Every dishwasher knows that it can be hard to get all your dishes clean in one go. That makes kitchen pre-rinse faucets an essential part of any commercial kitchen, especially if you have large volumes of dishes to clean. 

Picking the right pre-rinse faucet is no easy task. There are so many out there. How do you know which one to get? 

There’s no need to stress about all your options. All you need to do is check out this handy guide to help decide which pre-rinse faucet is the best choice for your commercial kitchen.

Key Takeaways:

• Kitchen pre-rinse faucets make dishwashing easier for sanitation specialists
• When choosing the right faucet for your commercial kitchen, consider installation, water conservation, and ways to increase productivity for your sanitation staff
• The functionality of your pre-rinse faucet should be the first thing you consider, along with where you will be installing this fixture in your commercial kitchen

What is a Pre-Rinse Faucet?

Kitchen pre-rinse faucets are not like the other sinks in your commercial kitchen. They have the essential task of rinsing off dirty dishes before they enter the dishwasher.  

This process removes any residue from preparing, cooking, and eating so the dishwasher can clean and sanitize the dishes effectively. For that reason, you want to ensure the one in your commercial kitchen performs these tasks efficiently.  

How to Make the Right Choices When Purchasing a Pre-Rinse Faucet

The market share for faucets in the United States continues to climb. The commercial faucet market holds the highest percentage, at more than 50% of the overall value.  

This growth means that you will have more choices when picking out the pre-rinse faucet for your establishment. 

When you go to purchase your next pre-rinse valve, keep one with these features in mind.

Get One That is Easy to Install 

Convenience is one of the primary reasons to have a pre-rinse faucet in your commercial kitchen. Just ask your dishwasher. So, if you need a new pre-rinse fixture, you’ll want one that is easy to install.

There are those available on the market that take only a few tools and a little knowledge to install. If you can read and follow instructions, your choice in the kitchen pre-rinse faucet should go in with little effort.

The Chicago Faucets 90 series are easy to install. This 30-second video shows you just how easy installation can be. 

Install One That Conserves Water  

A high-performance pre-rinse faucet means less water consumption (and energy sustainability). If you install a valve that manufacturers design for sustainability, you can ensure savings in both operational expenses and in the use of natural resources. 

Choose One That Increases Productivity 

If you have ever worked a shift in your commercial kitchen, you know that nothing reduces productivity than a kitchen that can’t plate food because there are no clean dishes. 

Nothing else slows down a commercial kitchen dishwasher than not having an effective pre-rinse faucet. If there isn’t enough pressure, the residue won’t get rinsed, and the dishes will have to be run through the dish machine multiple times. 

If you get a high-performance valve with multiple stream settings, each dish will get the exact rinse they need. In turn, this will increase the productivity of everyone working in your commercial kitchen.

5 Considerations When Choosing the Right Pre-Rinse Kitchen Faucet

Choosing the right pre-rinse faucet could save your establishment money, especially if you purchase Energy Star™ qualified equipment. These pre-rinse valves help your commercial dishwasher run more efficiently.

As you see from the table below, your commercial kitchen could save as much as $2,200 are year. Possibly, even more, depending on the size and scope of your establishment. 

Besides the savings, there are other things to consider. Here’s what you need to think about before making this choice:

1. Spray Settings

The most effective pre-rinse valves are the ones with multiple spray settings. The minimum would be to have two options. However, the sprayers with three or four options are best. You wouldn’t want to spray stemware with the same pressure as a cast-iron frying pan.

2. Docking Method

The docking method is how you keep the faucet head attached when not in use. Some offer a magnetic system to keep the valve in place. This style is an excellent alternative to letting the nozzle hang or a hook system that often leads to the hose and spout drooping over time.

3. Flow Rate 

When it comes to kitchen faucets, there is a range of flow rates. You measure the amount of water that moves through the faucet. The average is 2 gallons per minute (GPM), but some are as low as 1.5 GPM. 

What you want depends on how much liquid an individual kitchen uses each day. So, keep this number handy when looking into different types.

4. Spout Height & Hose Length

When installing a pre-rinse faucet, you must evaluate the spout height, hose length, and base cabinet space. Higher spouts give your dishwasher more room to move the sprayer. However, consider the overhead space available. 

The next thing to think about is the length of the hose and how much space is available under the cabinet to accommodate the hose and other fittings. Take measurements to ensure you don’t get a hose the wrong length.

5. Price & Warranty

Finally, you’ll want to ensure the fixture fits within your budget. Commercial faucet fixtures can range from a hundred to a thousand dollars. 

The next thing to consider is the warranty. Your pre-rinse faucet may get a lot of use. Ensure that it will be durable enough for what you need and that if it wears out before it should, and that your warranty covers parts that break down prematurely. 

Purchasing a New Pre-Rinse Faucet for Your Commercial Kitchen

Whether installing a new dishwashing station or upgrading an existing kitchen pre-rinse faucet, it’s essential to purchase commercial applications that do the job you need them to do. The helpful professionals can help ensure you get the one that meets the requirements of your establishment.

Are you looking for the very best in kitchen pre-rinse faucets? Chicago Faucets is the leading manufacturer of commercial faucets. Contact us and check out our latest commercial kitchen fittings.