Boiling water taps are widely marketed as delivering boiling water, so it comes as a surprise to many buyers that most models top out at 98°C. A small number reach 100°C water, and the engineering reason behind that gap is more specific than most spec sheets suggest.
Temperature precision matters more in a kitchen than it might appear at the point of choosing a tap. It is not primarily about tea preference or marginal cooking times, but about whether a tap can handle sterilising equipment, certain cooking tasks, and specialist hot drinks that need maximum heat to extract properly.
If you are comparing premium taps and want to know whether 100°C water is genuinely achievable, and whether it matters, this post works through both questions.
Our Digital 100° range is the starting point for anyone who wants the full temperature benefit without compromise.
Why Most Boiling Water Taps Don't Reach 100°c
Most boiling water taps are designed to dispense at up to 98°C, and there is a specific engineering reason for that. Britannica defines the boiling point of water as the temperature at which the pressure exerted by the surrounding atmosphere on a liquid equals the pressure of its own vapour. At sea level, that point is 100°C. Once water reaches it, bubbles of vapour form within the liquid and rise to the surface. In an open, unpressurised tank, maintaining water at the true boiling point causes it to spit and surge unpredictably as it leaves the spout, which is a safety problem [1].
The solution most manufacturers use is to cap storage temperature at 98°C. An unpressurised tank at this level keeps water in a stable, fast-flowing liquid state. It also simplifies installation because a pressurised system requires an overflow waste pipe. For most buyers, 98°C from a digital boiling tap is enough for the daily routine. The question is what happens when you need genuine 100°C boiling water, and which tap can actually deliver it. Our guide to How Do Instant Boiling Water Taps Work? provides more detail on the technology.
What It Takes to Deliver True Boiling Point
Reaching 100°C water at the spout requires a pressurised tank system. Rather than storing water at atmospheric pressure, a pressurised tank raises the internal pressure so that water can be heated above 100°C without converting to steam. By the time it travels through the tap and meets atmospheric pressure, it arrives in your cup at the true boiling point.
This is the technology behind our Digital 100° range. The under-sink tank is engineered to hold water under pressure, maintaining output at a genuine 100°C rather than the near-boiling standard. The digital control system manages both temperature and safety. A digital lock prevents accidental activation, and the child-safe lever is standard on the boiling handle.
Why the Temperature Difference Matters in Practice
For many kitchen tasks, 98°C and 100°C are interchangeable. For a few specific uses, the distinction is real. National Health Service (NHS) guidance is clear that boiling sterilisation of baby feeding equipment requires water at 100°C or above, and that the water must be at least 70°C when mixed with formula powder to kill harmful bacteria. Both tasks depend on starting from genuinely boiled water [2].
The tasks where 100°C makes a difference include:
- Sterilising baby feeding equipment requires water at 100°C or above, with items fully submerged and boiled for 10 minutes with the lid on.
- Preparing formula safely means water must be at least 70°C when added to the formula powder, which means starting from a fresh boil.
- Blanching and cooking from the tap is faster when water arrives at the correct temperature.
- Herbal infusions need water at or near the boiling point to extract flavour from tougher plant material.
- Cleaning chopping boards and sink accessories is more effective at 100°C than at near-boiling temperatures.
For households using instant boiling water for sterilising or formula preparation, the difference between 98°C and 100°C is not a specification detail. It is the gap between 'near enough' and 'correct'. Compare 4-in-1 tap options if you want filtered cold water alongside your boiling output.
Which Fohen Taps Deliver Genuine 100°c
The Fohen Modena is the tap in our range that reaches 100°C. It is a Digital 100° model, available in four finishes:
Each delivers filtered boiling water at the true boiling point via a digital touch interface. The digital lock is standard, adding a second layer of protection alongside the child-safe lever on the boiling handle.
The UK Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA) advises that black tea is best brewed between 90°C and 98°C, and green tea at around 80°C. It also recommends always using freshly drawn water, as re-boiling reduces the oxygen content and affects how well the tea extracts [3].
A tap that dispenses fresh filtered water on demand satisfies both requirements. A 100°C boiling water tap gives you the full range of temperatures to work with: adjust down for delicate drinks, or use the full boiling point for tasks that call for it. Most UK boiling tap buyers do not need 100°C every day. The ones who do will notice the difference. Answers to common questions about the Modena and the rest of the range are on our FAQs page.
Three Things to Check Before You Choose
The 98°C vs 100°C question has a practical answer: it depends on what the tap needs to do. For most households, 98°C is sufficient for daily hot drinks and basic cooking without issue. For those who sterilise equipment, cook regularly from the tap, or want the precision temperature that genuine 100°C boiling water delivers, the difference is worth specifying from the outset.
Three things to check before you buy:
- Always ask for the spout temperature, not the storage temperature inside the tank.
- Check that the tank is pressurised, as only a pressurised system can deliver water at true boiling point.
- Confirm that filtration is included so the tap replaces both the kettle and the filter jug in a single fixture.
Fohen designs and builds boiling water taps in the UK, with a range covering 3-in-1, 4-in-1, 5-in-1, and Digital 100° models across the Fohen and Hanstrom collections. Every tap ships with the filtration system, under-counter boiler tank, and all fittings included. Free 48-hour delivery to mainland UK addresses, a two-year manufacturer's warranty, and 30-day returns are standard across the range.
Take a look at the full range, pick your finish, and order direct or get in touch today.
External Sources
[1] Britannica, Chemistry, Boiling Point (2026): https://www.britannica.com/science/boiling-point
[2] GOV.UK, National Health Service (NHS), Bottle Hygiene and Equipment Sterilisation (2023): https://cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/feeding-and-eating/bottle-feeding/bottle-hygiene-and-equipment-sterilisation/
[3] UK Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA), The Perfect Brew: https://www.tea.co.uk/make-a-perfect-brew