Arts-based research has been presented in previous publications and scrutinized in relation to conventional methods for academic empirical work, data collection and analyses. In this paper we propose an arts- and artist-integrated research approach as an interdisciplinary method in all parts of a research project empirically focusing on the use of hot tap water in homes. In our approach we integrate a professional artist who works with different media and techniques, has a critical and expressive language of form and explores human and nonhuman relationships, vulnerable groups, gender issues and affectional environments. The researchers have interdisciplinary backgrounds, in the humanities and social sciences, and are experienced in ethnographic work and collaborations with artists in various ways. Our art- and artist-integrated research approach includes the entire research process, from the early ideas, a pilot one-year-project, continuous work with research proposals, group discussions, an external advisory group, and planned arts- and research activities throughout the current three year research project. In this paper, we include questions about the material and the spatial, how to explore the use of hot tap water in people’s intimate spheres at home, how to be sensitive to the many versions of use enacted in hot water practices, the political connotations, how to explore and analyser the field from Mol’s political ontology and the choreography of practices and relationships. An open approach to facilitate continuous interactions and new relations between researchers and artist is key, but what are the risks, drawbacks and pitfalls we should consider at this early stage of the research project?