Choosing a faucet for the kitchen - which criteria are most

23-10-2018

As you know, all the equipment used in the kitchen is subjected to fairly high loads and operates in adverse conditions, temperature changes and high humidity. That is why it is important to make the right choice for the kitchen faucet, and not only the usability depends on it, but also the life of the product. Consider what you should pay special attention to, and what factors are fundamental.

In the photo: designs differ not only in appearance, but also in the principle of action.

How to determine the quality of the mixer

The opinion that all cheap kitchen faucets are not very reliable, as well as the statement that all expensive models are of high quality, is fundamentally wrong. In the budget segment there are also quite decent options, it is important to choose the right one from the huge variety presented on sale.

There are several nuances, considering that you can easily choose the best solution presented:

Manufacturing material	Here there are several options: inexpensive kitchen faucets are made of aluminum alloy - silumin, brass is a more reliable and durable material, we can say that this is the optimal solution. In addition, you can meet stainless steel products, they are the most reliable and durable, but the issue price is several times higher
Coating quality	It is very important that the external surface is reliably protected from the negative effects of moisture and detergents, and if the stainless steel does not need additional treatment, then silumin and brass are coated with either chromium or any other composition. Chromium is the most preferred, as it not only gives the product an attractive look, but also perfectly protects it.
Type of adjustment mechanism	There are valve, lever and more modern, thermostatic modifications that are equipped with a sensor and operate without touching the mixer. We'll talk about each of the solutions below.
Product design	This concept includes not only the type of installation (equipment can be attached to the sink or installed on the wall), but also the presence of additional functions - supply of drinking water, liquid soap, etc. Modern models can perform a variety of tasks, so you should understand them in more detail when buying in a store

Tip! If you do not know how to determine the material of manufacture, take the product in your hands: silumin variants are very light, while brass and steel are rather weighty. In addition, you can look at the inner part of the structure; it shows what material the mixer is made of.

Such a group of products, like kitchen mixers, is made of stone, only on the outside they are covered with a decorative layer imitating this or that texture, and are made, like everyone else, from metal

Overview of the main design features and manufacturers

Consider the main options found in the sale, their advantages and disadvantages. First of all, you should choose the type of mechanism, it can be said, the main criterion, which is taken into account first and foremost.

Type of temperature and pressure control

Here you can select three main options, between which you will have to choose:

Valve options are used for a long time and have earned popularity among buyers for simplicity, very high reliability and excellent maintainability - routine repairs can be done with your own hands, you do not need a complex tool and consumables cost a penny. Installation instructions are also quite simple and will not cause difficulties even for those who have no experience in carrying out such work.

Determining the valve mechanism is very simple by the presence of two adjustment knobs.

Many believe that the best faucets for the kitchen today is lever. They are easy to distinguish by one adjustment knob, which can be of different configurations, the main working unit is a cartridge, inside which is either a ball mechanism or ceramic discs, the second option is more preferable in terms of durability. Repair of the structure in case of problems consists in replacing the mixer cartridge as a whole.

Lever designs are simple and convenient to use.

Thermostatic designs are the newest and most progressive version, they are distinguished by ease of use, because the temperature is set in advance and regulated by means of a special node. In addition, the system provides protection against scalding, which is also important, because in case of a failure, the water supply will simply stop.

The most advanced options have touch controls and a screen that reflects the current settings.

Design options

In recent years, many innovative solutions have appeared on the market, with which the buyer is not yet very familiar, consider which of the options deserve attention:

The combined kitchen faucet performs two functions at once: it can supply both regular and purified water. To do this, a filter is installed under the sink, and there is a special switch on the case that opens the supply of drinking water through a separate outlet. This option is very convenient in urban environments where the quality of water leaves much to be desired, because the filter allows you to solve the problem as quickly and easily as possible.

Two-in-one kitchen faucet supplies both regular and purified drinking water

A folding kitchen faucet is a structure in which the spout consists of several sections connected by hinged joints, so that the position of the gander can be adjusted in a very wide range. The constructions are most often wall-mounted, therefore the appropriate connection of the water supply to the mixer should be taken care of in advance.

Folding structures are not only original, but also very practical and easy to use.

A flexible kitchen faucet is a structure in which the spout is made in the form of a bending tube, thanks to which you can direct the jet to the right place with one hand movement and change its direction. A very convenient option that allows you to easily carry out the required adjustments, and if necessary, even remove the spout to perform any work in the sink.

Learn flexible options easily on the corrugated surface of the spout

A kitchen faucet with spring shower is another unusual, but very functional option, with which it is very convenient to wash any dishes, as well as vegetables and fruits. In the fixed position, it works like a normal design, but if necessary, the watering can can be removed and used as you like.

This option greatly expands the functionality.

Finally, another solution is a pull-out spout mixer. This option is different in that the watering can is hidden in the spout of the crane, and, if necessary, you can simply pull it out. In addition to compactness, the advantages of the solution include functionality and compact dimensions.

Some companies rank the mixers for the kitchen by quality, but in fact in each region there are leaders. Although there are several leading brands such as Horace (Finland), Hron and Hans (Germany), Damix (Denmark) and many others.

Italian manufacturers are renowned for their excellent quality, although on the whole it can be said with confidence that excellent faucets are made in the whole of Western Europe.

Tip! You can learn about a particular brand on specialized resources and forums on the Internet, if there are no reviews, it is better to refrain from buying, especially when it comes to expensive products.

Conclusion

Your comfort and convenience depend on the choice of the mixer, so pay proper attention to this issue. The video in this article will vividly show some of the important nuances discussed in our theme.