Breville VKJ142 Hot Water Dispenser - Review

The Breville HotCup is an innovative hot water dispenser that makes it quick and easy to get hot water on demand for making tea, coffee, instant foods and more. This dispenser has a sleek and modern design that looks great on any kitchen counter, and it holds up to 1.7 liters of water in a removable tank. The HotCup delivers near-boiling water at temperatures between 195-204°F, so you can enjoy properly hot beverages in an instant. It also has a child lock for safety and a removable drip tray to keep counters clean. With its fast water heating and energy-saving features, the Breville HotCup aims to be an efficient and convenient solution for anyone who frequently makes hot drinks or foods at home.

Design

The Breville HotCup has a sleek and modern design that will look great in any kitchen. It has a brushed stainless steel exterior that gives it a premium look and feel. The water tank is made from Eastman Tritan copolyester plastic which is BPA free.

At 17cm wide, 32cm high, and 20cm deep, the HotCup has a compact footprint that doesn't take up too much counter space. It weighs about 2.3kg when empty so it's relatively lightweight and easy to move around as needed. The dispenser nozzle pivots so you can position it where you want over your cup or mug.

Overall the HotCup has an attractive and streamlined design with a small size that will fit well in most kitchens. The materials used give it a sturdy yet sleek appearance. The HotCup's design allows it to blend seamlessly into most modern kitchen decors while still being highly functional and convenient. Its size makes it perfect for smaller kitchens or for people who want an electric kettle but don't have a lot of extra space. The stainless steel finish gives it a touch of elegance that elevates the look of any countertop.

Compared to other hot water dispensers like the Zojirushi CD-WCC30KTWA, the Breville HotCup has a more compact and streamlined shape. The Zojirushi dispenser has a taller, more rounded design with a plastic exterior. While both appliances serve the same function of heating water on demand, the Breville has a more modern and minimalist aesthetic. Its smaller footprint makes it easier to tuck away when not in use without sacrificing performance or capacity. For those who value both form and function, the HotCup hits the sweet spot with its sleek yet powerful design.

Features

The Breville HotCup has several useful features that make it convenient and safe to use.

• Dispensing Options: The HotCup allows you to dispense hot water in 9 ounce or 17 ounce servings at the touch of a button. This makes it easy to get just the right amount of hot water for tea, coffee, instant foods, and more.

• Safety Features: The HotCup has an auto shut-off function if it's left idle for an extended period. This helps prevent accidental boiling dry or overheating. There is also a removable drip tray to catch any drips or spills and keep your countertop clean. The exterior remains cool to the touch to prevent burns.

If you're looking for a reliable hot water dispenser with useful features, consider checking out the HYQNG 0m0gkjUke-40L. This dispenser has a sleek stainless steel design that will look great in any kitchen. It can heat up water to boiling in just seconds and maintain the temperature for up to an hour. The HYQNG dispenser has a large 4 liter tank capacity, so you can brew multiple cups before having to refill. It also has a child safety lock feature to prevent accidental dispensing. The dispenser alerts you when the tank is empty or reaches boiling point. Overall, the HYQNG hot water dispenser is a convenient appliance that can provide piping hot water on demand for all your beverage needs.

Ease of Use

The Breville HotCup has been designed for maximum convenience and ease of use. The controls are simple and intuitive. To operate it, you just need to press the large dispense button on the front. This dispenses a 12oz cup of near-boiling water in under 60 seconds.

Filling the water tank is straightforward - you simply lift up the flip lid on top and pour water in. The water tank holds 1.7 liters, so you can fill several cups before needing to refill.

Keeping the HotCup clean is also easy. The drip tray pulls out from the front to empty. The tank and other surfaces can just be wiped down as needed. Descale solution can be poured into the tank and run through the system every few months to keep the heating element free of scale buildup. Overall, the HotCup is designed to provide hot water with minimal effort.

Water Temperature

The Breville HotCup has adjustable temperature settings, allowing you to customize the water temperature to your liking. It has 5 temperature presets - 40°C, 60°C, 80°C, 90°C and 100°C. The lower temperature settings are great for making tea, while the highest 100°C setting brings water to a rapid boil for coffee.

When testing the time to boil, it took around 2 minutes for the Breville to heat 500ml of water to 100°C from room temperature. The rapid heating element allows it to boil water quickly so you can enjoy a hot drink without much waiting. Once boiled, the HotCup keeps the water at the target temperature for 30 minutes before shutting off automatically. This helps ensure your water stays hot for multiple cups.

The variable temperature control combined with fast boiling makes the Breville flexible for preparing different hot beverages. You can heat the water to the optimal temperature for tea, coffee, hot chocolate and more.

Capacity

The Breville HotCup has a generous 1.7 litre water tank capacity. This allows you to dispense several cups of boiling water before needing to refill the tank. With a family of four, we found we could make around 6-8 cups of tea or coffee before running out of hot water.

The tank is easy to remove and refill at your kitchen sink whenever needed. We like that the water chamber is made of durable and BPA-free plastic. The tank has clear volume markings on the side showing you the current water level.

Overall, the generous 1.7 litre tank size means less frequent refilling and more convenience when making multiple hot drinks in a row. This is a big perk for households that go through a lot of tea and coffee daily.

Energy Efficiency

The Breville HotCup has an excellent energy rating for a hot water dispenser. It has an A-rating for energy efficiency, meaning it consumes very little power.

The specific power consumption is 0.08kWh per day. To put that in context, an average kettle uses about 0.2kWh per boil. So the HotCup uses less energy than boiling your kettle just 4 times per day.

The HotCup only heats the water when required. It doesn't keep a large volume heated at all times. This on-demand heating system helps minimize power usage.

The appliance has a 3000W heating element. But this doesn't mean it's constantly drawing 3000 watts. That just refers to the maximum heating capacity when actively heating water.

In standby mode, power consumption drops to just 10 watts. So it sips energy when not in use. Overall, the HotCup is very economical to run. This makes it an environmentally friendly option compared to boiling the kettle.

Durability

The Breville HotCup has a solid and sturdy build quality that makes it quite durable for everyday use. The water tank, buttons, and dispensing nozzle are all made from good quality materials that can withstand constant heating and dispensing of hot water without any issues.

Users mention that even after a few years of daily use, the HotCup still functions like new and has no signs of wear and tear. The heating element and internal components are well-designed and seem to hold up well over time without any noticeable drop in performance.

Overall, the Breville HotCup has proven to be a reliable and long-lasting hot water dispenser. Its durable construction allows it to work consistently for years of daily use. The quality materials and components result in a good lifespan that makes it a worthwhile investment for anyone needing an efficient way to get hot water in the kitchen.

Price

The Breville HotCup has a retail price of around £50. This puts it on the more affordable end of the hot water dispenser market, making it a great option if you're looking for value for money.

For the price, the HotCup delivers excellent performance and convenience. It can dispense up to 60 cups of near boiling water in a single fill, thanks to its generous 3 liter capacity. The intuitive controls and ease of use also make it simple to operate, with very little effort required.

When you compare the HotCup to more expensive hot water dispensers, many of the key features and functionality are similar. You're still getting rapid boiling, different temperature settings, a large water tank, and useful features like a removable drip tray. So you're not really missing out on anything by opting for this more budget-friendly model.

The build quality is also impressive for the price point. The HotCup has a sleek and modern design, with stainless steel accents. It feels sturdy and well-made. Some cheaper dispensers have lots of plastic parts that make them seem flimsy. But that's not an issue here.

Overall, the Breville HotCup provides excellent value, giving you great performance and convenience without the premium price tag. If you want an affordable hot water dispenser that doesn't compromise on quality or features, it's a fantastic option.

Summary

The Breville HotCup Hot Water Dispenser is a convenient and stylish way to have instant boiling water on demand. It has a number of great features but also some downsides to consider.

Pros

• Sleek and modern design looks great on countertops
• Dispenses near-boiling water instantly at the push of a button
• Adjustable temperature control from 50-100°C
• Generous 3 liter capacity
• Brita filter improves taste and reduces limescale
• Auto-shutoff for safety and energy savings
• Drip tray catches spills and overflow

Cons

• High initial cost compared to kettle or stove
• Brita filters require regular replacement
• Takes up counter space
• Plastic construction less durable than metal dispensers

Overall, the Breville HotCup is ideal for those wanting the convenience of instant boiling water without waiting for a kettle. It can deliver boiling water for coffee, tea, oatmeal, noodles and more at the touch of a button. The adjustable temp makes it easy to get the right temp for different uses. Just be prepared to allot some counter space for it, replace filters periodically, and handle plastic with care to maximize its lifespan. For those wanting hot water on demand, the HotCup is a great option worth considering.