What is the tubing within Westinghouse Instant Hot Water Dispensers made of?

At Westinghouse, safety and reliability start on the inside. While most people focus on how quickly an instant hot water dispenser boils water, what truly matters is how that water is delivered — and the materials it comes into contact with along the way.

That’s why all internal water-carrying tubing inside Westinghouse Instant Hot Water Dispensers is made from high-grade, food-safe silicone. This tubing transports water from the tank, through the heating system, and toward the dispensing outlet, ensuring clean, safe, great-tasting hot water every time.

Silicone isn’t the cheapest option, but it is the best material for handling near-boiling water safely and consistently, which is why we’ve made it our standard across the range.

Why Westinghouse Uses Silicone Tubing

Silicone is widely regarded as one of the safest and most reliable materials for hot water and food-contact applications. Its unique properties make it especially well-suited to instant hot water dispensers.

High Heat Resistance

Westinghouse instant hot water dispensers operate at temperatures close to 100°C. Food-grade silicone tubing is designed to handle continuous exposure to temperatures well above this, without softening, cracking, or breaking down over time.

This ensures dependable performance, even with frequent daily use.

Food-Grade, BPA-Free and Non-Toxic

When water is heated, the quality of the materials it touches becomes even more important. Silicone is:

  • BPA-free

  • Odourless and tasteless

  • Chemically inert

This means it won’t leach harmful substances or affect the taste or smell of your water — giving you confidence with every cup.

Flexible Yet Long-Lasting

Silicone’s flexibility allows for efficient internal design while reducing stress on connections and joints. This helps prevent leaks and damage caused by repeated heating and cooling cycles.

Despite being flexible, silicone is extremely durable and built to withstand thousands of heating cycles over the life of the appliance.

Resistant to Scale and Build-Up

Unlike metal or some plastics, silicone has a smooth interior surface that naturally resists mineral scale and residue. This supports better water flow, fewer blockages, and reduced long-term maintenance.

Why You May See Plastic or Metal in Certain Areas

While all internal tubing that carries hot water is silicone, some other components inside an instant hot water dispenser must use different materials for practical and safety reasons.

This is not a compromise — it is a deliberate engineering decision.

Why Silicone Isn’t Used in the Dispenser Spout

The dispenser spout is a rigid, high-precision component. It must:

  • Maintain its shape over thousands of uses

  • Deliver water accurately and safely

  • Withstand physical contact and mechanical stress

Because silicone is flexible by nature, it is not suitable for spouts, where rigidity and dimensional stability are essential. For this reason, heat-rated plastics or metals are used to ensure safe, controlled dispensing.

Why Some Connectors and Internal Interfaces Use Other Materials

Certain internal components, such as valve housings, connection points, or structural supports, require:

  • Tight tolerances

  • Mechanical strength

  • Long-term shape stability

Silicone cannot reliably perform these functions, so engineered plastics or corrosion-resistant metals are used where needed. These parts are designed to meet food-contact and appliance safety standards and are selected specifically for their role.

Importantly, these materials are not used as flexible water-delivery tubing, where silicone provides superior safety and performance.

Why We Don’t Rely on Plastic or Metal Tubing

Some instant hot water dispensers on the market use plastic, rubber, or metal tubing to reduce cost. At Westinghouse, we don’t believe in compromising where safety and performance are concerned.

  • Plastic tubing can struggle with prolonged exposure to high temperatures and may affect taste over time

  • Rubber materials often have lower heat tolerance and may degrade faster

  • Metal tubing, while durable, is inflexible and unnecessary for low-pressure water delivery

By using silicone tubing wherever flexible hot-water transfer is required, we ensure a safer, more reliable system.

Designed for Safety, Performance and Peace of Mind

You may never see the tubing inside your instant hot water dispenser, but it plays a critical role in how safe and reliable the appliance is.

By combining food-grade silicone tubing with carefully selected materials where rigidity or precision is required, Westinghouse delivers an instant hot water dispenser that is built to perform — without compromise.

Fast boiling, clean water, and long-term reliability aren’t accidental. They’re the result of thoughtful engineering choices made with your safety in mind.

The information provided here is for general guidance only. Always consider your specific usage and follow product instructions for best results.