We’ve compared the 3 leading boiling water taps in UK to help you make the right choice for your home in terms of both functionality, design and cost.
What is a Boiling Water Tap?
With a boiling or steaming water tap, you simply turn a handle and have access to instant boiling water with no waiting for pans or kettles to boil. While you can simply install an extra tap on your sink for boiling water, it’s also possible to replace your existing taps with an all-in-one solution. This could produce all your cold, hot and boiling water and, in some cases, even filtered water for drinking too. The boiling water is stored in a tank under your sink which could store between 2-11 litres of boiling or steaming water.
Benefits of Boiling Water Taps
Convenience of Instant Boiling Water
A boiling water tap will provide the hot water you need instantly without waiting for kettles or pans to boil or running a tap until it gets hot. If you have difficulties lifting or pouring a kettle then you may also find a boiling water tap more convenient and safer to use.
Energy & Water Savings
Manufacturers claim that using a boiling water tap is more energy efficient than boiling a kettle, but this will obviously vary depending on how many times in a day you boil a kettle. You should also find you use less water as you will only pour exactly what you need.
Less clutter
You can clear away the kettle and free up work surfaces by installing one streamlined tap for all your water.
Safety
Many people are put off the idea of a boiling water tap due to safety concerns. However, most boiling water taps have safety features incorporated in their design such as insulated spouts, childproof ‘push and twist’ handles and smooth, low pressure water flow to prevent splashing. Some models also include a lock which has to be undone to access the boiling water so it’s not easy to accidentally use the wrong function and burn yourself.
Uses for Boiling Water Taps
- Instant Hot Drinks
- Quicker pasta and rice cooking
- Clean fruit & vegetables
- Sterilise baby bottles
- Clean plates, cutlery & other utensils
- Remove stubborn labels from recycling
- Thaw frozen food
How Much Do Boiling Water Taps Cost?
A 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 tap is likely to set you back between £700 – £1,800, however there are some basic models which just produce boiling water which are available for as little as £200. However, the headline price may not always include installation and other accessories such as filters. Filters are necessary to prevent limescale buildup which is as much of an issue in a boiling water tap as it is in your kettle. The filter will need replacing occasionally (around every 6 months) and if you live in a hard water area this will be needed on a more regular basis. Every tap needs unique filters and the price varies between manufacturers.
In terms of running costs, a boiling water tap is comparable to using a kettle particularly if you are boiling several times a day. For example, Quooker claim that keeping their boiling water tank on standby costs 3p a day which is very similar to the cost involved in boiling a kettle twice a day.
Best Boiling Water Taps
Here are 3 of the leading boiling water taps in the UK at the moment.
| Manufacturer | Model | Type of Water | Capacity (litres) | Design / Finish | Warranty | Price |
| InSinkErator | 3N1 | Hot / cold / steaming | 2.5 | Chrome / brushed steel / orange / natural stone / white | 5 years | £550 – £682 |
| Quooker | Flex | Hot / cold / boiling | 3 / 7 / Combi* | Chrome or Stainless steel | 2 years | £700 – £750 |
| Franke | Omni 4-in-1 | Hot / cold / steaming / filtered | 4 | Silver / Gold / Black with standard or classic levers | 3 years | £920 – £1100 |
InSinkErator
InSinkErator UK is a leading manufacturer of instant hot water taps and is the world’s largest manufacturer of food waste disposal units. The company is part of Emerson which is a technology and engineering specialist based in the US with 230 manufacturing premises across the globe.
InSinkErator 3N1, steaming hot, combined main tap
The 3N1 from InSinkErator produces hot water, fresh cold water and steaming hot water (up to 98°C) from a single tap.
Ease of Use: The 3N1 boasts a smooth, ‘laminar’ water flow for convenient, no mess use and easy-grip handles.
Safety: The steaming water function is only accessible via a push down lever to prevent accidental scalding.
Design: Standing 30cm in height, this tap is made from solid high quality low lead brass in a streamlined, one-piece design. It is available in chrome, brushed steel, orange, natural stone and white.
Tank Capacity: All taps from InSinkErator include a 2.5 litre stainless steel tank.
Prices: The 3N1 from InSinkErator starts at around £769 but this will depend on which finish you choose and may not always include installation. Other more basic models of tap are available from £579. All taps come with built-in filters; twin-pack replacement filter costs £89.
Quooker
Quooker is a leading manufacturer of boiling water taps. Originally founded by Henri Peteri, it remains a family business run by his sons. Today the Deutsch company has offices across Europe and distributes across the world. Quooker offer a wide range of boiling water taps in a selection of different designs and finishes.
Quooker Flex
The Quooker Flex is a hot and cold mixer tap which also produces boiling water (100°C). Quooker claim their Flex tap is 60% more energy efficient than ‘other’ boiling water taps on the market with a standby power consumption of 3p per day.
Ease of Use: This model is height adjustable and also features a flexible pull out hose for more reach and enhanced functionality.
Safety: The Flex includes a safety feature which means the hose cannot produce boiling water when it’s been pulled out of the spout as well as the ‘child-proof’ double-push and turn handle mechanism. The spout has also been insulated to prevent burning or scalding and the boiling water spray is aerated.
Design: The Quooker Flex is available in a rounded tap style in a chrome or stainless steel finish.
Tank Capacity: You can choose between a 3 or 7 litre capacity tank, or a Combi which will provide instant hot (50-60°C) water for your kitchen, as well as the boiling, and removes the need for piping from the main boiler to the kitchen sink. This could also reduce your energy consumption as the Combi boiler produces hot water on demand rather than a storage tank which will continually heat the water in the tank even if it’s not being used.
Prices: Quooker Flex tap prices range from £1,150 with the smallest tank to £1,600 with the Combi, but the cold water filter is another £295 and installation will cost extra. Check Amazon Price.
Franke
Founded in 1911, Franke specialise in solutions for residential kitchens and bathrooms as well as professional foodservice, coffee preparation and private/public washrooms. The company is based in Switzerland and exports to more than 100 countries.
As part of their kitchen design solutions, they offer a range of instant boiling water taps including both 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 models
Omni 4-in-1 Tap
The Omni 4-in-1 tap produces hot and cold mains water plus filtered cold and boiling water (100⁰C).
Ease of Use: The Omni has been designed for both left and right handed users and includes a light which indicates when the filter needs to be changed.
Safety: This tap includes both a child-lock mechanism and anti-splash to prevent scalding.
Design: The Omni 4-in-1 is a ‘swan-neck’ spout and is available in a range of coloured finishes including silver, gold and black. You also have the choice between standard or classic levers.
Tank Capacity: The tank has a 4 litre capacity with a 2 litre draw-off before the temperature drops which reduces the time needed for reheating.
Prices: The Omni 4-in-1 tap from Franke will cost between £1,450 – £1,550 depending on the finish you choose. Replacement filters cost just £40.
