You’re standing in a freezing garage. The dog needs a warm bath. Or you’re camping and the dishwater is too cold to cut grease. You want hot water fast, without dragging a tank through the house. What’s the best way?
Two common answers are immersion heaters and infrared heaters. But they work very differently. This article explains how infrared heat water systems actually perform, side by side with portable immersion heaters, so you can pick the right tool for your situation.
Krikle
Portable Water Heater Electric, 2000W Immersion Water Heater with LCD Thermometer, Stainless Steel Immersion Heating Rod, Submersible Bucket Heater for Home Camping Bathtub Small Pool Outdoor Use
- 【Powerful Rapid Heating】Experience fast 104°F water in minutes with our 2000W immersion water heaterand. electric water heater eff…
- 【Premium Rust-Resistant Build】Submersible water heater 304 stainless steel construction prevents scaling with transfer. Safety enh…
- 【Easy To Operate】Please ensure that the portable water heater is completely submerged in water. Equipped with an LCD digital therm…
You’ll learn real numbers — not marketing fluff — and a few honest trade-offs.
If you need a portable, no-install solution, the Krikle Portable Water Heater Electric (2000W) with its LCD thermometer is a solid immersion option. It’s not infrared, but comparing the two methods will help you decide what fits your use case.
How does infrared heat water work?
Infrared water heaters don’t touch the water. They use electromagnetic radiation to transfer heat directly to the liquid. Think of a heat lamp warming a pet’s water bowl — that’s basic infrared heating.
But here’s where it gets specific. An infrared water heater uses a quartz tube or ceramic element that glows red-hot. It emits infrared energy that passes through the air and gets absorbed by the water molecules. The water heats from the inside out, not from the surface in.
How fast? A typical 1500-watt infrared water heater can raise 5 gallons of water by 30°F in about 45 minutes — slightly slower than an immersion heater of the same power because some energy escapes as visible light and heat lost to the air.
Efficiency varies. In a well-insulated container, infrared can be over 85% efficient. But in an open bucket outdoors, wind steals heat faster than the infrared can deliver it. That’s the main downside: infrared works best inside a reflective enclosure (like a thermos-style tank) where the waves bounce around until absorbed.
For comparison, an immersion heater like the Krikle submerges directly into the water. Every watt of the 2000W element goes straight into the liquid. No air gap, no reflection losses. That’s why the Krikle heats 5 gallons by that same 30°F in about 30 minutes — 15 minutes faster than infrared at lower wattage, even when it’s cold out (winter conditions may stretch it a bit).
Infrared vs immersion: which method is better for you?
That depends on how you use hot water. Let’s put the numbers side by side.
| Factor | Infrared heat water | Immersion heater (e.g., Krikle 2000W) |
|---|---|---|
| Heating speed (5 gal, +30°F) | ~45 minutes (1500W) | ~30 minutes (2000W) |
| Energy efficiency | 70-85% (depends on reflection) | 95-98% (direct contact) |
| Portability | Bulky; needs reflective housing | Fits in a pocket; just a rod |
| Safety | Hot surface exposed; burn risk | Must stay submerged; dry-fire risk |
| Best for | Closed tanks, pre-heating | Buckets, tubs, pools, camp use |
| Typical cost | $80-200 | $25-60 (check current price) |
Notice the efficiency gap. Infrared heat water loses 15-30% of its energy to the air around the container. Immersion heaters lose almost nothing. That’s a real difference if you’re running on a generator or battery.
But infrared has one advantage: it never touches the water. No mineral buildup on the element, no corrosion inside the heater. For permanent installations where water quality is poor, infrared can outlast immersion heaters 2 to 1.
When should you use infrared heat water instead of a bucket heater?
If you need hot water in a large tank — say 50 gallons for livestock or a farm sink — infrared panels mounted inside the tank can work well. They don’t take up space inside the tank. You can flush the system without removing anything.
For small, portable needs (a camping trip, a dog bath, melting car ice), immersion wins. The Krikle heater is lighter than a coffee mug and plugs into any standard outlet. You don’t need a reflective box or an inverter. You drop it in, wait half an hour, and pour.
One more scenario: solar pre-heating. Some people use infrared heaters powered by solar panels during the day to warm a reservoir. The heat stays in the water overnight longer than an immersion heater because the infrared element can be enclosed in a vacuum tube. But for a 5-gallon bucket? Overkill.
The real decision comes down to scale. Infrared makes sense for 20+ gallons where you want zero contact with the heating element. Immersion makes sense for anything smaller, especially if you need to move the heater around.
Frequently asked questions about infrared heat water
Can I use infrared heat water to warm my bathtub?
Not directly. Standard infrared heaters designed for water need a sealed tank or a reflective container. Drop an infrared lamp into an open bathtub and most of the energy goes into the air, not the water. You’d need a submersible pump to circulate water past the heater. An immersion rod is simpler and safer for a tub.
Does infrared heat water faster than a stove?
No. A gas or electric stove can transfer up to 3000W into a pot. Infrared is rarely more than 1500-2000W for household units. The stove is also more direct — no air gap. So boiling a pot on the stove is faster. But a stove isn’t portable. Infrared can be used in places without a kitchen.
Is infrared heat water safe for drinking water?
Yes, if the heater is made from food-grade quartz or ceramic. But you have to keep the water moving past the element to avoid hot spots. Stagnant water near an infrared source can get hot enough to scald without boiling evenly. For drinking, always stir or circulate.
How much electricity does an infrared water heater use per hour?
A 1500W unit running for one hour uses 1.5 kWh. At the US average of 12 cents per kWh, that’s 18 cents. By comparison, the Krikle 2000W immersion heater uses 2 kWh per hour (24 cents) but heats faster — so total energy for a given volume is similar. Infrared takes longer, so total cost can be slightly higher due to heat lost to the room.
Can I leave an infrared water heater on overnight?
Not a good idea. Most infrared water heaters are not thermostatically controlled. They will keep heating until the water boils and then overheat the element. The Krikle immersion heater also lacks a thermostat, but the LCD thermometer lets you monitor temperature. Neither device is designed for unattended long-term use. Always supervise heating.
What to do next with this information
Here are the practical takeaways you can act on right now:
- For small, portable hot water needs (under 20 gallons), use an immersion heater like the Krikle. It’s faster, cheaper, and more efficient than infrared.
- If you rarely need hot water but want to avoid element scaling, consider infrared only for permanent tanks where you can enclose the heater.
- Always check the wattage of your outlet before using a 2000W heater. Most standard household circuits handle 15A (1800W) or 20A (2400W). A 2000W unit draws about 17A — fine on a 20A circuit but may trip a 15A breaker.
- Never run any water heater dry. Both infrared and immersion elements will ruin themselves in seconds without water contact.
- Compare total cost: infrared may last longer in hard water but costs more upfront. Immersion heaters are disposable at $30-60; replace them if they scale up.
- For camping, the Krikle is lighter and simpler. No setup, no reflective tent. Just a rod, a bucket, and 30 minutes.
- Read the manual carefully for any heater you buy. Safety rules differ between infrared and immersion — don’t assume they work the same.
