The kitchen sink is an essential element in any type of kitchen: whether simple or sophisticated, small or very large all kitchens should have a sink in which to wash fresh food or clean the dishes or kitchenware.
There are three factors that mainly differentiate one sink from another: the size, shape and material in which they are made.
The first two are the most important if it is to adapt to the shape of a kitchen or the use you make of it. The materials from which they are made affect aesthetics more than practicality.
Size and shape
There are kitchens that, due to their design, force us to use one type of sink or another to maximize the available space.
For example, if we have very little surface of countertop we must opt for a sink of small dimensions, or one corner to take advantage of that space.
Regarding the shape, there are squares, rectangular rounds … forms that may be more or less interesting depending on the habits or taste of those who will use them.
According to the rhythm of life that we carry and the custom that we have or not to use the dishwasher, we have to consider if it suits us to have or not a drainer included in the sink itself. Sometimes, for sinks installed under the countertop, the squeegee is lowered from the countertop material itself, either granite or resin.
Placement
As we have anticipated, the granite or resin countertops introduced the fashion of placing the sink under the countertop itself . There is the possibility of placing a recessed as the photo that heads the article, currently there are much more stylish designs that have traditionally been placed so they are still a valid option, if that is what we prefer
The materials
Stainless steel is the material most used because it is the most durable, the one that most endures the abrasion of cleaning products and the one that best “ages” has. If the thickness of the plate of the sufficient sink and the system of drainage of quality, it can be one of the elements of the kitchen that better aspect maintain with the passage of time.
There are other synthetic materials made from resins whose main advantage is the aesthetic possibilities and integration with the design of the rest of the kitchen, colors, finishes, etc. In addition these new materials are very hygienic and withstand the rigors of heavy use, shock, etc. If you give priority to the aesthetics and design of your kitchen this is the option that you should choose.
Editor’s Recommendation: Top 5 Kitchen Sinks
Top 10 Kitchen Sinks Reviews (Updated List for 2019)
1. KOHLER K-5540-NA Prolific Single Bowl Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- Comes with several accessories – colander, two multi-purpose grates, a soaking bin, and a cutting board
- The accessories can be stacked on top of each other for better space management
- Made out of high-quality stainless steel
- Sloping drain
- ‘Silent shield’ sound absorption
The KOHLER K-5540-NA sink has a 36-in base cabinet width and it works with all standard countertops! The SilentShield(R) sound-absorption technology allows you to have a quiet dish washing experience. No more loud, “tinny” noise every time you do the dishes. The basin is 10-inches deep, providing you with plenty of workspace. The KOHLER K-5540-NA includes several great accessories, such as a beautiful bamboo cutting board, a colander, a wash bin, and TWO multipurpose grated racks! There’s no need to worry about not being able to set your sink up the way you like it with the KOHLER K-5540-NA, because all of the accessories are designed to stack on each other and slide onto the ledges for a custom arrangement!
Another interesting design solution from the KOHLER folks would be the sloping drain that leads the dirty water and whatever other food scraps you have directly to the sinkhole. This clever addition is there to ensure that no food scraps or stale water will get stuck in the bowl and that all of it will go down the drain.
This is important because if some leftover matter remains around the sinkhole for some time, it can become to stink, which can be both annoying and unsanitary.
Pros
With the KOHLER K-5540-NA you receive a lifetime limited warranty, so if anything happens (within reason, of course) to your sink, KOHLER will replace it for you! This sink is extremely easy to install. As long as you have the proper tools you’re on the way to installing the sink of your dreams.
Cons
It appears that this sink isn’t sloped enough to drain properly.
Some people have reported that the sink scratches and rusts extremely easy, but that’s what the racks are for! Put all of your dishes on top of the racks and you won’t have to worry about scratching the bottom of your sink.
2. Kraus KHU100-32 32-inch 16 Gauge Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- High-end gauge 16 stainless steel build
- Comes with special ‘Noise Defend’ soundproofing
- Features several accessories including a special towel, a 3-piece basket strainer, and a steel dish grid
- The mounting hardware is included in this offer
- Limited lifetime warranty
This heavy-duty, handcrafted sink was made to last. The Kraus KHU100-32 was made with premium grade, extra-thick 16g stainless steel that’s sure to look great for the long haul. The thick stainless steel makes it extremely difficult to scratch or rust. If you’re the type of person that doesn’t really care for a loud sink then this is surely the sink for you. The stainless steel in the Kraus KHU100-32 was made with the best-in-industry NoiseDefend™ soundproofing technology. The additional protective undercoating will save your sink from any kind of dings or dents your dishes might do to it.
Other than the brilliant soundproofing, the manufacturers have made sure to equip this sink with a couple of useful kitchen accessories, as well. For example, there is the steel dish grid, which protects both your plates ‘n’ cups, and ensures the bottom of the sink itself isn’t damaged in case you drop any of them.
Also, there’s a 3-piece basket strainer set. This thing ensures that larger chunks of food scraps won’t clog up the ‘bowels’ of the sink underneath it. So, larger food scraps that do fall in this sink will be stopped by this strainer before they can go any further. Quite clever, isn’t it?
Pros
The Kraus KHU100-32 comes with a satisfaction guaranteed lifetime warranty, so there’s no need to worry about having to replace the sink if it becomes damaged.
Not only do you get this incredible sink when you make this purchase, but you also get free kitchen accessories! The sink comes with a bottom grid that will protect your sink from scratches, 100% cotton dish towel and a 3-piece basket strainer.
Cons
It’s important to understand how truly deep this sink is. If you’re a shorter person you might have a difficult time with this sink because the bottom goes so far down
3. Kraus KHU103-33 33 inch Double Bowl 16 gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- Strong, 16-gauge stainless steel
- Two bowls instead of one
- ‘Noise Defend’ soundproofing technology
- Comes with several useful accessories: a 3-pieces strainer, a steel dish grid, and a Kraus towel
- Lifetime limited warranty
The KRAUS KHU103-33 is handcrafted by unbelievably skilled artisans and it’s truly one of the best sinks on the market. The channel grooves inside of the sink were made with drainage in mind. Those grooves ensure that all of the water and gunk go down the drain with ease. This sink is made from 16g stainless steel, making it extremely difficult to scratch up from minimal use. The soundproofing of this sink is of the highest quality and even includes thick rubber dampening pads to prevent noise, as well! This sink comes with some amazing accessories, like dual stainless steel bottom grids (to protect your sink from being scratched), a drain assembly, and a basket strainer!
Similarly to the model from above, this basket strainer will prevent any stray pieces of food from clogging up the tubes below, which can truly be a lifesaver. (If you were ever unfortunate enough to get a sink clogging, you’ll know what we’re talking about. Taking it out means you’ll have to take the whole sink apart.)
Also, you can use the premium Kraus towel to wipe off this sink after you’ve finished using it. Of course, you should make sure that it’s clean before you venture to wipe it off with this towel.
Pros
The Kraus KHU103-33 is extremely big, which means it’s easier to hide those dirty dishes from dinner guests. Not only is this sink made with top quality materials, but it looks absolutely amazing when it’s installed.
Cons
Unfortunately, unless you wipe the sink down after every use, you’ll end up with plenty of water spots, but what stainless steel product doesn’t do that?
If its not properly leveled it wont drain well, but that’s why it’s sometimes better to hire someone to do a job like this.
4. VCCUCINE Commercial 33-inch Farmhouse Apron Handmade Single Bowl Brushed Nickel Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- Sleek design which can blend in with all sorts of kitchen tops
- Made out of high-quality stainless steel resistant to scratches, rust, and dents
- Comes with a basket strainer and a stainless steel dish grid
- Channel grooves for optimal drainage of food scraps and liquids
- 10-year limited warranty
This VCCUCINE sink is made to last with the 16 gauge stainless steel satin brushed finish. The added finish is intended to stop any scratch and dents, stains or corrosion. Whether your countertop is granite, marble, or concrete, it doesn’t matter. This sink will fit into any type of countertop you have. VCCUCINE makes sure that every customer is completely satisfied whenever you buy a product from them. With the purchase of this sink they include a stainless steel drain assembly with a removable basket strainer (isn’t that convenient?) and a stainless steel dish grid to hold all of your dishes, instead of them sitting in the basin.
Also, since stale water accumulation is one of the biggest problems with kitchen sinks, the folks at VC CUCINE have equipped this model with special X-shaped bowl grooves. This simple but effective design solution ensures that all the water and whatever is in the water have to go towards the sinkhole.
This way, you can rest assured that no smelly food scraps will be left stranded on the sides of your kitchen bowl.
Pros
Installation of the VCCUCINE Commercial 33-inch Farmhouse Apron Undermount Handmade Single Bowl Brushed Nickel Sink is extremely easy! It doesn’t take too much effort at all to put this sink into your countertop.
Considering what other sinks of this quality are being priced for, this sink is an unbelievably fantastic deal!
Cons
Like a lot of other stainless steel sinks, this one tends to rust a bit. Make sure you keep up with wiping it dry after every single use.
5. Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- Comes with a convenient noise and thermal shield
- Made out of industrial-strength scratch-proof, dent-proof, and rust-free stainless steel
- Rapid drainage thanks to sloped bowl
- Compatible with multiple garbage disposal unit brands (Insinkerator, Waste King…)
- Comes with multiple accessories including a steel grid, a colander, and a strainer
If you’re looking for a sink that is extremely quiet to use, then you need to buy this sink right now! Called the “Quietest Sink in the World”, the Zuhne 16g T304 Modena was made with pioneering insulation technology that is able to cancel out any daily sink use noise. It also prevents your cabinets from any kind of damage caused by condensation. This sink is compatible with several types of garbage disposals. If you have the Insinkerator or the Moen & Waste King WD, then this sink would be more than perfect for your home.
Since this model is made out of high-quality stainless steel, you can rest assured you won’t have to worry about rust, dents, and even scratches if you install this model in your kitchen.
Also, thanks to its curious shape, which forces liquids toward the sinkhole every time you use it, this Zuhne kitchen sink won’t ever present a problem to you in the shape of rotten food scraps or other stuck food items in the bowl.
Pros
People say “If it’s free, it’s for me” and that could not be more true than with this sink. Zuhne provides consumers with an ultra-absorbent towel, anti-scratch bottom grid protector, a sink strainer, mounting clips, and a cut out template and manual.
When you purchase this sink you’ll also be purchasing a lifetime warranty and 24/7 customer service!
Cons
Unfortunately, the drain ring that comes with it can’t be used with any kind of garbage disposal, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.
For such a high-quality product, the sink protector isn’t the nicest one they could’ve put in.
6. Ruvati 33-inch Workstation Ledge 50/50 Double Bowl 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink – RVH8350
Highlighted Features:
- Made out of high-quality T-304 premium stainless steel
- Sloping bowl for easier drainage
- Comes with a thick rubber-coated sound guard
- A cutting board and a deep stainless steel colander included
- There’s an installation guide, too
This sink by Ruvati is more like a workstation than anything you’ve ever seen before. The Ruvati 33-inch Workstation Ledge 50/50 Double Bowl Undermount 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink – RVH8350 is made out of 16 gauge premium T-304 grade stainless steel. Do you know what that means? It means that if it ever rusts or stains their limited lifetime warranty should cover it. Most stainless steel sinks have a satin finish, but not this one. The brushed finish that they use will hide any and all scratches made to the sink, which is great for those of you that are a bit rough with your pans. Considering that this sink comes with a deep stainless steel colander, a convenient dish-drying rack that can slide into your sink to be used as a workspace, and a solid wood cutting board, you would think that this sink is just too good to be true.
And that’s not even it!
This Ruvati kitchen sink even features some pretty impressive soundproofing, which is great for the folks who can’t stand the clunky noises of plates ‘n’ pans constantly hitting the bowl. This is achieved by special rubber padding that cancels out much of the on-hit noises that are produced by different kitchen tools coming in contact with the bowl itself.
Last but not least, we can’t help but mention the cleverly-designed sloped bowl. This simple but convenient piece of design ensures all the liquids and food scraps are directed straight toward the sinkhole. No smelly eggshells and orange peels getting stuck to the edges of the bowl anymore.
Pros
The thick rubber padding and the heavy duty sound guard undercoating will make your dishwashing experience a quiet one.
Cons
The cutting board wears down a bit faster than other ones, but it can easily be replaced.
Unfortunately, the free accessories can block the use of the sink, but they can just be removed and put back later.
7. KOHLER K-3361-4-NA Staccato Dual Large/Medium Self-Rimming Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- Comes with all the necessary installation hardware
- Includes two bowls for more maneuvering space when washing dishes
- Sleek design that fits into any kitchen environment
- Features sound-absorption technology
- A cutting board included
If you need a sink that’s versatile, there’s no need to look any further. The KOHLER K-3361-4-NA Staccato Dual Large/Medium Self-Rimming Kitchen Sink has self-rimming installation. That means that the sink can be placed into any type of countertop. It doesn’t matter if you’ve chosen laminate or tile, this sink will fit into it perfectly. This sink is made of 18-gauge stainless steel and looks absolutely stunning when it’s installed. Unfortunately, the sink only comes with a one year limited warranty, but you’ll most likely love it so much that you’d never want to return in anyways.
For all of y’all who like to wash their dishes in a certain order and need more space to do so, this dual kitchen sink model can be a perfect solution. With this kitchen contraption, you get two bowls you can work with. The one on the left is smaller while the right one is bigger, allowing you to sort your dishes ‘n’ cups according to your liking. (For example, you can keep the cups in the left one, and the larger dishes in the one on the right.)
Pros
The basin is an incredible 8-inches deep, so you’ll be able to hide any of the dirty dishes you have waiting for you after your famous family get togethers.
It comes with a cutting board that fits nicely into the smaller porting of the sink, which is extremely convenient for washing vegetables after you cut them up.
Cons
The installation can be a bit tricky, but if you have the right tools you should be able to do it with no problem.
The stainless scratches very easily, but with proper care and maintenance you can make it look brand new any time you’d like.
8. VAPSINT Commercial 30 Inch 18 Gauge Handmade Drop In Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Highlighted Features:
- Made out of premium T-304 stainless steel
- Comes with sound insulation (rubber padding underneath the sink itself)
- Most garbage disposal units can fit the sinkhole opening
- Comes with several accessories including a basket drainer, a dish grid, as well as a drying rack
- Easy installation
The VAPSINT Commercial 30 Inch 18 Gauge Handmade Drop In Undermount Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink was made with homeowners in mind. The sink was made with premium grade T-304 stainless steel, making it extremely difficult for you to scratch up with your dishes. If you like doing the dishes in silence, then this sink is for you. The sink is sound insulated with 3mm thick rubber pads and a stone guard undercoating. There’s no need to buy extra accessories when you purchase this sink. It comes with everything you need, such as a dish grid, basket strainer, and a stainless steel drying rack!
If you’re an owner of a garbage disposal unit, installing this stainless steel contraption can be an excellent way to facilitate the work of this unit. The engineers at VAPSINT made the sinkhole to be of exact dimensions necessary for a garbage disposal unit to be installed, so you need to worry about having to cut or otherwise modify this sink.
What’s more, the basket strainer accessory that comes with this model will ensure that no stray food scraps can pass down the drain. (Unless you want them to grind them with the garbage disposal unit.)
Pros
The sink has a standard 3-½” drain opening that can almost any common garbage disposal system.
Not only is this sink spacious, but it has a commercial grade premium satin finish, making it scratch proof.
This sink is absolutely great for prepping your meals for the whole week!
Cons
Even though they put in the proper precautions, the sink can still be a little loud at times.
It can be a little difficult to rinse everything down in one swipe.
The rubber grids on the bottom leave black stains on the sink.
9. Zuhne Turin 33 Inch Farmhouse Apron Front 60/40 Deep Double Bowl 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Luxury Kitchen Sink
Highlighted Features:
- Made out of strong stainless steel that is rust and dent-resistant
- Excellent sound insulation
- Compatible with most of the garbage disposal unit brands out there
- Features several accessories including a basket drainer, as well as a grid for dishes
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
There’s no reason you need to keep looking after you see this sink. Zuhne Turin 33 Inch Farmhouse Apron Front 60/40 Deep Double Bowl 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Luxury Kitchen Sink was made with surgical 16g stainless steel, which means that it’s not only durable, it’s dent-resistant. The corners are extremely easy to clean, which leaves you with more time to spend with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen cleaning up gunk in the sink. Speaking of having guests over, the extra deep basin is big enough to hide any dirty dishes you may have piling up.
In the department of noise pollution, so to speak, this Zuhne model would score highly because it possesses excellent noise-cancellation properties. It’s so effective that it can mute garbage disposal units such as the models coming from the Insinkerator or Waste King companies. (Oh, and by the way, you can install garbage disposal unit of your liking with these units because the sinkhole is standardized to fit most of the garbage disposals currently on the market.)
Pros
This is sink has a high end look for low end cost, which is great for your pockets.
The Zuhne Turin 33 Inch Farmhouse Apron Front 60/40 Deep Double Bowl 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Luxury Kitchen Sink comes with a scratch-prevention bottom grate, 3-piece basket strainer, and an absorbent towel.
Cons
This sink can be a bit difficult to install, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you begin the installation process.
Unfortunately, it looks like this sink rusts more quickly than you would like. Proper maintenance can prevent this from happening.
10. Blanco 440215 Diamond Double-Basin Drop-In or Granite Kitchen Sink, Anthracite
Highlighted Features:
- Can be installed as either a drop-in or under-mount sink
- Made out of high-quality granite (scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, and impact-resistant)
- Comes with multiple accessories (floating dish rack and a cutting board)
- Elegant appearance
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
The Blanco 440215 Diamond Double-Basin Drop-In or Undermount Granite Kitchen Sink is made out of 80% solid granite, giving it the feel of natural stone. The flat deck on this sink allows you to install it as a drop-in sink or an undermount sink. The depths of the basins are capable of holding all of your dirty Thanksgiving dishes while you’re enjoying a glass of wine with your family. This self-rimming sink provides you with the versatility you need to use the countertop of your choice. The limited lifetime warranty gives you a nice safety net in case anything happens to your sink.
Although this particular kitchen sink model is not made out of stainless steel, it’s on this list because of its excellent properties that are as good as that of a stainless steel kitchen sink.
Installing this kitchen sink model is a piece of cake, as you can install it as either as an under-mount or drop-in – depending on what kitchen arrangement you have got going on. This model also comes with some accessories including a floating dish rack, as well as a convenient cutting board.
Pros
The The Blanco 440215 Diamond Double-Basin Drop-In or Undermount Granite Kitchen Sink looks absolutely amazing. The sink has a little bit of elegance, which will make your friends think you paid a lot more than you actually did.
This sink is pretty easy to install, as long as you have the correct tools.
Cons
Unfortunately, the color will fade over time. Polishing it on a regular basis will keep this from happening. If you use any cleaners other than Blanco your warranty will be null and void. Check out their website to order some Black cleaner right away, because you’re going to want it.
How to Choose a Kitchen Sink
The common home utilizes two features daily. Everything else is optional, but these two things are used daily no matter what. There is no way you can spend an entire day at the home and not use both of those features at least once. Unless you are not in the home for an entire day, you will use one of those two features.
Those two features are the toilet in your bathroom and the sink in your kitchen.
This makes the kitchen sink the single most important contraption in your home alongside the toilet. There is no way you will be able to function in your home if your kitchen sink is not set up in a way that is optimal for your living style.
Choosing a kitchen sink is one of the most important decisions you will make, and it deserves a highly detailed process this way you will encounter zero complications in the future when repairs and other things need to be made to the piping involving the kitchen sink.
A kitchen sink is much more than a device that you use to clean hands and dishes. It is something that you use daily. You will need to use every ounce of your judgment to see which kitchen sinks will prove optimal for you in the long term.
Types of kitchen sinks
There are six types of kitchen sinks, each containing their own distinct features that are useful for different situations. The process of choosing a proper kitchen sink begins with learning about these types of sinks.
- Drop-in– This is probably the most common type of kitchen sink. Dropping into a pre-cut opening on the countertop that it is installed in, they contain one or more mounting holes for faucet installation. Drop-in sinks are one of the most common types of sinks because they are easy to install and remove and they are also installed in a pair, which means you can install a disposal for one of them.
- Farmhouse/apron front– This is the second most common type of kitchen sink. Different than drop-in sinks, Farmhouse sinks do not feature a pre-cut opening on the countertop. However, they are much deeper than drop-in sinks, which means they can hold a lot of water. They hang over the cabinets that they rest between, and that is what makes them easy to install. Farmhouse sinks are the oldest model of kitchen sink, existing before indoor plumbing existed. To Read full reviews on Farmhouse sinks, Read the article in www.americangr.com who have details guide on farmhouse sinks.
- Undermount– Similar to drop-in sinks, undermount sinks are mounted to the underside to the countertop. Because they are installed underneath the rim, they are much more impressive looking than a drop in sink since the rims of the undermount sink are not exposed. If you do not use the kitchen sink constantly, consider an undermount sink. If you still want to have an undermount sink but plan on using it constantly, you’ll need to understand that repairs might need to be made more periodically than with other types.
- Prep/bar– If you are looking for a kitchen sink that are more functional, you’ll want to install a prep/bar sink. Modeled after the three compartment sinks that are used in restaurant kitchens, prep/bar sinks are usually installed right next to another sink because they are smaller than the other five types of kitchen sinks. They are very useful for washing hands or rinsing off produce.
- Wall mount– Just like the common bathroom sink, wall mount kitchen sinks will install directly into the wall. Like prep/bar sinks, they are also very small and designed more for rinsing produce and washing hands rather than kitchen tasks that are more involving like washing dishes.
Kitchen sinks: A buying guide
One of the worst things you can do when looking for a sink is to get one installed sight unseen. If you just get a sink installed because it looks really impressive or if one of your neighbors recommended it, you will regret it.
Resist this temptation and follow this guide when selecting a kitchen sink.
One sink or a pair of sinks?
The very first thing you need to consider is if you want your kitchen sink to be one sink or a pair of sinks.
As you will discover, single sinks and double sinks each have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages in the kitchen. You’ll want to deeply explore the differences when selecting a kitchen sink.
A pair of sinks is preferable if you intend to use your kitchen sink unit to assist in cooking. You’ll be able to use one sink for cleaning and one sink for preparation.
It is possible to use one sink for those two things, but you will need to clean and maintain it constantly. However, the piping systems are a little easier to micromanage in single kitchen sinks.
What is the main purpose of the sink?
Kitchen sinks have three main uses: Cooking, cleaning, and rinsing.
All of these, of course, require water and will require different kinds of attachments to the sink, such as taps or disposals.
A mistake that most make is assume that their sink will be used for all three things, when they are really only using the kitchen sink for two activities at most.
For example, if you do not have dozens of dishes to wash or possess a dishwasher, you will not need a tap or a spray to assist in cleaning the dishes.
If you only cook one or two times a week or if you are the type who gets discarded food outside of the house seconds after it gets thrown into the trash can, do you really need a disposal?
Think about these things before selecting a sink. Think of what you will use your kitchen sink for 8 times out of 10.
Do you need a tap or spray?
Taps and sprays are very effective if you do not possess or intend to use a dishwasher and want to wash your dishes by hand.
However, they will complicate the piping of any given sink to obscene levels. This is doubled if you also want to connect a disposal to your kitchen sink.
It gets even more complicated if your decide to connect a tap or spray to your sink’s faucet if you have decided to install a double kitchen sink.
A tap or a spray is really only necessary if you are washing many dishes by hand daily. In other cases, it is likely not necessary.
Do you need a disposal?
If you throw food away in the trash can of your home and leave it there for an entire day, the chances of encountering pests will skyrocket.
This is the number one reason why most people choose to install a disposal inside of their sink.
While this is a fair rationalization, you need to consider that if you put a disposal inside of your sink, it adds just one more part of the sink that you will need to clean, manage, and maintain.
If you find yourself throwing away pounds of food daily, you probably will need to put a disposal in your sink.
But if you are able to get the food you throw away outside of your home moments after throwing it out, you probably will not need to put a disposal in your sink.
Putting disposals in your sink will increase the overall cost of installation. Find out for yourself if it is a proper investment or if you can just throw food away and remove it from the home immediately.
Single kitchen sinks vs double kitchen sinks
Should you have a single kitchen sink or a double kitchen sink? Other than the type of kitchen sink, you’ll need to know if a single kitchen sink or a double kitchen sink.
These types have two completely different things to offer in function as well as appearance. You’ll want to know which to prioritize more this way you can find out which one is more optimal.
A double kitchen sink is very useful if you want to use one sink for washing dishes or disposing of food items in a disposal, and one sink for rinsing produce or washing hands. It will come in useful when preparing food to be cooked later on.
However, a double kitchen sink means that you’ll need to maintain, clean, and repair two separate sinks. This is something that you will need to prepare for.
You will obviously only need to maintain, clean and repair one solitary sink when it comes to a single kitchen sink. Depending on the size of the sink, you can also use a single kitchen sink for intensive kitchen sink use such as prepping food to be cooked. However, if you use a single kitchen sink constantly, you’ll need to also clean, maintain and repair it more frequently than you would a double kitchen sink.
Single kitchen sinks are also a little simpler when it comes to installation. Double kitchen sinks are a little more complicated when it comes to installation. A DIY type of installation is much more possible and easier with a single kitchen sink than it is with a double kitchen sink.
Benefits of a deep kitchen sink
Kitchen sinks are used for anything and everything that the kitchen involves.
Because of this, you’ll want a deep kitchen sink that is capable of holding a lot of water. The deeper a kitchen sink is, the more efficient it will be when it comes to preparing food to be cooked or crushing food with a disposal.
If you try to do these kinds of things in a kitchen sink that is not very deep, you’ll not only encounter a lot of splashing on the outside of the sink and you’ll also have a lot less room to work with.
For example, let’s say that you are cutting up vegetables and you need to drop the stems into the sink to be disposed. And let’s say you need to cut up a lot of them. Which would save more time? A deeper sink or a sink that is not as deep?
Although they may cost a little more, opt for deeper kitchen sink. They are much easier to work with than their shallow counterparts.
How to install a kitchen sink
There are four components that entail the installation of a kitchen sink. The first is the counter. You need to measure how much of your counter can be allowed to be removed before installing the kitchen sink.
- A common mistake that many make when installing a kitchen sink is that they are not accurate enough when measuring how much of their counter can be used to put a sink in. Make sure you are perfectly accurate when taking these measurements.
- Another mistake that people make when they install a sink is that they do not leave a lot of space for their counter. They’ll install a sink that takes up over half of their counter and then get frustrated about a lack of counter space.
- Take care not to make this mistake. Be sure to leave ample room for your counter when you get a kitchen sink installed.
- The second part of the kitchen sink’s installation is the sink itself.
- Depth should be the only thing to consider here. If your sink is too shallow, it won’t “perform” the way you might want it to when it comes to food preparation and other functions that involve a kitchen sink.
- But if the sink is too deep, it may make the plumbing and piping aspects of it more difficult to work with than it needs to be.
- The piping that funnels all of the water and materials is the third thing that entails the installation of a sink. This is very important in that if the piping is not connected optimally, you’ll encounter serious inconsistencies when it comes to drainage issues.
- Setting up this piping should be done before choosing the depth of your kitchen sink. You’ll need to judge how deep your sink can be before it interferes with the piping and plumbing. Optimal sink plumbing is easy to access, this way it can be repaired easily in case it needs to be repaired.
- The final part of a kitchen sink, and the only optional portion of a kitchen sink’s installation is a disposal unit. When installing this, you should also make sure that it does not directly interfere with the piping either.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the best material for kitchen sinks?
- A: The answer to this question really depends on how often the kitchen sink will encounter food items. Porcelain materials may look really nice, but can also stain if it is encountered by too many food items. Stainless steel materials can resist stains, but are not very easy on the eyes. There is no de facto “best” material for kitchen sinks; optimal sink materials are dependent on how you use the sink.
Q: Do stainless steel sinks scratch easily?
- A: Stainless steel sinks will scratch a little easier than most other sink materials, but the nature of these scratches is usually negligible. If a stainless steel sink scratches, it is still very functional and can still be used the way that they are intended. It will affect how the sink looks, but stainless steel sinks are usually designed for function over appearance.
Q: Why are double bowl kitchen sinks seen as optimal?
- A: We use our kitchen sinks almost daily, if not multiple times a day. Gallons and gallons of water and pounds of food items are placed and washed down kitchen sinks all the time. When a kitchen sink resembles a bowl, it acts as a funnel of sorts and can direct anything placed into the sink towards the drain much more efficiently. And because there are two of them, one sink can act as a device that can remove food items with a disposal, and another sink can be used for washing and cleaning.
Q: What is the standard size of a kitchen sink?
- A: Most single kitchen sinks measure about 2 feet in width by 1 and ½ feet in length. Double kitchen sinks will usually measure 3 and ½ feet in width by 2 feet in length. Use these common sizes to determine if the sink that you install can be larger or smaller.
Q: How far should a kitchen sink be from the edge of your counter?
- A: If your kitchen sink is too close to the counter, you’ll run the risk of getting water all over the floor. But if it is too far from the counter, it will be much more troublesome to use than it should be. Six inches from the edge of the counter seems to be the optimal length. It allows a little more room to control splashing while also making sure you do not need to reach across the counter to use the sink.
Q: How do you fit a tap to a stainless steel sink?
- A: A tap is a separate faucet that connects to a sink’s main faucet. To fit this, you’ll need to know if the faucet can even have a tap fitted. If it can, you’ll want to attach it at the base of the faucet, this way it does not get in the way of any other area of the sink. Make sure the diameter of the tap’s base is not bigger than the portion of the faucet that you intend to attach it to.
Q: How much does it cost to install a kitchen sink and faucet?
- A: The answer to this question depends heavily on the type of sink, the depth of the sink, and whether you want to attach a tap or a garbage disposal. The range of these costs is very, very large: It can cost as low as $60 or as much as $2200. Those numbers are outliers, however. All things considered, you should expect to spend $250 to $400 to install a common kitchen sink.
Q: Can a garbage disposal be used in a single kitchen sink?
- A: The short answer is “yes.” It is possible to put a garbage disposal into a kitchen sink. A more detailed answer is that a garbage disposal can indeed be put in a single sink, but there are some things that you will need to watch out for if you do this. First, you need to understand that when you put in a disposal, it will add another pipeline to the general plumbing of your kitchen sink. Second, you’ll also need to understand that the disposal will need to be cleaned out just like the rest of the piping.
Q: Which is better, a single or a double kitchen sink?
- A: The answer to this is dependent on at least half a dozen factors. Only three will be covered here. First, you need to know the chief purpose of the sink. Will you be using it to prepare food daily? Are you only going to use it to wash your hands? You need to figure this out. Second, you need to understand that the piping can get complicated if you install a disposal if you are getting a single sink installed. Lastly, you’ll need to consider how much counter space you have. These three factors as well as many more will determine which is better.
Useful Tips
- The deeper buckets will give you extra capacity.
- The size: Although they tell you that with 40X40 sink you have more than enough, if you have space do not hesitate to use it. Scrubbing the kitchen trays without splashing everywhere is wonderful. My sink is 70 cm wide … a bathtub that I enjoy every day. If you can, do not put it less than 60 cm wide even if you have a dishwasher.
- Too-square sinks with corners at an angle of 90 ° C make daily cleaning difficult. If you can, try to make the joints rounded to facilitate hygiene in those more complicated areas. The most hygienic materials are the least porous: stainless steel, quartz derivatives, stoneware …
- How many breasts? Ideally, have a large sink with a pair of breasts . That way you’ll have one for dirty and another for clean. Also with two breasts, washing is always easier, in one scrub and rinse and in the other drains. And if you have dirty crockery, you can wash your vegetables in the clean area without having to immediately scrub everything to leave the sink operational.
- As important as having a good sink is for the water to evacuate with joy. That the plumber mount a good installation with a generously sized pipe and do not throw food or oils down the drain.
- Cleaning: must be daily. Do not use sharp elements to scratch it or abrasive products. At home I only use blue scourers, of which they do not scratch. A little soap and water and a dry cloth, will make any sink stay well for years.
How to Install Kitchen Sinks?
There are different techniques to install a kitchen sink. A top mount is very easy to install. All you need to do is put a self-rimming sink into the hole. Under mount is harder to install. You need a solid surface countertop or stone for an under mount. An under mount looks nice because you won’t see the sink rim above the counter top. A tile-in has the benefits of both the under mount and the top mount. You can mount a tile-in with a tiled surface so it looks like the sink and the surface are one piece.
When we already have clear what material we need or more we like, we must choose the type of installation for our kitchen sink . There are several ways to install a sink. There is the insert, on frame, Slim fit, integrated flush, on frame or under counter or BMG. Multiple ways to give originality to your kitchen. A range in the complete market that will surely be able to adapt to your tastes.
The installation of the most common kitchen sinks is that of a sink. In it, the kitchen sink is positioned on the countertop and fixed with staples. That is, the installation of all life. Now, if what you want is a topical installation, we recommend the installation under BMG worktop. It is absolute trend and increasingly modern kitchen opts for it. On the other hand, you can also choose models of sinks that can be integrated flush, that is, flush with the countertop. Without being flush, but at a similar level, you could also use the Slim fit. This way you can get a totally smooth and continuous surface of the worktop. An elegant and discreet finish.
Finally, if what we prefer is to enhance the originality or quality of the sink, we can install it on a frame. That is, make it stand out and give prominence.