First popularized in the 1970s, hot water dispensers can be an indispensable feature in any kitchen with uses for a great deal of tasks – from food and beverage preparation to every day household chores.  It might seem like you only use hot water occasionally, but chances are good that you'll use it a lot more often than you expect! Just keep in mind, if your sink doesn't have the necessary mounting hole, you can always replace the purifier spout, assuming you have one.. or there's the option of buying a whole new sink.

There are some key features to be on the watch for when shopping:

• Childproof Lock: If there are children in the home, these will keep little hands from getting scalded.



• Drain Plugs: If your unit has a drain plug, you can then drain them periodically to keep lime scale from building up inside its tank – which is especially possible if your home has hard water.



• Filter: Some dispensers have filtration systems already built into them. These are especially nice if you plan use your instant hot water tap daily for hot cereal or drinks.



• Gooseneck Faucet: These are stylish and elegant, but also quite serviceable!  Dispensers with this particular type of spout are are a great alternative to cooking pot fillers, and excellent for large mugs and glasses.

Tanks
Hot water dispenser tanks can hold about a half gallon of water at a time. When you activate the dispenser, cool tap water will flow into it and displace the hot (usually 200º) tank water, which then flows out the spout.  The water's temperature can be adjusted from 140º and up – just do not go past boiling point at 212º as it will turn into steam and damage the tank!

Tanks can generally make about 40-60 cups (320-480 ounces) per hour, but they do dispense it more slowly than standard faucets. The wattage used by them can vary anywhere from 500 to 1,300 watts, but most are manufactured at 750. You may wish to look into getting a replaceable thermal fuse, which will help to keep the tank from overheating.

At A Glance
Handles for water dispensers are a varied bunch: twist grips, levers, and buttons are all choices for your consideration. If you are looking for hot and cold water, many manufacturers offer the combination of both. This will take you from one to two handles and change the look a bit.

The sheer variety of finishes available makes it very easy to find something to coordinate with your other kitchen fixtures. Here are a few of the more popular options available:

• Chrome: Brushed, matte, or polished, chrome is both durable and economical as well as being gorgeous and highly versatile. Unlike brass, chrome does not need a clear coat protection to be easily maintained.



• Gold: Leaning towards the expensive side, gold will not tarnish, but being a softer material it is not as durable as some of the cheaper alternatives.



• Nickel: This easy-to-clean finish is not only durable but stylish, offered most often in satin and brushed.

Valves
Four different valve types are used in the construction of faucets today. While they won't make much of a difference in your day-to-day use, some are easier to repair than others.

• Ball: These were the first type of washerless faucets. These valves use a slotted, rotating metal or plastic ball for flow regulation and have the unfortunate tendency to leak more than other faucet types. They are durable and reliable, but can be used with single-handle faucets only.



• Cartridge: Easy to repair, the cartridge valve uses rubber o-rings inside a cylindrical cartridge to control water flow. They are as long-wearing as the ball valve, but can be used in single or two-handle faucets.



• Ceramic Disk: While the most expensive option by far, this method uses two fire-hardened ceramic disks - the upper moves and the lower is fixed - that move against one another to sheer the flow of water. within a cylindrical body. To offset the cost, they are maintenance-free and come with excellent warranties. They can also be used with single and two-handle faucets. These are very responsive and work well for people with arthritis.



• Compression: These feature rubber (or similar) washers to stop the flow of water, but they eventually wear out and can start to drip over time. On the flip side, washers are really cheap to replace! Some newer types actually lift the washer vertically instead of grinding it against the valve seat, so it will generally last longer.