Reddit mentions: The best water dispensers & coolers

This is sorta glamping-level, but if you're on a 2-3 day with a few people, you need Water. Lots.

My buddy has a subscription to 5 gallon water bottles, like the kind you get on top of water coolers in an office. He brought a couple out and we stuck this on top and set it all on the end of the picnic table - and it was SO USEFUL.

https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Electric-Battery-Operated-Dispenser-Drinking/dp/B00CN51R16/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495648487&sr=8-2

It was the hit of the whole campsite, allows you to dispense water for handwashing by yourself, just great.

Not a backpacking-tier item, but if you're bringing the squad out for a long weekend, good angle.

Are you in an apartment? Or do you have yard space?

Water can be stored, hiding in plain site - in a yard. Fish ponds or other water features will "store" water. It won't be potable as is, but a still will clean it up. Just keep the chemicals out!

Rain barrels will collect a large amounts of water. It'll be some of the grungiest of the collecting systems - but perfectly good for flushing the toilet - one of the single biggest water uses in industrial countries - the toilet. If you're in a position to switch to a composting toilet - something to consider.

Most of the water you will use doesn't need to be potable. Merely clean. Doing dishes, laundry, washing up will use more water than you need for cooking and/or drinking.

If you're in an apartment, consider using the [large water jugs.] (https://www.amazon.com/Primo-Countertop-Porcelain-Ceramic-Dispenser/dp/B00F3HD26O/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=bluewave+water&qid=1572221548&s=kitchen-bath&sr=1-2) Two, one in use, the other waiting to be used. They last quite a long time as it's only used for drinking. Depending on your system, you may be able to use 1/2 size glass wine carboys.

You can be quite firm with the brush, and brush with abandon. The soap is there to be used. Skimping on it will ruin the lather and the shave.

Take a look at a Sunbeam Hot Shot: if you put 1/2 cup in it and start it when you shower, by the time you're ready to shave it should have cooled enough. (Don't fill it though: if you do, the water will still be way too hot---though you could cool it down with a splash of distilled from the jug.)

Practice lathers can quickly improve your technique.

I've found these soaps and shaving crams to be good:

• Al's Shaving
• Barrister & Mann
• Bathhouse Soap
• Em’s Shave Place
• Ginger’s Garden
• Green Mountain Soap
• The Holy Black
• Honeybee Soaps
• How to Grow a Moustache - interesting large-diameter (5") format provides a palette for lathering
• Kell’s Original
• Mama Bear (also at Amazon)
• Mike's Natural (lather requires more water than you expect)
• Mystic Water
• Nanny’s Silly Soap Company (in the UK)
• Petal Pusher Fancies
• Prairie Creations
• QED
• Queen Charlotte Soaps
• Saint Charles Shave
• Scodioli
• The Shave Den
• Stirling Shaving Soap (use in mug or high-walled tub---I use a Marvy hard-rubber mug)
• The Strop Shoppe

Most of them sell samples, an easy way to test the waters soaps.

Thanks for buying the book. I hope it's been helpful.

By far the Hotshot is my favorite appliance for making a cup of tea. Put water in, press button, it boils, press button to pour right into the cup! Love it so much!

Link here: Hotshot

...though I am lacking a good tea kettle, which would be great for larger quantities of tea, and for water for all the non-stovetop teapots I have. I'll have to look at all the other comments later for ideas!

Things not listed so far:

Electrical:

Add even more lights! Be sure they are well insulated (additional sealing after they are installed). Using a narrow beam (40 degree and under) and lots of cans will result in no glare from the lights. Pick the trim first (gimbal and straight down); we went with Juno 4" cans and Philips LEDS 8PAR20 F25 2700 & 8PAR20 F36 2700. Odds are your local electric supply house will have more LED bulbls than the big box stores. I would check Costco first though because their prices are hard to beat. Go on houzz for even more ways to spend thousands of dollars on lighting.
See if solar power is viable in your location. Payback can be 5-10 years.
Outlets in the crawl space and attic for pest control among other uses.
Outdoor xmas light outlets high up outside (controlled from a programmable timer switch).
Auto closet/pantry lights http://www.functionaldevices.com/lighting-controls/lightcontrollers.php; I would go for ones with a timer.
12vdc for outdoor lighting and under cabinet kitchen lighting.
Outdoor motorized blinds.
Fans that are in the attic for you bathroom & kitchen (a lot quieter); be sure they are thermally protected.
Hot water recirculation pump or point of use instant hot water heater as a boost for the bathrooms that are a long ways away from the hot water source.
If in the US, outlets where you store electric toothbrushes.
Retractable ceiling outlets in the garage.
Lighted mirror in the bathrooms.
Whole house vacuum system (a lot quieter).
Whole house surge protection.
Have a young one? Get outlet protection.
Instant hot water for kitchen.
Remote controlled lights for the master bedroom.
USB combo outlets for charging portable devices.

HVAC related:

Radiant heated floors and above vents for AC.

I use both work and thrift. My employees all drive nicer cars than I do. I buy my clothes at thrift shops, grow a lot of my own food, rarely eat out, my wife cuts my hair, etc.

I am now at a point where I would consider myself semi-retired (in my early 40s). My businesses both have managers, so any "work" that I do is either meetings, or driving around picking up supplies that ran out unexpectedly. I don't have regular hours, so I get to spend a massive amount of time with my wife and kids. My wife no longer works, so we get to garden, can, and thrift shop as much as we want.

Yesterday my "work" consisted of calling a plumber friend (one other bonus to owning your own business is that you make friends with a lot of other business owners, who will do favors for you) and arranging for him to install an instant hot water dispenser in one of my commercial buildings. I'll get the instant hot water heater installed for next to nothing, and the lease holder is willing to pay $5 a month more in rent for the duration of her lease. She likes tea.

I just got this (http://www.amazon.com/Aladdin-Tea-12-Ounce-Infuser-Blue/dp/B001Q3L9PA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292857228&sr=8-1) as a present and I think it'd be perfect for you. The infuser is built into the lid, so you can remove the leaves when they're done steeping without worrying where to put the infuser, and when your next 15 minute break comes in, just refill with hot water and get another wash of the leaves. It's incredibly easy to clean, just rinse out the infuser at the end of the day. You can heat the water with this pup right here: http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292806382&sr=8-1

They do have instant hot water heaters like this, but I do like your idea:

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https://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-H-HOT150SN-SS-Instant-Dispenser-Stainless/dp/B01LR7AJOQ/

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Back when people had wood burning stoves they would keep kettles with water on them to always have hot water ready I think. As long as the water gets changed out every day or so it would be fine I think.

Consider an in-sink hot water dispenser. Great for hot tea, blanching vegetables, filling sauce pans, I could go on an on. Best add on feature by for fo me. A close second is above and below led lights on the cabinets. Automated and fully dimmable.


InSinkErator H-WaveC-SS Involve Wave Instant Hot Water Dispenser System with Stainless Steel Tank, Chrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W0Q61K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_3trLBb5VCHPZQ

Bottle Water Pump, Electric... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCTDRRW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I got an empty 5 gallon water jug from a water delivery guy for free. Works great and has a 4hr run time, as well as an automatic shutoff after about 20 oz or so to stop it from emptying unexpectedly. So far I've only charged it once, over two months ago. Charges with usb which is super convenient.

Oh my gosh, bottled water in ALL of the places! For real. Plus we have like no natural water sources, so tap water tastes like pipes, no matter where you live. From what I've seen, most people have those water cooler thingies at home. I'd only ever seen like one person who owned one of those before moving here.

Get commercial grade drop-in induction burners. They're better than all that fake consumer shit that's designed better to relieve rich people of their excessive money, particularly when they don't know how to cook and appearances are more important than function. You can customize your worktop surface limited only by the creativity of your carpenter, not limited to a 30-36" wide rectangle.

Get one combination microwave convection oven. If you bake a large turkey or two every year, then buy a large electric roasting pan or a large smoker/grill for the backyard. Most people don't need a large oven in their kitchen. A smaller counter-top or over-range convection microwave oven bakes and heats a lot faster for individuals, couples, and small families.

I also suggest getting a built-in water filtration system, water softener, a small tankless water heater for the dishwasher and hot tap-water faucet, instant hot-water tank dispenser and Insinkerator Evolution Excel. That garbage disposal is scary powerful, yet quiet with little vibration. It can even chop and grind rib bones into nothing.

May I recommend one of these for your big jugs (lol)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NMCJ7RY/

They're noisy, but they are easier than balancing huge heavy jugs to fill up a gravity dispenser.

It doesn't make a good cup of tea. Partly because the microwave won't evenly heat the water, so it's not fully boiling throughout.

Second, dropping the tea bag into the water doesn't let it steep properly. The water has to be absorbed by the bag, then the tea, then pass back out the leaves before you get a steep. If you just drop the bag in, that takes a while and it doesn't infuse well.

So you want to boil the full cup of water, and pour it over the tea bag, in order to fully bring out the flavor of the tea. You're best off getting a kettle, using the "hot water" function of a coffee maker, or even picking up a cheap hot water dispenser.

Finally, tea bags use the cheapest tea you can possibly get. This is equivalent to drinking the cheapest beer or wine you can get: it basically tastes like it should, but it's not good. Which is fine if you just want something to drink, like a hot cup of tea to start your day.

If you want good tea, you have to get loose leaf tea (and there's different quality levels to the leaves, but that's getting picky). Plus, you want to steep the tea loose, not in a bag, a "tea ball" or any other container. The leaves need room to expand as they soak up the water, to get the most flavor from them. Which means you'll just pour the water on the loose leaves, then strain the leaves out as you pour it into a cup for drinking. I like to use a coffee press, but others just use a fine-mesh strainer or have a strainer built into their teapot.

Most mornings though, I just toss a tea bag in a coffee mug and dispense boiling water from our Keurig onto it. Occasionally, I'll use a Keurig pod of tea, but those aren't very good, just fast. I'll spend the time to do proper loose leaf if I'm home and enjoying the day, but tea bags are just too damn convenient.

tl;dr Just boil your water without using a microwave and pour it on top of the tea bag, you'll get a much better cup of tea.

If I had not lived in the UK for a while I would not know that electric kettles existed. We do have them here and I got one because I do pour over coffee in a Chemex instead of in a standard coffee machine, but they are not remotely as common as in the UK.

Growing up, we did have something called a Hot Shot. It's essentially the same thing except it's less water, like just a cup, and it's meant for dispensing straight into a mug such as for hot cocoa or instant oatmeal or something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OUVTDb26Q1VVA

I bought this one on Amazon, waters cold & has room temperature option. This is the best I've owned so far after the two I got at lowes & homedepot crapped out on me. I don't do a delivery service there's a small water shop on my street & the gallons $1.25 so for me apart from the first time cost of $75~(cheaper than a fridge with that option) it cost me about $2.50 a week for two 5 gallons.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ESGJMY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_77Q9ybZQ2KWA1

I siphon would work just as well.
You could rig it with a tap easily enough.

These are widely available you can repurpose them for kombucha brewing.
Only a small amount of plastic makes contact with the brew.
The ceramic is glass glazed and therefore safe.

Yeah, but how do I fill it up? A hose? :P

I want a 5 gallon jug one, with heating and cooling. Something like this, but I've zero idea which one

http://www.amazon.com/Top-Loading-Bottled-Water-Cooler-PRIMO/dp/B0081SOFZO/ref=sr_1_85?ie=UTF8&qid=1414021692&sr=8-85&keywords=5+gallon+water+dispenser

You can buys water dispensers on Amazon that just pour room temp water. Walmart has some too.

Primo Countertop Porcelain Ceramic Crock Water Dispenser - BPA and LEAD FREE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3HD26O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ogtmDbBATX13K

Edit: I added a link.

We're doing a DIY bar - I think for water we may go for a dispenser like this instead of water bottles. But for sodas, we'll need to make a Costco run for sure!

There are many inexpesive top-loading models that have a “no spill/no splash” design. There are special caps that go on the bottles themselves that do not dispense or leak any water until the bottle is upside down and secure on the machine. While the bottom loading machines are nice, they sometimes have pump issues because it is such a complicated system. They can also be loud when refilling. They are nice for people who can’t lift a bottle, but if your only issue is that of spilling water, check into the no spill design. They are less expensive and less trouble.

Here is a no spill water cooler on Amazon. This is just an example, there are many on the market like this.

This is the one I bought, but amazon has a dozen similar options: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PHV14XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x0XJDbRXG6RM8

It comes with a hose long enough to reach the bottom of a 5 gallon water cooler bottle if you set the unit on top of the bottle. I'm planning to buy a slightly longer hose so I can put my water container on the floor and the pump on the counter. I'm going to cut a wooden donut that fits inside the pump's base and glue the donut to the edge of my sink that way the pump is held in place and easily removable.

Hot water dispenser. It's perfect. http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6170-Water-Dispenser-White/dp/B000C3S6Z6

This is the one I have. Looks like they’re even cheaper now and I’ve got zero complaints about mine! Lowe’s sells the filters too, they last about six months.

Mines stuck to the side of my fridge but the hose part is flexible so opening the door isn’t a problem. It’s got really strong magnets so you can stick it wherever

So what you're talking about is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-H-CONTOUR-SS-Contour-Dispenser-Stainless/dp/B00CZ3OU6A/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hot+water+tap&qid=1555535474&s=gateway&sr=8-1
OR this:
https://www.amazon.com/B-Crew-Tankless-Electric-Kitchen/dp/B01ARQ39CW/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=hot+water+tap&qid=1555535474&s=gateway&sr=8-6

How many amps does the unit you have use?
If it only takes a few minutes to heat up and can reach near boiling, can be suitable for a lot of uses, but does it heat up fast enough without drawing a ridculous power to heat up at least 5gal of water or what you might want for at least a 10min shower?

For example the second link states: Hot water dispenser provides 60 cups / hour of near boiling water.

No clue.. we do have the ones that get permanently installed, like this -

http://www.amazon.com/Waste-King-H711-U-SN-Coronado-Dispenser/dp/B0095SNHBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393887121&sr=8-1&keywords=instant+hot

but those are expensive and hard to install. I can't say as I've seen anything like what you linked and there's nothing like it on amazon.

One thing I'm gonna do this year is buy a couple 5 gallon jugs of water and hang onto them for the season. So much easier than going out last minute for individual bottles which are usually the first to go. Even if you don't have an electric water dispenser, which I don't, you can buy a manual stand or a pump.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/5-gallon-Manual-Pump-for-Bottle-Water-Drinking-Water-Hand-Pump-Heavy-Duty-Drinking-Water-Pump/106855138

https://smile.amazon.com/Dispenser-Nonscrew-Stainless-Countertop-threaded/dp/B01N9YNUIG/

https://smile.amazon.com/Water-Bottle-Pump-Original-Excluding/dp/B00APU2Y8Q/

These are pretty decent for the price. Zen Water Systems Countertop Filtration and Purification System, 4-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002F5732Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KSeTAbZFSQT6A

There's a countertop reverse osmosis unit that's good too, but it's outside the budget.

Something like this or this?

I have an older version of this at work currently. Pretty inexpensive, but it doesn't hold as much as the Zujiroshi and the only temp you get is boiling.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Water-Dispenser-Black-006131/dp/B000C3QSPQ/

Sort of like a personal electronic kettle, which heats a large mug-full of water in a minute or so.

They last about 3-5 years worth of daily use and Sunbeam can't seem to figure out that it needs an extra inch or so of clearance for today's larger mugs.

Maybe not the same, but I have this one cup thing. Boils just enough for one cup of coffee or tea, or ramen.

Now I picked up something closer to a kettle awhile back, but stuggle to find uses for it. I don't ever need that much hot water at a time for anything.

Ahem.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1321807369&sr=8-6

I ended up breaking down and buying a Hot Shot Water Heater for my desk.

https://www.amazon.com/InSinkErator-H-HOT150SN-SS-Instant-Dispenser-Stainless/dp/B01LR7AJOQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521385561&sr=8-4&keywords=instant+hot

For heating water, the Sunbeam Hot Shot will heat a mug of water in about 30seconds-1min. It's indispensable at my office. I can't speak whether this would be easier than an immersion heater though.

There should be enough empty space in the box to store a mug, strainer and a bag or two of loose leaf, so you could package everything up between hospitals.

My rig: https://i.imgur.com/gYtcqMN.jpg

featuring these two products:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBC13NE

https://www.amazon.com/Dispenser-Stainless-Countertop-NONSCREW-ORIGINAL/dp/B01N9YNUIG

It all works really well! We have 3 jugs that we cycle through. Going to the store is kind of annoying, but the machine is outside so I can go at night and just park next to it. Costs $1.75 to fill up.

I have a crappy electronic stove and a microwave.

I also use a "hot shot" which you can think of as a tiny personal 0.5 liter electric kettle that works on 110volts and cycles in about 90 seconds.