Crane for kitchen. Kitchen faucet: reviews, price

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of a faucet for the kitchen. Every day he misses dozens of liters of water, ensuring the cleanliness of dishes and the normal process of cooking. A kitchen crane is used several times more than any other in the house. Therefore, his choice should be approached especially carefully.

Types of cranes

Modern industry is trying to make the faucet sink in the kitchen not only convenient, but also functional. Therefore, at the moment there are several types of cranes in the type of regulation and supply of water, which have their pros and cons.

Known since the middle of the last century the faucet mixer has proved its durability and reliability. Despite this, it has a number of shortcomings. First, the difficulty of fine-tuning the water temperature. You need to spend some time to do it. Secondly, more often in the kitchen at the hostess one hand is occupied. She can not immediately open both valves.

These inconveniences are solved in the second type of cranes - single-lever. They are popularly called ball. The mechanism of water supply is based on the fact that when turning the lever up to the left or to the right, you can get either warm, cold or hot water. In use it is very simple. The design allows you to open water with just one finger.

The non-contact kitchen faucet is the most modern. There are no levers or valves on it, and the water supply starts after the hand is brought to the sensor. It is very convenient. Yes, and water is much better. That's just worth the pleasure is quite expensive.

Options spill

The second important point, which is worth paying attention to, choosing a kitchen faucet is the shape and features of the spout. Ideal - when the water flows calmly into the center of the shell. To do this, it is necessary to choose the correct height of the crane. There is a rule: the deeper the washing, the lower the spout.

But here it is necessary to exercise some caution. Too high a faucet for the kitchen will spray water, which will hit the bottom of the sink. And too low will not allow you to wash large-sized dishes and draw water into it.

For a sink with two sinks, it makes sense to choose a pull out spout. The length of the tube varies from 60 to 120 cm. This allows not only to conveniently wash dishes, but also to pour water in the container on the stove or even on the floor near the sink.

Additional attachments

Almost there are no spills without baits. Virtually every faucet is supplied with an aerator. This device has several functions. First, it enriches the water with bubbles, making its flow softer. This also creates the appearance of a large jet, which helps to save. Secondly, the mesh of the aerator serves as a simple filter, on which small impurities present in the water are deposited.

Significantly less common in the kitchen are spills with a shower. This nozzle breaks the flow of water into several jets, from which they fall more gently and do not damage delicate foods, such as greens or tender vegetables and fruits.

Materials

If you do not know how to choose a kitchen faucet in accordance with its parameters, you can ask for help from a specialist in any sanitary ware shop. Among other things, he will tell you that mixers are made from different materials. They can be divided into metals, ceramics and plastic.

Of alloys of metals the most popular is silumin - silicon and aluminum. It is inexpensive, but has an average degree of strength and resistance to damage. It can easily be coated with other materials, which gives a large field for decorative effects.

Copper and brass are more reliable, but also are much more expensive. In addition, they are used without cover, which gives them a certain charm of antiquity.

Well proven and a ceramic faucet for the kitchen. It is beautiful and more durable than metal, as it is not subject to corrosion. At the same time, such a mixer is very afraid of mechanical damage. If you treat it carefully, then it will last longer than all other options.

The cheapest and unreliable is a plastic mixer. It can be met quite rarely, not only because it has low performance, but also because of the rapid loss of its presentation in the store.

The best option is a combined kitchen faucet. Using different materials, the manufacturer enhances the positive characteristics, neutralizing the negative ones. For example, a metal faucet with a ceramic insert in the middle will not rust and break from the impact of the pan on it.

Coating types

Metal cranes are often covered with a decorative layer, which allows you to choose a faucet sink in accordance with its design. Most often there are nickel-plated taps. They have a beautiful metallic luster, but are contraindicated to people prone to allergies. For them, chrome plating is the best choice. But there is such a mixer a little expensive.

Gilding has some kind of aristocratic appearance, but it does not fit every interior. While the enamel has a much larger decorative range. At the same time, this coating tends to crack and crumble over time.

Design Features

People who are tormented by the question of how to choose a faucet for the kitchen, it is important to know that modern plumbing is rich in varieties of design styles. In the store there are old models that come to us from the 50's and 60's of the last century, and futuristic products made of metal, plastic and glass.

When choosing a faucet, pay attention to the general style of the kitchen and the availability of additional accessories. If in the kitchen furniture the chrome handles, and the sink has a beautiful metallic luster, then the golden mixer here will be completely inappropriate.

It also looks ugly like a futuristic design cockpit in a rustic kitchen. Therefore, if you need to replace the kitchen faucet, take the same or very similar model. If you radically change the whole concept of design, then show a photo of your kitchen to a specialist, and he will advise several suitable options for you.

Best producers

As you know, a faucet for the kitchen is better to buy from proven manufacturers. In our market, these are mainly European firms.

Everyone knows the Italian plumbing. It is not only durable, but also has a modern design. The only drawback is the high cost of models, which makes them inaccessible to a simple consumer.

A little cheaper, but not worse in quality - Lithuanian, Bulgarian or Hungarian mixers. These manufacturers have no overpayment for brand promotion. Therefore, their products are a good alternative to expensive luxury cranes.

Domestic manufacturers also have considerable experience in the production of sanitary ware for the kitchen. Their cranes are much cheaper due to the lack of customs fees. Quality is not always worse, because many foreign firms based on our factories open their production using the same technologies as at home.

China: Pros and Cons

As in other industries of industrial goods, Chinese manufacturers are also represented in our plumbing market. And it is worth noting that not always a kitchen mixer from this country is a frank counterfeit. There are quite decent specimens here.

The problem is that only specialists can distinguish a good Chinese tap from a bad one. Unfortunately, not in every store consultants say the truth. Therefore, it makes sense to buy a Chinese tap either in a proven outlet or with a familiar plumber.

In fairness, it should be said that even the best Chinese cranes will last for a couple of years less than a budget European mixer. It is not always justified to save on what can not even be repaired over time, but will have to be changed. Therefore, after all, it makes sense to abandon Chinese products, although they are cheaper.

Features of care

The kitchen is the face of the hostess. Therefore, there must always be perfect purity here. The surfaces for which you need to follow include the kitchen faucet. It is contaminated not less often than anything else.

The first rule is no abrasives. Any material from which mixers are made is afraid of scratches. Therefore, use only soft cloths and cleaning agents. The same vinegar with water perfectly removes any dirt.

Secondly, carefully study the instructions for both plumbing and household chemicals. This will avoid damages and stains from the use of unsuitable detergents.