Thoughts on the newer insulated tabletop water boiler/dispensers versus electric kettles->energy $$

[hlthe2b]

Last edited Sun Dec 20, 2015, 10:16 AM - Edit history (2)

re: tabletop insulated water boiler/dispenser versus using the tap and an electric kettle--impact on energy $$

So, I drink a lot of hot tea in the winter time, use boiling water during cooking, and also like to heat up my insulated coffee cup/espresso cups in the morning to maintain that temp longer as well. While it doesn't enter into the question at hand, I passively filter my water for most purposes.

This is the hot water dispenser I am considering ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R4HKIV8?colid=22QDF3FENM285&coliid=I20WTXZY15SZC1&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl#Ask ). ?width=800

While it is expensive, it feels as though I am currently wasting waaaay too much water and electricity (and time) using the tap and my current electric water kettle ( http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/cuisinart-perfectemp-cordless-electric-kettle?ID=475630&pla_country=US&cm_mmc=Google-PLA-ADC-_-Home-NA-_-Cuisinart-_-86279029430USA&catargetid=120156070000400548&cadevice=c ) to meet my needs and I feel as though I spend all day filling/waiting for the kettle to boil. While the purchase price is considerable, I'm really interested to see what folks think in terms of savings going forward and if the dispenser is ultimately a better solution, not only in convenience.

I spent quite a bit on the water kettle several years ago, so I am wary of a needless expenditure if it might not be ultimately a more "green", or at least more economical solution in terms of electricity. What do you think?

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Wow, you are right, that is not a cheap appliance.

I don't know what to say about the options you are asking about. I never even knew that this existed, or that there were electric water kettles.

From what it says about this water boiler, it sounds like it has to be on and keeping the water heated all the time. I doubt that either of the appliances use enough electricity to be a significant factor, but I could be wrong. In the comments from the link:

"Based on the manual the keep warm mode takes from 11W-20W per hour for the 4L version depending on the keep warm temperature. The 5L version takes about 14W-26W per hour depending on keep warm temperature. When the unit is boiling / reboiling it consumes 840W per hour, however it takes about 35-40 minutes to boil the water from room temperature to full boil.
For example: We have the 4L version and we fill it once a day and set it at 175 degrees and allow it to go to a full boil. The approximate power usage is (12W * 24 hours + 840W * 0.58 hours) = ~780W for the entire day (i.e. less than 1KW per day or approximately 24KW for the month). For us 1KW is about 12 cents, so it cost less than $3 per month for us to operate."

How does that stack up to your water kettle? I have a gas range, so that is how I heat water for tea. It is quick and easy and can be done in any receptacle I have at hand. Even when I have only electric range, it took little time to get water to boiling, although I don't know the electric usage (that was a long time ago).

[hlthe2b]

2. Not sure...

Unfortunately, the water kettle I have is probably on its last days. While it is supposed to cut off once boiling temp achieved, it actually continues long enough to boil off a cup or two, which is pretty annoying. I've probably already gotten more than the lifespan (expected) out of it from the current (pretty awful) reviews of this electric particular kettle... I do like the different temperature selections of it, though, since I drink a lot of green and white teas that steep at lower temps versus boiling for black teas, so I would probably want to at least replace it with a similar model.I also switched to the pour-over filter method of making coffee, which requires boiling water--when my last drip coffee maker bit the dust a few months ago. For all this, I tend not to use my frequently malfunctioning electric cooktop burners (need to be replaced when I finally remodel the kitchen).


The idea of the heated dispenser came from friends who have had one for probably a decade and always talk about it being one of their favorite kitchen items, since they are big tea, cocoa, and pour-over coffee drinkers. Apparently they are very long-lasting. But for me, my interest piqued because I got an unexpected promo coupon for $30 off of this particular model, good for the next few days (and I'm anticipating my current kettle to bite the dust soon). But, since it is sort of a decade long investment, I feel like the energy efficiency needs to enter into my decision...

I guess the usage estimates you found in the comments (thanks!) might be ok or even low compared to that used when I run the tap to get water hot to pre-heat cups and thermoses--in addition to the electric water kettle. A little hard for me to judge, but it does cause the water heater to engage...

[Fumesucker]

3. I heat water for hot tea in the microwave directly in the cup

My microwave is small and weak so it takes three minutes to boil a cup of water in it.

Alternatively my 1800 W induction cooktop will bring one measured cup of water to a boil from cold tap temperature in about 90 seconds. Pour the water in the kettle, put it on and turn on the cooktop and by the time you have the cup ready and the teabag out the water is about to boil. Your kettle does have to be magnetic for the induction top to work, I use enameled steel or iron cookware.

http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portable-Induction-Countertop-8100MC/dp/B0045QEPYM



I chose the cooktop as my most frugal purchase for 2012, it saves me a ton of time and energy cooking and it still works and looks great.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=journals&uid=218111&year=2012

[mackdaddy]

4. Have you considered or used one of the Kurig type machines?

My mother was given one, and they seem to do a very good job making up to 12-16 oz of hot water in under a minute or two. You just cycle the coffee holder without anything in it and it makes a serving of hot water.

You could make your hot tea directly if you buy one of the loose tea/coffee baskets. The older series I kurig machines are not so fussy about "real" K-cups, and I have been seeing them occasionally in the local Goodwill stores.