Having hot water on demand is convenient for a quick mug of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate but it’s also handy when cooking meals. On demand hot water is perfect for instant noodles, stocks, and bouillons. I had the pleasure of testing out the Panasonic hot water dispenser and found that the whole family made use of it. Read on and watch my video for the full review.
Inside the box
Upon unboxing the Panasonic Hot Water Dispenser, you will find the power cord, the hot water dispenser unit, the operating instructions booklet, a quick guide, and the product exchange information.
Specifications and features of the Panasonic hot water dispenser
- Magnetic power supply cord
- Charcoal coated non-stick inner container
- Operation panel
- Six-hour timer
- Four keep-warm temperature selections
- Longboil to remove up to 80% of chlorine
- Locking top lid
- Water level indicator
- Steam vent
- Carry handle
- Mesh filter
- 360-degree swivel rotating base
Testing out the Panasonic hot water dispenser
Before first use, you’ll need to clean the dispenser. The water dispenser itself can’t be immersed in water; instead, wipe down the unit with a warm, damp cloth. I wiped down both the inside and outside making sure not to use any soaps or detergent as this might leak into your water. There’s also a small mesh filter in the bottom of the inner container that needs rinsing. I then read through the operating instructions manual like I do with any new appliance.
To use the hot water dispenser, fill it with cold tap water up to the inside max water line, which fits about 4L. To keep water from possibly getting into the unit, I used a jug to fill it. I connected the power cord, which has a neat magnetic feature that makes it easy to connect to the unit and then plugged the other end into an outlet. I pushed the lid down firmly until I heard it click and the opening lever was locked into place. The lights on the operating panel lit up and I pressed the select button to choose the hottest temperature, which is 208 degrees Fahrenheit. You can choose from 160,180, 190 or 208 degrees and there’s also a six-hour timer option to keep the water warm. With the dispenser filled to the max fill line with room temperature water, it will reach your desired temperature within roughly 35 minutes.
Once the water has reached its desired temperature, press the Lock/Unlock/Slow Drip button and then the Dispense button. Hold down the Dispense button until you have your desired amount of water. It does dispense quite quickly so, if you prefer, there is a slow drip option. This option is also great if you’re making a drip-brewed coffee. To slow drip, I pressed the Lock/Unlock/Slow Drip twice and then the Dispense button. You will notice that the Lock/Unlock/Slow Drip button flashes on this mode instead of staying lit up. As a safety feature, dispensing will disable 30 seconds after you’ve finished.
After use and draining any excess water, remove the lid by first opening it and then pushing down on the lid release lever located where the hinge is. Then, pull the lid gently forward on a slant. Removing the lid allows you to empty any remaining water safely. On the inside of the container, next to the max fill line you’ll notice the word “drain.” This is showing you where the water should be poured out from when you are emptying the unit. You should then dry all parts and store for next use to prevent any odours or corrosion in the container.
Notes on the Panasonic hot water dispenser
One of the features of this Panasonic hot water dispenser that I really like is the “Reboil” option. You can either press this button one time while the water is being boiled or press it twice while the water is being kept warm. This option extends the boiling time by about six minutes and reduces the chlorine in the water by roughly 80%. The Reboil button is also used to quickly reheat the water should you already have it on the keep warm setting.
There is an overheat protection feature on this unit. If the container is empty; the unit will shut off automatically to prevent any possible issues from occurring.
Over time, you may notice some residue or scale build-up inside the container. The inner container may look discoloured or have white or crystal looking residue. This mineral or calcium build-up is harmless and can be remedied with citric acid. You can find the instructions to clean the inner container with citric acid inside the operation instructions booklet included with the hot water dispenser. When cleaning this way, make sure to keep the mesh filter attached during the cleaning cycle. If the filter itself is clogged, simply remove it from the bottom of the container and clean it with a brush to remove any residue. An old toothbrush will do the trick.
Lastly, when using your hot water dispenser, ensure it’s placed on a flat and stable surface that won’t be affected by heat or steam. I would make sure it’s not tucked under upper cabinets as the steam may cause wear on them over time.
Final thoughts on the Panasonic hot water dispenser
The Panasonic hot water dispenser is both easy to use and convenient. Fill it every morning for your household members to each make their preferred hot drink, have hot water handy for instant noodles, or to take some time off your dinner prep if needed. I have a small staff room at work that roughly 10 of us use daily and I think this four litre dispenser would be perfect to have there. We are big tea drinkers, and this would save a lot of time instead of boiling a kettle throughout the day.
I love how thorough the operating instructions are and that there’s also a troubleshooting guide included if needed.
Shop the Panasonic hot water dispenser at Best Buy.ca.
