Contents
- №1.What design mixer choose?
- # 2.What material to choose a mixer?
- №3.The size and shape of the spout: which one to choose?
- №4.Lever side or top: which is more convenient?
- №5.Where to fix the mixer?
- №6.Angle of rotation
- №7.What else can mixers do?
- №8.What else to consider when buying?
- # 9.Which manufacturers can you trust?
- # 10.Design
- In conclusion,
In most apartments, the main consumer of water is the kitchen, because there is always something to be washed: hands, vegetables and fruits, dishes and all sorts of appliances. On average, the mixer is opened and closed about 100 times a day, so it is obvious that the should be strong, reliable, durable , to cope with such a load, and with all this, combined with the sink in the kitchen and with the interior of the room. To choose a kitchen faucet, you need to take into account many factors, and our advice will help you to make the right purchase.
№1.What design mixer choose?
Today, all mixers, no matter how different they may be, can be divided into three main types depending on their design:
- two-valve - the classic version with two taps for hot and cold water;
- single-lever , when with a single lever you can adjust the water pressure and temperature;
- contactless do not require direct contact, as they are included only when hands are offered.
single-lever mixers are considered the most popular today, because it is really convenient to use them, and you can adjust the pressure and temperature of the water only with your little finger. With this mixer will not take time to adjust the desired temperature, which means you will save more and water. If necessary, you can stop the water supply instantly by simply lowering the mixer, and not turning the taps.
Two-valve mixers today in terms of convenience are much inferior to single lever. They are usually used by either conservatives accustomed to such a device, or those whose kitchen is made in a classic style, and the single-lever mixer simply does not fit into the overall interior.
non-contact or touch mixer - the most convenient and economical option, but because of its price is not the most common in domestic kitchens. Water from such a mixer flows only when there is some object or human hands in front of it. If you remove the object - the water will immediately stop pouring. Not a single drop of water is spilled in vain, and there will be no need to worry about the fact that you forgot to fasten the tap. And what a convenience such a mixer provides during cooking and washing dishes, when with dirty hands it is not necessary to touch the device, thereby smearing it.
№2.What material to choose a mixer?
Today you can find mixers made of materials such as:
- metals and alloys , incl.steel, nickel, bronze, brass;
- ceramics ;
- granite ;
- plastic .
The most durable mixers are made of bronze or brass - they are not influenced by water, and their appearance is expensive and luxurious.
steel mixers are also an excellent material that is as balanced as possible in terms of price and appearance.
To make it easier for you to take care of the mixer, it is recommended to choose chrome-plated surface type, rather than brilliant: dried drops will not be visible, and similar mixers look more expensive.
There are also mixers made of an alloy of aluminum and silicon - silumin .They are fairly inexpensive, but at the same time, the is not very durable .By the way, unscrupulous manufacturers use some parts of silumin, hiding it. Such a mixer can be determined by its light weight.
The most practical mixer is the one, the internal elements of which are made of ceramic, and the external ones are made of metal.
ceramic faucets look very attractive, perfectly combined with stone and porcelain stoneware countertops. In terms of reliability, ceramic faucets are inferior to metal, and their service life is much less.
granite mixers are a rarity in our market, and they are acquired mainly by those who have been made from granite.
plastic mixers are resistant to water, aggressive media, and are not susceptible to corrosion. But at the same time, it is a very fragile material that can hardly be called durable. This option may be suitable for the kitchen in the country, where the mixer is not always used.
№3.The size and shape of the spout: which one to choose?
The spout of the faucet is an important parameter for the kitchen room, since it is directly dependent on the ease of use of the dishwashing machine, vegetables, etc. Here the approach is fundamentally different from the choice of faucet for the bathroom.
It is important for the to make the water jet directly to the center of the sink, preventing splashing.
The height of the spout should be such an in order to freely collect water in the tank, wash vegetables, large items of dishes, etc. Selecting the height of the spout directly depends on the depth of the wash .So, if it is not deep enough, then the outflow should be higher, but do not overdo it, otherwise the water will be sprayed. If the sink is deep, then you can pick up a low mixer. It is most convenient to buy a mixer complete with a sink and all accessories so that the products are as functional and practical as possible.
As for the form of the spout, the , in this case, it is better to base your choice on your own preferences and peculiarities of the kitchen interior. Manufacturers offer so many imaginable and unimaginable options that the head can go round: here S-, G-, R-, J-shaped mixers and other models with a unique design.
№4.Lever side or top: which is more convenient?
In this case, we are talking only about single-lever models, in which the control lever can be located on the side or above the mixer. In principle, the location depends on the height of the spout. In most cases, the mixer with a high spout is supplemented with a lever on the side, and with a low - on top. In terms of convenience, they are exactly the same, but still much depends on personal preference.
It is worth noting that the lever located on the side is slightly more practical than the , since water or detergent particles will not drip onto the mixer itself, which means that maintenance will be simpler.
№5.Where to fix the mixer?
Before choosing a mixer, do not forget to pay attention to the features of its mounting. So, it can be installed:
- on the kitchen worktop , and then a hole of a certain diameter is cut in it;
- on the wall ;
- on the car wash itself, if a hole is provided there.
Each mixer is adapted to a specific type of attachment, so this important parameter must be taken into account. If all elements of the future kitchen are selected immediately, the task is simplified.
№6.Angle of rotation
No one can argue that a large angle of rotation of the mixer - it's great, because in this way it will be convenient to wash vegetables and fruits, any utensils, draw water into the tank and perform other tasks. Today, most of the mixers of the budget and middle price category can be turned 140 degrees , which is enough for convenient use.
In more expensive mixers, the angle of rotation can also reach 180 degrees and even make a full turn around its axis .The last mixer will be indispensable if the sink is located on a kitchen island, but otherwise it is useless.
№7.What else can mixers do?
Today, technical progress touched even mixers. It would seem that they can still be added, because only one function is assigned to them? So, today you can find products with such with additional functions on sale:
- mixer with pull-out spout .This is actually a faucet with a shower: in normal condition it looks quite normal, but if you wish, you can take a small shower from it. With such a function, the direction of the jet can be changed in a much wider range, it is possible to conveniently wash vegetables and fruits, and even the sink itself;The
- mixer with water filtration system is a real find for us when tap water does not quite meet the quality standards. In such mixers there are two spouts: one for plain water, the second for filtered water;
- faucets with a switch to the dishwasher or washing machine - a convenient option that eliminates the need to lay communications.
№8.What else to consider when buying?
A mixer is a thing that should serve you for years, so its choice should be taken with all its importance. Purchase better to make in serious stores , positively proven. It is better to buy mixers from the well-known brands , even if they cost a bit more expensive - this difference more than pays off during operation.
It is also worth paying attention to the weight of the product : remember that some manufacturers replace the ceramic and steel parts with similar silumin, and they are less durable and durable. Before buying, you can hold the mixer in your hands: the more weight, the better the product. Also, do not overlook the presence of instructions and recommendations for the installation and maintenance of the product, as well as the availability of warranty from the manufacturer.
# 9.Which manufacturers can you trust?
It is clear that there are dozens and hundreds of different manufacturers on the modern mixer market, and many of them have very good product quality. We will try to name those companies that use the most popular in the domestic market and have proven to be high quality.
example, have proved to be excellent mixers from German manufacturers such Grohe, Hansa and Hansgrohe, Finnish Oras , French Delafon , Danish Damixa , Swedish Gustavsberg , as well as Bulgarian Vidima .In their assortment there are mixers with different designs, functionality and different prices. Some domestic manufacturers also showed themselves quite well: Akvaton, Motovilikha Sanitary Engineering Plant, Santekhpribor, Sanmix.
# 10.Design by
Even the most experienced specialist in this field scatters from an assortment of mixers with different designs. Mixers of different colors, fancy shapes, with taps and levers of various sizes - all this is available today for those who want to design their kitchen as original as possible. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to lose functionality and convenience. Always pay attention to the ergonomics of the mixer and how well it fits into the kitchen interior and whether it will be combined with the sink and countertop.
In conclusion, the
Kitchen Mixer is designed for solid regular loads, so when choosing it you should take into account a lot of different parameters: from the material and type of attachment to the appearance. To make the right choice, it is worthwhile to pre-define for yourself what functions the mixer should have, and what type it should have - then you will definitely buy what you need and spend the least amount of time on it.