"insinkerator Hot Water Dispenser, Model SST - Owner Review"

By Ron Stultz

17 April 2009

Updated: 11 November 2009

Summary: I like it for its convenience but ought to have bright red knob or some sort of push and turn as kids or forgetful adult could easily stick there hand under it to wash and water hot enough to burn. Not recommended around kids.

Expensive.

Relatively easy to install for an experienced do-it-yourselfer. Probably will cost 2 or more hours of plumber/electrician (if no outlet available under sink).

I like it.

Actually installed during most recent home renovation for my wife to use in her garment creation activities but turns out having 190 degrees Fahrenheit water available at the turn of a knob is really, really, convenient for all sorts of instant foods like tea, instant potatoes, soup/noodles, oatmeal, etc. And having 190 degree water has come in handy for many home repairs: getting thickened glue to stir in a metal can; getting dried ink out of a printer print head, etc.

Water can not be kept inside unit at a boil. No more than 190 - 200 degrees. Near or at boiling, water hisses out the spout of the unit.

Have never ran out of water using it but normally only take out 2 or 3 cups at a time.

The only thing I do not like about it is that it is not adequately marked as potentially dangerous. Yes, you have to turn and hold the top knob for water to dispense but still a child, unknowing adult or even a distracted homeowner could easily think that the insinkerator is simply a water faucet and place their hand(s) under it for washing. Although the water coming out of the unit is not boiling, it would certainly burn skin or hurt like the devil.

Energy cost? Not sure what to say here. Doubt saving any money or using cook top electric burners now and again to boil water but having a insinkerator is not about money, its about convenience and I like it.

Update 11 November 2009:

I have (2) of these units and one in kitchen began to hiss or split water every time control handle was turned to dispense water. Upon checking unit under sink, found that unit leaking out the bottom and actually had been for some time. Contacted insinkerator for "in home warranty" service and they promptly responded with name of local service technician. Based on description I provided of failure (not leaking at any of the 3 water connections at the time and leaking out the bottom) the service technician came to my home and provided me with a new unit. The serial number of the old unit was transferred to the new unit such that the original 3 year warranty simply continues rather than get extended by a new unit being put in place.

Although the technician disabled the old unit by cutting the power cord off it, he left it for me to trash. Being an engineer and curious, I took the unit apart to see if I could determine where the unit was actually leaking water. Upon opening the hard plastic case, I was very impressed with the construction materials and techniques used in the dispenser but quickly found that was the weakest component of the entire unit had failed: a small plastic hose. Shame for insinkerator to have had to endure cost of service call and replacement unit for a $.05, at most, part.

For your benefit, I show the internals of the hard plastic hot water dispenser case and fractured hose.