Restaurants with high-volume kitchens know the importance of being efficient, which is why T&S Brass and Bronze Works created their new DuraPull pre-rinse unit. Created by the company that originally introduced the first pre-rinse unit back in 1947, they’ve revamped their system to respond to changes in how the foodservice professional manages warewashing and dishwashing operations.
The new T&S DuraPull features convenient pull-down activation and heavy-duty construction that’s backed by an industry leading extended warranty. The company decided to redesign their pre-rinse system after numerous focus groups that helped underlie the problems large-scale kitchens were facing.
“We realized our customers didn’t have a great option for activating the water flow out of the spray valve,” explained David Scelsi of T&S Brass. “Some customers mentioned that the squeeze handle isn’t comfortable over time; that it can add stress to the arm.” To remedy these complaints, the T&S R&D team developed a system that eliminated the handle. To active the DuraPull system, the operator simply pulls it down, which eliminates the need to squeeze anything.
Another thing they learned in their focus groups was that open kitchens were on the rise. “People are now seeing what’s happening behind the wall and a pre-rinse system wasn’t exactly eye catching. There wasn’t anything really cool about them, so we thought there was an opportunity to make it look nicer,” Scelsi added.
Input from the foodservice community pointed to a need for durability. The new DuraPull has been designed to offer a buffer to the challenges of high volume dishwashing stations. “We tested it with millions of cycles, so we feel very strongly that this is the most durable unit on the market and we’re backing that up with a first in the industry 7-year warranty.”
With a rugged stainless steel construction paired with a premium, water-saving design, the new unit is an ideal solution for the rigors of demanding foodservice operations. As more and more kitchens are concerned with sustainability and energy efficiency, T&S made sure that the DuraPull would provide a full range of green solutions.
“We actually do water audits to help people understand how much water they use so that they can improve water consumption. People fail to realize that their water consumption has a direct impact on their energy efficiency because they’re using hot water,” Scelsi noted.
The pull-down activation feature on the DuraPull means water begins flowing as soon as users pull the sprayer down the sink. Automatic shut-off then prevents water waste by ending the flow of water when the handle is released, eliminating the spray valve handle and hold-down ring of regular units. In addition, its 1.07 gpm sprayer is fully compliant with the newly effective Department of Energy regulations.
The DuraPull also features highly durable ceramic cartridges with a lifetime warranty. According to Sclesi, these cartridges are known for their reliability and longevity. It’s available in a variety of configurations for deck-or wall-mount installations.
DuraPull made its market debut at the NAFEM Show in Orlando. “People wanted to buy the units off the display kitchen, they loved it so much,” he added. “The industry is excited because there’s been a lack of innovation in our space. Clearly it’s going to provide a much needed solution.”
To learn more about T&S Brass and Durapull, visit their website.
