Modern mixers are sophisticated high-tech equipment. When choosing it, you need to pay attention to both the principle of the device and the appearance. After all, the mixer should be practical, durable and harmoniously fit into the kitchen interior. Today there are many varieties of such products. They are made by different world companies.
Which kitchen faucet is better to choose in each case, expert advice will help you figure it out. Before buying, you need to study what types of structures today exist on the market of sanitary equipment, as well as what materials manufacturers use to create their products. Distinctive features of the most popular technologies, their advantages and disadvantages should be known to each buyer before going to the store.
Types of Mixers
According to their design, kitchen sink faucets can belong to one of three main varieties. Distinguish single lever, valve and touch devices. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
In addition to design features, plumbing devices are classified according to a number of other characteristics.
According to the installation method , the mixer for the kitchen sink can be of two types. The first option is mounted directly on the countertop, and the second - on the wall. The first type of installation is more common. Spouts of such mixers are high, which allows you to comfortably wash the dishes. Installing the device on the wall frees up some space on the countertop.
There are also solid cast or prefabricated mixers. In the first case, the product is reliable, but inconvenient to use. Prefabricated types of structures are acquired much more often.
Valve Products
Classics are faucets with valves. Over time, their design has improved. In the market of sanitary equipment quite reliable and durable devices are presented. To adjust the temperature of the water using this mixer, you need to turn two valves. This principle is applied today in both cheap and expensive equipment models.
The mixer for a kitchen sink of a valve type can be with a worm gear or have ceramic cassettes inside. In the first case, the locking device for 3-4 turns presses the rubber gasket, restricting the flow of water. A ceramic cartridge needs only one (or even less) turn to open the water stream completely. It is more reliable and durable.
Worm mixers require frequent repairs, especially if they are installed on a hot water line.
Advantages and disadvantages of valve devices
To understand which kitchen faucet is best, you must consider all the advantages and disadvantages of each type of design. Valve varieties can be very cheap. Especially if they are equipped with a mechanism with a rubber gasket.
But there are also very expensive valve mixers. They are distinguished by a special design. Replaceable cartridges of valves of mixer type are widely available. However, there are no universal cartridges. For your device model you need to look for a suitable cassette.
Kitchen sink faucets of this type are repairable, but fail quite quickly, especially if rust particles are present in the water supply. It is also one of the most uneconomic types of plumbing equipment. While the user adjusts the heating level, a certain amount of water is poured out in vain.
Single lever design type
A newer type of construction is the single lever mechanism. It costs a little more than the previous design. But such products add to the comfort of use. The single-lever mixer allows a simple movement to adjust the pressure and temperature of the water.
There are different principles for the design of such cartridges. They can be spherical or ceramic type. The first option is highly complex. Failures in this case occur more often. Ceramic cartridges are similar in principle to valve cartridges of this material.
A single lever mixer of any type needs a coarse filter. Without it, internal elements are destroyed under the influence of solid particles of rust and pollution. This type of device is chosen if the kitchen is designed in a modern style. This is a reliable and fairly durable mechanism.
Touch devices
Representatives of the new generation are touch mixers. The largest global manufacturers supply such devices to the market for sanitary equipment. The most popular in this area are the Grohe, Kaiser kitchen faucet and products of some other brands.
A man places his hands under the tap, a touch sensor produces recognition. Water turns on automatically. Moreover, the user sets the exact heating temperature (up to a degree). Regardless of the pressure of cold and hot water in the system, the device mixes them in the right proportion.
This is the most convenient device. Its disadvantage is its rather high cost. There are models with fully electronic control or combined control. The second option is preferable. In the absence of power supply, the mixer can be operated in manual mode.
Type of spout
There are two types of spouts that vary in height. Each owner chooses one or another type in accordance with the depth of his washing. A kitchen faucet high can spatter water very much. This can be avoided if the sink in the kitchen is deep.
A short spout is designed for a shallow sink. It is more convenient to wash the dishes when the mixer is tall. This is especially noticeable when the hostess needs to clean a deep pan or other dishes with sides. Therefore, a high spout for the kitchen is chosen more often.
An exception is faucets that are mounted on the wall. Their spout is low. But the installation level in this case is chosen according to the washing depth.
Spout design
Today, many manufacturers produce universal designs of spouts. They can be increased or decreased, if desired. The most commonly used telescopic or flexible kitchen faucet.
The first type of spout has many movable structural elements. These are retractable tubes fastened with special joints. A large number of seals of moving elements make such spouts unreliable.
Flexible faucets are more popular. It is hidden in the body of a decorative crane with a short spout. If necessary, such a hose extends in length up to 1-1.5 m. The design resembles an ordinary shower. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the quality of the decorative spout and the strength of the hose. Such a device is more durable than a hinged mixer.
Material
Today, different materials are used to make the mixer body. The most popular are metal and brass. They have an affordable cost and high quality.
The most expensive are copper and bronze. Elite series are created from them. This is a very strong and durable kitchen faucet. Bronze and copper look rich, especially in the classic interior.
Cheap series are made of silumin material or an alloy of aluminum, zinc and copper. Their strength is inferior to previous types of metals.
On sale there are products from various plastics in combination with cermets. They are quite durable, but mechanical stress quickly destroys them.
Chrome varieties are stronger. But traces of drops of water quickly make such a kitchen faucet unpresentable. Chrome limits the decorative qualities of equipment. Such mixers do not fit into every type of interior.
Additional devices
When choosing which kitchen faucet is best, you should pay attention to various additional elements.
First of all, attention is paid to the presence of an aerator and its type. This device reduces water consumption to 7 l / min. The aerator mixes it with air, increasing the output volume.
This device can be adjustable (more often installed in expensive models). Such an aerator also allows you to control the direction of the jet. This adds to the comfort of use. If the buyer wants to save water, it is better to pay attention to the design of the aerator.
Another useful additional feature can be the LED backlight. Such a mixer looks original and stylish. At the same time, it is much easier to wash the dishes qualitatively, since the tap creates additional illumination.
Popular manufacturers
Today, mixers of various price categories are launched on the market by many foreign companies. Chinese products are much cheaper than products of European brands. But their quality is poor.
The most high-quality and demanded today is German products, for example, the kitchen faucet “Kaiser”, “Groe”, “Hansgroe”. These are proven durable products. These mixers are presented in the middle and high price category.
The Danish company Damixa products are recognized worldwide as quality products. The lineup of this manufacturer is very diverse.
As durable durable products, Italian mixers have proven themselves - products by Piados, Webert, Zucchetti, and French - Jacob Delafon. The Finnish company Oras and the Czech brand Esko are famous for their quality and good assortment.
Relatively inexpensive, but high-quality mixers are offered to consumers by the Bulgarian manufacturer Vidima.
A good, durable mixer gives a lot of weight. Lightweight product made of cheap materials. It quickly becomes worthless.
Grohe Reviews
Want to buy a Grohe kitchen faucet? Great choice! The German manufacturer creates high-quality equipment, their products are time-tested. For the convenience of design selection, 3 main series have been developed. They included models that fit the popular styles of kitchen interiors. Therefore, choosing the best option will be much easier.
The cost of mixers of the German manufacturer is in the middle and high price segment. The price depends on the availability of additional functions, design, as well as the material of the case.
Everyone can choose the best faucet for the kitchen. Bronze, brass, as well as other high-strength materials are used to create these products. Cartridges are made of ceramic inside. According to user and expert reviews, this is one of the best mixers.
Feedback on Kaiser Products
Another manufacturer of sanitary equipment in our country is the German brand Kaiser. Its mixers are of high quality. Moreover, their cost is less than that of competitors.
Almost any Kaiser kitchen faucet is produced in Asian countries. But let this not bother you: at the same time, high-tech German equipment is used. A quality control system for compliance with standards allows us to produce durable, durable products.
The cost of faucets due to the location of production facilities is slightly less than other European brands. According to customer reviews, these are high-quality, durable products. Their popularity is constantly growing.
We hope that after reading our article, the question of which kitchen faucet is best to buy will not confuse you. The assortment is quite wide, so that everyone can choose the best option for themselves. The reviews of experts and consumers will help to acquire a high-quality, durable and beautiful product.