Stainless steel kitchen sinks pro#
Stainless steel kitchen sinks plus#

A rear drain to the left or right-as seen here-is better yet. Toward the back means more usable space in the base cabinet and better drainage when dishes are piled in the sink.

There's location and design to consider too. Some sinks come with drain assemblies and baskets, and some don't. Drain Placement: Off-Center or Center Design Photo by Alison Rosa Tip: If the sink holds a magnet, it is not 300 series. The sink should also have a lustrous satin finish, which will develop a better patina over time than matte-finish stainless steel. You want 300 series, or about 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel for optimal corrosion and stain resistance. Stainless steel is ranked to reflect its contents. If the sink sounds like a steel drum, it's either lightweight or naked-or both. Look for rubbery undercoatings and pads, which deaden the sound of running water and clattering silverware, and also reduce condensation in the base cabinet. Look for Undercoating or Pads for Soundproofing Photo by Alison Rosa You get more volume with square corners, straight sides, and a flat bottom, but soft angles allow for easy cleaning and good drainage. Keep in mind that an undermount ends up another inch or so lower, which could strain your back-at which point you might consider investing in a basin rack.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks plus#

A 9- or 10-inch sink, on the other hand, holds lots-a big plus when countertop space is limited.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks pro#

Six-inch-deep basins are cheap to make, but they splash and can't hold much. Stainless steel is an obvious choice for a kitchen sink because it cleans up quickly and has a great pro look. Shown: Franke GNX11020 Undermount Sink - Buy now on Amazon Get a Back-Friendly Depth Photo by Alison Rosa High-gauge drop-ins can be especially thin around the edges, making them ill equipped to support the heavier weight of a quality faucet. No need to lose sleep over 16- versus 18-gauge, but when you get up to 22-gauge the metal is more prone to denting and vibrating, and less able to handle a garbage disposer. You want the strong, silent type, which is characteristic-counterintuitively-of the lowest and thus best gauges. Read our five-point checklist, which includes ensuring the right gauge to drain placement. So we canvassed the experts for their tips on buying the best stainless-steel sink for your needs. But once you get past the key design questions-single bowl or double, undermount or overmount-you want to base your buying decision on other, less obvious factors that affect quality and value.

Stainless steel is an obvious choice for a kitchen sink because it cleans up quickly and has a great pro look.