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Original poster

To ask whether the Breville HotCup hot water dispenser is worth it?

64 replies

ElleBelleLou · 04/10/2022 09:10

Hi all

Posting in AIBU for traffic mostly, hoping to hear if anyone uses the breville hotcup dispenser and sings it's praises?

I'm doing all I can to help my energy bills - switching everything off at the wall (even my wifi when I'm out the house!), but I still feel like I can do more.

My DF has just bought one of these, and says it'll basically pay for itself with what it saves on the bills, I think because it only boils what you need and is faster? But then, to make it faster surely it uses more energy to speed up the heating process?

This is the one I'm looking at getting: www.amazon.co.uk/Breville-HotCup-Water-Dispenser-Litre/dp/B001L5SSGQ/ref=asc_df_B001L5SSGQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231909287202&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6538117289364035242&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006864&hvtargid=pla-385930872950&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Keen to hear any thoughts / opinions - is it worth it or am I just getting a bit obsessive 🙃

MNHQ Update
Searching for a hot water dispenser for your kitchen? Our guide to the best hot water dispensers is up to date with a wide range of options tried and tested options. We hope it’s helpful! Flowers

OP posts:
HopScotchBump · 04/10/2022 14:20

We have had ours for several years, the Brita one with variable dispensing levels.

It doesn't get as hot as a kettle, not at all. We still have a kettle for pans of water/gravy/hot water bottles.

Ours has just started giving less than half measures and making an awful noise. Needs descaling I imagine but no idea how to do this. Looked at getting a new one but they're more expensive now than they were so will probably just go back to a regular kettle..!

Lakeyloo · 04/10/2022 14:31

HopScotchBump · 04/10/2022 14:20

We have had ours for several years, the Brita one with variable dispensing levels.

It doesn't get as hot as a kettle, not at all. We still have a kettle for pans of water/gravy/hot water bottles.

Ours has just started giving less than half measures and making an awful noise. Needs descaling I imagine but no idea how to do this. Looked at getting a new one but they're more expensive now than they were so will probably just go back to a regular kettle..!

@HopScotchBump i put kettle descaling tablets in the water tank and leave for a bit. I then pour a mug of water and leave it for a bit longer (so that the water has been pulled through the pipes if that makes sense) then keep repeating until its empty. Then i repeat with clean water to flush it through.

HopScotchBump · 04/10/2022 14:48

Thanks @Lakeyloo I should give that a go before buying anything new! :)

bruffin · 04/10/2022 16:43

NotMeNoNo · 04/10/2022 13:59

It takes the same energy to boil a cup of water however you do it. You are literally putting a quantity of heat into something. Your Breville and your kettle are both 3kW electric heaters in different containers. One will not be noticeably faster than the other for the same volume of water.

Boiling a kettle uses energy in proportion to the amount of water boiled. There's no advantage in boiling a full kettle and putting it in a flask.

"It only boils what you need"

How about .... you only boil the water you need in the kettle? I see it has an 0.5 L marking, you could add a 0.3 L marking or use your mug to measure the right amount in. If this small inconvenience is a deal breaker then maybe you do need the Breville. The embodied energy of manufacturing it will cover several years of kettle boiling I expect.

It's not just about efficiency. As I said above my DM had found it more difficult to lift a kettle to pour. She had a Morphy Richards one cup. It meant she only had to fill a cup of cold water to fill the reservoir. She didn't have to lift and pour a heavy kettle of boiling water.

HopScotchBump · 05/10/2022 10:16

Wow - descaled ours last night and it's like a new machine! Woop! Thank you @Lakeyloo !

My mother in law has advanced MS and would be lost without the one cup kettle - for some they really are a lifesaver

Lakeyloo · 05/10/2022 11:36

HopScotchBump · 05/10/2022 10:16

Wow - descaled ours last night and it's like a new machine! Woop! Thank you @Lakeyloo !

My mother in law has advanced MS and would be lost without the one cup kettle - for some they really are a lifesaver

@HopScotchBump Fabulous ! Glad it worked

Original poster
ElleBelleLou · 05/10/2022 15:17

After forgetting I boiled my kettle and having to reboil it yet again yesterday, I bit the bullet and have ordered the Breville! I went for the model up though - with the variable mug size - so I will report back!
Hopefully my attention span prefers the 45 second boil time compared to my kettle's attention seeking while.

OP posts:
SeatonCarew · 06/10/2022 04:07

hedgehoglurker · 04/10/2022 09:43

I've had one for probably 6 or 7 years. The adjustable type mentioned by a pp. I use Brita filtered water in it, to reduce limescale, which probably has extended the life too. I find it absolutely fine for tea and coffee.

The main benefit for me is that I can put the mug under with a teabag/ coffee, press the button and walk away. When I come back a few minutes later, the tea is brewed!

When I used a kettle, I would often have to reboil it as I had been distracted by children/ pets/ the door, etc and not poured it into my mug.

I packed my kettle away, as the Breville is great for individual drinks and my induction hob boils water very fast for cooking. (Much faster than a gas hob.) I only ever get the kettle out when we have guests and need to make multiple drinks at once.

I second this post. We've had one for two years ( the roundish adjustable one) and we adore it.

longcovidquestions · 06/10/2022 04:13

Use teapot & Cosy
Remove teabags!

Osteospermum · 02/12/2023 08:58

@Caspianberg which model do you have?
@ElleBelleLou how did you get on with your breville? I was thinking of getting one but had a cup of tea at a friend’s and it was just not hot enough for my liking.

Draoicht · 02/12/2023 09:12

eyeteevee · 04/10/2022 13:44

Stop turning your Wi-Fi router on and off unless you want to knacker it. It is not designed to be on and off all the time and has to recalibrate each time.

I have always switched mine off and it's never been an issue. Not sure what it has to do with making tea though.

Because the OP says she is fanatical about energy saving, switching everything off at the wall, and switching off her Wi-Fi every time she leaves the house — this is what is driving her to buy the appliance.

Though she does then say later on that she has OCD and worries about electrical fires.

OP, I want to hear about all your pink appliances — are you saying you have a pink toaster, pink kettle, pink food processor etc?

Original poster
ElleBelleLou · 02/12/2023 10:58

@Osteospermum I love it! Wouldn't be without it now - I find it hotter than my kettle strangely! But I love the ease and speed of it so much.

@Draoicht I have a pink microwave, pink toaster, I'm not sure what a food processor is but all my pans and plates etc are all pink too. I have a very pink home 🤣

OP posts:
Osteospermum · 02/12/2023 11:15

Ok thanks, will look at both options. I like the idea of only boiling what you need and as household is hybrid working, would be good for WFH days.

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