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Plumbing Appliances Design Dilemma

Insinkerator Hot and Cool Dispenser - how good is the cool water?

3 years ago

We currently have the Insinkerator instant hot dispenser, which I use all day and every day (I'm a hot water drinker). My husband is the cold water drinker, so he gets water from our refrigerator with an external water and ice dispenser.

With our remodel, we are going to get a new fridge and we are debating on getting one WITHOUT a water dispenser. This would allow us to gain more usable space in the fridge and freezer. If we went that route with the fridge, we would install an Insinkerator Hot + Cool water dispenser.

I'm wondering if those who have the dual Hot + Cool water dispenser have any issue with the cool water. My hesitation is if the cool water function doesn't work very well later down the line, then we'll regret not having the fridge water dispenser. I've read in other posts that some have mentioned the cool water becoming warm after a while, but not sure why that happens.

Featured Answer

User

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

if you already own a hot-only Insinkerator, you may as well not upgrade to the other one. they're expensive. the filtrete thing is very affordable (and super easy to put in).

our filter is on our main sink faucet, which works fine for us because we don't use that much water (only two people living here). it's not slow like a brita or those little filtered water taps that are installed next to a faucet. but note that it's because we use the "least" amount of filtration-- it filters for taste, not safety (our city water is safe). I read the ones that are meant to super clean the water are slower.

one big advantage is that all of our water for ice cube trays, coffee, boiling pasta, etc, is filtered. I don't notice a taste difference in the food, but my husband swears he does.

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Comments (6)

CD
Original Author
3 years ago
I was never a fan of the Brita pitcher. It took up space in the fridge and would often times find particles in the water from the filter. It's nice to have an instant water dispenser.
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
electricity wise, it's more efficient to keep using the fridge for cool water -- whether that means a dispenser, or just refilling a couple of bottles in there. bottles are skinny and you can tuck them wherever you can find room.

I'm not a fan of brita pitchers either so I installed a Filtrete under-sink filter. I love it. it uses the existing faucet (without bringing the pressure down), I only have to change it every six months, and generic filters are $20.
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For the funny taste, you need to run the faucet until cool water comes out (empties out the tank and refills it). Do this several times and it will get better. If you don't use it much for a while you will also need to do this, because the water seems to get stale. Note that ISE has models with warantees ranging from 1 yr to 5 yrs with better faucets and don't get the cheapest hot1 and think it will be as good quality as the nickel gooseneck one. Also, they are using a new tank now. If you ask what made your old one leak and where it was leaking from, it might give you a clue to weather a better faucet, a different tank or brand, or even a different installer, would help you avoid the problem again. Also look at what temperature a unit heats to, and make sure it is ok with you if you get one that is 10 degrees or so cooler than another, esp if you like really hot tea. Boiling is 212 degrees, ISE heats to 200 degrees and some only heat to 190 degrees. Some people feel even 200 degrees is not hot enough for tea. It is personal preference. Sue
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User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
also, I just looked it up out of curiousity on amazon-- the comments say it does not actually chill water. it just allows for a separate water line to bring unheated water through the filter and little tap.
CD
Original Author
3 years ago
@B F I’ll have to check out Filtrete! I wonder if I do that with my prep sink, which is used less often, it might not be a bad option.

Yes sadly the Insinkerator doesn’t chill the cold water, so it comes out room temp. My husband drinks his water with ice anyway, so it wouldn’t be an issue.
jandsmom
3 years ago
When we built 2 years ago, I also put a filter on the prep sink cold water line. It's so handy. Not only do I fill a pitcher to keep in my pantry fridge, but I also use filtered ice cubes from my freezer drawer and then the water from the sink. It's also convenient since that's where we prep all of our veggies.
CD thanked jandsmom

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