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