What’s the Coolest Kitchen Faucet On the Market?
It would be foolish to say the faucet is the most important element in a kitchen, but it’s high on the list. And when it comes to cool kitchen faucets, the commercial-style, semi professional unit gets our vote.
The semi professional faucet gets its roots from the pre-rinse faucets found in commercial restaurants. Used for dishwashing, food processing, or other washdown applications, they are marked by a long high-pressure hose or coil that has ample reach and a large wash head at the end.
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Designed by Mick De Giulio, the Juxtapose Semi-Professional Faucet has gracefully arching spout and exposed spring for outstanding range. It uses 1.5 gallons of water per minute and offers three-function pull-down sprayhead. A Boost button increases the flow rate up to 2.2 gallons per minute.
But like commercial-stoves and commercial-style refrigerators, pre-rinse-style faucets started entering the residential kitchen over the last 10 years. Today, they account for a significant share of the kitchen faucet market.
Pre-rinse faucets tend to be large, so for those spaces that can accommodate the scale, the units are ideal. “One of the main reasons homeowners opt for a pre-rinse faucet is due to its industrial style,” plumbing supply company Kingston Brass says. “The tall height, the exposed hose, and the professional features will turn any kitchen into a true chef’s prep space.”
The faucets are loved in business kitchens because of the high arc, the versatility, and also the water pressure, Kingston explains. “The high water pressure makes it easy to blast food off dishes.”
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The Zurich kitchen faucet features a pull-down spray head that can extend up to 28 inches and offers a separate pot filler for increased functionality in the kitchen. Its made from solid brass.
Naturally, a faucet that was designed for commercial use comes with drawbacks, one of which is design.”While the industrial design of this faucet makes it a home run for some, for those who don’t like the look of a commercial kitchen in their home, this is not the right fit,” Kingston Brass says. Additionally, homes featuring a small kitchen with very little over-the-sink space might be inappropriate; a tall pre-rinse faucet might be too cumbersome.
Fortunately, not all pre-rinse faucet requires a kitchen with a large, dramatic space. Manufacturers are producing demi-models that are sized to fit in a more traditionally spaced kitchen with a standard sink depth. Style options abound, too. Some options, such as the Studio S collection from American Standard, are sleek and minimalist, while others, like the Vigo Zurich is more defiantly industrial.
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The Meridian semi-pro faucet has an insulated pull-down handspray with dual spray patterns. It swivels 360 degrees and features solid brass construction with ceramic disc cartridges. It uses 2.2 gallons a minute but comes in models that use less.
Still, choosing a semi-professional faucet unit requires some thought. German brand Blanco says designers and architects need to consider reach, functionality, and coil styles. The open coil is most like a chef’s faucet, but for those who want something more contemporary or easier to clean, they can choose a closed coil style or a unit with a flexible rubber hose.
You should also consider spray functionality. “It goes without saying these faucets that are meant to be workhorses in the kitchen should have a dual spray function that is powerful and easy to operate,” Blanco says.
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The Model 5600 has a Positive Lock Pulldown design that locks sprayer in place when not in use. Its spout has an 8½-inch reach that swivels 360 degrees, and the lever handle spray head pulls out 18 inches from spout.
Getting the measurements right is also important. Many units require a large space, for height and reach. The reach should be proportionate to size of sink and arc or height should reach under cabinets, Blanco cautions. “Also play with handle and location to make sure there is enough room between wall and faucet to fully leverage the reach/operation of the chef’s faucet is a good thing to consider.”
A few more key things to remember: make sure to choose products with high quality features. “It’s probably the most used appliance in the kitchen aside from the sink so quality counts,” Blancoy says, so choose brass construction and ceramic disk cartridges.
The Kinzie Pre-Rinse offers ceramic disc valve and a dual-function sprayhead that lets users choose between a single steady flow and a powerful spray. It’s available in four finishes.
The manufacturer says the placement of the coil and the knurling details on the Bruton semi-pro faucet are both. It features a ceramic disc valve, a sprayhead with three water settings, and TiteSeal Mounting Technology that eliminates the need for putty or silicone.
Part of the Studio S Collection, the Semi Pro Dual-Spray Kitchen Faucet has a spring spout, flexible stainless steel coil, and a dual-function spray head. It’ made from solid brass and uses a ceramic disc valve.