Kitchen Faucet - What you really need?

Hardworking water dispensers and most important tool in the kitchen: Fittings.

We show the 4 most important features of modern kitchen faucets and reveal their pros and cons.Finally, we provide an overview of the most important special valves.In order to find the faucet that fits perfectly to you and your kitchen.

1. handles - one or two?

The most visible difference between the kitchen fittings is the number of its handles.

Single lever are the most common kitchen faucets, their selection is huge.A lever for water flow and temperature are easy to regulate and practical. The disadvantage is that the temperature often can be precisely controlled.

Two-handle faucets are popular as a stylistic device for nostalgic kitchens. With its two handles, the water can be controlled precisely.However, their handling is not always practical - because for a two-handle faucet you need both hands. And they are not always free when cooking, baking or cleaning.Price Technically, the two variants in the entry-level segment hardly differ. In the high-priced, the differences are larger.

So cost:

• Cheap Single lever as Blanco "Wega" or two-handle mixer Grohe as "Costa" about 40 euros
• Expensive Two-handle mixer, such as Dornbracht "Tara" about 600 euros, expensive mixer, like the KWC "Ono" around 1000 euros.

• 2. Mounting - Wall or pool?

  The second important feature of sink fittings is their installation - ie whether the trap is or by the pool if it is mounted on the wall above the sink.
  

  The vast majority of kitchen fittings are standard mixers: Your body is on the verge of Spütisches, their lines are lower.

  Your advantage: fitting and installation are favorable, the sink can be mounted anywhere.Less flexible are wall fittings. Their lines run in the wall above the sink, making for example, an application on window impossible.This are wall-mounted faucets extremely compact - a good choice so for very small kitchens.And the price? Apart from the installation costs, the fixtures are equally expensive like this:

  • Cheap models such as Grohe "Costa" : 50 euros
  • Expensive models , such as Dornbracht "Tara" around 800 euros

  3. Water supply - high pressure or low pressure?

  A decision that defines your water supply.
  

  So you need a low pressure fitting at a sink with pressure-less water heater or boiler.When rinsing with central water supply, you can buy a "normal" tap , specifically a high-pressure valve.The differences lie in the technology and in the water connections. To the valve itself you will see no difference.

  And the price? In general, the two versions do not differ in price. So there are inexpensive low-pressure fittings, from 45 euros, the expensive models are approximately at 1,200 euros.Is one and the same fitting tight offered in two versions (such as the "Steel Rain" in the picture above) is the low-pressure model is generally more expensive.

  4. Model- yes or no?

  A cool extra , with the now shines almost half of all sink fittings, a pull-out spout.
  

  This is hiding in the faucet body and is simply pulled out as needed. a spring brings him to use back into the fitting.Available such kitchen fittings are either with normal spray jet and / or fine spray jet.

  The most important advantage of a pull-out spout: freedom.Because it brings the water to where you need it - be it with the washing of lettuce and vegetables, with the filling of pots and vases or when cleaning.

  Sure, the price of such fitting is slightly higher (but we find still quite affordable) :

  • To start brand fixtures with simple rinsing spray as "Vega-S" by Blanco already at about 70 Euros.
  • For semi-professional fittings such as Grohe "K7" You have to expect almost 500 euros.

  What we have arrived at the last point of our little guidebook: The special valves.

  Special fittings - an overview

  In addition to the "normal" differences between fittings, it can be helpful when buying to know the special models - the fixtures for special requirements.
  

  These are:

  • Semi-professional fittings: Are copied from genuine gastro fittings - stylish and strong.
  • Hot water fittings: Supply of boiling water at your fingertips.
  • Bayonet fittings: Let completely tilt - a must-have for the sink at the window
  • Stand valves : Delivering water always in the same temperature - ideal for laundry room, basement and Co.

  Which cheap kitchen faucet you need?

  Depends entirely on you. From your kitchen, your needs, your budget and your taste.The most important features you already know. Now it is up to you to carefully look around in the kitchen fittings and compare.And finally choose the cheap kitchen faucet that you later best supports the everyday kitchen.