Is this a spigot, or a faucet, or any kind of kitchen fixture at all? If you’re not familiar with pot filler faucets, you may wonder what you’re seeing when you look at the 1177LF by Delta. But there’s no denying that it’s a useful appliance for your kitchen.
What is a Pot Filler?
This type of faucet would never be the only water source in a kitchen. It has only one spout and there isn’t any way to change the temperature of the water. People use pot fillers to fill bigger pots right at the stove, rather than having to fill them at the sink and carry them across the kitchen. Bearing in mind that a gallon of water weighs more than 8 pounds, a pot filler can save you a lot of heavy lifting.
If you feel like it takes forever to fill a pot using your main faucet, you’ll probably like using a pot filler. It fills large pots quickly and efficiently. You might even fill your big coffee or tea pots with it if you’re in a big hurry for your caffeine fix!
High Pressure and Flow Rate, Source Permitting
The filling speed is a function of the higher flow rate of this pot filler. It provides a rate of 4 gallons per minute, which is double the average flow rate. The most you’ll usually find for a main kitchen faucet is 2.2 gallons per minute. According to the technical specifications document, the flow rate for this model is actually 4.3 GPM. I’ve never measured it personally, which is why I went with the more conservative lower number.
However, these figures assume that the water pressure is 60 PSI. If your kitchen plumbing is able to supply 90 PSI, the pot filler’s flow rate may be as high as 5 GPM, and possibly even more.
All of this assumes that this level of water pressure is safe and available in your kitchen. If you’re renovating an old kitchen, it’s best to check, especially if you live somewhere that has legal regulations about flow rate and water pressure. There’s no point in buying a pot filler specifically because it offers a flow rate that you won’t be able to use because of local utility regulations.
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Practical Dimensions and Style
As long as the flow and pressure are okay, this pot filler will help you a lot in the kitchen. It’s not just a matter of having access to a large amount of water in a short time; this faucet also gives you the flexibility you need.
This model features a double-jointed long neck and two handles for control. The total length of the spout when it’s extended fully is 23 5/8 inches. That’s almost 2 feet, so you’ll be able to swing the pot filler over your stove or sink, or even your countertop, to use it wherever you need it.
The double articulation really helps. A regular faucet really can’t match this flexibility unless you have a pull-out spray wand with a long hose. The pot filler moves smoothly but firmly to where you need it, and you can fold it away when you’re not using it.
Unfortunately, it only moves horizontally. There is no way to adjust the height of the spout. As much as this limits the function of the faucet, the engineering required to allow vertical movement no doubt would come at a much higher price.
Water Source and Two-Handle Controls
Two handles make this faucet even more flexible to use. A handle at the base moves vertically, while one at the top is moved horizontally. Depending on your own preference (or the requirements of the task at hand), you can choose whichever handle works best for you.
There is one drawback to the two-handle operation. You must always leave the base handle open if you want to use the one at the spout – otherwise you’ll have to use both handles. I’m not sure how the designers could have overcome this limitation, but I wish they’d found a way. However, it does add a bit of security knowing that you need to open two handles to get the water flowing.
The motion of the handles is a good balance between easy and firm. They feel secure enough without being difficult to open and close. All it takes is a 90 degree turn to open the valve completely. A simple wrist motion takes you from 0 to more than 4 GPM. This is a well-made unit.
One major drawback for me is that this faucet is meant to use cold water only. In my kitchen I like to save energy and time by starting with hot water when I’m filling a pot for cooking. In my house, the cold water is actually quite frigid, particularly in the middle of the winter.
Theoretically you could choose to connect this fixture to your hot water instead. The materials used in construction are sturdy enough to withstand heat. The ceramic valves ensure drip-free performance for years as long as the rest of the components are intact. The interior of the faucet is made of solid brass. However, it’s always best in my opinion to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer, if only to avoid invalidating the warranty. This model comes with a lifetime warranty, so you don’t want to lose that!
Aesthetics – Style and Finishes
I really like the look of this pot filler. The design of the spigot looks traditional enough to fit in well with a Victorian theme in your kitchen. However, it’s also simple enough to look good in an ultramodern Scandinavian setting too.
There are lots of choices available when it comes to finishes. There are two stainless steel finishes, Arctic (1177LF-AR), and Regular (1177LF-SS). You can also get chrome (1177LF) if you like the shiny modern look. For a more vintage style, check out the Venetian Bronze (1177LF-RB) or Champagne Bronze (1177LF-CZ) finishes. These will complement an Edwardian or Mediterranean theme perfectly.
Overall
The 1177LF pot filler by Delta is undeniably a specialty feature. You could never use it to replace your main kitchen faucet. But if having a water source right where you need it to deliver a high flow rate appeals to you, you’ll probably be very happy with this model.