Kitchen sinks

I'm looking for some ideas and experience with kitchen sinks.  I've only had the traditional, top/above mount, equal double compartment stainless steel sinks before.  I was thinking that I would go with the same, but want to get some feedback on alternatives before finalizing the decision. For countertops, we are planning either a quartz product or PaperStone.

Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel:  I met with a Kohler rep who told me that the cast iron sinks are much more durable, so that from a sustainability point of view, cast iron would be superior to stainless. Other sources favor stainless steel.  I am worried that the enameled cast iron will show scratches similar to our bathtub and that it could chip.  Anyone have a cast iron sink that would recommend it?  Othewise I'll go with 18 ga. stainless steel.

2 equal compartments vs offset:  What would be a good reason to go with a large/small basin?  One of my friends uses the small basin for washing and the large for draining.  If this would work, it might help save water (important for our project)- but I'm not sure this would work for our larger family.  Kohler has a line called "Smart Divide" which has a lower divider to accomodate large pans, which might be useful.

Undermount vs overmount/self-rimming: My initial thought is that with a undermount, it might be more difficult to keep the ridges clean and that a self-rimming application would be easiest to clean. 

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Roxanne

I went with the largest, stainless sink I could find.

Before the remodel, the house had an enameled cast iron sink, that was rimmed, and the counter was tiled, and the cold water ran directly from the well.  The people before me who did this set up must have known that adding a garbarge disposal avoided opening a gate way to hell, because without it this combination was the most unholiest form of design and would have surely only been graced by Satan if the pentagram was completed.

Let's see, the iron in the cold water stained the sink yellow.  Chips were abound from being smacked with pans because the sink was small (then those spots rusted).  I think it may have broken a glass because it was so hard.  The rim around the sink was great for collecting gunk and other things that would spell death in less modern times.  That of course caused all the grout to rot, and the standing water at the back of the sink where your wet hands deposit droplets whenever you turn off the faucet caused the drywall to rot.

In short, it was a wonderful motivator to gut and start over.

I ended up with the largest, widest, deepest, undermounted stainless sink I could find, which happened to be a Blanco.

 Its about 30" wide and 10" deep, and I had to notch my ikea cabinet in order to get it to fit.  It had a beautiful brushed finished that has since been replaced by a fine patina of scratches (which about made me cry - but it is a sink...)  I have another prep sink that I can soak frozen food in (only reason I can think of for filling it).  I can put my 12" fry pan in it without having anything stick out.  I can put all the dinner dishes in there and the kitchen will look clean.

 Everyone made fun of me when I first bought it.  Anyone who had used my kitchen since ain't laughing.

And my daughter loved it...

I have the same Blanco sink, 30" wide.  Its set under white quartz.  It looks fabulous and is very functional and sturdy.  2 basin sinks are a waste because neither side is ever big enough!  If I ever need a split sink, I just put a tub (or two) into the sink, works great.  This particular sink does make a great bath tub for babies, pets, etc.  I also love it for thawing a turkey.  Also makes a great ice bin for cooling drinks for parties, etc.

Great feedback.  Thank you.

I LOVE the picture of your daughter in the sink Mike.  Oh, and the sink looks good too. 

Luca- You continue to have great suggestions!  I love that sink!

and Jacqueline, I can see the sink filled with ice & beer already. 

Roxanne

Formerly of an equal sized double bowl stainless drop-in wearing kitchen, I chose the same giant Blanco in the photo for my current kitchen.  The pic  made me laugh because I have often joked about it being bathtub sized...big enough for a small family to live in.  My favorite, favorite thing is that I can fit FULL SIZED restaurant sheet pans and big cutting boards in it with plenty of room to spare.  I used to cry over having to wash that stuff because I always ended up with soap suds and puddles all over the kitchen.  And for better or worse, it holds more dirty dishes than you'd ever want to tackle at one time, too.

I've cooked in a few kitchens that have the unequal bowl sinks and I think they are the most ridiculous, gimmicky thing ever, especially those with the tiny shallow bowl on one side.  That is the biggest waste of trap and drainpipe, ever and completely useless unless splashing water everywhere is your goal.

I have also never, ever met a cast iron sink I liked.  No matter what, they seem to be harder to maintain and end up looking like yuck and being impossible to get clean at some point vs. stainless steel that will still look great and basically exactly the same decades from install.

I think undermount is the best, if only because it makes it much easier to sweep stuff off the counter and into the sink.  I have a scant 1/4" reveal and don't find it difficult to keep clean at all.  Much simpler than digging crud out from between the drop-in's lip and countertop with a toothpick which is what I used to have to do.

Going on what Splatgirl said, here is the downside to getting such a large sink:

You will openly complain to the homeowner the next time you have to wash a pan or cutting board at their house because their sink will be rediculously small to you.  It will cause you to appear snobbish.  You'll spend the entire drive home telling your significant other how much smarter you both were for making the desicion.  The homeowner will not invite you back.

Try to still send Christmas cards.

That, and a tip - most stores sell a small window squeegie.  Keep it under the counter.  Best thing in the world for cleaning countertops (it is a dream for concrete that you basically have to use water and scrub pad to clean) and getting said crums and other things into the sink  (points again for undermount).

I agree with everyone's comments, especially about the undermount.  It reallys makes for ease of cleanup and looks great.  My kitchen is open to the living spaces in our home, so it needs to look good.

Sorry to hijack here...

I hope you don't mind, Jacqueline, but I just cross posted your photo to IKEAFANS, because there's a thread over there about how to treat wall cabinets with a sloped ceiling and I think this is a great option.  Plus it's Hallarum, no?

Sigh...Hallarum.  I miss you.

Previously Jacqueline McArthur wrote:

There seems to be strong concensus that the big ass Blanco sink is the best solution.  Does it really make your life that much better???

I still need convincing.  I've never had an issue with the double compartment sink.  Maybe I just haven't seen the light- but how often are you washing things that don't fit into a typical sink? I've just never had an issue.  The babies get baths in the bathtub and if we had a dog, it would go there too.  Turkey defrosting (1 x a yr) can be done in the fridge. 

When I wash dishes (those that don't go in dishwasher), I put them to drain on a rack in the other compartment. If there is only one compartment, do they just sit on the counter?  If that's the case, that just doesn't seem as clean and simple as I'd like.

Then there's the issue of water usage..... With such a large compartment, it will take more water- right?  I know that you can add a plastic tub for washing, but again- that's just another thing that takes away from the clean, simple solution.

The Blanco model for this single compartment bowl seems to be about $740.  I love the look- but we have a budget we're trying to reduce a bit and this would be going the wrong way.  I was looking at this Blanco double compartment (large and med basin) for $343.    No, it doesn't have the sharp clean edges (which I would love).  The large basin is still larger than the typical double compartment and the smaller one is bigger than a side small disposal sink (we're not doing a disposal). You can use either one for washing, depending on the amount and size of dishes. 

I do appreciate and agree with the undersmount comments.  So no more convincing is needed there!

Roxanne

Everyone misses Hallarum! 

Previously Splatgirl wrote:

Sorry to hijack here...

I hope you don't mind, Jacqueline, but I just cross posted your photo to IKEAFANS, because there's a thread over there about how to treat wall cabinets with a sloped ceiling and I think this is a great option.  Plus it's Hallarum, no?

Sigh...Hallarum.  I miss you.

Previously Jacqueline McArthur wrote:

 

Of course, you have to pick the sink that suits your lifestyle.  We cook alot and I have 3 kids, so when I bake cookies I use the large commercial sheets.  The sheet fits in the sink without a problem, so does everything else.  When I break down my range for cleaning, all the pieces fit in there and I still have room to work.  I have had the Elkay split stainless with the smaller bowl and it was not the right fit for our family.  I keep the tub under the sink for when I need it.  As far as washing dishes, we chose Fisher and Paykel's dishdrawers because each drawer only uses 1.25 gallons of water for a full cycle.  So, I wash almost everything in the dishwasher.  I think everyone would agree that in the end, the sink has to work for you.  I will say this, the sink really does make that big of a difference for us.  I don't know if I would call it life changing.....but I really notice how great it is when I have to use a different sink.  Whatever you choose, Good Luck and enjoy your kitchen!

Previously Roxanne Nelson wrote:

There seems to be strong concensus that the big ass Blanco sink is the best solution.  Does it really make your life that much better???

I still need convincing.  I've never had an issue with the double compartment sink.  Maybe I just haven't seen the light- but how often are you washing things that don't fit into a typical sink? I've just never had an issue.  The babies get baths in the bathtub and if we had a dog, it would go there too.  Turkey defrosting (1 x a yr) can be done in the fridge. 

When I wash dishes (those that don't go in dishwasher), I put them to drain on a rack in the other compartment. If there is only one compartment, do they just sit on the counter?  If that's the case, that just doesn't seem as clean and simple as I'd like.

Then there's the issue of water usage..... With such a large compartment, it will take more water- right?  I know that you can add a plastic tub for washing, but again- that's just another thing that takes away from the clean, simple solution.

The Blanco model for this single compartment bowl seems to be about $740.  I love the look- but we have a budget we're trying to reduce a bit and this would be going the wrong way.  I was looking at this Blanco double compartment (large and med basin) for $343.    No, it doesn't have the sharp clean edges (which I would love).  The large basin is still larger than the typical double compartment and the smaller one is bigger than a side small disposal sink (we're not doing a disposal). You can use either one for washing, depending on the amount and size of dishes. 

 

I do appreciate and agree with the undersmount comments.  So no more convincing is needed there!

Roxanne

If you take a look at my (unfinished - no trim on windows - gasp) set up again, you'll see that I cast my counters with a drainboard for drying dishes.  Drying dishes are an eyesore no matter if they're in the sink or on the counter - I just set my counter up to be more efficient.

Same as Jacqueline, I break down my stove and clean it in the sink, same thing with cutting boards that don't fit in the dishwasher.

I can't wash my pots and pans in the dishwasher, so my 12" fits perfectly in the sink without having anything stick out.  I use the sprayer faucet there to get it wet, then I scrub it, then I rinse.  No water filling......

I can do anything in that sink, and I can do it without getting everything outside the sink wet.

Lastly - as far as the price - I found mine for $500 bucks somewhere online, 2 years ago.  What with inflation and all, it may be a little more expensive now, but I spent 4 hours searching one day to get that deal.  Matter a fact, I'm not ashamed to say I pretty much bought most my kitchen online, or badgered local stores down to the online price.  I literally saved thousands over what local stores would charge. 

Whatever sink you end up with - do note the differences in gauge, content of the stainless, and sound dampening.

Mike

Yes, I think it depends a lot on how much and how you cook and how you do dishes, so IMO this is the most important and primary thing to consider.  I cook a lot...it's one of my main hobbies, and we  also entertain a lot.  I've always hand washed pots and pans and other big stuff just because I think it's easier.  Likewise big cutting boards, all of which, as I've said, is a breeze in the big single bowl.  I also use full size sheet pans at least once a week, but unless you're planning a 48" or larger range that would have a commercial -sized oven, you wouldn't have full size sheet pans to wash in the first place. 

I am not a sink filled with water kind of dishwasher but if that's your style, then yes, you'd def. want a dishpan if you had the big single.  I get stuff wet, soap it up and clean it with a dishbrush and then rinse.  Doing dishes in a sink full of (dirty) water with one little squirt of soap for everything freaks me out.

I use a plastic drain board for hand wash stuff and it all gets dried and put away immediately instead of languishing in the second bowl drainer in my old kitchen.  That got to be a major pet peeve of mine, that my kitchen was rarely completely clean and put away because it was just too easy to leave those clean dishes in the drainer until they got used again and I hated looking at that ugly drainer all the time.

I will say that the zero radius style is not for everyone.  I chose it because it went well with our modern-industrial aesthetic but it does require a bit more attention to get completely clean than a regular curvy edged sink.

And I paid no where near $700+ dollars for mine.  More like $450 IIRC, and I know Costco had/has exactly the same sink online for even less.

My opinion of the staggered two bowl you pictured is that it screams contemporary, not modern, but there's no reason it's not fabulous if you think it's the best fit.  I am a diehard practical kitchen girl, after all.    Personally I think it violates my modern aesthetic in that the bowl size seems like so slight a difference, practicality-wise, that it's extraneous detail, and I hate extraneous details.  But add to that the fact  that it then forces you into having large radius corners on your counter material where the sink hole is and it's a total dealbreaker.  Curves.  Eu.

If I wanted a double bowl, I'd pick the deepest, biggest equal sized double bowl I  could find, and the best part of that is a nice one can be had for $200 or less.  I love Ira Wood online for that kind of thing.