Hot Water Dispensers Buyers' Guide
Instant hot water dispensers help with the optimal execution of food, beverage, and cleaning services. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, including buffets, catered events, coffee and beverage stations, and back-of-house areas. Some are even versatile enough to be used in a fixed location with a plumbing connection or taken elsewhere to act as a portable water heater you can manually pour water into without the need for a connection. Whether you're looking to serve guests in temporary settings or need a reliable hot water source for your establishment, countertop hot water dispensers are an excellent means to that end.
Should You Go Manual or Plumbed?
The two main variations of hot water dispenser are manual water fill and plumbed. The former is usually portable, and since it does not need a water line connection, you simply refill the unit when it gets low, which you can monitor using the unit's sight glass. While manual hot water dispensers are more challenging to set up than plumbed versions, they can be filled and installed quickly. These units are usually only suitable for low-volume settings.
Plumbed countertop hot water dispensers are ideal for establishments with high volumes of product that need heated water, including hot chocolate, oatmeal, and tea. These units can continuously dispense hot water, refilling automatically and cutting down on labor costs. Holding more product than manual-fill options, they are usually designed with low-water cut off to help prevent overflow that would damage the unit. This variety of hot water dispenser is available in high, low, and medium volumes.
Shopping Tip:
Manual instant hot water dispensers are best for low-volume production, while plumbed versions are ideal for high-volume needs.
What Output is Best for Your Store Volume?
When it comes to countertop hot water dispensers, there are three different volume options: low, medium, and high. Choosing the most ideal volume for your operation can lower labor costs by matching establishment needs to product output, helping to prevent wasted time and energy.
Low-volume hot water dispensers are ideal for catered events and buffets because they can keep product heated for extended periods of time and have capacities ranging from 2 to 10 gallons. These units are best if you need to fit your equipment in a tight space, as they are often designed with a space-saving footprint. You can use these instant hot water dispensers to warm sauces and water, as well as serve hot beverages, such as tea, or prepare powdered drip mixes. They range in height from 16 to 32 inches.
Medium-volume countertop hot water dispensers have capacities that range from 20 to 30 gallons. They are suitable for cleaning, as well as prepping instant foods such as oatmeal, potatoes, gravy, cheese sauce, gelatins, and more. These hot water dispensers measure 27 to 35 inches tall.
High-volume units have 50-gallon capacities. They usually measure about 32 inches tall and are constructed of premium stainless steel to ensure they are highly resistant to scratches, dents, and corrosion in busy kitchen settings.
Shop by Output
Shopping Tip:
Take your establishment or event space options into consideration when choosing an instant hot water dispenser. Selecting the most optimal volume can save on labor costs.
What Other Features Should You Think About?
Some countertop hot water dispensers have an adjustable temperature feature. Some temperature ranges can be adjusted between 95 and 215 degrees Fahrenheit, while others can start as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Thermostats with hold settings keep the water at specific temperatures, and operators can simply read the current temperature on a dial thermometer.
Digital controls are another possible design feature for hot water dispensers. You can use them to operate the temperature on a high-resolution display, and some models are also constructed with an SD card slot that enables you to update the machine's software. LED displays offer a simple user interface, letting you change settings such as aeration. Because electronic controls use built-in touch buttons, you do not have to worry about crevices that could trap dirt. Instant hot water dispensers with on-board diagnostics provide temperature and water level readings for you.
Shopping Tip:
If you want a more customizable countertop hot water dispenser, consider models that include features like an adjustable temperature or digital controls. These give you more control over the unit and can simplify operation.
KaTom's Quick Guide to Purchasing a Hot Water Dispenser
Want this selection process simplified? Look over our quick guide here!
- Connection. Decide if you want your hot water dispenser to have a water line or if you'd prefer to refill it manually.
- Output. Determine your service's volume needs.
- Additional configurations. Consider implementing special features that would ease overall use.
