Pot Fillers Are Trendy, But Are They Practical?

Pot fillers are beautiful to look at and on trend; in fact, they have been a mainstay in many homes for years. However, there is a lot to know about pot fill faucets before diving into installing one in your home. There are pros and cons to having one in your kitchen, so we spoke to some experts to get their thoughts on why you might want to install one, or why you might be able to live without it. We’ll also give you our own pot filler recommendations if you decide it’s time to install one in your kitchen.

Understand the trend of pot filling kitchen:

According to Sandra L. Steiner-Houck, President and Senior Designer of Steiner-Houck and associates In Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, potting fillers aren’t a new trend.

“We have been incorporating them into our kitchen designs for many years,” says Steiner-Houck. In fact, he recalled installing a pot filler behind a stove about 15 to 18 years ago.

However, as kitchens get bigger, Christine Ramos, senior product manager for kitchen faucets at Kohler, believes that pot fillers are a growing trend.

“Homeowners are incorporating pot fillers into their kitchens for maximum convenience,” says Ramos. She believes it is part of a broader trend for home cooks.

“Consumers are creating spaces that make them feel and act like a chef,” says Ramos, even if they don’t have an industrial kitchen. “From farm to table and a greater awareness of what is consumed are also driving the trend of the chef in the kitchen. Pot filling is another tool in this chef space. “

Katie Hayes, Senior Product Manager, Faucets at Gerber plumbing fixtures, says pot fillers are at home if you’re looking to create an open-concept, professional-inspired kitchen.

“Kitchen design trends influence every element and detail in the space,” says Hayes. “Mild, modern, farmhouse styles resonate with homeowners in kitchen designs, including pot-fill styles.”

In fact, Hayes sees an increase in finishes like Satin Black in the kitchen. “A black pot filler is so striking against a white tile or marble wall and makes a striking design statement,” she says.

Dan Worst, Product Manager at Elkay, you agree that pot fillers are definitely gaining popularity.

“We found that homeowners are especially drawn to the timeless element of pot fillers, but appreciate a more modern, sleek and clean look that can match their kitchen style, whatever it is,” says Worst.

And because the pot fillers are classically styled, he says they can work in a variety of settings, from industrial chic to farmhouse.

Advantages of installing a pot filling tap

Pot fillers can add a lot of style to your kitchen, but are they practical?

“The French culinary concept of ‘mise en place’ dictates that everything has a place. It is a mantra of organization in professional kitchens that can be applied to domestic kitchens ”, explains Ramos. “The humble pot filler has a very specific role in the kitchen: it must always be located on top of the stove, and their call to action is to fill the pots with water.”

Ramos says this has certain advantages.

“Pot fillers are tools for efficiency,” she says. “They flow at a rate of 4.0 gallons per minute compared to a standard kitchen faucet, which flows at 1.5 gallons per minute. This means you can fill a pot almost three times faster than using the other faucet in the kitchen. “

Pot fillers also leave the kitchen sink free for other uses, according to Ramos.

“A pot filler frees up the sink area for other tasks, so you can turn on the pot filler to boil a little water while scrubbing vegetables or washing kitchen utensils simultaneously,” he says. “A free sink also makes cooking with a partner or friend easier, and really, what’s better than cooking together?”

Possible downsides of a pot filler

If you’re not someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, it may not be necessary to invest in a pot filler. But for foodies, a device like a pot filler can make the experience even more enjoyable.

Shop our favorite pot fillers

Pot fillers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding the right one for you. They also come in a variety of prices, which can be very useful if you are on a budget. Take a look at three of our favorite pot fillers.

Delta Faucet 1177LF-AR

Delta offers really solid pot fill options, but the 1177LF-AR is top-notch. This one comes with a mid-range price tag (around $ 300- $ 500 on Amazon) and is built to last. It comes in a variety of finishes so you can match it with your kitchen and has two knobs to make it even easier to fill your pots. It has a 24-inch reach, which should give you a wide variety of access once installed, and will fill your pots in no time – it fills at a rate of four gallons per minute. Delta also offers its limited lifetime warranty on this pot filler.

Submersible pot filler

The Sumerain Pot Filler is a great inexpensive buy. It’s priced at under $ 100 on Amazon, which should make it attractive to those who might be hesitant about a pot filler because of the price tag. This particular one comes in three different finishes so it can match your kitchen and has a 24-inch reach. It also rotates 360 degrees if you need it and fills pots at a rate of four gallons per minute.

Moen S665SRS

The Moen S665SRS is your top of the line pot filler if you have the budget for it. These can cost up to $ 1,000 or more, but they are very high quality and beautiful to look at. This one specifically comes in a variety of finishes to match your kitchen and has a 24 ⅜-inch reach. It also fills its pots at lightning speed – five and a half gallons per minute, to be exact. It’s also backed by Moen’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, so you can be sure of good quality.

What you need to know when installing a pot filler in your kitchen:

Our experts gave several tips to help homeowners make the right decision regarding pot fillers.

“It’s important to make sure your pot filler has a 360-degree rotating spout for maximum comfort,” says Ramos. He also recommends an extended spout of at least 22 inches to reach each burner on your stove.

If you make the decision to add a pot filler during the design stage of a kitchen remodel, Worst says you’ll have the easiest installation process.

“I would advise homeowners to do their homework first to make sure the layout fits the style and functionality of their kitchen,” says Worst.

If you are thinking about installing a pot filler after the design stage or want to add a pot filler to your existing kitchen layout, Worst recommends contacting a local plumber to see if there will be any installation challenges and also to discuss your options.

You should also measure your stove as well as the height of your tallest pot to determine where to install your pot filler.

The bottom line

Pot fillers can be a very useful tool in your kitchen as long as you do a little homework beforehand. They will make it much quicker and easier to fill your pots while cooking. Consider our expert advice if you are considering purchasing your own pot filler – measure your space, check your budget and see what you have in stock.

Hedy Phillips contributed to this post.