What is a Pre-Rinse Faucet?
A pre-rinse faucet is used in commercial foodservice spaces to rinse away food residue from plateware and cooking items before being thoroughly washed. Pre-rinse faucets are an important part of the warewashing process, as they remove larger scraps from your wares so that the actual washing and sanitizing process can be done efficiently. If you’re deciding on what kind of pre-rinse faucet you want, you may be faced with a number of options. Learn more about pre-rinse faucet systems and more in this guide.
How Does a Pre-Rinse Faucet Work?
Pre-rinse faucets are designed to dispense a high-powered stream of water through the spray valve to quickly and easily remove stuck-on food debris off plates, cookware and more. They’re designed with a long hose or pipe system to reduce space, be easily operated and offer a wider range of use for big pre-rinse jobs.
When it’s time to begin pre-rinsing, all you have to do is turn on the water, pull down the spray valve, and use the hand grip on the spray valve to begin dispensing water on the wares.
Types of Pre-Rinse Faucets
Pre-rinse faucets come with a variety of options; from mounting options to faucet styles and more. Here are some common types of pre-rinse faucets and their features.
Mounting Styles for Pre-Rinse Faucets
Pre-rinse faucets typically come in two mounting styles: wall-mounted and deck-mounted. Each style serves its own purpose depending on your setup.
- Wall-Mounted—These types of faucets are mounted behind the sink within the wall, as the name suggests. Wall-mounted pre-rinse faucets are handy if you don’t have a lot of counter or sink space.
- Deck-Mounted—Pre-rinse faucets mounted on the “deck” are installed within the counter itself above the sink bowl.
Faucet Types and Features
The faucets themselves in pre-rinse systems also come in a variety of designs and options.
- Gooseneck Faucets—Goosenecks feature a flexible curved hose that’s protected by an overhead spring that attaches to a spray valve.
- Roto-flex Faucets—Roto-flex units utilize a series of thin pipes connected by elbow joints that attach to a spray valve.
- Spray Valves—Provides a high-powered, pressurized blast of water to remove stuck-on foods. Spray valves can come in a variety of GPM (gallons per minute) options, and low-flow versions to reduce water waste.
- Add-on Faucets—Some pre-rinse units have the option to install an add-on faucet, giving you a regular faucet that’s attached to the pre-rinse faucet system.
Pre-Rinse vs. Pull-Down Faucets: What’s the Difference?
Pre-rinse and pull-down faucets fundamentally are the same: both feature a long hose and spray valve for reach and ease of cleaning. Design-wise, though, they both have their own unique characteristics.
Pre-rinse faucets feature a tall exposed hose or rigid tubing system, providing greater range and pressure power. Pull-down faucets, on the other hand, have their hoses contained within the fixed faucet itself and, as the name suggests, can be pulled down by the spray valve for extra reach.
While pre-rinse faucets have greater range and power, pull-down faucets are perfect for smaller spaces and smaller rinsing jobs. Because of their smaller scale and confined design, pull-down faucets don’t have as much reach or spray power as its pre-rinse counterpart. However, due to their height, pre-rinse faucets do require some space to easily fit and function.
Looking for a new pre-rinse system or accessories? Explore your pre-rinse options from T&S Brass, Krowne, Fisher and more at Parts Town.