How to choose a kitchen faucet?

The water mixer is a fairly complex device. Moreover, various types of these products have significant design differences. The article will help you figure this out, as well as understand how to choose a kitchen faucet. So, what criteria should be followed in order to acquire a solid, reliable and relatively inexpensive device.

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Classification

Before choosing a faucet in the kitchen, decide on the type of design. Of course, there are many types of mixers, and, at first glance, it’s not easy to understand them. Let's try to classify them.

Box-mounted crane

This mixer looks like a traditional device for mixing cold and hot water with 2 valves. In turn, the axleboxes are divided into 2 categories:

• Ceramic.
• Worm gears.

Worm gear

The principle of operation of the worm gear is quite simple. When the stem is rotated ¾ turn, the gasket is pressed against the valve, thus blocking the flow of water.

The advantage of this crane is the exceptional ease of repair. In most cases, repair is a replacement for the gasket. It can be made of rubber yourself or purchased ready-made.

Ceramic

Ceramic axle boxes are two ceramic disks with slots. One disk is fixed in the housing motionless, and the other (adjustment) - rotates relative to the fixed.

Important! The intensity of the water stream depends on how the slots in the discs match.

There are half-turn (180 degrees) and quarter-turn (90 degrees) cranes. Despite practicality, in terms of maintainability, such a crane is inferior to a worm one. In the event of a breakdown, the entire axle box must be replaced.

Advantages of axle box structures:

• Simple device.
• Low price.

Disadvantages:

• The lack of a single standard with a huge number of models. It is not always possible to find on sale the right model of the axle box.
• Significant water consumption.
• Not very convenient controls.

Single lever

They are known as joysticks, or single-command. They appeared on the market relatively recently, but have already managed to become popular. There are many varieties of joystick mixer models. The main part of a single lever tap is a ball with several holes. By turning the ball, you can adjust the amount of incoming water and its temperature.

The main disadvantage of single lever cranes is a rather complicated design. The cuffs and gaskets wear out quickly, the spring bearing of the adjusting cuff weakens and the valve leaks.

Depending on the design of the body, there are 2 types of single lever cranes:

1. Motionless.
2. Rotary.

Motionless

The fixed structure is a cast housing, inside of which a mixing mechanism is placed. The control lever is located on the side of the body, at an angle of 45-90 degrees. Regulation of the direction of the jet is carried out using a moving spout.

The advantages of a fixed structure are maintainability and quality factor. Cons - this is a spray of water and not too convenient control. Typical failures are wear on gaskets, loosening of the spout and loosening of the mounting ring.

Swivel

The rotary housing is characterized by ease of operation and more economical use of water.The disadvantage is that gaskets often have to be changed.

Advantages of single lever mixers:

• Modern design.
• Convenience of management.
• Profitability.

Minuses:

• The complexity of the design and the high cost of repair.
• High price.
• Rapid wear of gaskets (on selected models that cannot be called successful).

Important! Regardless of the type of structure, single-lever structures are highly sensitive to solid particles contained in water. Installing a coarse filter significantly extends the operating time of the device.

Electronic

This type of faucets is an innovation in the plumbing market. There are volatile types, connected via an adapter to a 220 V network, and stand-alone battery-powered models. The cost of these devices is quite high.

The main feature of these devices is that they give out water of a given temperature. These devices are switched on non-contact using an infrared sensor. It is enough to bring a hand to the mixer, and water of the desired temperature begins to flow from the tap.

The advantage of this mixer is its exceptional ease of use and water saving. Especially convenient are devices with a combination of contactless and contact water supply methods.

The choice of kitchen faucet is yours. Having studied all the advantages and disadvantages of various types of devices, you will choose an acceptable option.

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Types of spouts - which are the most convenient?

To choose a kitchen faucet that will be very practical, you must consider the type of spout. According to the location of the spout relative to the sink, their varieties are distinguished:

• Low.
• High.

The choice of one or another option is determined by the depth of the sink. The deeper it is, the higher the spout is allowed:

• If the sink is shallow, acquiring a high “gander” is impractical, since water falling from a great height will be sprayed.
• If you choose a too low spout, sometimes there are problems when filling the container with water.

You can find a compromise if you purchase a spout, the geometry of which can vary. The most popular option is telescopic spouts.

They represent interconnected tubes. The disadvantage is obvious - a large number of gaskets and hinges. The more there are, the greater the risk that a leak will form.

The retractable design resembles a shower handle in the bathroom. The crane is made decorative, and in the depths of it is hidden a flexible hose of 1-1.5 meters. This is an almost universal version of the mixer.

Important! There are models with additional controls that allow you to spend water more economically. Such taps are practical, but, unfortunately, they can not be entered into any interior.

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Spout nozzle - possible options

The most common are aerators and retractable watering cans. The principle of operation of such devices is based on the phenomenon of cavitation (mixing water with air), which reduces water consumption.

There are nozzles with static gratings, and there are adjustable nozzles, with the possibility of changing the density of the mixture from air and water.

Important! Well nozzles with a change in the direction of the flow of water, the shape and intensity of the jet.

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Decorative elements

Some elements of the decor are simply beautiful details, others carry a functional load:

• Backlight. LED bulbs not only decorate the interior, but also allow you to wash the dishes better.
• Digital Thermometer. Allows you not to burn yourself when doing household chores.

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Materials of manufacture

Of course, you need to choose a kitchen faucet and taking into account the quality of the material in its basis. Here are the options:

• The body of the mixers is most often made of steel and brass.
• Bronze is not inferior to these materials in terms of performance, but its cost is much higher.
• For the manufacture of low-cost models, TsAM (zinc-aluminum-copper alloy) is used, however, such products do not differ in strength.

As for the choice of coating, there are 2 options - chrome and enameled:

• The former are more durable, but the pollution on them is more noticeable, moreover, the tint range is limited.
• For enamel coatings, the choice of color variations is more extensive, but the strength of the coating itself leaves much to be desired.

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The best kitchen faucets - top rated models

A list based on customer reviews will help you make the final choice.

Lemark Plus Strike LM1105C

A nice modern model with an optimal spout height - you can not be afraid that water will be sprayed:

• The height of the neck of the tap above the outer surface of the sink is 190 mm.
• The spout is of a rotary type, but it should not be rotated too intensively - the nut may loosen.
• There is a solid ceramic cartridge, which even with the harshest water will last for several years.

Benefits:

• Optimum spout height.
• Production material - high-quality brass with a chrome coating.
• Solid ceramic cartridge.
• Silent work.
• Modern beautiful design.

Disadvantage:

• Insufficiently clear labeling of hot and cold water.

IDDIS Alborg K56001C

Solid and reliable model from Russian manufacturers. If you need a good budget mixer, this is a very good option:

• Cartridge 40 mm, ceramic.
• A plastic spacer makes it easy to install the faucet on the sink.
• Reliable mount - 2 pins.
• Swivel spout with chrome finish.
• The coating is not very thick, but for a couple of years it will definitely be enough.
• The aerator is equipped with a gasket, which makes the device virtually silent.

Benefits:

• Reliable assembly.
• Convenient attachment to the countertop or sink.
• Innovative type aerator.
• Beautiful design.

The disadvantage is a low spout. Complete with a shallow sink, this is not entirely convenient.

Rossinka Silvermix S35-23

The height from the gander nose to the bottom of the sink is 0.4 m. Despite this, water is not sprayed. The device is equipped with an aerator, which makes it possible to save water.

Benefits:

• Low cost.
• Quality brass base.
• Beautiful design.
• High spout, without sacrificing convenience.

Disadvantage: not the best quality chrome plating.

Grohe concetto 32663001

Premium faucet with pull-out spout. In fact, this is a miniature shower that allows you to wash dishes without problems:

• Height 45 cm.
• The device is equipped with a 35 mm ceramic cartridge.
• The chrome coating reliably protects the brass base from damage.

Benefits:

• The cartridge is of good quality.
• Durable materials, solid assembly.
• Quiet aerator.
• The handle with a smooth ride.

Disadvantages: problematic installation.

Kaiser Teka 13044

Reliable appliance - one of the best kitchen faucets in the ranking:

• The mixer is equipped with a ceramic 3-disk cartridge.
• The design is just great.
• Spout height - 275 mm.
• There is an additional branch for the water purified by the filter.
• Durable brass base, chrome plated.

Benefits:

• Very beautiful design.
• The presence of a drain for purified water.
• High-quality assembly, good materials.
• The handle with a smooth ride.
• Comfortable high spout.

One minus - the difficulties that may arise during installation.

Jacob Delafon Carafe E18865

Single lever mixer from French masters. A great combination of stylish appearance with functionality:

• There are 2 separate channels - for filtered and tap water.
• The device is equipped with a filter with a capacity of 4 l / min., Which is enough for about six months.
• Ceramic cartridge, very reliable.

Important! The manufacturer gives a guarantee of the safety of the chrome coating - 25 years.

Benefits:

• Wonderfully beautiful design.
• High spout (310 mm).
• Good quality materials.
• Solid assembly.
• Complete with filter.

Disadvantages:

• Low-power full-time filter.
• High price.

Omoikiri Tonami-C

Premium single lever mixer with modern design:

• The device is equipped with a 35 mm ceramic cartridge.
• The height of the spout is 190 mm.This is not the greatest height value, but this mixer is designed for use with kitchen units of a certain design, so everything is balanced.

Benefits:

• Stylish look.
• Solid execution.
• Different taps for filtered and tap water.
• Silent aerator.
• The smooth movement of the handle.

Disadvantage: not suitable for all types of kitchen furniture.

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Stock footage

How to choose a kitchen faucet? - Read the selection criteria - and buy! If you take into account all of the above information, then you will not have any problems with the definition of quality plumbing.