CRASH TEST: Coleman Hot Water on Demand

Info: www.coleman.com

Ave. Retail: $249.99

Everybody laughs when I break out the Coleman Hot Water on Demand at camp.

Twenty seconds later, when I've hooked the thing up and added steaming-hot water to the camp chuck wagon, laughter turns into "That's C-O-O-L! Where do I get one?!?"

I first saw this impressive piece of Coleman camp wizardry about four years ago at Ed Iman's Fish Camp on the Columbia River. Iman - who everybody knows is as old-school as they come - couldn't wait to show off his newfangled gizmo: "Hey Shangle, c'mere and look at this."

The twist of a knob and, presto, we have a new Deer Camp MVP.

Capabilities: The Hot Water on Demand heats water to 100 degrees Fahrenheit over its standing temperature in under 5 seconds, and is capable of a maximum temperature of over 140 degrees. It operates on three temperature settings - hot, warm and cold - which provide you the flexibility of water that's steaming hot (for instant soups, hot drinks or freeze-dried meals) or warm (for dishes and general cleanup).

The unit's water is supplied by a collapsible 5-gallon plastic tote, and circulated through the propane-powered heating unit by a battery-operated vacuum (batteries are rechargeable via a 12-volt cigarette lighter in a car or a 110/120V household plug-in). You can run through 40 gallons of water on one 16-ounce portable propane bottle, and an adapter is available to hook the unit up to a full-size propane tank if you so desire.

Operation: The Hot Water on Demand is stone-simple to operate: hook the adapter hose to the 5-gallon water tote, screw in a 16-ounce propane bottle, extend the faucet away from its recessed storage spot, and twist the knob to "Hot" or "Warm". The vacuum automatically kicks in, drawing water out of the tote and into the system, the propane heater fires up, and you have hot water in less than 5 seconds.

There are no buttons to push, no pilot to light, and no hassle beyond occasionally re-charging the battery, re-filling the water tote and changing out the propane bottle.

In my camp - as was the case in Iman's Fish Camp - the HWOD sits on a Coleman Outfitter Camp Kitchen right next to the sink, and it gets near-constant use.

Chuckle now, my friend, but once you've seen the HWOD in action, you'll have a terrible case of faucet envy.

Accessoriess: The Hot Water on Demand comes with one water tote, auto and home rechargers (which store in a compartment on the side), water hose, and quick connector. You can also outfit it with a Spray Adapter and Hose Adapter. The unit also has a Carry Bag with zip pockets to store any accessories, which I highly reccomend.

-JS

COLEMAN HOT WATER ON DEMAND SPECS
Key Features:

• Instant production of hot water (100 degrees in 5 seconds)
•  Full size faucet folds into handle
• Heat up to 40 gallons of water with one compact Coleman® 16.4-oz. propane cylinder (Propane sold separately)
• Can be adapted to a bulk propane tank (adapters and tank sold separately)
• Rechargeable 6-volt battery pumps the water
• Battery can be recharged in the car of off of a household outlet
• Recharge cords store inside the heater