Best Brass and Gold Kitchen Faucets (2026): Finish Care

Plumbing Picks is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Quick answer from a licensed plumber: For most kitchens, buy the Kohler Crue 22972-2MB in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass. Kohler’s faucet warranty covers Vibrant finishes for as long as the original buyer owns the home, and it names the cleaners that void that coverage. For an old sink with up to four holes, the Moen Orivesi 87891BZG in Bronzed Gold fits 1 to 4 holes and comes with a deck plate and soap dispenser. For a traditional look, the Moen Jaslynn 87618BZG. For a thick stone counter, the KRAUS Torak KPF-2635SFBB takes up to a 3-1/2 in. deck. For a Champagne Bronze spring spout with a 9-5/8 in. reach, the Delta Ermelo 18887-CZ-DST. Clean any of them with water and a soft cloth.

Our pick for most kitchens: the Kohler Crue 22972-2MB in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass. Check the Kohler Crue 22972-2MB on Amazon

A brass or gold kitchen faucet is bought for its finish first, so this guide starts there. It shows what each maker calls its gold, what the finish warranty covers and which cleaners void it, and then whether the faucet fits your sink. The five picks below come from Kohler, Moen, KRAUS and Delta, in warm brass and gold finishes sold by Amazon. For faucets in every finish, see our kitchen faucet picks and pull-down faucet picks. For how whole brands handle warranty claims, see kitchen faucet brands compared.

Brass and Gold Kitchen Faucets Compared

From the Kohler, Moen, KRAUS and Delta documents listed below, read on September 30, 2026. Heights and reach for Kohler, Moen and Delta come from their drawings; Moen’s reach is to the outlet. KRAUS figures come from its product page and manual. Every linked listing was sold by Amazon.com and in stock when we checked.

Models we checked but did not link

Delta Nicoli 19867LF-CZ and Finnridge 19730LF-CZ in Champagne Bronze. Both were sold by Amazon when we checked, but we could not open their spec sheets, and we do not link a faucet we have not read. We found and linked the sheet for Delta’s Ermelo in the same finish instead. Moen Sleek and Weymouth in Brushed Gold, and Kohler Crue 22973-2MB (spring spout). A third-party seller had the offer, and the Crue had very low stock. Kohler Tone 23764-2MB. Sold by Amazon, but we did not read its documents for this guide. Unbranded gold faucets. Many search results came from brands with no spec sheet or finish warranty we could find.

How to Choose a Brass or Gold Kitchen Faucet

Finish names do not match across brands

Each maker names its gold differently: Moen’s Bronzed Gold (BZG), Kohler’s Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass (2MB), KRAUS’s Spot-Free Brushed Brass (SFBB) and Delta’s Champagne Bronze (CZ). Amazon titles often add “brushed gold” to all of them. Plumber’s note: if you want the soap dispenser, pot filler, air gap or bar faucet to match, buy them from the same maker in the same finish code. Two golds from different brands rarely sit well side by side.

Read the finish warranty, not just “lifetime”

Kohler’s faucet warranty covers finishes for as long as the original consumer purchaser owns the home. A footnote moves non-Vibrant, painted and powder-coated finishes to Kohler’s one-year warranty, so on a Kohler the word Vibrant in the finish name matters. Moen’s sheets give a lifetime limited warranty against finish defects to the original homeowner, with 10 years multifamily and 5 years commercial. KRAUS covers structure and finish for as long as the original buyer lives in the home where it was installed. Delta’s sheet gives a lifetime limited warranty on parts and finish, with the same 10-year multifamily and 5-year commercial terms as Moen. Kohler, Moen and KRAUS limit coverage to the original buyer, and Kohler limits it to purchases from Kohler or an authorized seller.

Cleaners that void the finish warranty

A brass finish is most often ruined by the wrong cleaner. Kohler says abrasive cleansers, ammonia, bleach, acids, waxes, alcohol or solvents not recommended for its finishes void the warranty. Moen’s warranty excludes damage from cleaners containing abrasives, alcohol or other organic solvents. For faucet finishes other than its Spot-Free line, KRAUS’s care guide rules out abrasive powders, bleach, ammonia, alcohol, vinegar and chlorine. Plumber’s note: vinegar is the usual fix for hard water spots, and it is the one KRAUS names. If the aerator scales up, take it off and soak it by itself, away from the finish. See how to clean a faucet aerator.

Holes and deck thickness

The two Moen faucets fit 1, 2, 3 or 4 holes through a 1-1/2 in. minimum hole and a deck up to 2-1/2 in. The Kohler fits 1 or 3 holes, with a 1-5/16 in. hole on its drawing and a 2-1/2 in. maximum deck. Kohler lists an optional 1012715 deep rough-in kit. The KRAUS takes a 1-3/8 in. minimum hole and up to 3-1/2 in. of deck. The Delta takes a 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in. hole and up to 2-1/2 in., or 2-1/4 in. with its optional escutcheon. Plumber’s note: a thick quartz or granite counter over an undermount sink can pass 2-1/2 in. at the faucet hole. Measure from the top of the counter to the bottom of the mounting surface before you buy. See kitchen faucet hole sizes.

Supply connections and pressure

All five end in 3/8 in. compression fittings, and Moen says its supply lines connect directly to the supply stop. Kohler’s sheet gives a supply range of 20 to 125 psi static. Plumber’s note: a new faucet is the time to replace old angle stops that will not close. See our under-sink shut-off valve picks and braided supply line picks.

Flow

Kohler and Moen limit these faucets to 1.5 gpm at 60 psi, and KRAUS and Delta list 1.8 gpm. Moen’s Orivesi and Jaslynn sheets say they meet Georgia SB370 requirements. The Kohler’s Boost button raises the flow rate by 30%, per Kohler. Filling 3 gallons takes about 2 minutes at 1.5 gpm and about 1 minute 40 seconds at 1.8 gpm, at full rated flow (our arithmetic).

I send an occasional note when a new guide goes up — repairs worth doing yourself, and the parts that actually last. No spam, no course funnel; written by a licensed Georgia plumber.

Before You Buy

1. Pick the maker before the color. Finish names and shades differ by brand, so choose one maker for every gold piece at the sink.
2. Check the finish warranty wording. On a Kohler, look for Vibrant in the finish name.
3. Count your sink holes. The Moen faucets fit up to 4 holes. The Kohler includes a 3-hole escutcheon, and the KRAUS sells one separately.
4. Measure the deck. Kohler, Moen and Delta stop at 2-1/2 in. KRAUS takes 3-1/2 in.
5. Buy from Amazon or the maker. Kohler limits its warranty to purchases from Kohler or an authorized seller.

Installing a Brass or Gold Faucet Without Marking the Finish

Mounting

Kohler’s installation guide says to assemble the faucet to the sink before installing the sink on a new installation. It says not to tighten the faucet shank, because the shank is designed with slight movement. For a 3-hole sink, it calls for stainless, non-staining plumber’s putty in the groove of the plate. KRAUS says to lock its mounting nut with the screws and not to overtighten them. Plumber’s note: wrap wrench jaws with a rag on any finished part. A slip with a bare wrench marks a brushed brass finish for good.

Hose weight and clear space

Moen and KRAUS both say to keep a clear area, 8 in. by 8 in. for Moen and 8 in. across for KRAUS, so the pull-down hose and its weight can travel. Moen says to check from time to time that nothing has moved into that space.

Flush before the first use

Kohler says to turn on the supplies and flush hot and cold water for one minute. KRAUS says to remove the spray head, hold the hose in the sink and run warm water for one minute to flush debris that could damage internal parts. Moen’s instructions show rinsing the spray head screen for a few seconds to remove debris.

When to call a pro

Kohler says to observe all local codes. Plumber’s note: the faucet swap is a one-person job if the stops close and the deck fits. Call a plumber if the stops will not shut off, the supply pipes are corroded, or the sink has to come out. See how to install a faucet and what a faucet install costs.

FAQ

Is a gold kitchen faucet made of brass?

The color name tells you the finish, not the metal under it. Moen calls its gold Bronzed Gold, Kohler calls its finish Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, KRAUS calls its finish Spot-Free Brushed Brass, and Delta calls its finish Champagne Bronze. Kohler lists premium metal construction, Moen lists metal construction with finishes identified by suffix, and KRAUS a heavy-duty metal body on the Torak. The Kohler, Moen and KRAUS documents list certification to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372, the drinking water and lead-content standards; the Delta sheet we read lists ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and A112.18.6.

Do brass and gold faucet finishes tarnish?

Kohler says its finishes resist corrosion and tarnishing, and KRAUS says its Spot-Free finishes resist water spots and fingerprints. Those are maker claims. What the warranties show is more useful. Kohler covers Vibrant finishes like 2MB for as long as the original buyer owns the home. Moen covers finish defects for the original homeowner’s lifetime, and KRAUS covers the finish while the original buyer lives in the home. Delta’s sheet gives a lifetime limited warranty on parts and finish.

How do you clean a brass kitchen faucet?

Water and a soft cloth. Kohler says abrasive cleansers, ammonia, bleach, acids, waxes, alcohol and solvents not recommended for its finishes void the warranty. Moen’s warranty excludes damage from cleaners with abrasives, alcohol or other organic solvents. The KRAUS Torak manual says to rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

Will a gold faucet match my other gold fixtures?

Only if they come from the same maker in the same finish code. Moen’s BZG, Kohler’s 2MB, KRAUS’s SFBB and Delta’s CZ are different finishes with different names. Buy the soap dispenser, air gap or pot filler from the same maker in the same code.

Can a gold faucet go on a sink with three or four holes?

Yes. The Moen Orivesi and Jaslynn fit 1 to 4 holes, and the Orivesi comes with a deck plate and soap dispenser. The Kohler Crue includes an escutcheon for 3 holes. The KRAUS Torak needs its optional deck plate for 3 holes, and the Delta Ermelo its optional escutcheon. See kitchen faucet hole sizes.

Why Trust Plumbing Picks

Plumbing Picks is written by a licensed Georgia journeyman plumber. Every spec here comes from the maker documents listed below or the Amazon listings we link; nothing comes from hands-on testing. On September 30, 2026, every linked listing was sold by Amazon.com and in stock. If you buy through a link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody pays to be included here. More on who writes this and how we pick.

Sources

• Kohler: Crue K-22972 specification sheet (6-23-2024), KOHLER Faucet Lifetime Limited Warranty 1353511-12 (updated 02/11/2026), Kohler pull-down kitchen faucet installation guide 1212671-2
• Moen: Orivesi 87891 product page, 87891 series specification sheet Rev. 05/24, installation instructions INS10205E (includes the warranty)
• Moen: Jaslynn 87618 product page, 87618 series specification sheet (04/26), 87618 illustrated parts list
• KRAUS: Torak KPF-2635SFBB product page, KPF-2635 installation manual (Jul. 31, 2024, includes the warranty), KRAUS Care and Cleaning Guide
• Delta: Ermelo 18887-DST specification sheet DSP-K-18887-DST Rev. B (copy posted by Build.com; deltafaucet.com blocked our reader)
• Amazon listings for the Kohler 22972-2MB, Delta 18887-CZ-DST, Moen 87891BZG and 87618BZG, and KRAUS KPF-2635SFBB (linked above), plus the other listings named on this page that we checked but did not link

Bottom Line

The Kohler Crue 22972-2MB is the brass faucet to buy for most kitchens, because Kohler states plainly that its Vibrant finishes carry the lifetime warranty. The Moen Orivesi 87891BZG fits up to four holes, the Moen Jaslynn 87618BZG suits a traditional kitchen, the KRAUS Torak KPF-2635SFBB fits the thickest counters, and the Delta Ermelo 18887-CZ-DST adds a Champagne Bronze spring spout with the longest reach. Buy every gold piece at the sink from one maker in one finish code, keep harsh cleaners off it, and measure the deck before you order.