I have had this maker for about a year now and it is still like new. We have never had a problem with it. The hot water option is great for tea and hot cocoa lovers. I use both sides almost daily. The hot water side can hold about three decent size coffee mugs of water. Both the coffee and and hot water side get really hot. It is nice that you have the option to adjust the temperature for the coffee (not the water feature). I tried the highest setting at first and is was way to hot. If you have coffee, tea, and cocoa drinkers in your house like I do, then you'll love this machine!