Swan SWU8L Hot Water Dispenser - Review

The Swan SWU8L is an under-sink hot water dispenser designed for commercial kitchens and office spaces. It provides hot water quickly and conveniently, allowing you to fill cups or pots right at the sink.

This dispenser has a compact and sleek stainless steel design that fits under most sinks. It has a generous 8 liter capacity, which is suitable for medium to high demand environments. The SWU8L dispenses near-boiling 98°C water that is ideal for hot drinks, cooking, and food preparation.

Some standout features include a push button tap that makes dispensing easy with one hand. There is also a child safety lock to prevent accidental use. For energy efficiency, the SWU8L has insulated walls to retain heat.

Overall, the Swan SWU8L is a high quality dispenser that delivers hot water on demand for busy workspaces. It has the right mix of performance, safety features, and durability that make it ideal for offices, breakrooms, and commercial kitchens.

Design

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser features an attractive and durable stainless steel design. The exterior housing is constructed from fingerprint-resistant brushed stainless steel, giving it a sleek, modern look that fits well in both home and office environments.

Unlike plastic hot water dispensers which can look cheap over time as they get scratched and worn, the stainless steel build of the SWU8L maintains its premium appearance even after years of regular use. The metal surfaces are easy to keep clean and won't degrade from exposure to heat and steam like plastic dispensers can.

Overall, the stainless steel construction lends an elegant, commercial-grade quality to the Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser. It's built to last and handles high demand usage in busy settings. The brushed metal finish gives it a contemporary style that looks great in any kitchen or break room.

While the stainless steel design is attractive and functional, some people may prefer dispensers with more color options. The all-metal look of the SWU8L has a neutral, minimalist aesthetic that may not appeal to everyone's tastes. For those who want a hot water dispenser with a bit more visual flair, the FRIZZLIFE TF900 is a great option.

The TF900 features a colorful plastic housing available in red, black, silver, and white finishes. So if you want your hot water dispenser to be an eye-catching accent in your kitchen, the TF900 provides more vibrant style choices than the stainless steel SWU8L. It has a sleek, rounded shape with glossy exterior surfaces that resist fingerprints and scratches.

While not as heavy-duty as stainless steel, the plastic housing of the TF900 is still durable and easy to wipe clean as needed. The TF900 dispenses near-boiling 200°F water quickly, so you don't have to wait long for hot beverages. An integrated drip tray catches any spills or overflow.

One advantage of the TF900 over the SWU8L is the addition of an LED temperature display. This lets you easily see the current water temp before dispensing. The SWU8L lacks a display, so you have to test the water manually to check the temperature.

Both the Swan SWU8L and Frizzlife TF900 offer 3 water temperature settings to choose from. They both have generous 1.8 liter removable water tanks for convenient refilling. And safety features like child locks and auto shut-off provide peace of mind when using either dispenser model.

When choosing between stainless steel and plastic hot water dispensers, consider your priorities. Do you want maximum durability and a neutral, commercial look? Then go for the SWU8L. If a splash of color and slightly more features appeal to you, the TF900 is a great alternative. With either one, you'll be able to quickly prepare hot drinks, soups, oatmeal and more.

Capacity

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser has a generous 8 liter capacity, which is suitable for most small to medium sized offices and kitchens. With 8 liters of hot water ready to dispense at any time, you'll always have enough hot water on hand for making tea, coffee, instant soups, oatmeal and more throughout the day, without the need to constantly wait for the dispenser to reheat.

An 8 liter tank is a good balance between having ample hot water available, without the dispenser taking up excessive counter space or being overly large and bulky. For most home or office settings, 8 liters will be sufficient to keep up with hot beverage and food preparation needs. Even during busy times or periods of frequent use, you're unlikely to deplete the entire tank capacity before the dispenser has time to reheat the water.

With its 8 liter tank, the Swan SWU8L dispenser provides a convenient supply of piping hot water for food and drinks when you need it. The tank is large enough for most daily needs, while still being compact enough for easy placement on countertops.

While the Swan SWU8L has an adequate 8 liter capacity for most purposes, some offices or large households may require even more hot water availability. In those cases, a dispenser like the Breville VKT111 with an extra large 11 liter tank may be a better option. With an additional 3 liters of capacity, the Breville VKT111 can handle frequent hot water demands without running out. It's tank size makes it well-suited to large families, office kitchens, and other settings that experience high hot beverage consumption.

When evaluating hot water dispensers, the tank capacity is an important consideration. While the Swan SWU8L's 8 liter size will suffice for many households and smaller offices, those with greater hot water needs may want to look at larger capacity models like the 11 liter Breville VKT111. The extra capacity provides a buffer during periods of intense use, ensuring piping hot water is always available when you need it.

In summary, the 8 liter tank of the Swan SWU8L dispenser is a good standard size that will meet the needs of most smaller households and office settings. But for larger families or offices with frequent hot beverage consumption, a higher capacity model like the Breville VKT111 with its 11 liter tank is a better choice to ensure ample hot water is on hand at all times.

Features

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser has some great features that make it convenient and safe to use.

One notable feature is the adjustable temperature control. Users can select their desired water temperature, with options ranging from ambient to just below boiling point. This allows you to customize the water temperature for different uses like making tea, coffee, instant meals, etc.

For safety, the SWU8L dispenser has a child lock to prevent accidental scalding. When enabled, the lock prevents the water from dispensing until manually unlocked. This gives parents peace of mind, especially in homes with young children.

The dispenser also comes with indicator lights that notify you when the water is heating up or ready to dispense. An orange light shows when the water is heating, while a green light indicates the set temperature has been reached and the water is ready to use. The lights provide visual cues so you know when the hot water is available or still heating.

Overall, the adjustable temp, safety lock, and indicator lights add convenience, customization, and safety to the Swan hot water dispenser. These useful features help make the daily process of boiling water simpler and safer.

Ease of Use

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser is designed for convenience and ease of use in a commercial setting. It features an intuitive control panel with buttons to dispense hot water, making it simple for staff to quickly fill cups, pots, and pitchers.

The hot water spout is at an optimal height that allows easy access for dispensing into vessels of various sizes. Tall pitchers and stock pots can be filled without having to lift them high, while short cups can be placed right under the spout. This makes the Swan dispenser accommodating for any food service task.

The spout itself is well-designed to target the water flow for efficient dispensing. There is ample clearance around the spout so you can easily fit cups and containers under it. The buttons are responsive and allow you to dispense just the right amount of hot water needed. Overall, the thoughtful design focuses on ease of use and catering to the needs of busy commercial kitchens.

Performance

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser delivers excellent performance with fast heating times, consistent water temperatures, and good flow rates.

Heating Time

This unit heats up water very quickly thanks to its powerful 3 kW heating element. It can bring cold water up to a piping hot 98°C in just 10-15 seconds. This rapid heating time means you'll never have to wait long for hot water.

Temperature Consistency

The SWU8L maintains a stable temperature thanks to its thermostat control. Once you set the temperature, it will keep the hot water at a precise and constant level. There are no fluctuations or spikes in temperature.

Flow Rate

With a strong pump, the SWU8L dispenses hot water at a fast flow rate of 5 liters per minute. This allows you to quickly fill cups, pots, or containers without having to wait. The flow is smooth and consistent without any drips or splashes.

Overall, the fast heating element, precise thermostat, and good flow rate of the Swan SWU8L allow it to deliver excellent performance. Hot water is always available on demand with this dispenser.

Energy Efficiency

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser is very energy efficient, with an A rating for power consumption. It has an impressive standby power usage of just 0.49W. This means it consumes minimal electricity when not in use, helping to keep your energy bills low.

When heating water, it has a power rating of 1850-2200W. The high wattage enables it to heat up water quickly while still remaining energy efficient. The tank has good insulation to retain heat and minimize heat loss. There is an eco mode that allows you to program the dispenser to switch off automatically during certain hours, further reducing standby power usage.

Overall, the low standby consumption combined with the high heating power and insulated tank makes this an energy efficient option suitable for workplaces looking to reduce electricity costs. The programmable eco mode also gives you control over the power usage.

Noise Level

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser operates quietly thanks to its well-insulated tank and internal components. Users report barely noticing any noise coming from the unit during operation.

According to the manufacturer, the noise level stays under 50 dB, which is comparable to a normal conversation. This makes the SWU8L suitable for office and commercial settings where excessive noise could be disruptive.

Some user reviews mention hearing light hums or gurgles coming from the tank when water is actively heating up. However, this is to be expected with most hot water dispensers and does not indicate any defects. The noises stop once the water reaches the target temperature.

Overall, the Swan SWU8L scores well in terms of noise level. The majority of users are satisfied with how quietly it operates. While minor sounds can be heard during the heating process, the unit does not produce irritating buzzing or loud rumbling noises. This makes it a great choice for environments where quiet operation is preferred.

Warranty

The Swan SWU8L hot water dispenser comes with a 1 year warranty. This provides coverage for 1 year from the date of purchase in case any defects develop.

The 1 year warranty is fairly standard for hot water dispensers in this price range. It provides peace of mind that any issues stemming from manufacturing faults will be addressed. However, some competitors offer 2 or even 3 year warranties, so the Swan's warranty is on the shorter side.

It's recommended to register the product warranty with Swan when purchasing the dispenser. This ensures the warranty coverage is properly activated. Keep your receipt or proof of purchase, as this will need to be shown if making a warranty claim.

Overall the 1 year warranty gives a reasonable amount of protection. But there are some hot water dispensers that do offer longer warranty periods, which may be preferable for some customers. The Swan dispenser would need to be reliable and avoid defects, as the warranty is not as extensive as some alternative models.

Pros and Cons

The Swan SWU8L commercial hot water dispenser has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Generous 8 liter capacity
• Fast heat up and recovery time
• Energy efficient with good insulation
• Easy to use controls and dispenser
• Compact, stylish stainless steel design
• 2 year warranty

Cons

• Noisy when heating and dispensing
• Tap drips slightly after use
• Price is higher than some competitors
• Small drip tray may overflow frequently

Overall, the Swan SWU8L is a good quality hot water dispenser that produces piping hot water quickly. The generous 8 liter capacity, fast heat up, and energy efficiency are all advantages. However, the noise level is higher than some users would prefer. The stylish stainless steel design and 2 year warranty help offset some of the cons like the price. For most home or office needs, the Swan SWU8L will deliver hot water on demand with its fast heat up and recovery time.