Why This Fancy Kitchen Tech Upgrade Isn't Worth The Hype

If you've ever been giddy for a kitchen gadget, excited for some new equipment, ravenously researching the latest in cooking technology, then good news: You're on the right website. Even though upgrading your gear is a great way to increase your culinary capabilities, it can be hard to shake the worry that your new commitment won't be worth the money or hassle. Usually, we'd say go for it, unlock that next level of kitchen comfort and find ways to maximize space with some cool tools. But if you were thinking about installing a pot filler, maybe give it a second thought.

Pot fillers made a splash online a few years ago as an aspirational fancy kitchen gadget. They're easy to use and understand: an extra faucet in your kitchen right above the stovetop to fill pots with water and save you a trip from the sink. Lugging a pot full with water can weigh up to 40 pounds, depending on the size of the container, so preventing this little workout has its benefits, especially for those with mobility and accessibility issues.

That's about it as far as positives go. The cost of that minor convenience is a hefty price tag, potentially destructive maintenance issues, and an overall lack of functionality. Professional interior designers agree that home kitchens are rarely big enough to justify one, without even considering the aesthetic impact of a random faucet interrupting the backsplash. Money burns quick when kitchen upgrades are concerned, and it's hard to make a case for something expensive that saves you a few seconds of carrying a pot. Anyone considering installing a pot filler should make sure they see value where many do not.

One big reason to reconsider installing a pot filler is the danger of leaks. A leaky faucet over a sink is one thing, but potentially damaging the wall, floor, and stove itself is a problem that can easily arise with a pot filler, as any pipe has the potential to leak eventually. Beside the obvious danger of water damaging your oven, it could take you a while to even notice anything's wrong since your wall is covered up by, you know, the oven. The situation isn't made any easier if you spray water all over the place like Bethenny Frankel.

Perhaps the most damning argument against pot fillers is: Do you really need them? One experienced Reddit chef claimed that they "couldn't care less" and had no interest in installing yet another thing to keep clean. The distance between a sink and oven in the average home kitchen isn't that much of a trek, after all. Another suggested the money spent on a pot filler, which can easily set you back hundreds of dollars before it's even installed, would be better used for more practical upgrades, like under-cabinet lighting or an extra sink. Another Reddit commenter asks an even bigger question: Don't you still need to take the pot back to the sink anyway for draining and cleaning? We think there are plenty of great ways to give your kitchen the makeover it deserves, just maybe skip on the pot fillers for now.