If you’ve ever changed bar faucets, you know what a headache that can be. Krowne just developed the product that will make your life much easier! My philosophy is that bars should be easy to install and easy to maintain. That’s why I recommend Krowne’s KMB modular bar die to nearly every client. As I’ve written in another post, you don’t need highly-skilled labor to install the KMB and the maintenance benefits are nearly non-existent – with one minor exception. As I’m about to demonstrate, Krowne has just streamlined an already-simple process…stay tuned! My name is Rick Uzubell and I’m a professional bar designer. I’ve been in this professional practice since 2006 and have worked for some incredible clients. Many changes have occurred over time and despite this, my top priority has always been about making prudent recommendations. Please allow me to be your bar designer today.
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- FIGURE 1. KROWNE’S STANDARD SINK BAR FAUCET
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- FIGURE 2. KROWNE’S STANDARD 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET
WHY ARE BAR FAUCETS SO IMPORTANT TO KROWNE?
Great question! The simple answer? Krowne is committed to excellence. To elaborate, they have an entire plumbing division under their company umbrella, and they manufacture a complete line of faucets – including bar faucets. Therefore, Krowne has unique perspective about all of its bar sinks – as well as the faucets they manufacture. This story is about the bar faucets included with their KMB modular bar die product.
THE MODULAR BAR DIE IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT?
Ever-committed to product excellence, Krowne recognized that their near-perfect modular bar die could still use a little improvement. They feel that the owners of their bar die and pedestal base systems need faucets that are easier to change. The concept of the KMB modular bar die is simple – it’s normally and routinely serviced by the mere removal of its built-in access panels, as shown in Figure 3, below. As a matter of fact, all faucets eventually require replacement. But here’s the problem: who wants to call a plumber and pay hundreds of dollars? What about the downtime – and ultimately, the customer’s experience? The real cost of changing a faucet could be magnitudes higher. If only these faucets could be quickly release and replaced by a bartender – now there’s a concept worthy of development!
STUCK ON YOUR BAR DESIGN? CALL US NOW…
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- FIGURE 3. KROWNE KMB MODULAR BAR DIE WITH REMOVABLE SERVICE PANELS
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- FIGURE 4. PHOTO OF BAR USING KROWNE KMB MODULAR BAR DIE
HOW DID THE IDEA OF THE QUICK-RELEASE FAUCET ORIGINATE?
Krowne recognized the need for owners of their modular bar die and pedestal base systems to have a replacement faucet that a bartender could easily change. After all, with the modular bar die, these are the only items that ever need to be changed. And who wants to remove bar panels in the middle of a shift?! If only the bar faucets could be changed quickly, by the average person and with minimal tools. Bingo – the idea was born!
WHAT IS A QUICK-RELEASE BAR FAUCET?
A quick-release bar faucet is one that can be changed by a person with no knowledge of plumbing, in a matter of minutes and minimal tools. Krowne engineered their quick-release faucets so the user merely pushes the existing faucet downward and then rotate it toward them.
CHANGING THIS FAUCET IS EASY!
Changing a Krowne quick-release bar faucet is fast and easy:
- Push downward on the existing wall-mounted bar faucet (this breaks the faucet free from the bar die)
- Rotate the above faucet body toward you, remove it free from the bar die and set it down
- Turn your hot and cold water valves to the 'OFF' position
- Using pliars, release the hot and cold water connections from the back of the faucet
- Connect the water lines to the back of the new, quick-release faucet
- Push the new bar faucet in the hole and apply upward pressure
HOW CAN I GET QUICK-RELEASE FAUCETS FOR MY BAR?
As mentioned above, Krowne’s new quick-release bar faucets were designed as an upgrade, expressly for Krowne’s KMB modular bar die and KMPED pedestal base support systems. These new faucets are only available to customers for new systems as of January 1, 2025. The faucets don’t apply to customers who own existing modular bar die systems or traditional Krowne sinks.
Krowne’s quick-release faucets are a factory upgrade to their standard wall-mount faucets. To upgrade the faucets for your new Krowne modular bar die or pedestal base system, simply ask your sales professional at the time your bar equipment is ordered.
WHEN DO I REALIZE THE BENEFIT OF OWNING A QUICK-RELEASE FAUCET?
In reality, the benefit of owning Krowne’s quick-release faucets begins immediately. That’s because the true benefit of ownership is how well you’ll be able to sleep, knowing that your bar will never be compromised in the middle of your busiest shift. That’s when you’ll be able to quickly remove and replace your factory-installed faucet. No plumbers required! Can you imagine the cost of lost time and repairs (not to mention unhappy customers) during your peak business hours? That could easily cost more than $1,000. Sure, the cost of upgrading your bar faucets will cost a few hundred dollars – but that’s a pittance. Think of your factory-installed quick-release faucets as an insurance policy that helps you sleep better, and at a small cost!
DO QUICK-RELEASE FAUCETS LOOK DIFFERENT THAN STANDARD FAUCETS?
The quick-release faucets don’t look much different than Krowne’s traditional faucets. The only physical feature that distinguishes the quick-release variety is their backing plate. Figures 5 and 6 (below) demonstrate the distinguishable difference between them. The other feature of the quick-release faucet are the extended water lines with a close 90 degree swivel – which enable the faucet to be pulled a significant distance for ease of service. A subtle feature is that there are no visible fasteners.
BAR DESIGN TIP
Be sure to remind your plumber to install the water line shutoff valves behind the faucet for ease of service.
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- FIGURE 5. KROWNE’S STANDARD SINK FAUCET
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- FIGURE 6. KROWNE’S STANDARD QUICK-RELEASE FAUCET
MORE ABOUT KROWNE’S PEDESTAL BASE SYSTEM
In 2024, Krowne created an economical version of their KMB modular bar die system. The new system, known as the “Pedestal Base Support System (KMPED)”, enables customers of traditional bar equipment to enjoy many of the benefits of the KMB. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, below, the primary benefit of this system is that the equipment sits above the floor for ease of mechanical installation and housekeeping. The quick-release faucets are a valuable upgrade for the KMPED, because the sinks can also be serviced from the bartender’s-side (the same as the KMB).
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- FIGURE 7. FRONT VIEW OF KROWNE’S KMPED
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- FIGURE 8. REAR VIEW OF KROWNE’S KMPED
HOW MANY DIFFERENT UNDERBAR SINKS DOES KROWNE OFFER?
When it comes to underbar sinks, Krowne offers two varieties: single-bowl sinks and multi-compartment sinks. Within the single-bowl category, they offer hand sinks and dump sinks, in various configurations; these utilize the standard #14-406 faucet (shown in Figure 5, above). The 2- and 3-compartment sinks (shown in Figure 2, above), utilize their 14-410 faucet. The quick-release faucet isn’t available for 4-compartment sinks, because of their obscure nature.
ARE 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS REQUIRED BY CODE?
You might be surprised to know that 3-compartment sinks are not required by most U.S. health departments. From my experience, most health departments do not require a 3-compartment sink at the bar for those venues that have a commercial kitchen on-premise. Occasionally, we encounter an instance where this isn’t acceptable. However, if you have a commercial kitchen with a 3-compartment sink, and you prefer an automatic glasswasher for your bar, call your local health inspector. Most inspectors are willing to work with you if you give them the courtesy of asking (not assuming). Never assume that they’ll automatically be agreeable. Make your health inspector your partner.
RELATED ARTICLE
My Takeaway On the Krowne Quick-Release Bar Faucets
The Krowne quick-release faucets offer unique value to bar owners. They enable bar owners the peace of mind of knowing that when their bar faucets need to be changed, it will be performed on-the-spot, at the least expense and without the need to call a plumber. I highly recommend the Krowne quick-release bar faucets for everyone who purchases a new Krowne KMB modular bar die or KMBPED pedestal bar base.
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