Abstract: An in-line water heater utilizing electrically conductive polymer structures for electrodes. The area of electrodes that confront one another can be varied, and thereby the temperature to which the water is heated can be variably adjusted. The heat is not generated by the electrodes, but instead by the resistance of the water to the electrical current flowing between them. While the electrodes can be moved relative to one another, preferably they will be fixed, and an non-electrically conductive current gating plate can adjustably be placed between them to variably adjust the amount of confronting areas. A field obstructor can be provided at the inlet and outlet of the heater housing to prevent the exit of electrical current from the heater electrodes, and also non-conductive grounding screens in place for secondary safety.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for heating a liquid, such as coffee. The assembly includes a container in which the liquid is retained, first and second electrodes associated with the container, an energy source with which the container can be engaged such that the first electrode comes into contact with the energy source, and a control circuit for supplying voltage from the energy source to the first electrode so that current will pass from the first electrode through the liquid and to the second electrode. Liquid in the container contacts the first and second electrodes and provides an electrical path from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive adaptor is provided for a commonly used household vaporizer to reduce and control its rate of vaporization. A thin insulating sleeve or tube is placed around one or more of the electrodes to lengthen the path of the current so as to reduce its strength, and thus the rate of vaporization, whenever the hardness of the water supply is too high. By selecting the proper length of tube, or a tube with the proper size of perforations, the current strength is easily adapted by the user to the water hardness to produce the desired evaporation rate."Also, for clarity's sake, in the disclosure and claims, the term 'to adjust the adapter sleeve' means a one-time or occasional change of its length while the vaporizer is not operating, as clearly distinct from any continual variation during the operation of the device.