A boiling water tap is one of those upgrades people tend to say they can't live without once they've had one. Instead of filling and waiting on a kettle, you get filtered water at close to 100°C straight from the tap, ready for tea, coffee, blanching vegetables or getting a pan of pasta started. But they are a significant purchase, so it is worth understanding how they work, what the different types do, and what installation involves before you choose one. This guide covers all of it, with examples from the boiling water taps we stock at Lily Bain.
How Does a Boiling Water Tap Work?
Every boiling water tap has two parts: the tap on your sink or worktop, and a compact tank (sometimes called a boiler) that sits in the cupboard underneath. The tank draws cold water from your mains supply, passes it through a filter, heats it and holds it at temperature. When you operate the boiling function on the tap, the hot water is dispensed straight from the tank.
Because the water is stored ready to use, there is no waiting. The trade-off is that the tank has a finite capacity. Once you have drawn a full tank, it needs a few minutes to reheat. For example, the Abode ProBoil 3X tank supplied with Abode's boiling water taps holds 3 litres and takes around 11 minutes to reboil after all 3 litres have been used. For most households that is more than enough, since you rarely draw a full tank in one go.
Types of Boiling Water Tap
Boiling water taps generally come in three configurations. Which one suits you depends on whether you want the boiling tap to replace your main kitchen tap or sit alongside it.
Hot-Only (Instant Hot) Taps
A hot-only tap dispenses near-boiling water and nothing else, so it is installed as a second tap next to your normal mixer. This is a good option if you already love your existing kitchen tap, or if you want to keep the boiling water at a separate point on the worktop. The InSinkErator FH3010, for example, is a compact hot-only tap with a self-closing hot valve and a spout that swivels through 360°.
3-in-1 Taps
A 3-in-1 tap combines normal hot and cold mixer functions with boiling water in a single tap. It replaces your existing kitchen tap, which keeps the sink area clean and uncluttered. The boiling function is operated separately from the mixer handle, usually with a safety mechanism, so you cannot dispense boiling water by accident when you just want to rinse a cup.
4-in-1 Taps
A 4-in-1 tap adds a fourth function: filtered cold drinking water. If you currently use a water filter jug, this removes the need for it. If you want filtered cold water but not boiling water, a hot and cold filtered tap is worth a look instead.
What to Look For When Choosing a Boiling Water Tap
Tank Capacity and Reheat Time
Tank sizes on domestic boiling water taps are usually in the 2.5 to 3 litre range. Both the standard and Neo tanks supplied with the InSinkErator FH3010 hold 2.5 litres, while the Abode ProBoil 3X and the Prima 3-in-1 tank hold 3 litres. Prima quotes up to 60 cups of boiling water per hour from its tank. Think about how you use hot water: a family that makes rounds of tea throughout the day and cooks most evenings will value a larger tank and a quick reheat.
Temperature Control
Most tanks let you set the water temperature. This is useful because not everything needs water at a full boil. Green tea and some coffees are better made slightly below boiling, and a lower setting saves a little energy. The Abode ProBoil 3X offers settings of 75°C, 85°C and 90 to 98°C. The Prima tank has three presets (98°C, 96°C and 75°C) on a digital touch control, and the InSinkErator Neo tank adjusts between 88°C and 99°C to within 1°C.
Safety Features
Safety is the most common concern, particularly in homes with young children. Look for:
- A child lock or two-step operation on the boiling function, so it cannot be turned on with a single push or twist.
- Self-closing valves that shut off the boiling water as soon as you let go.
- Anti-scald features on the tap body.
- A controlled flow rate. Abode limits the boiling flow to 2 litres per minute to reduce splashing.
The Prima 3-in-1, for instance, uses a pressureless safety design with a child lock on the instant hot control and an anti-scald safety faucet. Its tank also has a sensor to protect against "dry burn".
Filtration
The filter improves the taste of your hot drinks and reduces the limescale that would otherwise build up in the tank. Filters need replacing periodically; Prima quotes a life of 6 to 16 months for its filter, depending on how much you use it. Factor the cost of replacement filters into your budget, and check that they are easy to get hold of for the tap you choose.
Finish and Style
Boiling water taps now come in the same range of finishes as standard kitchen taps. Abode's range, for example, includes chrome, brushed nickel, matt black, brushed brass, gunmetal and dark bronze, depending on the model. If you are trying to match other hardware in your kitchen, our guide to tap finishes explains how each finish looks and wears. Style matters too: the Abode Oxbury suits a traditional or shaker kitchen, while the Arkitect and Persona have a cleaner, more modern profile.
Installation: What You Need to Know
Before you buy, check that your kitchen can accommodate a boiling water tap. The main things to confirm are:
- Cupboard space under the sink for the tank and filter, alongside any waste pipework or a food waste disposer.
- An electrical supply in the cupboard to power the tank. This should be installed by a qualified electrician if you don't already have one.
- Water pressure. Each tap has a minimum operating pressure. Across the taps we stock this ranges from 0.75 bar on the hot side of the Abode Arkitect to 1.7 bar for the InSinkErator FH3010, so check the figure for your chosen model against your supply.
- A suitable tap hole in your sink or worktop.
Installation is typically a job for a plumber. Some tanks are designed to make it easier: the Abode ProBoil 3X uses tool-free, hand-tightened connectors to speed up installation, maintenance and descaling.
Are Boiling Water Taps Worth It?
For most households that use a kettle several times a day, a boiling water tap is worth it for the convenience alone. You get water at the right temperature instantly, you only draw the amount you need rather than boiling a full kettle, and you free up worktop space. Many people also find they use it far more than expected, for cooking, sterilising and cleaning as well as drinks.
The points to weigh up are the upfront cost, the cost of replacement filters, and the small amount of electricity the tank uses to keep water at temperature. Running costs vary with your tariff and how the tank is set up, so look for energy-saving features. The Abode ProBoil 3X has insulation and power-saving modes, and the Prima tank has an Eco mode.
Guarantees are worth comparing too. Abode boiling taps come with a 5-year guarantee on the tap and 3 years on the boiler. The InSinkErator FH3010 has a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee on the tap, with 1 year on the standard tank or 2 years on the Neo tank.
Browse our full range of boiling water taps from Abode, InSinkErator and Prima, or visit our showroom in Newry to see them in person.
Shop Boiling Water TapsPair Your Tap With the Right Sink
A boiling water tap is often fitted as part of a wider kitchen sink upgrade. If you are replacing your sink at the same time, read our guide on how to choose a kitchen sink, and for everything else to do with taps, see our complete guide to buying kitchen taps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are boiling water taps safe with children?
Boiling water taps are designed with safety in mind. Look for a child lock or two-step operation on the boiling function, a self-closing valve that stops the flow when you let go, and anti-scald features on the tap body. The Prima 3-in-1, for example, has a child lock on the instant hot control and an anti-scald safety faucet.
How hot is the water from a boiling water tap?
Most tanks heat water to around 98°C and many let you choose a lower temperature. The Abode ProBoil 3X offers 75°C, 85°C and 90 to 98°C settings, and the InSinkErator Neo tank adjusts between 88°C and 99°C.
Do boiling water taps need a filter?
Yes. Boiling water taps are supplied with a filter that improves taste and reduces limescale in the tank. Filters need replacing periodically; Prima quotes 6 to 16 months for its filter, depending on use.
What do I need to install a boiling water tap?
You need space in the cupboard under the sink for the tank and filter, an electrical supply in that cupboard, mains water pressure that meets the tap's minimum requirement, and a suitable tap hole. Installation is usually carried out by a plumber, with any new electrical supply fitted by a qualified electrician.
What is the difference between a 3-in-1 and a 4-in-1 tap?
A 3-in-1 tap gives you normal hot and cold water plus boiling water from one tap. A 4-in-1 tap adds a fourth function: filtered cold drinking water.