Abstract: An appliance for dispensing hot water comprises walls defining a reservoir for receiving water to be heated, a filling aperture for introducing water into the reservoir, a heating chamber located at least partially above the reservoir, and a discharge aperture for allowing heated water to leave the heating chamber. The appliance further comprises a tube extending upwardly from the reservoir and opening into the heating chamber, and a plug for sealing the filling aperture. The walls are at least partially transparent to microwave radiation so that when the appliance is exposed to microwave radiation, water in the reservoir is heated and is forced from the reservoir through the tube into the heating chamber, where it is further heated and is discharged from the heating chamber by way of the discharge aperture.