Grohe faucets for the kitchen: features, types and choices

A mixer for a kitchen sink is an equipment, the choice of which should be approached with special care and on which it is not worth saving. Ergonomics, high-quality metal, functionality and durability of all parts, modern design are all reasons for the popularity of kitchen faucets from one of the leaders in the plumbing industry - the German manufacturer Grohe.

At the dawn of the 20th century, in the German town of Schiltach, a descendant of clothmakers, Hans Grohe, decided not to continue the family weaving business, but to create a new business. He opened a workshop that specialized in plumbing and received the name of the creator -Hansgrohe.

Hans's design talent and business acumen quickly made the brand a success. Its products have conquered the markets of Germany, Austria, Czech Republic. Grohe's middle son, Friedrich, did not want to rest on his father's laurels, but decided to apply the knowledge gained to create his own company. In 1936 he acquired a small brass foundry.

The post-war years are a time of rapid growth of the company. In 1956, Grohe bought out the thermostat factory, which became its subsidiary. Grohe thermostatically controlled mixers that maintain a constant comfortable temperature are still considered to be some of the best in the world. In 1968, Grohe introduced a novelty - its version of the single-lever mixer. The brands Hansgrohe and Grohe were related for a long time without competing, but later became independent.

In 2004, the Grohe family loses control of the companies, completely transferring them to American shareholders. Today the Grohe brand is part of the large construction corporation Lixil (Japan). The Japanese owners do not want to miss out on consumers who are accustomed to trusting the "Made in Germany" label.

With its headquarters in Düsseldorf, the main technology laboratory and design office still operate in the Black Forest, Grohe continues to be positioned as an independent premium brand from Germany. The mixers are assembled at factories in Germany, Portugal and Thailand. Huge cash infusions from investors allow us to pay great attention to innovative developments and expand the range on a large scale: it is updated by 25% every 2 years.

Since the inception of the brand, quality, economy, advanced technology and stylish design have become the foundations of its philosophy. Kitchen faucets of the brand compete with dignity even with premium products from Italy, which has a long tradition of plumbing production. The advantages of German mixers:

• all models have a 5-year warranty;
• help and advice can be obtained by calling the contact center of the Grohe representative office free of charge, and the service network includes more than 55 offices throughout the country;
• products are presented in a wide price range: from 3,000 to 200,000 rubles;
• Grohe manufactures mixers of various modifications;
• the company uses not cheap alloys for the bodies, but strong brass and durable chrome coating StarLight or steel SuperSteel;
• the brand uses the unique developments of its laboratories: SilkMove, CoolTouch, EcoJoy - they are responsible for safety, water and energy saving, durability and corrosion resistance;
• innovations of recent years have become the pride of the company: models with supply of tap, filtered, boiled and even carbonated water with separate water conduits and one spout;
• mixers are available in several colors: glossy and matt chrome, gold, white and black, interesting shades of metal "dark graphite", "cold dawn", "warm sunset", "antique bronze";
• Installation of Grohe plumbing equipment is quite simple: the kit includes detailed assembly instructions, there are video tutorials. It is possible to call a service center specialist.

With a lot of advantages of Grohe mixers, the following disadvantages should be noted:

• a lot of fakes;
• high cost;
• not too large selection of colors;
• sensitivity of the elements of the mechanism to the quality of water.

The flip side of Grohe's fame and popularity is the frequently encountered brand imitations. The original mixer will have a clearly engraved logo, which is also present on the crimp sleeves of the inlets.

The rather high price of some Grohe models can stop you from buying. But this cost is justified by the excellent quality of all elements of the German product. Inexpensive Chinese mixers that have flooded the market often repeat the design of eminent firms, but their "filling" is short-lived, so savings may soon turn into unnecessary costs. Modern kitchen faucets have taken on colors: reds, purples, greens - today they can be anything.

Grohe's vibrant color can only be seen in the Essence line on flexible silicone hoses. Due to the popularity of sinks made of artificial porcelain stoneware, the range of many brands now includes faucets with a composite coating of all kinds of shades, which allows you to create a one-piece set. Unfortunately, the Grohe brand does not have such options.

Often, the breakdown of mixer parts is possible due to poor water quality: the ceramic cartridge can become clogged with the smallest particles of sand and impurities. The mechanism developed by German engineers is designed for clean running water, because Europe has strict environmental requirements and standards. The use of water filters will help avoid this problem.

Depending on the principle of operation, the kitchen faucet can be like this.

• Two-valve - these are traditional models (Costa, Arabesk series), when the left and right valves are independently responsible for supplying hot and cold water. You need to adjust the temperature with two hands, and this is not very comfortable for the kitchen. The mechanism is based on the use of Carbodur ceramic crane boxes.

• Single lever - the most common and practical type of device (models Euroeco, Concetto, Euro Smart Cosmopolitan). Built-in ceramic cartridge with SilkMove technology allows easy grip movement to control jet flow and temperature. Lever location - top or side.

• Sensory - such devices (Minta Touch) have a lever for adjusting the temperature and intensity of the water flow. But if your hands are dirty, then you can lightly touch the sensor of a clean area of ​​the wrist or forearm to activate the cold water spout and rinse your hands without getting the mixer dirty. The water will automatically shut off after 60 seconds. One of the latest developments is Essence Foot Control. To turn on the water in it, you need to touch the sensor with your foot (it is installed on the profile of the cabinet door under the sink).

A mixer tap with a pull-out spout will solve many problems: it is easy to fill any container with it, to use a directed jet for cleaning. All models can be equipped with an aerator: its mesh breaks the stream of water, making it softer.

Many Grohe models are already loved by customers and have a lot of laudatory reviews. Model Wave cosmopolitan available with medium and high spout. Even a medium spout will allow you to pour water into oversized containers. Traditional in form Grohe Eurosmart New (32534002) inexpensive, suitable for small sinks, has an aerator, the necessary comfort provides a rotation of 140 degrees.

In high model Eurosmart New applied EcoJoy adjustment technology: with less water consumption, the jet has sufficient pressure. The Grohe Start series includes the device in a stylish Super Steel shade. Fast assembly technology QuickFix makes it easy to install, allowing even a non-professional to perform it.

The Grohe Minta single-lever models with C- and L-bend are good. They are equipped with a pull-out hand shower with aerator / shower jet switch, the radius of their rotation with fixation is 150 or 360 degrees. The matt mixer in velvet black is especially effective. Wealthy consumers are ready to spend money on the Grohe Blue Minta New Pure set with a filter, because it allows you to use purified drinking water directly from the tap by switching the lever.

Grohe products combine superior design and functionality. Such a mixer will become a decoration of the kitchen and an irreplaceable helper in daily affairs. The Grohe assortment includes mixers for any interior solution. Maybe only deliberately aged retro models under the style of Provence or lush Baroque will not be found in the collections presented today. Two-valve devices are suitable for a traditional classic interior, and laconic single-lever devices will fit into minimalism, loft and other modern styles.

Kitchen faucets offer several placement options: on a sink, countertop or wall. When choosing a faucet for the kitchen it is necessary to build on the size of the sink bowl: ideally, if the jet is directed directly into the drain.

A sink with two sinks requires a swivel mixer or a model with a flexible hose. An all-metal or flexible silicone shower head can be switched from normal to shower mode, which is very convenient for washing greens, berries, fruits. Grohe has faucets with a 360-degree spout, such as the Minta Touch. This design gives the maximum level of comfort.

High precision machining of all parts, threaded connections and surfaces ensures a fairly simple installation of the Grohe mixer. For independent work, you will need the following tools:

• adjustable wrenches;
• open-end wrench;
• pliers;
• screwdrivers.

You also need to have FUM tape and sealant on hand. Branded packaging includes detailed instructions, mixer, flexible hoses, gaskets. Be sure to turn off the water supply before installation. Read the instructions carefully. Observe the markings on the flexible hose fittings for the hot and cold supplies. After installation, it is necessary to check the operation of the mixer and the tightness of all connections. Turn on the water pressure and with dry hands run over all the fasteners, they should not be wet. The mixer spout must not leak when closed.

When choosing a Grohe mixer for your kitchen, you should respect this result of the work of highly qualified specialists, especially if you have purchased a rather expensive model. The equipment has well-thought-out ergonomics, therefore:

• do not tighten the valves with excessive force;
• turn the swing arm smoothly;
• gently pull out the flexible watering can;
• protect the mixer from impacts to avoid chipping and deformation.

When cleaning, do not use chemicals with aggressive acids (including acetic acid) and abrasive powders. A damp sponge with soapy water is enough. The original shine is easy to maintain by wiping the mixer dry after each use. The manufacturer Grohe has developed a special mild cleaning agent for chrome surfaces - GrohClean. It will help to avoid the appearance of lime spots and deposits, and if they already exist, it will gently remove them.

For how easy it is to install the Grohe single lever kitchen mixer with pull-out spout, see the following video.