10 tips for choosing a stainless steel kitchen sink: dimensions, shape, installation type

Strong, durable, resistant to dyes and high temperatures and, most importantly, inexpensive stainless steel sinks have won the deserved love of millions of families. Today there are so many of them in stores that it is not difficult to find a suitable product: there are round and square sinks, mortise and patch, with a matte and polished surface. Even color options have appeared! We figure out how to choose a kitchen sink stainless steel and learn to distinguish a quality sample from a fake.

No. 1. Quality steel for washing

It is easy to guess that the durability and strength of the product directly depends on the quality of the material from which it is made. Sinks made of steel with 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Such products are marked with 18/10. They are resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, they tolerate contact with aggressive substances and retain their original appearance for a long time. The most responsible manufacturers additionally cover such products protective coatingdue to which the liquid on the surface quickly collects in drops, and this greatly facilitates care.

To be sure of the quality of the product, look from which steel grades it is made. If this is the AISI304 brand, then everything is fine, but the AISI204 steel sinks contain less chromium and nickel, so they behave worse in operation. Steel grade information is usually listed in the accompanying documents, so feel free to ask for it.

It is possible to check how high-quality steel is used for washing production without studying the certificates of conformity. Enough bring a regular magnet to the product: if he is attracted to the sink, then, alas, this is not the best option, which may soon rust. Ideally, the magnet should slide quietly along the surface and not “stick” to it. Taking the magnet in your hands, immediately check all sections of the sink, as there are products in which the bowl itself is made of normal steel and the wings are made of cheaper steel. This is how some manufacturers try to cheat, saving on materials and acting to the detriment of the quality of the finished product.

No. 2. Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel sinks

The wide distribution of stainless steel sinks is not an accidental success, but a consequence of the many advantages of such products. Among the main advantages we note:

• durability. A stainless steel sink with minimal care will last for decades, without spoiling from the influence of sunlight, heat and shock;
• availability. Sinks made of stainless steel are inexpensive, so even with the most modest budget, you can afford a similar option. If you compare these products with analogues made of other materials, then stainless steel in the vast majority of cases will be cheaper. Of course, a lot will depend on the shape, size and design refinements, but the simplest option is inexpensive;
• universality. The shiny surface of steel fits perfectly into any interior style. A variety of sizes, colors and shapes will allow you to choose the perfect model for a kitchen of any size;
• easy care. There are no special requirements for the operation of stainless steel sinks. It is enough to keep the product clean and wash it once a week with detergent. Traces of drops of water may remain on the polished surface, so fans of cleanliness are recommended to wipe the walls and bottom of the bowl dry each time after use;
• stainless steel not afraid of high temperatures, therefore, no additional coasters for hot pots, pans and baking sheets are needed;
• stainless steel not afraid of blows.

There were some cons:

• the main drawback is called noisiness. The flow of water from the tap and contact with the dishes cause loud unpleasant sounds, and household members in all rooms will hear something falling even from a small height. However, the thicker the steel, the lower the noise of the product, and some manufacturers use special rubber layers to improve sound insulation;
• surface scratches. Over time, small scratches will necessarily appear on the polished surface of the stainless steel. They will not affect the quality of operation, but the appearance will not be the same. In addition, spots on drops of water will be clearly visible on a glossy surface. To simplify your life, take a sink with a matte surface, but you will have to wipe it dry after use in any case, unless, of course, you want to extend the life of the product;
• a small variety of colors. Most products receive a metallic color surface. There are a small number of more expensive sinks that can repeat the color of bronze or gold. On the one hand, the steel surface is universal and will fit into any interior, but if you have something special in mind, it will be difficult. Sinks from artificial stone win in this regard. By the way, they are not noisy at all, so you can consider this option for purchase.

No. 3. Method for the production of stainless steel sinks

Some washing properties may vary slightly depending on how the product is manufactured. According to the method of manufacturing stainless steel sinks are:

• stamped, they are exhaust, pressed or seamless. Such sinks are made from a single piece of steel, which is given the necessary shape on special molds. The result is a product without seams, and this is the main advantage of such sinks. No seams - no leaks. Production technology is inexpensive, so stamped sinks are cheaper than welded ones. The nuances of technology do not allow the use of thick sheets of steel - this is a minus. Moreover, the thickness of the steel may be different in individual parts of the product. Until recently, the shallowness also included a shallow depth of such bowls, but today manufacturers have learned to make stamped sinks up to 25 cm deep;
• welded sinks made from separate sheets of steel that are welded together. Manufacturers have learned to make such neat seams that you will not even notice them, so that the presence of a seam can already be deleted from the minuses of these products. If the place of welding is striking, and the seam is obviously sloppy, then this is not the best quality product. The joint, as a rule, is located at the junction of the bottom and the walls of the bowl. Such sinks are more expensive, but steel in them is thickertherefore they are quieter and more durable.

Number 4. Steel thickness

The thickness of the steel determines the quality of the finished sink. The thicker the material, the better the product will cope with shock loads, withstand the weight of heavy dishes and make less noise when in contact with water drops. Too thin steel will vibrate violently when a jet of water falls and may even bend under pots filled with water. There are cases when a thin stainless steel was even pierced with a knife, but it is all about handicrafts.

Steel sheet thickness ranges from 0.4 to 1.2 mmwhile stamped sinks are always thinner than welded.Anyway it is not recommended to take a sink with a thickness of less than 0.6 mm. In the case of welded products, this parameter increases to 1 mm.

No. 5. Washing depth

When choosing a stainless steel kitchen sink, it is easy to be tempted to take the deepest model possible, because there will be more dishes in it and more dimensional items will be easier to wash. The many years of experience of millions of housewives has proved that sinks with a depth of more than 18 cm, although spacious, with constant use cause a lot of inconvenience due to the fact that you have to bend more. Back pain is inevitable.

Too shallow washing may cause water splashing on all surfaces within a radius of 1-1.5 m. From the point of view of comfort and spaciousness, sinks with a depth of 15-18 cm are considered the best.

No. 6. Color and type of surface of a stainless steel kitchen sink

The color of stainless steel we all represent well. It is in this shade that the vast majority of kitchen sinks are produced. For better or worse, you decide. In principle, this color has become the same classic as the white shade of plumbing. If you want something like that, then you can buy washing with PVD coated, which is applied to the surface of the product, gives it additional protection and a beautiful shade. Sinks with bronze, brass, silver and gold colors are available. Such instances are more expensive than simpler counterparts, but not sky-high.

If you are not limited in the budget, you can pay attention to sinks in which the bowl is made of stainless steel and the working surface is made of tempered glass. Such products look modern, in operation they are safe (glass thickness 8 mm), but at the price they catch up, and sometimes even surpass artificial stone products.

Very scarce choice of colors, manufacturers of stainless steel sinks are trying to redeem different surface options:

• smooth polished sink Looks beautiful until first use. In order for her to retain her mirror shine, each time she will have to wipe the surface dry and use special care products. On a shiny metal, all splashes and defects are very clearly visible, and over time it may fade;
• smooth matte surface less whimsical to care, longer presentable appearance;
• textured surface with engraving or rolling. Such sinks look unusual, and traces of water droplets will not be noticeable on them, but it will be much easier to accumulate in numerous cavities and roughnesses of dirt, so you will have to spend even more time on maintenance than in the case with a polished surface.

Number 7. Sink shape and number of bowls

The shape, dimensions of the bowls and their number directly depends on the size of the kitchen and your needs. IN small kitchens install, as a rule, compact square or round sinks with one bowl. On one side it can be wing for drying dishes. You can opt for more interesting oval and rectangular sinks. Remember that square sinks are more capacious than round ones, and if you settled on a square or rectangular version, then better take a bowl with rounded corners - such a product is easier to care for. The width of the sink incorporates from 45 cm, the standard is 60 cm, but there are wider options. They usually contain several bowls.

Great option - corner sink. It allows you to effectively use the kitchen space, because we all know that sometimes it’s not easy to equip corners. Often, corner sinks are complemented by wings on both sides for drying dishes. Often also similar products get an extra bowl.

A sink with two bowls is convenient in that it allows you to simultaneously do two independent processes. For example, wash dishes and soak vegetables. The size of the extra bowl may be slightly smaller than the main one, or it may be exactly the same. Naturally, a two-bowl sink is a privilege for owners of large kitchens.There are even triple sinks, but this option is more for professional use.

When buying, do not forget to pay attention to whether there is a hole under the sink mixer, because some models provide for its installation on the countertop. If you need a product with a wing, it is important that it is located on the right side. However, there are convenient, washable sinks that can be mounted with a wing in any direction.

Number 8. Type of stainless steel sink installation

The choice of installation type depends not only on purely aesthetic preferences, but also on such purely pragmatic factors as, for example, countertop material. On the other hand, the selected type of installation puts forward some requirements for the size of the countertop, the hole in it for washing and the qualifications of the person who performs the installation.

According to the installation method, sinks are divided into three types:

• mortise sinks - The easiest and most versatile option. In this case, the sink holds onto the countertop using the sides. The hole for the bowl can be cut out without making jewelry calculations. It is only important to handle very well sealant the junction of the sides of the sink and countertop. Otherwise, the water will slowly spoil the countertop. It is not difficult to install in this way, there are no special requirements for the worktop material, but be prepared that water will inevitably remain on the side, which can also get on the countertop, so do not forget to wipe it in time;
• integrated sinks - A more modern and aesthetic installation option. Bowl can be set flush with countertop (there will be no sides on top) or just below its level. In any case, it is better to entrust the work to a professional, and the hole for the bowl should be cut very carefully, with an accuracy of a millimeter. The sink is held thanks to the system of clamps and brackets under it. Outwardly, everything looks great, and the puddles on the countertop will be much smaller, or not at all. The bowl may be located below tabletop, and then the walls of the sink as it were continued with the material of the countertop. Installation in this case is even more complicated. Moreover, you will have to order a countertop with an already prepared hole of the required size. This type of installation is appropriate for stone and metal countertops, because part of it will be constantly in contact with water;
• surface wash - This is already a retro version. Such a sink is mounted instead of a countertop on top of one of the kitchen floor modules. Installation is very simple. Previously, this type of installation was very popular, today it is rarely used. It is used mainly when the budget is limited, or it is necessary to create a retro interior. The weak point in this case is the joints of the edges of the sink and adjacent cabinets. If water gets there, the furniture may deteriorate, appear mold and an unpleasant smell, so many prefer to process the joint with sealant.

No. 9. Washing accessories

A stainless steel sink will be even more practical and convenient if you equip it with accessories:

• waste shredderwhich is installed under the sink and crushes food waste, preventing sewage clogging;
• colander - it is a tray with holes that repeats the shape of the bowl and is designed to simplify the washing, thawing and drying of vegetables;
• washing baskets vegetables and fruits differ from colander in greater depth, and their holes are larger, because it is, in fact, a grid;
• automatic valvewhich is built into the drain hole and allows you to block the drain with one click and draw water in the bowl. It is convenient when you need to soak a large number of vegetables;
• cutting boards, the size of which exactly follows the shape of the bowl, allows you to use the working area in the kitchen with maximum benefit, freeing up space on the countertop for other processes. A similar accessory will be appreciated by people who cook in the company, but do not have extra space;
• detergent dispenserbuilt into the sink and located next to the mixer. The dispensary with a supply of detergent is under the sink and is replenished as necessary;
• drinking water faucet will allow to serve separately from ordinary tap clean filtered water;
• cutlery stands will allow to organize storage system more accurately.

As a rule, a set of some of these accessories is attached only to expensive sinks. However, it is much more convenient to choose exactly the elements that will really be used, so buying a separate sink and separately accessories is even more profitable.

As for the faucets, they are usually chosen in the tone of the bowl, but in terms of design you will find a huge variety. It is better not to install mixers weighing more than 6.5 kg on the sink itself - such products require mounting on a countertop.

No. 10. The best manufacturers of stainless steel sinks

The best guarantee that the manufacturer used the “right” steel of the required thickness, worked the joints well (in the case of the welded version) and did not break the geometry, his name is considered. Do not be too lazy to clarify all the characteristics of the product in the accompanying documents for it, and the warranty period is another certificate of quality.

Among the largest kitchen sink manufacturers stainless steel can be noted:

• Franke, Switzerland. It produces a wide range of sinks, presented in several collections. There are products with a matte, polished and embossed surface, with tempered glass, wings and without them. The number of bowls, shape, size and style of execution vary greatly;
• Blanco, Germany. It produces sinks with different types of surfaces, for 1 and 2 bowls, with a width of 40 to 90 cm. Models differ in the type of installation, shape, number and location of the wings;
• Imenza, Portugal. It produces quite expensive, but very high-quality bowls. There are models where metal is combined with tempered glass;
• Smeg, Italy - These are sinks made of matte, polished and embossed stainless steel for one, two and three bowls. In addition to metallic colors, there are also copper and brass colors. Dimensions vary widely;
• Reginox, Holland. It produces expensive and very high-quality products with a lifetime warranty. The assortment has all shapes, sizes and several colors;
• Teka, Germany. The company produces sinks of various forms. In the assortment there are many products with two bowls and wings, but there are also quite compact models;
• Schock, Germany. It produces sinks that are ideal in terms of quality and design, as well as accessories for them;
• Zorg, Czech Republic. These are more affordable sinks that are of decent quality and an impressive assortment. There is a separate collection with PVD coating and tempered glass;
• Ukinox, Russia. A large domestic manufacturer produces sinks in several collections and is able to meet the needs of different categories of customers. The assortment contains both the simplest, cheapest, but at the same time high-quality models, as well as products with a claim;
• also note the products of European manufacturers Elleci and Alveuswhich is of high quality and equally high price. Of the Chinese companies can distinguish washing Matteo, Oulin, Ledeme and Sinklight. They are inexpensive, but the quality is better evaluated on the spot (a magnet to help you). There are also good products in Ikea.

In the budget segment, the warranty, as a rule, is 1-2 years, but the sinks last much longer. For more expensive models, a guarantee of up to 5-10 years is provided, and some manufacturers are so responsible for the quality of their sinks that they are not afraid to give a lifetime warranty.