Whether you love spending hours in the kitchen cooking elaborate meals or prefer making something quick and easy, having the right plumbing fixtures in your kitchen will make your life easier and more productive. The good news is that many of them are not only functional but beautiful!
Single Lever Faucet with Pull-Down Option
According to consumerreports.com, single lever faucets are the most popular kitchen faucets installed in homes today. Add a pull-down option that lets the faucet double as a sprayer, and you’ll have a truly versatile tool. Single lever faucets are the easiest to operate, have a smaller footprint on your sink or counter, and require fewer mounting holes than their multi-handled cousins. Fewer mounting points also means not squeezing your hands between those handles to clean between them.
The majority of single-lever faucets meet the Americans with Disability Act specifications due to their ease of use, from young children to the elderly. One small downside that we’ve found with single lever faucets is the lack of precise temperature control.
Soap Dispenser
This is technically not a plumbing fixture, but anything this handy deserves a mention. Hate seeing that ugly gunked-up soap container on the counter? A built-in soap dispenser is a simple but excellent addition to your kitchen and helps create a clean, uncluttered counter space. Though most are designed to use liquid soap, some are compatible with powder and foam soaps as well.
The big question is, will you use hand soap or dish soap in your new dispenser? In the end, it is simply a matter of personal choice. Many people like dish soap in their dispensers, giving them the versatility of washing up those one or two items at a moment’s notice. Others prefer their favorite hand soap if they often wash their hands at the kitchen sink.
Garbage Disposal
Unless your home uses a private septic system, the garbage disposal is a tool many people can’t live without. The most common use for your disposal is cleaning up the dishes after a meal. Scraping and rinsing off plates in one motion, instead of repeated trips between the garbage can and sink, is faster and less messy. Garbage disposals do require a small amount of attention as they can get a little smelly if tiny bits of food get stuck in the bottom. It’s essential to ensure they are flushed out and cleaned regularly to keep them smelling fresh. One trick is to grind up a wedge of fresh lemon periodically.
When selecting a new garbage disposal, consider one with an auto-reverse feature. Auto-reverse will automatically reverse its rotation if it senses that something is getting stuck. This will prevent the disposal from getting jammed and requiring professional service.
Hot Water Dispenser
Although more of a luxury item, hot water dispensers are handy in more ways than you might think. Though tea-drinking purists might gasp at the idea, hot water dispensers are great for making a quick cup of tea! They can also be used to blanch veggies and rinse off boiled potatoes and pasta without cooling them down. They also make rinsing off plates after dinner easier because the hot water removes the leftovers off the plate faster.
Many hot water dispenser models offer a thermostat and an on/off switch to control the temperature of the water and shut them off entirely if you go away on vacation. Some of the higher-end models are equipped with a water filter and chilled water options as well—no need to keep that pitcher in your refrigerator or a cumbersome filter on your faucet. As an added benefit, you will save money and be more ecologically conscious by reducing your use of bottled water.
If you have young children in your home and safety is a concern, most models are equipped with safety features and childproof handles. On some models, the spout is insulated, so it won’t be too hot to touch after dispensing water.
Bar/Prep Sink
According to NativeTrails.net, the average American spends an hour and a half prepping food and cleaning up after the meal. Anything that can help reduce that number means more time with your guests and family. Whether you call it a prep sink, veggie sink or bar sink, these smaller accessory sinks are a great addition to any kitchen. When cooking with your spouse, a second sink will make working together in the kitchen much more convenient.
The additional sink will look great in your kitchen, but deciding its location is all about convenience and practicality. A very popular spot is on the island since meal prep is so convenient on the open countertop surface. Another consideration: cleaning and prepping veggies in the same sink you toss dirty dishes isn’t always appealing either.
Space and cost are two important factors to keep in mind if you’re considering adding a sink to your kitchen remodel. First, a prep sink will take up precious counter space, so if you’re already feeling a bit lacking in sufficient counter surfaces, a prep sink might not be a good idea. They will also involve the same amount of plumbing work to install the water and drain pipes as a standard kitchen sink, which translates to more cost to the bottom line of your project.
Whether you decide you need all of these great options, or just one or two, these plumbing fixtures are a great way to personalize your kitchen and create a personalized space to cook and entertain.