Mordechai Housman > wrote:

> My mother always told me that the hot water tastes bad and
> not to use it for cooking, but I've never understood it. Why
> should it be any different than the cold water? Does the water
> heater impart something to the water besides heat?

It has more impurities in it. Specifically there is more lead
in it, as there are almost always lead components in faucets
and the warmer water leeches more of the lead out. This is
especially true if you don't let the water run freely for
a few seconds before using it.

(So I've been told by workplace safety experts who have opinions
on exactly how the office coffee should be made.)

(On the other hand, maybe these guys just make stuff up so
they sound important.)

I also suspect build-up in the water heater creats more impurities.

Steve