most hot water taps.
This means you end up using far less water, and potentially save money on your water bill too. It’s a win-win situation!
Jam-packed with extra features
Most instant boiling taps are jam-packed with extra features to help make your life easier.
For starters, some models can produce both boiling and chilled water. So you don’t have to worry about using and refilling the ice block tray anymore. Secondly, most models have a built-in filter, which lets you enjoy crisp, great tasting, and healthy filtered water all year round.
Finally, most instant boiling taps let you adjust the heat. This way, you can pour out the water just below boiling point, as is usually recommended for tea and coffee. Your beverages will taste better, and you won’t have to wait long for the temperature to drop to enjoy it.
Save on energy bills
One downside to kettles is their potential for heat loss. What this means is, much of the heat used to boil the water inside the kettle escapes through the device. As a result, more energy is used than required to reach the boiling point.
On the other hand, instant boiling taps help reduce heat loss. This is because of the short distance the hot water (stored in the nearby tank) has to travel in order to reach the faucet. On top of this, there’s no need to re-boil the kettle over and over during the day, as the tank is designed to maintain a consistent temperature.
Better still? Most instant boiling taps have a power down feature, which automatically switches off the tap after an hour or two of non-use.
Summary
These are just some of the many benefits of instant boiling taps and kettles.
So, if you prefer the cheap upfront cost and look of a kettle, then it might be the right choice for you. However, if you want to enjoy the benefits of instant hot (and chilled) water, great tasting and healthy filtration, and the space-saving convenience of an instant boiling tap, then now’s a great time to upgrade!
There’s no shortage of providers to choose from, and the wide range of models on offer means you’re bound to find one that fits your needs and budget.
