Hot or cold water from pot filler?

[kuan]

You can make cold water hot faster than you can make hot water cold, and when you need cold water in the kitchen, it's normally NOW!

[deltadoc]

I would never ever use hot water from the hot water heater for cooking. Besides the obvious ability to dissolve stuff in your pipes, you don't know what's growing in the hot water heater. Even if you have it set at 140 F the hot water heater has a sensor that waits until the water temperature falls a certain amount before it turns on and heats the water again. If they can find living organisms in hot water geysers at the bottom of the ocean (and elsewhere) you really don't know what might be in that hot water.

I wouldn't take the chance. And as others have pointed out, cold water heated up will be better tasting.

Anyway, how far from your pot filler is the hot water heater? It certainly isn't going to be hot water coming out that filler immediately anyway. Just like it takes awhile for the hot water to show up on my tub or sink hot water faucet.

doc

[Ashley]

We all know it is much quicker and more convenient in your busy schedule to throw some water in a pot and boil it for your instant coffee, instant cereal, top-ramen, spaghetti, etc. But there are reasons you should never use water from the hot side of the kitchen faucet, even though it saves you about 5-7 minutes.

Here comes the science:

The insides of a hot water heater contain metals that can, and do corrode. Some of the pipes in your home that are not made of PVC may have lead soldering. Hot water will dissolve metals, especially lead, much quicker than cold water will. Not to mention that over the years of daily use of drawing gallons throughout the day in cycles causes the water from the local utility, with all of it's impurities to collect and precipitate in the bottom of the hot water heater. This is a prime breeding ground for bacteria. Perhaps they cannot survive in an environment where the water is around 140°, but as soon as the water cools down enough due to a power outage or extended leave (if you turn off your water heater), all the necessary nutrients are there in an 80 gallon soup.

I personally saw a demonstration by a company that was in the business of manufacturing and selling water distillers for the consumer market. They had 2 five gallon glass jugs filled with water. One of the jugs was filled with with the water that been taken from an 80 gallon water heater that had been in use for a few years, and boiled down from 80 to 5 gallons. The other was filled with distilled water. While the distilled water was crystal clear, the other had a 3 inch layer of precipitate containing heavy metals, impurities, and bacteria. Truly a revolting sight. Also, ask any gas or electric utility worker or plumber who does work and repairs on water heaters and they will confirm this and probably offer a few horror stories of their own.

If you plan to cook with tap water, run the cold water for a minute or so and use that cold water for your cooking. You may want to save the 'non-potable' water that you flushed from the pipes as you can use it for cleaning and such. And by all means, NEVER draw warm water for infant formula. Since infants are developing at a rapid rate, they are much more vulnerable to the concentrations of impurities and lead and could potentially get lead poisoning from warm tap water.

Lead toxicity and water treatment information taken from the following pamphlet
Cooperative Extension Service
University of the Virgin Islands
#2 John Brewers Bay
St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990
(340) 693-1080

[Dillbert]

.........a demonstration by a company that was in the business of manufacturing and selling water distillers for the consumer market.

that should tell you everything you need to know.

[cheflayne]

Have you ever tasted water out of a hot water heater? Do a side by side taste comparison. Should be an easy decision after that. Not to mention Kuan's spot on comment about the needing cold water NOW.

[MaryB]

My water supply(municipal) has quite a few nasty minerals etc in it. The cold water will leave a layer of scum in the bottom of the pot when it is boiled. I did the same with the hot water and the whole kettle turned murky. I use cold, and for bread and canning I buy gallons of purified at the store. Another thing is the chlorine seems to intensify in the hot water heater and thats not good to drink!