Customer Reviews

InSinkErator H990C-SS Invite Instant Hot Water Dispenser, Chrome

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I manage a few single-family properties and used Insinkerators on some of the units since the early 1980s. The early units had stainless tanks and will last anywhere from 5 to 8 years - pretty good. The later units went cheap, using plastic tanks and usually crack within 2 years - not that good. This unit in review has the SST tank, suppose to be stainless steal tank again for reliability. However I found it only lasted under 2 years, failing to dispense any hot or even warm water. The units I use within the last 10 years only lasted around 2 years on average. Many times it turn out to be a blown fuse, a few times between a bad tank or worn out on mechanical dispensing faucet parts. To save the fuse, don't turn up the temperature on the tank to maximum. I throw in a budget to replace it every 3 years, as it's not cost effective to call in service after the warranty period. Reliability experience on my own home use is about 2 years as well. I don't have enough hot dispensing units installed to have it statistically reliable, this is just my own experience.

Very nice when it works, could have been more reliable.

This is my fourth ISE Hot Water Dispenser. The first three lasted anywhere from 2 - 4 years each, before the tanks started leaking and the units had to be replaced. In addition to the tank problem the first two units had failures with an internal thermal switch. It's about a $15 part that was fairly easy to replace if you are somewhat handy with tools and are not afraid of working with electrical components. On my third unit, the hot water tank was redesigned to include a different type thermal switch that was re-settable, like a circuit breaker. That successfully eliminated the thermal switch problem. It seems that the design of the tank for this appliance is continuously evolving. My first unit had a copper tank, the next two had plastic tanks, which I hated, and now this one has a larger (2/3 gallon) stainless steel tank. Seems like a move in the right direction. Installation was easy. I've set the external thermostat (a nice addition) to 190 degrees and it heats the water to that temperature without any spatter. I've verified the water temperature with a digital thermometer. On the previous units I would get spatter at 180 degrees. Since I've only had this unit for a month, I can't predict if it's going to be more reliable then the previous collection I had, but so far it has performed flawlessly. I would like to add that even with the problems that I have experienced with the ISE hot water dispensers, for me it is a very useful appliance, and one that I do not hesitate replacing when it gets to a point where repair is simply not an option.

We installed the first InSinkErator H990C Hot Water Dispenser in 1999. We have replaced it twice. Both times the tank began leaking and flooded the space under the sink. We enjoy the convenience the product offers, but just wish the design of the tank was more reliable.

This is a replacement for an older model H990 unit that was dying after 10 years of use. The upper portion of the unit is identical, but the undersink heater unit appears to be made of plastic, not metal, like the previous model (which had a copper tank enclosed in styrofoam enclosed in sheet metal). Notably, the other unit ran silent but this model--which you think would be an improvement--makes a very noticeable "roaring" sound when heating the water, audible over a low TV or conversation even from under the sink. Also, the water out of the tap is about 30 degrees cooler (170 vs. 200) at the "factory preset" thermostat setting. Product description on Amazon is confusing and contradictory: is it a 1 yr or 3 yr warranty? 120 or 115 volts? 2/3 gallon or 1/2 gallon tank? It gets the job done, but it's the little things like this that give the impression of diminishing quality from the InSinkErator brand, and at this price point you expect more.

I expected this one to be as quiet as the 1/2 gallon model,

but, it's quite the opposite.

It makes a loud 'gurgling' sound every time it heats the

container.

Gene

I needed to replace a previous InSinkErator H990 instant hot water dispenser installed in our kitchen sink. I was not pleased that the prior model had failed in about three years time but decided to replace it with the newer model from InSinkErator. I was impressed with the design change that replaced a formerly plastic heating tank with a much more durable stainless steel tank. Also, I liked being able to keep the old faucet component and still hook up the new tank. The backward compatibility was a nice touch and can save installation time. I also like the new temperature setting large knob which replaced the old metal cover hiding the temperature adjustment.

Don't set the temperature too high or there is a lot of spitting and girgling at the end of each heating cycle.

The installation had no surprises and I was delighted enough to buy the same unit for my daughter and her husband and installed it over Thanksgiving holiday up in Boise. The unit is ideal for making single cups of tea or getting a head start on boiling water on the stove. The new larger tank 1/2 gallon vs. 1/3 allows more cups to be drawn in a short period of time.

Looking over the reviews on Amazon suggested this was the best of the InSinkErator hot water products. I'd been quite satisfied with an earlier version of this product, even though I'd tightened the mounting nut too forcefully and it had cracked the shell. It worked all right even though the crack gradually grew bigger.

It gave up the ghost after about seven years, when it would no longer heat the water. Not too shabby.

This newer version looks the same but needed a slightly enlarged mounting hole, entailing more drilling through our porcelain kitchen sink. The mounting nut is now a wing nut, intended for hand tightening only. It's murder to get my hand up into that corner of the sink, but after about two weeks of watching it wobble, I managed to tighten it up just enough, and now it sits solidly, no cracks or crevices anywhere.

What I REALLY appreciate in the new version is the thermostat allows me to keep the water at just below boiling. The higher temperature works better (and quicker) for steeping tea.

Highly recommended.

Installed with a new sink as an upgrade. This unit works great, however it makes some noise when heating the small tank of water. My wife loves the instant "tea water" instead of using the microwave that took two minutes to do the job.

Great unit!!!!!

I had an earlier model of this hot water dispenser for eleven years. That one had a metal container which rusted out. This newer version has a molded plastic type of water container which is definitely an improvement. I love the addition of the temperature control which the old one did not have.

The hot water dispenser is a must; particularly for tea drinkers.

This models controllable temperature is a nice feature.

I understand that the internal tank is not copper, so it should corrode a lot more slowly than the copper models.