Best water dispensers & coolers according to redditors

It doesn't make a good cup of tea. Partly because the microwave won't evenly heat the water, so it's not fully boiling throughout.

Second, dropping the tea bag into the water doesn't let it steep properly. The water has to be absorbed by the bag, then the tea, then pass back out the leaves before you get a steep. If you just drop the bag in, that takes a while and it doesn't infuse well.

So you want to boil the full cup of water, and pour it over the tea bag, in order to fully bring out the flavor of the tea. You're best off getting a kettle, using the "hot water" function of a coffee maker, or even picking up a cheap hot water dispenser.

Finally, tea bags use the cheapest tea you can possibly get. This is equivalent to drinking the cheapest beer or wine you can get: it basically tastes like it should, but it's not good. Which is fine if you just want something to drink, like a hot cup of tea to start your day.

If you want good tea, you have to get loose leaf tea (and there's different quality levels to the leaves, but that's getting picky). Plus, you want to steep the tea loose, not in a bag, a "tea ball" or any other container. The leaves need room to expand as they soak up the water, to get the most flavor from them. Which means you'll just pour the water on the loose leaves, then strain the leaves out as you pour it into a cup for drinking. I like to use a coffee press, but others just use a fine-mesh strainer or have a strainer built into their teapot.

Most mornings though, I just toss a tea bag in a coffee mug and dispense boiling water from our Keurig onto it. Occasionally, I'll use a Keurig pod of tea, but those aren't very good, just fast. I'll spend the time to do proper loose leaf if I'm home and enjoying the day, but tea bags are just too damn convenient.

tl;dr Just boil your water without using a microwave and pour it on top of the tea bag, you'll get a much better cup of tea.

Shaving cream is much easier to lather than soap. Indeed, when I started I simply could not get a good lather from soap, so I quit using shaving cream to force myself to learn. Here's how I make lather, and I recommend that you make a series of practice lathers using the technique to gain experience quickly. Play with brush speed, brush pressure (firm is good), and how long you continue loading once you see microscopic bubbles. But do try the exact procedure before trying modifications.

Here's a good YouTube tutorial, but note my comments on it.

With hard water you definitely have a problem. You can try a distilled water shave simply to see what a good lather is like. Some routinely use distilled water, but some home layouts make it sort of a pain unless you have a Sunbeam Hot Shot or the like in the bathroom.

You can try using a small pinch of citric acid in the water, which softens hard water somewhat. Citric acide is a white crystalline powder that looks like salt (and indeed can be sprinkled over food as a salt substitute, similar to squeezing a lemon over food: brightens the flavor without salt).

May I recommend one of these for your big jugs (lol)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NMCJ7RY/

They're noisy, but they are easier than balancing huge heavy jugs to fill up a gravity dispenser.

My rig: https://i.imgur.com/gYtcqMN.jpg

featuring these two products:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBC13NE

https://www.amazon.com/Dispenser-Stainless-Countertop-NONSCREW-ORIGINAL/dp/B01N9YNUIG

It all works really well! We have 3 jugs that we cycle through. Going to the store is kind of annoying, but the machine is outside so I can go at night and just park next to it. Costs $1.75 to fill up.

https://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-H-HOT150SN-SS-Instant-Dispenser-Stainless/dp/B01LR7AJOQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521385561&sr=8-4&keywords=instant+hot

Shortest run? Blind testing? There's only one way to get hot water in a home. From a hot water heater. Unless you have a second hot water heater serving just that faucet, it's the only answer.


The only other way...and I can't believe I'm thinking it. Did you have an instant hot water system put in for that sink and it get misplumbed?

[Example](InSinkErator HOT100 Instant Hot Water Dispenser System - Faucet & Tank, Chrome, H-HOT100C-SS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZC5QRCI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pciWDb7XPXY1Y)

Thanks for the idea. I found this product on Amazon which does exactly that.

I bought this one on Amazon, waters cold & has room temperature option. This is the best I've owned so far after the two I got at lowes & homedepot crapped out on me. I don't do a delivery service there's a small water shop on my street & the gallons $1.25 so for me apart from the first time cost of $75~(cheaper than a fridge with that option) it cost me about $2.50 a week for two 5 gallons.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ESGJMY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_77Q9ybZQ2KWA1

For heating water, the Sunbeam Hot Shot will heat a mug of water in about 30seconds-1min. It's indispensable at my office. I can't speak whether this would be easier than an immersion heater though.

There should be enough empty space in the box to store a mug, strainer and a bag or two of loose leaf, so you could package everything up between hospitals.

I just got this (http://www.amazon.com/Aladdin-Tea-12-Ounce-Infuser-Blue/dp/B001Q3L9PA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292857228&sr=8-1) as a present and I think it'd be perfect for you. The infuser is built into the lid, so you can remove the leaves when they're done steeping without worrying where to put the infuser, and when your next 15 minute break comes in, just refill with hot water and get another wash of the leaves. It's incredibly easy to clean, just rinse out the infuser at the end of the day. You can heat the water with this pup right here: http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292806382&sr=8-1

Maybe not the same, but I have this one cup thing. Boils just enough for one cup of coffee or tea, or ramen.

Now I picked up something closer to a kettle awhile back, but stuggle to find uses for it. I don't ever need that much hot water at a time for anything.

One thing I'm gonna do this year is buy a couple 5 gallon jugs of water and hang onto them for the season. So much easier than going out last minute for individual bottles which are usually the first to go. Even if you don't have an electric water dispenser, which I don't, you can buy a manual stand or a pump.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/5-gallon-Manual-Pump-for-Bottle-Water-Drinking-Water-Hand-Pump-Heavy-Duty-Drinking-Water-Pump/106855138

https://smile.amazon.com/Dispenser-Nonscrew-Stainless-Countertop-threaded/dp/B01N9YNUIG/

https://smile.amazon.com/Water-Bottle-Pump-Original-Excluding/dp/B00APU2Y8Q/

I run a Flojet to an accumulator to supply water to my Profitec 700 during coffee popups. Total cost for those two was $160. Add in a few more bucks for the hoses and connectors. The accumulator supplies a steady 30psi ~2bar of line pressure.

Flojet, Accumulator

There are many inexpesive top-loading models that have a “no spill/no splash” design. There are special caps that go on the bottles themselves that do not dispense or leak any water until the bottle is upside down and secure on the machine. While the bottom loading machines are nice, they sometimes have pump issues because it is such a complicated system. They can also be loud when refilling. They are nice for people who can’t lift a bottle, but if your only issue is that of spilling water, check into the no spill design. They are less expensive and less trouble.

Here is a no spill water cooler on Amazon. This is just an example, there are many on the market like this.

Oh my gosh, bottled water in ALL of the places! For real. Plus we have like no natural water sources, so tap water tastes like pipes, no matter where you live. From what I've seen, most people have those water cooler thingies at home. I'd only ever seen like one person who owned one of those before moving here.

This is the one I bought, but amazon has a dozen similar options: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PHV14XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x0XJDbRXG6RM8

It comes with a hose long enough to reach the bottom of a 5 gallon water cooler bottle if you set the unit on top of the bottle. I'm planning to buy a slightly longer hose so I can put my water container on the floor and the pump on the counter. I'm going to cut a wooden donut that fits inside the pump's base and glue the donut to the edge of my sink that way the pump is held in place and easily removable.

You can buys water dispensers on Amazon that just pour room temp water. Walmart has some too.

Primo Countertop Porcelain Ceramic Crock Water Dispenser - BPA and LEAD FREE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3HD26O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ogtmDbBATX13K

Edit: I added a link.

They do have instant hot water heaters like this, but I do like your idea:

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https://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-H-HOT150SN-SS-Instant-Dispenser-Stainless/dp/B01LR7AJOQ/

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Back when people had wood burning stoves they would keep kettles with water on them to always have hot water ready I think. As long as the water gets changed out every day or so it would be fine I think.

This is the one I have. Looks like they’re even cheaper now and I’ve got zero complaints about mine! Lowe’s sells the filters too, they last about six months.

Mines stuck to the side of my fridge but the hose part is flexible so opening the door isn’t a problem. It’s got really strong magnets so you can stick it wherever

The big blue 5 gallon culigan type bottles are refill able at many locations for a few bucks use that to fill your smaller bottles which can be reusable also. You can also get these type
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07NMCJ7RY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1 dispensers probably cheaper just that was a fast search for an example. Heres one with manual pump if you dont want to recharge the other type https://www.amazon.com/Bottles-Pressure-Drinking-Fountain-Coolers/dp/B07KVDGDTN/ref=alp_dpwidget_a_m_?th=1&psc=1&smid=AIJ6K6RYC22VC

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Water-Dispenser-Black-006131/dp/B000C3QSPQ/

Sort of like a personal electronic kettle, which heats a large mug-full of water in a minute or so.

They last about 3-5 years worth of daily use and Sunbeam can't seem to figure out that it needs an extra inch or so of clearance for today's larger mugs.

So what you're talking about is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-H-CONTOUR-SS-Contour-Dispenser-Stainless/dp/B00CZ3OU6A/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hot+water+tap&qid=1555535474&s=gateway&sr=8-1
OR this:
https://www.amazon.com/B-Crew-Tankless-Electric-Kitchen/dp/B01ARQ39CW/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=hot+water+tap&qid=1555535474&s=gateway&sr=8-6

How many amps does the unit you have use?
If it only takes a few minutes to heat up and can reach near boiling, can be suitable for a lot of uses, but does it heat up fast enough without drawing a ridculous power to heat up at least 5gal of water or what you might want for at least a 10min shower?

For example the second link states: Hot water dispenser provides 60 cups / hour of near boiling water.

Ahem.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1321807369&sr=8-6

Hot water dispenser. It's perfect. http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6170-Water-Dispenser-White/dp/B000C3S6Z6

I have an older version of this at work currently. Pretty inexpensive, but it doesn't hold as much as the Zujiroshi and the only temp you get is boiling.

By far the Hotshot is my favorite appliance for making a cup of tea. Put water in, press button, it boils, press button to pour right into the cup! Love it so much!

Link here: Hotshot

...though I am lacking a good tea kettle, which would be great for larger quantities of tea, and for water for all the non-stovetop teapots I have. I'll have to look at all the other comments later for ideas!

Those are all opened box, appears new condition. But I did find similar insinkerator on amazon new from 175-400.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B00ZC5QRCI/ref=olp_tab_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

That’s interesting, turns out there are insinkerator models in Aus for about $AUD800

https://www.bunnings.com.au/insinkerator-hot-water-tap_p5110344

which is the cheapest I’ve seen, obviously 240V options are different to 120V

My mum boils all the farm water she drinks and I wanted her to get one when she recently renovated her kitchen but $2000 was too expensive, she probably would have said $800 is too. $2000 is cray but these aren’t common in residential installations in Aus so the prices are maybe targeted and inflated for commercial applications.

This pump would work:

https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-Bottled-Water-System-Single/dp/B01LWU7XQ5

No clue.. we do have the ones that get permanently installed, like this -

http://www.amazon.com/Waste-King-H711-U-SN-Coronado-Dispenser/dp/B0095SNHBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393887121&sr=8-1&keywords=instant+hot

but those are expensive and hard to install. I can't say as I've seen anything like what you linked and there's nothing like it on amazon.

If I had not lived in the UK for a while I would not know that electric kettles existed. We do have them here and I got one because I do pour over coffee in a Chemex instead of in a standard coffee machine, but they are not remotely as common as in the UK.

Growing up, we did have something called a Hot Shot. It's essentially the same thing except it's less water, like just a cup, and it's meant for dispensing straight into a mug such as for hot cocoa or instant oatmeal or something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OUVTDb26Q1VVA

Are you in an apartment? Or do you have yard space?

Water can be stored, hiding in plain site - in a yard. Fish ponds or other water features will "store" water. It won't be potable as is, but a still will clean it up. Just keep the chemicals out!

Rain barrels will collect a large amounts of water. It'll be some of the grungiest of the collecting systems - but perfectly good for flushing the toilet - one of the single biggest water uses in industrial countries - the toilet. If you're in a position to switch to a composting toilet - something to consider.

Most of the water you will use doesn't need to be potable. Merely clean. Doing dishes, laundry, washing up will use more water than you need for cooking and/or drinking.

If you're in an apartment, consider using the [large water jugs.] (https://www.amazon.com/Primo-Countertop-Porcelain-Ceramic-Dispenser/dp/B00F3HD26O/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=bluewave+water&qid=1572221548&s=kitchen-bath&sr=1-2) Two, one in use, the other waiting to be used. They last quite a long time as it's only used for drinking. Depending on your system, you may be able to use 1/2 size glass wine carboys.

> It's this one.

Thanks for the link. I've added that to my shopping list.

https://www.amazon.com/TeraPump-TRPMW200-Universal-Drinking-Excluding/dp/B00APU2XAK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504114324&sr=8-3&keywords=5+gal+water+pump

It's this one. Handpump that fits basically any standard large water bottle. We just went on a roadtrip in Wyoming, and it was so nice to not have to buy bottled water.

Water bob is the big thing that goes in the bathtub. It probably wouldn't be super helpful in a hurricane unless you could stay put and you didn't have tap water. I think wildfires, power outages and snow storms are more of a problem for me. I honestly don't know exactly when I would need it. I do know that I would fill it up if something crazy went down, like widespread riots or a missile strike. Cause I have it and water is really really important.

My filter leads to a 14 gallon pressure tank and I use it to manually fill a 5 gallon jug that I put on my water cooler. Getting water straight from the filter would be too slow for me in the morning when I'm getting ready for work and making coffee.

Something like this or this?

Thanks for the AMA lots of useful stuff here. I have a question I recently purchased and home and it has one of those InSinkErator under the sink water heaters. I noticed it doesn't actually heat any water I tried turning up the heat and unplugging/replugging it but I doesn't seems to be working any ideas on what I'm doing wrong or is my machines just done?

Not really, just something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QPYC6G6/?coliid=I3QUT6NTE4FIGP&colid=12H5Y1NY8TTAY&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Bottle Water Pump, Electric... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCTDRRW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I got an empty 5 gallon water jug from a water delivery guy for free. Works great and has a 4hr run time, as well as an automatic shutoff after about 20 oz or so to stop it from emptying unexpectedly. So far I've only charged it once, over two months ago. Charges with usb which is super convenient.

I ended up breaking down and buying a Hot Shot Water Heater for my desk.

We're doing a DIY bar - I think for water we may go for a dispenser like this instead of water bottles. But for sodas, we'll need to make a Costco run for sure!

I have a crappy electronic stove and a microwave.

I also use a "hot shot" which you can think of as a tiny personal 0.5 liter electric kettle that works on 110volts and cycles in about 90 seconds.

Yeah, but how do I fill it up? A hose? :P

I want a 5 gallon jug one, with heating and cooling. Something like this, but I've zero idea which one

http://www.amazon.com/Top-Loading-Bottled-Water-Cooler-PRIMO/dp/B0081SOFZO/ref=sr_1_85?ie=UTF8&qid=1414021692&sr=8-85&keywords=5+gallon+water+dispenser

Ready Hot RH-100-F560-BN Hot Water Dispenser System, Includes Brushed Nickel Dual Lever Faucet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NHXH80C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_SXbaCb1AX67AF