The cordless model is the same as the regular model but with the ability to run the pump off AA batteries. It's intended to be boiled and then taken outside, on a picnic, etc. The vacuum insulation doesn't really keep the water hot enough for black tea or pu'erh for any reasonable length of time, but you could certainly make green tea for hours in this fashion. When I was buying mine I didn't think it was worth the extra cost.wyardley wrote:One interesting thing to note is that there's two different models, one of which is cordless (using 2 AA batteries in a small compartment opposite the power inlet), and the other which is not cordless. Cordless model is ~ $180-190 vs. $150-160.
The water you dispense is actually slightly below the indicated temperature anyway, so you could always dispense higher temperature water into a container and pour it from there to cool it down.Coppery Cup wrote:I have had this model for almost a year (not the cordless one) and I like it quite a bit-my only significant complaint is that it does not have a 160 degree setting for the white teas that I buy. I would not have gotten the 4 liter, but I had to get it to get all the features I wanted.
Is there a reason you're so concerned about brewing white tea at 160 exactly? Do you get bad results when you use water that's 175? I don't drink much white or green tea, but if anything, I think white tea is supposed to be able to handle hotter water than many greens, and due to the extra oxidation.Coppery Cup wrote:I suppose I could get the tea thermometer back out and add a little cold to hot-not sure if that will produce an even temperature though. Or just wait for it to drop to 160 and pour over my tea in another cup. Couldn't find one on the market at the time that had 208, 195, 175, and 160 so no matter what I do I need a little extra effort or time in brewing white tea. 195 and 175 settings are great for green tea and the 208 setting means a re-boil for black and herbal is very quick.
In some households, the water dispenser is kept on the table and moved out of the way when people eat. That's one very good reason to have the cordless dispensing (it's annoying to have to move the cord).Bob_McBob wrote: The cordless model is the same as the regular model but with the ability to run the pump off AA batteries. It's intended to be boiled and then taken outside, on a picnic, etc.
Good points. I don't keep either of mine anywhere they need to be moved except to be filled, but I occasionally wish I had the cordless dispensing for sitting outside. Because of the way I bought them the cordless model would have been significantly more expensive than the typical price difference.wyardley wrote: In some households, the water dispenser is kept on the table and moved out of the way when people eat. That's one very good reason to have the cordless dispensing (it's annoying to have to move the cord).
I also got the cordless one so that I can try taking it out to my tea making area to refill the kettle; water pre-heated to close to boiling will come to a boil relatively quickly, even on an alcohol burner. However, haven't yet seen whether the re-boiling, the coating in the container, scale buildup, etc. causes the water to taste funny.
The minimum setting on the timer is 6 hours, and you want it to be on in the evening. I suggest you just leave it turned on all day unless you don't mind waiting for it to re-boil when you get home from school. You can set the timer for 8 hours when you go to bed and it will be ready for you in the morning. These water dispensers are made to be on all the time, and the vacuum insulated model doesn't use a horrible amount of electricity. At the 175F setting the CV-DSC40 uses 336 Wh for an entire day of keep warm. That's about the same as boiling a 1.5L kettle from room temperature a couple times.dajaga wrote:Hey thanks for the replies.
Anyways I was wondering what would be the best settings to use.
I mostly drink green tea. I generally wake up at 7am got get home from school around 1230 and work at 4 home at 9pm I will usually drink my last cup of tea at 1030.
I want to try to use the most cost effective way to keep the water warm throughout the day. Also people will be home after 4pm so it would be nice to have warm water through out the evening for them.
158 is the retailer's recommended brewing temperature for my white teas. I go with 160 because my machine only displays temp in 5 degree increments. However, I'd be lying if I said I never just brewed it at 175 instead.wyardley wrote:Is there a reason you're so concerned about brewing white tea at 160 exactly? Do you get bad results when you use water that's 175? I don't drink much white or green tea, but if anything, I think white tea is supposed to be able to handle hotter water than many greens, and due to the extra oxidation.Coppery Cup wrote:I suppose I could get the tea thermometer back out and add a little cold to hot-not sure if that will produce an even temperature though. Or just wait for it to drop to 160 and pour over my tea in another cup. Couldn't find one on the market at the time that had 208, 195, 175, and 160 so no matter what I do I need a little extra effort or time in brewing white tea. 195 and 175 settings are great for green tea and the 208 setting means a re-boil for black and herbal is very quick.
I came home from work today and water was already to go just had to wait 3 minutes for the steep to be done. 
According to the manual, at 195F it uses about 408 W·h per day for keep warm. That's about the same as running a 60W bulb for 7 hours. Initially boiling 4L of water from 10C uses a little more, so overall usage will depend on how often you refill it, whether you use the timer at night, and how much power costs in your area.dajaga wrote:Does anyone know how much a month it costs to keep this thing going?
