Grohe Essence Single-Lever Kitchen Mixer Tap

In-Depth Look

The Grohe Essence is a contemporary single-lever kitchen tap with a high spout and a ceramic cartridge.

SilkMove Ceramic Cartridge

The defining technical feature of the Grohe Essence is the SilkMove ceramic cartridge. Ceramic discs provide smooth control over flow rate and temperature, with no rubber washers to wear out. The Essence uses a 28mm cartridge, which a competent plumber can replace if required.

Pressure Compatibility

Grohe lists a working pressure of 1 to 5 bar for this tap. That suits mains-pressure and unvented systems, but a tap needing 1 bar will not suit a low-pressure gravity-fed hot water system, common in older UK properties with a cold water tank in the loft. Confirm the system pressure against the Grohe data sheet before specifying it.

Spout and Fixing

The high spout gives room for filling large pots, and the swivel range can be set to 0, 150 or 360 degrees to suit the sink layout. Check the spout height and the tap hole size in the Grohe installation sheet. It comes with flexible connection hoses and an integrated temperature limiter.

StarLight Chrome Finish

Grohe describes its StarLight chrome as easy to clean. Other finishes are made in the Essence range if the client prefers an alternative to chrome.

Verdict

A contemporary kitchen mixer tap with a SilkMove ceramic cartridge and a high, adjustable-swivel spout. Check the working pressure, hole size and Grohe guarantee terms before specifying it.

How It Compares

The Grohe Essence single-lever sink mixer (article 30269000) is a 1/2 inch kitchen tap with a chrome StarLight finish. Other finishes exist, such as warm sunset and cool sunrise. It has a high spout for filling tall pots, swivel settings of 0, 150 or 360 degrees, a GROHE SilkMove ceramic cartridge (28mm), an integrated temperature limiter and flexible connection hoses. The listed working pressure is 1.0 to 5 bar.

If you are choosing a sink to go with it, our pages on the Franke Reno stainless steel sink and the Blanco Subline 500 U Silgranit sink cover two options.

Think about the layout of your sink too. A high spout needs clearance above the bowl, so check the height under any window ledge, shelf or wall cupboard. Check where the lever opens, so that it does not hit the wall when it is lifted. The flexible connection hoses allow connection inside a tight cupboard, but plumbing work should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and be done by a competent person where required.

Common Questions

Will this tap work with low-pressure or tank-fed hot water? The tap lists a working pressure of 1.0 to 5 bar, so it needs at least 1 bar. A combi or unvented system is typically higher pressure than a tank-fed one. Check with your plumber before you buy if you are unsure of your supply.

What does the swivel limiter do? It sets how far the spout can turn, to 0, 150 or 360 degrees. This helps stop the spout hitting a window, wall or cabinet next to the sink.

What hole size does the tap need? Check the Grohe installation sheet for the exact hole size, and do not guess. Measure the hole in your sink or worktop before ordering.

How do I descale or look after chrome? Wipe it with mild soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry it to prevent marks. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scourers, as they can scratch the finish. If limescale builds up, follow the care instructions from Grohe.