Kitchen Mixer Taps: The Importance of Choosing the Right Type

If you are in the pursuit of a new kitchen tap, regardless of whether you want to upgrade the look of the heart of your home or you want to renovate your kitchen, there are many different models you can choose from. They all vary in their type, material, finish, etc.

Types

Single-Handle

When looking for a high-quality and practical kitchen tap mixer, you’ll realize that single-handle tap models are the most common option. They have only one handle which is turned left or right to control the water temperature and the way water flows. It can also be switched up-and-down and side-to-side to regulate the water’s temperature. This model is a great choice for busy kitchens and for people looking for modern solutions that can be used in tiny spaces.

Double-Handle

As its name suggests, this kitchen tap mixer has two handles – one for cold, one for hot. To get the desired temperature, you will have to balance between the two, which makes it less practical compared to the single-handle tap type. The double-handle tap is available as a compression washer and as a cartridge kitchen tap. This means that you have 2 options – either to tighten down the switch or just smoothly shift the handle to turn the water off.

There are numerous different models of double-handle kitchen taps. They usually come in a cylinder shape, with either a rounded ball-shaped head or a four-sided figure. As for their design, they’re more of a classical style.

Hands-Free

Hands-free (also called motion detect) kitchen taps are operated by placing a sensor inside the main tap’s body that identifies movements. This kitchen tap works only by placing your hands over the sensor. It can be a very practical solution when you are stuck in a messy pantry or your hands are dirty. The hands-free kitchen tap prevents contamination and saves time in cleaning. The design of these taps is minimalistic and quite eye-catching.

Materials

Stainless Steel

When buying stainless steel kitchen taps, look for 304-grade stainless steel as that is the hardest and the most durable for this type of apparatus. There are many benefits of choosing stainless steel for your kitchen mixer tap. As is regular cleaning important for other small kitchen appliances, so is for kitchen taps. Stainless steel is easy to take care of which is why it is often preferred for restaurant, hospitals, and hotel kitchens.

Its surface also doesn’t have pores or cracks to harbour bacteria or mildew. Its interior surface can be cast completely smooth, which means that debris cannot accumulate inside and the tap will remain clean. As it is a very hard material, it will not dent, bend or distort like some other alloys. Stainless steel also doesn’t need to be coated, which means it has the same composition in the entire body. This also means that scratches can be buffed out. With proper care, stainless steel can last a lifetime.

Brass

Under Australian and New Zealand standards, a brass kitchen tap has to be made of a certain type of brass – Dezincification Resistant Brass (DR Brass). This type has properties that help combat severe corrosion when the water supply is very chlorinated or is high in oxygen and carbon dioxide. Brass kitchen taps have to be coated. Most often, they are coated with chrome, but can also have other coatings like nickel, copper, gold, or coating that looks like brushed stainless steel. However, due to the forging method (the coating process), the interior surface of a brass tap can be textured, and over the years, debris can collect on the interior’s surface, which in turn, can alter the taste and quality of the water.

Finishes

Chrome

One of the original finishes for plumbing fixtures is chrome. Chrome gives a bold and shiny finish and a very classic look. It is also durable, easy to maintain, and an excellent option for minimalist kitchens.

Satin & Matte Black

The matte black finish has gained popularity in more modern and contemporary kitchens, as it provides a sleek and minimalist look. This finish is a dull or satin black pigment that is usually applied to the surface of steel, brass or iron. The satin black finish, also called eggshell, is a silky and smooth paint finish. It reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing.

Polished Nickel

The finish known as polished nickel is nickel plating on brass which is later polished. Nickel is similar to chrome as they both have silver tones, with nickel having a slightly warmer hue.