The Moen 3942SRS fits a 1-1/8-inch hole and decks up to 2-1/4 inches thick; the solid-brass Kohler K-1893-C holds 16 ounces and refills from the top. Check your spare sink hole size and counter thickness before buying, and keep a dishwasher air gap where one is required.
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This guide covers deck-mounted soap dispensers for kitchen sinks.
Kitchen soap dispensers compared
| Dispenser | Hole and deck (maker) | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Moen 3942SRS | 1-1/8-in. hole, up to 2-1/4-in. deck | A simple modern pump to match a Moen faucet |
| Kohler K-1893-C | 16 oz, top refill, surfaces up to 2 in. thick (features list) | You want solid brass and a top-fill bottle |
| Delta RP1001SS | Top-fill deck mount (listing) | You want a Delta finish match |
A deck-mounted soap dispenser puts a pump next to the faucet and a bottle under the sink, so the counter stays clear of plastic bottles. The plumbing questions are simple but decide whether it fits: hole size, deck thickness, and how you refill it.
Moen 3942SRS: modern pump, thick decks
Choose the Moen 3942SRS to match a modern Moen faucet. Moen’s spec sheet (maker page: assets.moen.com/shared/docs/product-specifications/3942sp.pdf) for the 3942 series lists a press-down pump designed to install through one 1-1/8-inch hole, a maximum deck thickness of 2-1/4 inches, a 2-3/4-inch spout reach and about 11-13/16 inches from the deck to the bottom of the bottle. Moen lists a lifetime limited warranty to the original consumer purchaser.
The Amazon listing for the series describes refilling from above the sink. The SRS suffix is Moen’s Spot Resist Stainless finish.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed stock with part 3942SRS.
Check Moen 3942SRS kitchen soap dispenser on Amazon →
Kohler K-1893-C: solid brass, top refill
Choose the Kohler K-1893-C for a solid brass body with a top-fill bottle. Kohler’s spec sheet (resources.kohler.com) lists a 16-ounce soap or lotion dispenser, refillable from the top, solid brass construction, a 3-3/8-inch spout reach and a 1-1/16-inch shank. The features list says it installs in predrilled sink holes or surfaces up to 2 inches thick; the drawing shows a 2-1/2-inch maximum, so plan on the 2-inch figure.
Kohler lists a one-year limited warranty. On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed limited stock with part 1893-C-CP (polished chrome).
Check Kohler K-1893-C-CP soap and lotion dispenser on Amazon →
Delta RP1001SS: top-fill deck mount
Choose the Delta RP1001SS if you want a Delta finish to match a Delta faucet. The listing describes a top-fill, deck-mount pump soap or lotion dispenser in stainless finish with a limited lifetime warranty. We could not reach a Delta product page for this part, so check the hole size and deck thickness in the listing or installation sheet before you drill.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed stock with part RP1001SS.
Check Delta RP1001SS soap dispenser on Amazon →
Where it goes: the extra sink hole
Many kitchen sinks come with three or four holes. The faucet uses one or three, and the spare hole often holds a side sprayer, an air gap or a soap dispenser. Check what your extra hole is used for before you claim it; a dishwasher air gap, where required, has to stay.
Our kitchen faucet hole size guide covers standard hole sizes. Moen’s dispenser calls for a 1-1/8-inch hole. If your spare hole is larger than the dispenser calls for, measure it and check that the dispenser’s base will cover it and clamp firmly; the base size is on the maker’s drawing.
If your dishwasher drains through an air gap, our air gap vs high loop guide explains whether you can remove it.
Drilling a new hole
On a stainless sink, a step bit makes a clean round hole; our step drill bit guide covers sizes. Stone and quartz counters need a diamond core bit and water, and a mistake is expensive, so many people hire the counter fabricator for this hole. Our diamond hole saw guide covers bits for tile and stone.
Mark the center of the new hole with tape, measure the distance to the faucet and the sink edge so the pump spout reaches over the bowl, and check the dispenser’s reach on the drawing; Moen lists 2-3/4 inches and Kohler 3-3/8 inches. A spout that ends over the deck instead of the bowl drips soap on the counter.
Check what is under the counter first: the sink clips, faucet supply lines and the cabinet frame all limit where the bottle can hang.
Top-fill or bottom-fill?
Top-fill dispensers let you lift out the pump and pour soap in from above. Bottom-fill models need you to reach under the sink and unscrew the bottle. Kohler lists the K-1893-C as refillable from the top, and Moen’s and Delta’s listings for these series describe refilling from above the sink.
Top-fill is the easier choice for most kitchens, because the bottle usually hangs behind the sink bowl where it is hard to reach.
Installing a deck-mounted dispenser
- Clear the cabinet and check the space under the hole for the bottle.
- Drop the shank through the hole from above and thread the mounting nut on from below.
- Screw the bottle onto the shank from below, or fill it through the top, depending on the model.
- Insert the pump and prime it with a few presses.
Follow the maker’s installation guide for nut and gasket order.
If the pump stops working
Check the simple things first: the bottle may be empty, or the bottle may have come unthreaded from the shank and dropped. If the pump moves but nothing comes out, pull the pump out from the top and rinse the tube and pump in warm water to clear dried soap, then press it several times to prime it again. If it still will not pump, replacement pumps and bottles are often sold as parts by the dispenser maker, so check the maker’s parts list before replacing the whole unit.
Lotion or dish soap?
Moen calls the 3942 a liquid dispenser and Kohler sells the K-1893-C as a soap or lotion dispenser. Thin liquids pump easiest. If you switch from lotion to dish soap or back, rinse the pump and bottle first so the two do not mix and clog the pump.
Matching the faucet finish
Finishes can differ between makers even when the names sound alike, so a stainless pump from one brand may not exactly match another brand’s stainless faucet. Buying the dispenser from the same maker and finish line as the faucet gives the closest match. Our kitchen faucet guide covers faucets by brand and finish.
Frequently asked questions
What size hole does a kitchen soap dispenser need?
Moen’s 3942 calls for one 1-1/8-inch hole. Check each maker’s spec sheet; Kohler lists a 1-1/16-inch shank for the K-1893-C.
How thick a counter can a soap dispenser go through?
Moen lists 2-1/4 inches for the 3942; Kohler says surfaces up to 2 inches for the K-1893-C.
Can I put a soap dispenser in the sprayer hole?
Often, if the hole is not needed for a sprayer or dishwasher air gap. Check the hole size against the dispenser’s base.
How do you refill a sink soap dispenser?
Top-fill models refill from above by lifting out the pump; bottom-fill models refill by unscrewing the bottle under the sink.
Do soap dispensers come in finishes to match faucets?
Yes. Moen, Kohler and Delta sell dispensers in their faucet finishes.
How we chose
This document-based guide makes no hands-on testing claim. We read Moen’s 3942 series spec sheet and Kohler’s K-1893-C spec sheet. The Delta dispenser is described from its listing. On October 15, 2026, all three linked standard new offers were sold by Amazon.com and showed stock or limited stock. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Moen 3942 series liquid dispenser spec sheet (maker page: assets.moen.com/shared/docs/product-specifications/3942sp.pdf): 1-1/8 in. hole, 2-1/4 in. max deck, reach, dimensions, warranty.
- Kohler K-1893-C soap/lotion dispenser spec sheet (resources.kohler.com): 16 oz, top refill, up to 2 in. surfaces, brass, dimensions.