I've had a hot water dispenser for 3 years. Last month the water coming from started getting a "butter" smell. There is no way to clean or flush the tank. We have well water. (Our other water tastes fine, it's just from the dispenser this occurs). What could cause a "butter" smell in hot water? (It also looks greasy)

Bacteria can grow in water heaters. Most frequently they develop a rotten egg smell. Is this a small under the counter point of use heater?

This is hot water dispenser, Insinkerator, to dispense hot water for beverages. It does not have a rotten egg smell. It definitely smells like butter, and is greasy. The tank is sealed, there is no way to open it or clean it.

We can contact them at InSinkErator | Dispenser Support I am sure they have run into this issue before. With most units you have to sterilize them with a water/bleach mixture.

I tried contacting them. They never replied via email. Called them, left voice mail, they never contacted me. How would you sterilze it? There is no way to get into the tank?

Hi Guys:

Hey Bob and Mik... I just went to the site you posted Bob, and called the toll free number.

Here is what the technical department told me:

Mik... by chance do you have a reverse osmosis filter or any other filter going to the water at your sink? If so, turns out that these ISE instant hot units do not necessarily like purely pure water... can give a greasy feeling to water.

The unit element may also not be shutting off... creating a buttery/burnt smell to the water.

This technician had a few ideas, but needed the model number and serial number to really resolve issue. He said, and I agree, that the unit may be gone.

If this is white unit.. has 1 year warranty. If grey unit, 3 year IN-HOME-WARRANTY (including labor... you could be close).

Get back to us... let us know thoughts here. Bob...great website..I was in contact with tech. help in 1.5 minutes. I swear.. not bad at all!!

Have good night guys... Mark

If this helped, please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you

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Yeah, I agree, the unit's probably shot. But, there is no filter hooked up to it of any kind, and the unit does shut off between cycles, so it's not burning the water. Can't figure it out. Thanks!

I am having the same problem! I poured myself some hot water today from my insta-hot and it tasted like butter. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but my son did the same thing and said "Dad, this taste like butter!" I hadn't said anything to him!

I poured some water again from the Insta-hot dispenser and it does look greasy and definitely taste like butter!

Tfwn93... try the link provided by Ballengerb1 above... see what the technical department thinks.

The unit will probably need to be replaced... hopefully, under warranty!

Mark