Frothy Taps

Presumably you're not talking about some sort of soap-dosing? I've never seen them if you are.

OK so no, you probably don't want soapy coffee, my Franke kitchen tap has what it calls a 'perlator' which is just a bit of fine metal gauze that screws onto the outlet ...

Ah thanks Andy, I reckon the metal gauze will do the trick. The Franke isn't available locally, I'll have a look online, thanks.

Don't know about makes but the technology is to suck air into the water stream. This creates air bubbles in the water stream which burst on contact with skin. The theory is it takes less water to wet you - less splashing water wasted (but will take longer to fill a kettle)

I have fitted these to last 2 houses, they are simply small aeration devices that screw into the end of the taps (Ideal Standard) As described above they are a fine mesh ... as the unit screw into end of tap .. it adds nothing to tap length.

First came across these on taps in Germany at end of 70's

Brilliant, thanks Chris, the aerator must be similar to the effect with the metal gauze fixed to Andy's Franke tap. It seems to reduce the amount of hot water wasted, so a big saving in public loos. I can live with the slow kettle fill.

I've just had a look at the Franke site. Quite a large range. I looked at the details and there may be issues with some of the taps' compatibility with our combi boiler. I may have to give Baxi a ring.

Some of the spouts are single flow and some bi-flo. Are there any ad/disadvantages of either type, anyone, thanks.

They are aerators, they just add air bubbles into the flow. Lidl was selling bits to screw onto a mixer that did that or made a multi jet spray when you twisted it.

A quick search for "tap aerator" on amazon will give you loads to choose from.

Just like the things pubs put on their beer taps to "froth" the beer.

Thanks Dennis, I'll have a look online, although in fairness the existing mixer tap is corroding and could do with replacing.