Pedal taps for professional kitchens: hands-free hygiene for the catering industry

Idral pedal taps: hands-free hygiene for the professional kitchen.

In a professional kitchen, hands never stop. They prepare, cut, knead, plate — and must be washed constantly. But every time a traditional tap is touched with dirty hands, a surface is contaminated that everyone else will touch afterwards.

Pedal taps solve this problem at the root: they are operated with the foot. Water flows only while the pedal is pressed. Hands stay free and clean at all times, without ever coming into contact with the tap.

The hygiene challenge in commercial kitchens

HACCP regulations impose strict hygiene standards in professional kitchens. Staff must be able to wash their hands frequently without contaminating surfaces. In a restaurant kitchen, a canteen or a food laboratory, the tap is one of the most critical contact points: it is touched dozens of times a day by hands that have just handled raw food, seasonings and utensils.

A traditional tap with a lever or knob requires direct contact for opening and closing. This creates a continuous contamination cycle that only a hands-free system can break.

How the pedal tap works

The principle is simple and mechanical: a floor- or wall-mounted pedal is hydraulically connected to the tap valve. Pressing the pedal with the foot opens the valve and water flows. Releasing the pedal closes the valve. No electronics, no sensors, no electrical power supply.

This mechanism has a fundamental advantage: water consumption matches actual use time exactly. Water flows only when needed and stops immediately when the foot leaves the pedal.

The Idral pedal tap: mod. 02064

Model 02064 is a wall-mounted pedal tap designed for the intensive use of professional kitchens.

The body is in cast brass — a robust material, resistant to corrosion and suitable for contact with drinking water. The self-lubricating anti-limescale valve ensures smooth operation over time, even in hard water conditions, reducing the need for maintenance.

An important technical feature is the progressive closure with no water hammer: when the pedal is released, the valve closes gradually rather than abruptly. This prevents sudden pressure surges in the pipework (so-called "water hammer"), protecting the plumbing system and extending its service life.

Fixings are included for quick and stable installation.

Key features:

• Cast brass body
• Self-lubricating anti-limescale valve
• Progressive closure with no water hammer
• Wall mounting
• Fixings included
• No electrical power supply required

Types: single pedal, double pedal, wall and floor

The Idral pedal tap range includes several configurations to meet specific operational needs.

Single pedal — One pedal controls the delivery of cold or pre-mixed water. The simplest and most compact solution, suited to situations where temperature adjustment at the point of use is not required.

Double pedal — Two separate pedals control hot and cold water independently. This allows temperature adjustment directly at the washing point, without touching the tap.

Wall mounting — The pedal is fixed to the wall at a comfortable height for foot operation. Ideal when the floor must remain clear for cleaning.

Floor mounting — The pedal is fixed to the floor. Offers natural ergonomics for operation and a stable position.

Practical installation

Idral pedal taps are designed to simplify installation. The mechanism is entirely hydraulic: no electrical power supply, wiring or programming required. Connection to the water mains is direct and fixings are included.

This simplicity makes them particularly suited to refurbishments of existing kitchens, where adding an electrical connection at the washing point could be complex or costly.

Application sectors

Restaurants — The heart of the catering industry. Every washing station can be equipped with a pedal, allowing staff to wash their hands without interrupting the workflow.

Canteens and catering — Large preparation volumes require frequent washing. The pedal ensures constant hygiene without slowing operations.

Bakeries and food laboratories — Environments where hands are often engaged with dough and raw materials. The pedal control is the most natural solution.

Pharmaceutical and chemical laboratories — Beyond catering, pedal taps find application wherever hands must remain clean or protected: research laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, hospital environments.

Explore the full range: www.idral.it/en/23-rubinetto-a-pedale

Pairing with dispensing spouts

The pedal tap controls the opening and closing of water. But in a professional kitchen, the dispensing point must also be designed for intensive use: heights suitable for filling large pots, rotation to cover double sinks, flow rates calibrated for every activity.

For this reason, Idral offers a range of dispensing spouts specifically for professional kitchens, designed to be paired with pedal taps. The next article in this series is dedicated to this topic.

Technical support for your kitchen project

Are you designing or refurbishing a professional kitchen? The Idral team is available to analyse the kitchen layout and propose the most suitable configuration of pedal taps and dispensing spouts.

Discover all solutions for Idral kitchen taps.