Turn on the heat

Stephen Johnson, managing director at Quooker UK (quooker.co.uk), explains the growing appeal of boiling water taps.

Q Why are boiling water taps a kitchen must-have? A

‘Boiling water taps have grown in popularity over the past 10 years; the primary reason why is convenience. We are inherently less patient than we used to be. A boiling water tap delivers the exact amount of boiling water needed instantly, as well as cold, warm and hot water. With a Quooker tap, the CUBE accessory also makes it possible to deliver filtered, super chilled and sparkling water instantly.’

Q How much space does the system need? A

‘Our Quooker system consists of a small tank in the kitchen cupboard that is linked to the boiling water tap on the worktop. The tank acts like a vacuum flask connected to the water mains – the air in the insulated wall is so thin that the heat is unable to escape. It takes very little energy ( just 10 watts) to keep the water in the tank at 110°C. Boiling water taps also deliver water-saving benefits by providing the exact amount of boiling water needed, unlike a kettle, which is often overfilled, wasting water and energy.’

Q How safe are boiling water taps to use? A

‘Concerns around safety used to be a significant factor in dissuading people from investing in a boiling water tap. With constant innovation, the taps today are completely safe, and in-built safety mechanisms make it virtually impossible to turn on boiling water by accident. Quooker has a double push and turn switch, cool touch spout casing that doesn’t heat up as the water boils, and spray technology delivering an aerated flow rather than a steady stream. And unlike kettles, boiling water taps are static, immovable objects located out of a child’s reach, which cannot be spilled or tipped over.’