Instant Hot Water / Kettle Recommendations

Geewhizz on 28/08/2025 - 13:00

Our kettle has died, and not before time,so I'm after some info before we replace it please?

Last time we bought my partner had to have one with variable temperature. What we didn't realise, and which drives me nuts, is that when it's heated to 80 degrees, by default it goes into keep warm mode, so periodically heats again for the next half hour. And this thing is LOUD!

Flicking it back to 100 when it's used (so that the Keep Warm doesn't kick in) simply doesn't work because they forget to do it at the time.

The topic came up a while ago about getting an Instant Hot Water Dispenser, and this seemed like the opportunity for it to happen. I'd read somewhere here that Westinghouse was the bees knees with these, but on searching it again here now, there are a number of complaints about it, such as water temperature being erratic, or watee flow sometimes only being a trickle.

So I'm after advice please on what models are reliable, or alternately a variable temperature kettle that doesn't have a keep warm function, or has the ability to be programmed for it not to come on, and isn't loud. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Electrical & Electronics Kettle

Comments

  • joka on 28/08/2025 - 13:06
    +2

    you bought your partner?

  • Nutrino on 28/08/2025 - 13:09
    +1

    In all that gobolly gook of text you have not explained what your usage patterns are, and what your needs are.

    • Geewhizz on 28/08/2025 - 14:18

      Usage pattern - when we want hot water we currently turn on the kettle.

      Needs are, as per last paragraph, something that makes hot water of a specified temperature that isn't loud, and doesn't keep kicking in again for 30 minutes after use.

  • fredblogs on 28/08/2025 - 13:17

    "bees knees with these"
    Approve.

  • YadaYadaYada on 28/08/2025 - 13:30
    +1

    Which brand/model of variable temperature kettle did you buy? I've only had breville ones and the keep warm function does not auto kick in (have to activate it yourself).

    • Geewhizz on 28/08/2025 - 14:13

      Fantastic, thank you. The one we bought was an Aldi one - not one of our better buys from there.

  • outlander on 28/08/2025 - 14:07
    +2

    I use the kmart one. It's changed the way I make tea. No longer do I boil 1L of water to get a single cup. I just push a button, and out the hot water dribbles.

    Been using it for 3 years now. Well worth the $80 I spent on it

    • Geewhizz on 28/08/2025 - 14:20

      Thank you.

    • JimB on 28/08/2025 - 14:25
      +1

      Why not boil 500ml/2 cups?

    • SlickMick on 29/08/2025 - 12:38

      ewww. My mum tries to justify hers too. But I'd rather spend 1 second turning on the jug then come back and spend 1 second pouring, then spend 30 seconds as that thing heats and dribbles. (I probably exaggerated the times, but yeah I don't like that thing.)

  • spackbace on 28/08/2025 - 14:22
    +1

    Our coffee machine has replaced the need for a kettle currently

    Sure, can't select the desired temp though, it's just 'boiling' lol

    • plmko on 28/08/2025 - 15:31

      Probably time to get a real Kettle so you're 'boiling' the water at 100 degrees.

  • fakefilo on 28/08/2025 - 14:28
    +1

    +1 for the Kmart one, I had it for 4 years, it worked so well but it broke during my move. I had to buy the new version that has the 3L water tank. The older one was better (faster water flow, one press to unlock instead of holding down a button) but the new one is still preferable to boiling an entire kettle. I considered getting a better brand one but the price difference was too big

  • geek001 on 28/08/2025 - 14:35
    +2

    We have always had a variable temperature kettle, previous one was a Delonghi which lasted quite a while until it leaked out of the water level indicator. Now we have a Russell Hobbs one, which also works quite well. Both kettles do not keep warm by default unless you tap on the keep warm button, and both kettles are no more louder than an average kettle.

    • Geewhizz on 28/08/2025 - 14:38

      Thank you.

  • beltdrive on 28/08/2025 - 15:24
    +1

    Depending on your budget, I'd have to imagine those Tiger water dispensers are good (Made in Japan FWIW)

  • interlocal on 28/08/2025 - 16:53
    +2

    Ok that's probably not ozbargain-budget-friendly solution, but here are my 2 cents:
    2 people WFH and drinking tea a lot during the day, shitty expensive kitchenaid kettle, which in 15 mins after boiling loses 30 degrees and needs re-heating, frustration when it's 100ml of hot water left and you need to wait for 1.7L to boil again…

    so, after some research, I bought Zojirushi vacuum flask thermal pot. It's 4 L, so usually is enough for the whole day, after initial ~30m boiling it's instant hot water (3 temperature setting - 80, 90, 98), and it uses very little electricity, as it's vacuum flask. I also use smart plug, that turns it off during the night, and even after ~9 hours without electricity water is still 40-60 deg.

    If you want to go that way, be aware:
    - non-vacuum ones (i think they call it "microprocessor" vs "vacuum-electric VE" models) use much more electricity
    - most of Zojirushi models that are available are Japanese/US 110V, you need one of the export models
    - they are bloody expensive outside of US. I think Amazon US was ~US$500 for my model, so I ended up ordering via JP ship forwarder, got it for ~AU$330. It's still bloody expensive, but it brings piece of mind for us, and Zojirushi should last 10-20 years from what I've heard, you just need to replace rubber sealing from time to time.

    model that I've got is CV-DST40, there are couple more 4L models and one 5L as I remember

    • Geewhizz on 28/08/2025 - 17:45

      Thank you.

    • YadaYadaYada on 30/08/2025 - 11:22

      As a side note you can also get a Zojirushi carafe or thermo (non powered). They retain heat for 8h before the temperature of the beverage starts to drop. Will save power over reboiling water non stop. These are cheaper in Japan but are also available on Amazon and are on sale once in a while. You can use this in concert with whatever heating solution you get.

  • Shitforbrains on 28/08/2025 - 21:07
    +1

    I've got a Philips Aquaporin Reverse Osmosis water filter with instant water heating. The water in the jug is at ambient temperature. It only heats when you ask for hot water. It only takes maybe 3 seconds for the hot water to start flowing. You can select the temperature precisely, with a continuous range from ambient to 100 degrees.
    https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/philips-ro-water-station-with…

    It removes impurities (including PFAS) from the water. Unfortunately it also removes the fluoride.

    • skillet on 29/08/2025 - 09:22

      Locked in for Black Friday sales. Thanks!

      Edit: looks like Breville makes instant hot for $249
      https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/breville-the-aquastation-hot-…

      • bamzero on 29/08/2025 - 11:02

        $243 via price beat popup to beat Amazons $248

      • Shitforbrains on 29/08/2025 - 16:00

        The main purpose of the Philips one is the Reverse Osmosis filtration which is far more effective than other types of filtration. That is why it is considerably more expensive.

    • tik tok on 29/08/2025 - 21:13

      How do you rate the RO though? Does it remineralise?
      QLD water from the tap tastes very weird - for now we got a double filteration system (sediment + carbon etc)under the sink then filter through the Britta water filter jug- water still doesn't taste as good as it was in ACT. Happy to spend money - but want something that gives out close to bottled water taste. Always thought the carbon filters take the odours off - but I dont know what the go is with tap water here. Carbon filters do f all. Dont really care about the heating/cooling of the water. Any recommendations?

      • Shitforbrains on 30/08/2025 - 02:23
        +1

        Yes it does remineralise. I haven't tried other filters so I can't really compare. But the water tastes good to me, no noticeable taste or odour.

        • tik tok on 30/08/2025 - 09:49

          Thanks for replying. Do you remember how much you bought it for? Trying to time the purchase - if it goes on sale on boxing/whatever day for a substantial sale - might as well wait for it.

          • Shitforbrains on 30/08/2025 - 14:36
            +1

            @tik tok: I paid $949 at Bing Lee in August 2024 and there was a $110 cashback offer from Philips at the time, so it was $839 after cashback.

    • cfuse on 29/08/2025 - 22:21

      Unfortunately it also removes the fluoride.

      Given that you likely brush your teeth already fluoridated water is wholly unnecessary for you.

  • bamzero on 29/08/2025 - 10:59

    We've been using this TODO one for the last two years. It says it has a keep warm function, but it doesn't turn on by default (tbh I dont know how to activate it). 7 temp settings in 10 degree increments from 40 to 100 and display shows current water temp. As for noise, I wouldn't say it's particularly loud, general kettle volume?..

    $59 so qualifies for the $10 off via app purchase HAPPY10 code if you have it.

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