How to: pick a kitchen mixer

In the market for a new sink mixer? Franco Parisi, chief operating officer for Parisi, explains what you need to think about before you buy:

Check your specs Tall goosenecks, while very popular with homeowners, are not always a practical choice – they can simply look too big in a smaller kitchen. Mid-sized mixers with straight spouts offer the height and access needed for pots and glasses without the extra stature of a gooseneck mixer.

Allow enough space underneath Kitchen mixers with pull-out sprays are useful and practical: for example, they allow water to be taken to the pot rather than you having to move a heavy pasta pot around. When you’re choosing a mixer with a pull-out spray, remember you will need to have clearance under the sink for the mixer hoses, so they don’t get caught up on the trap or items under the sink.

Seek out great features Go for a quality brand because your kitchen mixer is going to be the most used tap in your house. Ease of operation matters too. Mixers with a lever are easy to operate when you have slippery or greasy hands or if arthritis is an issue. A good-quality European brass cartridge is important for drip prevention in high-use tapware.

Make it the star With island benches becoming larger and open-plan living unlikely to fade from popularity any time soon, kitchen mixers that have a striking presence are a smart investment in your kitchen’s aesthetics.

Investigate the new Kitchen mixers with solid spouts that have the option to select different spray actions are now available. The spouts of some models can swivel 360 degrees, enabling them to be used where sinks sit back to back. And some spouts have water-efficient aerators that are fully concealed. parisi.com.au