Mixer for kitchen sink - equipment, to whose choice should be approached with a special care and on which it is not necessary to save. Ergonomics, high-quality metal, functionality and wear resistance of all parts, modern design All these are the reasons for the popularity of kitchen mixers of one of the leaders of the plumbing industry - the German producer Grohe.
Brand description
At the dawn of the 20th century in the German town of Shtlatah, the descendant of the Masters of Sukoscikov, Hans Grohe, decided not to continue the family weaving, but to create a new business. He opened the workshop that began to specialize in the plumbing and received the name of the Creator-shensgrohe.
Design talent and the business grip of Hans quickly made a brand successful. His products won the Germans, Austria, Czech Republic markets. The Middle Son Grome - Friedrich, did not want to rest on his father's laurels, and the knowledge gained decided to apply to create his company. In 1936, he acquired a small scrap metal of brass products.
The production renewed on them focused on the release of fittings and mixers. Two years old, as mixers under the GROHE label began to be exported to most European countries.
Post-war years - time of the company's rapid growth. In 1956, Grohe bought the thermostat factory, which became its subsidiary. GROHE mixers with thermostat that support constant comfortable temperature is still considered one of the best in the world. In 1968, Grohe introduced a novelty - its version of the one-loaded mixer. Brands Hansgrohe and Grohe have been relatives for a long time, not competing, but later became independent.
In 2004, the Ground family loses management of companies, fully conveying them to American shareholders. Today, the Grohe brand is part of the Lixil major construction corporation (Japan). Japanese hosts do not want to miss consumers who are accustomed to trust the labeling "Made in Germany".
The headquarters of the company is located in Dusseldorf, the main technological laboratory and design bureau still work in the Black Forest, so Grohe continues to be positioned as an independent premium quality brand from Germany. The assembly of mixers is made at the plants of Germany, Portugal and Thailand. The enormous cash inflows of investors allow us to pay great attention to innovative developments and largely expand the range: it is updated by 25% every 2 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
Since the origin of the brand, the foundations of his philosophy have become quality, efficiency, advanced technology and stylish design. Kitchen mixers of the brand adequately compete even with premium products from Italy, which has a long tradition of plumbing production. The advantages of German mixers:
- All models have a guarantee of 5 years;
- Help and consultation can be obtained by a free telephone number of the Contact Center of the GROHE representative office, and the service network includes more than 55 offices throughout the country;
- Products are represented in a wide price range: from 3,000 to 200,000 rubles;
- GROHE produces mixers of different modifications;
- The company applies for cases not cheap alloys, but a durable brass and a durable chrome-plated starlight coating or steel SuperSteel;
- The brand uses unique developments of its laboratories: Silkmove, Cooltouch, Ecojoy - they are responsible for safety, water and energy saving, wear resistance and corrosion resistance;
- The pride of the company has become innovation of recent years: models with supplying water, filtered, boiled and even carbonated water with separate waterways and one instigate;
- Mixers are available in several colors: glossy and matte chromium, gold, white and black, in interesting shades of metal "Dark Graphite", "Cold Dawn", "Warm Sunset", "Antique Bronze";
- Grohe plumbing equipment installation is simple enough: in the kit there is a detailed assembly instruction, there are video equipment. Calling a specialist service center.
With the most advantages of GROHE mixers, the following flaws should be noted:
- many fakes;
- high cost;
- Not too much selection of colors;
- The sensitivity of the elements of the mechanism to the quality of water.
The reverse side of the fame and popularity of GROHE is common for fakes under the brand. On the original mixer will be a clearly engraved logo, it is present on the crimp sleeves.
The original in the set will necessarily go the necessary gaskets.
Stop from buying can and quite high price of some GROHE models. But this cost is justified by the excellent quality of all elements of the German product. Fielded market inexpensive Chinese mixers often repeat the design of famous firms, but the "filling" of them are short-lived, therefore savings can soon turn into extra costs. Modern kitchen faucets have acquired color: red, purple, green - today they can be anyhow.
Bright color in Grohe can be seen only in the Essence line on flexible silicone hoses. Due to the popularity of miles of artificial porcelain stoneware in the range of many brands, mixers with a composite coating of all sorts of shades appeared, which allows you to create a solid kit. Unfortunately, the Grohe brand does not find such options.
Often, the breakdown of the mixer details is possible due to poor water quality: the ceramic cartridge can clog the smallest particles of sand and impurities. The mechanism developed by German engineers is designed for pure flow water, because in Europe there are strict environmental requirements and norms. The use of plumbing filters will help to avoid this problem.
Views
Depending on the principle of operation, the kitchen faucet may be so.
- Two-dental - These are traditional models (Costa, Arabesk series), when the left and right valve are independently responsible for the supply of hot and cold water. It is necessary to adjust the temperature with two hands, and this is not too comfortable for the kitchen. The mechanism is based on the use of Ceramic Cranboux Carbodur.
At the failure, they are easy to replace them: Grohe has a wide selection of components.
Single-piece - The most common and practical type of devices (EUROCO, CONCETTO, EURO SMART COSMOPOLITAN models). The built-in ceramic cartridge with Silkmove technology allows the slight movement of the handle to control pressure and the jet temperature. The location of the lever is top or lateral.
- Sensory - These devices (Minta Touch) have a lever to adjust the temperature and intensity of the flow of water. But if the hands are dirty, then you can with a light touch to the sensor of the pure wrist area or the forearm to activate the spin of cold water and slip your hands, not staining the mixer. Automatically water will turn 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 to the sensor (it is installed on the cabinet door profile under the sink).
Many problems will solve the mixer with retractable expulsion: it is easy to fill any capacity with it, use a directional jet for cleaning. All models can be equipped with aurator: its mesh breaks the water jet, making it softer.
The premium class includes models with a high professional watering can be on the spring (Eurocube, Grohe K7). You can switch modes: shower jet or aerator.
Popular models
Many Grohe models have already fallen in love with customers and have a mass of laudatory feedback. Model Wave Cosmopolitan. There are with a middle and high twisted. Even the average will allow pour water into overall containers. Traditional in form GROHE EUROSMART NEW (32534002) Inexpensive, suitable for a small washing, has an aerator, the necessary comfort ensures rotation of 140 degrees.
In high model Eurosmart New. Applied Ecojoy Adjustment Technology: At lower water costs, the jet has sufficient pressure. Grohe Start Series includes a device in a stylish shade "superstal". quick mounting technology QuickFix facilitates its installation by allowing it to perform even the layman.
Nice single-lever model Grohe Minta with C- and L-bend. They are equipped with a sliding switch watering aerator / shower spray, a radius of rotation of the latching - 150 or 360 degrees. Particularly the mixer is effective matte color "black velvet". Provided consumers are willing to spend on a set Grohe Blue Minta New Pure filter, because it allows the use of purified drinking water straight from the tap, switching lever.
How to choose?
The products Grohe united superb design and functionality. This mixer will decorate the kitchen and indispensable tool in the daily activities. The range of Grohe faucets have under any interior solution. Maybe only deliberately aged retro models under the style of Provence, or the magnificent baroque do not exist in the collections presented today. Dvuhventilnye device suitable for traditional classical interior, and concise single-lever fit into a minimalist, loft and other modern styles.
Kitchen taps involve several accommodation options: the sink, countertop or wall. When choosing a kitchen faucet you must start from the sink bowl size: Ideally, if the jet is directed straight into the drain.
In order to avoid inconvenience to the water set in a large pot or vase, choose a model with a high or flexible retractable spout. But because of too high a crane may arise spray.
On washing with two sinks required rotary mixer or a model with a flexible hose. Solid metal or flexible silicone watering can have mode switching from a normal to the shower, which is very convenient for washing greens, berries, fruits. We have Grohe taps with rotating spout even 360 degrees, for example, Minta Touch. This design provides maximum comfort.
How to install?
High precision machining of all parts of threaded joints and surfaces provide sufficiently simple installation Grohe mixer. For independent work need these tools:
- wrenches;
- open-end wrench;
- pliers;
- screwdriver.
You should also have on hand FUM-tape and sealant. Branded packaging includes detailed instructions, faucet, hoses, gaskets. Before mounting necessarily disconnect the water supply. Read the instructions. Watch for marking nozzles flexible hoses to the hot and cold cart. After installation, you must check the operation of the mixer and the tightness of all connections. Turn on the water pressure and dry hands slide all over the place fasteners, they should not be wet. The mixer is not flowing in the closed state.
Operation and care
Choosing a GROHE mixer for its kitchen, it is necessary to respect this result of the work of high-class specialists, especially if you have acquired a fairly expensive model. The technique has a thoughtful ergonomics, so:
- It should not be superfluous to twist the valves;
- Rotary lever turn smoothly;
- Carefully pull the flexible watering can;
- To avoid chipping and deformation, take care of the mixer from shocks.
When cleaning, it is impossible to use chemistry with aggressive acids (including acetic) and abrasive powders. A sufficiently wet sponge with soap solution. The initial shine is easy to save, wiping the mixer dry after each use. The Grohe manufacturer has developed a special soft leaving for chrome surfaces - GrohClean. It will help to avoid the appearance of lime spots and sediments, and if they are already there, then carefully removes them.
On how easy it is to install a Grohe kitchen single-dimensive mixer with drawn spill, see the following video.