Would you look at that crowd out there? And you’re expected to feed all of them? OK, time to get started. First, we need to fill that pot with a few gallons of water. Then, get ready to lug it over to the stovetop. But before you do that, consider this:
One gallon of fresh water weighs 8.34 pounds. And what if you have to boil two, three or more gallons? Merely carrying that amount of water from the sink to the stovetop can strain your body enough to do damage. What’s the sensible way around this? No, no, no, you still have to feed your people. The easy remedy to this common problem is to install a pot filler. This article discusses what a pot filler is, where one should be mounted and everything you need to know about the sizing and features of one of the kitchen’s most helpful and underutilized fixtures.
What is a pot filler?
Like the kitchen faucet, a pot filler is a plumbing fixture designed to dispense water. Pot fillers, though, are designed to eliminate the trouble of carrying a pot full of water from the sink to the stovetop. This can prevent spillage, as well as save your back, hands, arms and shoulders.
The water flows directly from the plumbing source (more on that later) to your pot sitting on the stovetop, where just a simple turn of the handle (or, sometimes two) means you have water ready to boil. Some kitchens are very capable of hosting one of these fabulous fixtures, while others are not so conducive. Mounting one will take some planning, especially if your plumbing is all set behind your walls. So, this is definitely an installation you’d want to plan out with a contractor.
Pot fillers are commonly made of brass, metal or stainless steel, and the handles are also usually made of metal. In addition, thanks to significant improvements in design trends, ceramic disc cartridges have taken the place of rubber washer gaskets. Considered the industry’s hardest, most reliable valving material, single-cartridge and washer-less valving systems use ceramic discs to control water flow and are designed to last a lifetime.
Forward-thinking manufacturers like Kohler and Danze have tossed their hats into the pot filler ring, as have Blanco, Rohl and Franke.
Back To TopWhere do they go?
The versatility of a pot filler makes this fixture more than just a luxury item. And their location simply adds to their lure.
Pot fillers come in two varieties, either wall-mounted and deck-mounted, depending on how your kitchen is set up. One thing remains constant, though: it must be placed close enough to the stove top so that the folding arm can reach it (which, really, is the whole point behind the pot filler).
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Features
Once a common sight only in restaurant kitchens, pot fillers have made their way into the contemporary residential kitchen, trickling in with all the brilliant features that come with them. As a result, they’ve impacted the ease with which food can be prepared, as well as improved the kitchen’s overall appearance.
Not only is this a labor-saving fixture, but it’s also economic on space. The arms of the pot filler (particularly wall-mounted fixtures) swing the fixture out of the way when it’s not being used so it won’t impede on your cooking or food preparation.
Pot fillers combine class and convenience, and can add some elegance to your kitchen, as well. Pick a motif, and chances are good you’ll find a pot filler to match it. Choose from classic, contemporary, modern, traditional and Victorian.
Pot fillers come in your choice of one or two handles. The benefit to a two-handle fixture is that a second control will eliminate any leaks and dripping. And with no sink typically under a pot filler, this will go far in avoiding damage from a leaky faucet. Handle styles also differ, from cross to lever handles.
For installation purposes, most pot fillers come with one faucet hole, while a few come with two.
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Sizing
Pot fillers don’t necessarily have to be installed near a sink, since that might defeat the purpose. This is where the planning of the plumbing comes in, so it’s a good idea to consult a contractor or plumber first. Still, sizing your pot filler remains important, and unlike a standard kitchen faucet, there are no real placement guidelines. With that said, you’ll want to make sure your pot filler spout is tall enough and reaches far enough to do the job right.
Spout height
- 3 to 4 inches
- 5 to 6 inches
- 6 to 7 inches
- 8 to 9 inches
- 10 to 11 inches
- 12 inches and above
Spout reach
- 0 to 3 inches
- 7 to 8 inches
- 8 to 9 inches
- 9 to 10 inches
- 11 to 12 inches
- 12 inches and above
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Also, make sure your pot filler has enough room around it to freely roam, since the last thing you want in your way of a three-gallon pot of boiling water is a metal plumbing fixture.
Pot fillers may not be as popular in a residential kitchen as, say, a kitchen faucet or microwave oven. But this fixture’s popularity has grown steadily since its introduction. Its ingenuity and ease of operation have made the pot filler one of the most attractive features in today’s kitchen, and its popularity is only expected to grow.
