I've used a Hot Shot a whole lot for heating up water for drinking various types of tea and other beverages. If it's right for what you're brewing, it really is a great product--the water is heated within a minute or two, which is way faster than a kettle, and it holds the perfect amount for a large mug.
There are a couple things to note though. Like other reviewers have said, because of the product's design, some taller mugs (especially large vacuum-sealed caddy mugs) won't fit in to receive the water, so you either can't use them or have to dispense the water into another container first and pour it from there. Also, you definitely should empty the excess water after you're done--you might even want to open the lid while it's still warm to let the extra moisture evaporate. This is because the inside is metal, and re-re-reheated water that's been sitting in there gets a bit gross and might not be the healthiest.
The last issue, which affects me more than it may others, is that the Hot Shot heats the water to boiling or very near to boiling. This is great if you're drinking black tea, hot chocolate, or hot cider, but if you're drinking green tea (which takes hot water that is well below boiling), the water from the Hot Shot can be too hot and make the tea bitter. If it's right for the beverage you want to make, though, I can't recommend a more convenient or quick option.
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Sunbeam 6131 Hot Shot Hot Water Dispenser, Black
We have used a Hot Shot for many years, replacing the first two because they eventually stopped heating water sufficiently (only up to 160 degrees F). Since they had become a mainstay in our kitchen, used several times a day, we were eager to replace the last one, and ordered the sleek new black model, which is of a somewhat different design than the original.
The first one we received from Amazon leaked considerably if we didn't use up all the water that had been heated, so we sent it back (Amazon paid for the entire return postage and sent us a new one at no extra cost). The second one leaked just like the first one, through the dispenser spout, when water was left to sit in the heating chamber. We never had this problem with the older model.
I am giving it two stars instead of only one, since some people may not mind being sure to empty the heating chamber after each use. (If it didn't leak, I would give it 4 stars -and 5 stars, if it were also tall enough to accomodate taller cups).
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I've used a Hot Shot for at least 20 years and won't go without one. But they are made real cheap now. My son is still using the one he bought over 10 years ago. I had this less than a year when it leaked, and is getting worse. Put water in, press the button. Before you get the water poured in and put the cup under the spout it is dripping, real fast now. By the time the water is heated, if I grab it real quick I lose about 2 tbsp. (in about a minute). If I don't catch it right away it will leak enough so I have to warm up more water to make a full cup. I keep a towel under the spout now. This worked good for a few months. Think about it, if every small appliance in your kitchen had to be replaced within a year......
Also, a tall cup/mug won't fit under the spout. So I pour the water from one cup to another. I do like the old hot shot, saves time and electricity.I gave it one star because I do like the hot shot water heater, I just don't like this one.
UPDATE: A couple months after I wrote this review, there was a burning smell--the cheap thing burned out. Meanwhile it leaked water into the cabinets below and spoiled the food.
I went without one for a while, but eventually bought another one because I like the concept... put in cold water, press a button, come back to boiling water. I bought the cheapest I could find because it won't last. I'm just glad I don't have to replace all my other appliances every year.
Honest reviews on Sunbeam Hot Shot Hot Water Dispenser
Amazon didn't publish my last review so I am rewriting it from memory.
I owned this for 150 days and then it quit. We took it apart, basically this design is living on borrowed time as the unit will eventually fail.
Sunbeam placed the actual electronic switch below the aluminum bowl part and on top of the plastic housing. The grey button on the top is nothing more than a lever to another piece that actually depresses the electronic switch below the aluminum bowl. The real electronic switch is less than an inch from where the water flows from the aluminum bowl and out the dispenser. That switch, also sits right next to the heating element. Now you don't need to be an engineer to know that electronics don't care for heat and they don't care for water. In our case the heat killed the electronic "on" switch. I am not sure where the previous model's (3211) actual "on" switch was, but it had to be in a smarter location that this for it to last TEN years.
So the old design, built in the US apparently lasted 10 years and the new design, made in China lasted 150 days. I should have read the 1-star reviews as I would have found that just about every owner of the previous model have had nothing but bad experience with this model. Don't discount the opinions of those that owned the previous model. I don't think I will ever buy another Sunbeam product again, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
P.S. The only reason we replaced our ten year old 3211 model was because the rubber or plastic seal in the dispenser part had worn out and the unit would leak while dispensing.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sunbeam Hot Shot Hot Water Dispenser
This product has been around for over a decade, and for good reason: it works, and works well. My mother bought me one in Fall 1993 when I went off to college and lived in a tiny dorm room. It has served me well ever since. Nearly 12 years later, it still works as well as the day I got it. It really does heat 16 ounces of water to boiling in under 2 minutes. It's insulated so the outside does not get hot. Just remember to only heat water inside of it, not other liquids. It has a nice, clean look and a modern design which I'd even call "cute". The cord stores underneath the base when not in use, for a clutter-free appearance. I'd recommend it to everyone for a wide variety of situations.
