Hot vs Cold Water Dispensers: Which One Do You Need?
In Africa, we all value time. Preparing meals in minutes for a large household or simply having quick access to warm water when we work – this is the speed we seek. For us, water is more than just hydration; it is a lifestyle. There you are, having your Tom Brown prepared before work as quickly as your fingers allow. Or you have just walked in from the scorching midday sun and want to quench your thirst with a glass of chilled water. Wouldn’t it be nice to have that glass of water ready at the temperature you want, without the wait time? A water dispenser can be your quick fix.
Different types of water dispensers are available aplenty at our local electronic shops, but the confusion starts when one has to make a choice. Questions pop up in our heads – Do you really need both hot and cold? Is a hot and cold unit worth the money, or should you stick to something simple?
Bruhm has put together a quick guide to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your space.
Understanding Water Dispenser Types
Before we talk about temperatures, let’s look at the ‘hardware.’ When looking for a water dispenser for home or office, you’ll generally find three main builds:
The Tabletop/Desktop Models: These are the most favourite of dispensers – compact and efficient. They sit on your counter, saving you precious floor space. Perfect for small apartments or studio offices. Many have hot and cold water taps, like this one from Bruhm.
The Floor-Standing Models: These are sturdy, often come with a small storage cabinet at the bottom, and are ideal for high-traffic areas, like offices. Many also come with a designer appearance to blend with your design, like our elegant black and grey combo.
Most of these are top-load models, where the bottle is placed upside down on the dispenser.
Why go for a Hot Water Dispenser?
If you think a hot water dispenser is just for tea, buddy, that’s not true. In a busy office or a home with kids, instant hot water is like having a personal butler.
– Your ‘Instant Breakfast’ – be it your steaming hot bowl of oatmeal or Hausa Koko – is ready in 2 minutes. Just press a button, and you have the hot water you need for preparing your bowl.
– Think of the time spent in the office kitchen waiting for the kettle to whistle. An instant dispenser is like an express lane for your caffeine fix.
– Your baby is crying, and you want to quickly rinse your baby’s pacifier or spoon. 90°C water is your best friend, and you have it at the push of a button.
– For the bachelors and students, your Indomie is ready in half the time.
Why have a Cold Water Dispenser?
Let’s be real. Temperatures in Africa aren’t designed for warm water consumption. When humidity hits, it leaves us craving for a glass of chilled water. With a water dispenser sitting atop your kitchen counter or one standing quietly in the corner of your office, that glass of chilled water is always ready for you. What more! It frees up a lot of precious space in your refrigerator, so you can stock up on your Jollof rice and veggies.
Choosing a hot-only or cold-only water dispenser will be more like buying a shoe for just one foot. It will serve half the purpose, and you will be hopping through life pretty uncomfortably. Saving you the trouble of choosing between the two, these days most water dispensers come with hot and cold water taps, and some also have a normal water tap for those of us who prefer room-temperature water. Check out some of our options at Bruhm
Tabletop or Floor Standing?
A common worry is: “Will this fit in the available space?”
If you’re in a cozy ‘Self-Contained’ apartment, go for a Tabletop model. It packs all the power but takes up little space.
If you have a large family or an office with 10+ people, invest in a Floor-Standing Hot and Cold model. It may cost a little more at first, but then you get the convenience of access to hot and cold water at the press of a button.
Quick Comparison: Home vs. Office Needs
Choosing between water dispenser types depends heavily on where you’re putting the machine.
| Feature | Home Use (The Family Hub) | Office Use (The Corporate Oasis) |
| Primary Need | Cooking, baby bottles, hydration. | Coffee breaks, guest hospitality, quick lunches. |
| Space | Usually prefer Desktop or Tabletop water dispensers | Floor-standing (high capacity is better). |
| Safety | Look for a Child Lock, and over-heat protection | Ease of maintenance and durability |
| Vibe | The kitchen companion | The water-cooler talk centre |
Some features you would want to have in your water dispenser are an anti-leakage system, a food-grade stainless steel water tank, over-heat protection, an anti-overflow design, and the use of anti-bacterial material.
At the end of the day, choosing water dispenser units shouldn’t be a headache. If your budget allows, a hot and cold water dispenser for home or office is almost always the better investment. It replaces your kettle, saves fridge space, and ensures that whether you want to “cool down” or “warm up,” you are just one click away.
Don’t be the person still waiting for the kettle to boil while your guests are sitting in the parlour. Upgrade your lifestyle, save some time, and keep the refreshments flowing!
Ready to find your perfect match? Explore Bruhm’s range of tabletop and floor-standing models today!
FAQs –
The difference is in the hardware. The hot water dispenser is equipped with heating components and the cold water dispenser with cooling components, providing instant water at the desired temperature. The dual dispenser uses separate tanks so you can switch between the two types.
Yes. Floor-standing models are more durable and have a larger capacity for high-traffic use. The anti-leakage, anti-overflow design and overheat protection make it safer to use in an office environment.
This will depend on the number of people the water dispenser will serve: A tabletop unit will be good enough for a household of 2 to 4 people, and a floor-standing unit will be right for an office with more than 10 employees.
Look for a child-safety lock on the hot water lever to prevent accidents, especially in homes with curious kids. You should also look for a removable drip tray for easy cleaning, and high-quality filtration to ensure your water always tastes clean. Preferably go for a water dispenser with overheat protection, anti-overflow design, and an anti-leakage system.