Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel kitchen sinks possess great qualities that make them a good choice for just about
any kitchen. Their look is timeless and complements other stainless appliances. They can be rugged
and durable but quality construction is important in obtaining longevity and satisfactory
performance.

Before running out to buy one of these sinks there are points to consider about the type of steel
used in its construction, it's thickness and other important design features.

Other considerations include the type of finish the sink has since there are several to choose from,
and the overall style and configuration that you want.

Finally, it helps to understand the care and maintenance that's involved with a stainless sink,
particularly if you're someone who cares a lot about how your sink will look over time.

What To Know & How To Choose A Stainless Steel Sink

Stainless Steel - What It Is
Stainless steel in its simplest terms is steel that has been alloyed or "combined with" other
elements that give it more beneficial properties than it would otherwise have on its own.

Two of these important elements that you'll see (or should see) on specs for these sinks are
chromium and nickel. They enhance the quality of the steel, giving it strength and corrosion
resistance.
Stainless sinks are usually labeled with the amount of chromium and nickel contained in the steel.
It's usually designated by a ratio like "18:8" or something equivalent. This particular example means
there is 18% chromium and 8% nickel in the stainless steel. The higher the percentage of these
elements that are present, the better the grade of stainless steel.

The grade is specified by its "series" number. Most stainless-steel sinks are usually in the "300"
series, usually 304 to be specific. This is a good quality steel with 18:8 to 20:10 chromium/nickel
content.

The important point in all this is that by understanding some of the key characteristics of stainless
steel, you'll be better able to judge quality sinks when comparing various brands and their
specifications.

Gauge (Thickness Of The Material)

"Gauge" refers to the thickness of the metal used to make the sink. The important point to
remember relative to gauge is that smaller gauge numbers mean thicker material. Yes, it's counter-
intuitive but that's the way it was established long ago.

Stainless sink thicknesses ranges from 16 gauge (thicker) to 22 gauge (thin). The benefit of thicker
material is that it's more resistant to dings and dents, is less "noisy" than a thinner gauge sink and
more robust in terms of handling things like the vibration associated with a garbage disposal. Good
quality stainless steel sinks are usually 16 to 18 gauge.

I found it interesting that the Consumer Reports Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide reports that
gauge thickness wasn't a factor in sound attenuation or resistance to dents and scratches based on
their tests. That may be true but it comes down to what you ultimately want for the money you
spend.

At the time of this writing, a quick internet search showed me that I could pay $50 for a 22 gauge
33"x22" double bowl , drop-in sink or $128 for an 18 gauge sink the same size and configuration.

If you're on a tight budget, the price difference between $128 and $50 might be significant. But I
think it's fair to say that it's not that big of a price differential for a more robust material thickness.
Maybe it's the engineer in me but I like products that are thicker rather than thinner, particularly if
there's not much of a difference in price. It indicates a level of quality, all other things being equal,
that I'd rather have, regardless of Consumer Reports' findings.

Insulation and Coatings

Stainless steel sinks can be fitted with sound insulation and coatings to help deaden sound
attenuation. It can also act to reduce condensation buildup on the bottom of the sink that could
lead to moisture problems in the base cabinet that the sink is installed in. Not all stainless sinks
come with this feature but it's worth consideration for reducing the tinny sound, particularly from
thinner gauge sinks.
 Finish
Finish refers to the surface smoothness of the
stainless-steel material. A mirror finish has a
high polish and is very smooth whereas a
brushed finish is duller and more "frosted" in
appearance. Most finishes, except for the
polished mirror finishes, will exhibit a uniform
"grain" direction that results from the
brushing/finishing process.

Care & Maintenance

Knowing how to clean a stainless sink will help
maintain its lustre and beauty over time while
avoiding potential problems with the finish.

The first consideration should be to consult the manufacturer's cleaning and care
recommendations to make sure you're not doing anything that will either ruin your sink and/or
void it's warranty. The procedures are pretty consistent among most manufacturers so you
shouldn't find many differences.

Caution is required when using more aggressive cleaners and scrubbing methods to avoid
scratching or marring the surface. Any scrubbing should be done in the steel's grain direction to
avoid unsightly smudges and scratches in the surface.

Stainless steel doesn't like chloride compounds which are found in

many soaps, cleaners and detergents and they can harm the steel's
surface. The good news is that these chlorides are water soluble so
thoroughly rinsing out the sink after using these types of cleaners
should prevent any problems.

Avoid using steel wool to scrub the sink's surface. Very small bits of
steel from the scouring pad can get embedded in the stainless-steel
surface. These bits (which are NOT made of stainless steel) will rust
over time resulting in rust stains on the sink.

Finally, there's the issue of dullness and water-spotting that

inevitably occurs with this kind of sink. There are lovers and haters
of stainless sinks and the main reason cited by the haters is that the
sink looks like a mess not long after it's used. Unless you wipe it
clean after every use (which can get annoying pretty quickly) it'll
show water spots and soap scum. If you're ok with that, no problem.
Just be aware that if you want a showroom-clean sink most of the time, you're going to have to
commit to some daily maintenance.
How To Make A Good Choice
Choosing a good stainless sink is simply a matter of pairing your style preferences with the level of
quality relative to the characteristics of the material mentioned above.

1. Decided on your preferences - double/single bowl, rounded or 90-degree corners, etc.

2. Look for quality material - 304 stainless is a good, durable grade of material.
3. Choose a sweet-spot gauge thickness that meets your budget - 16 gauge is very good, 18 is
thinner but still acceptable.
4. Choose a sink that's undercoated to help insulate it relative to noise and water
temperature.
5. Look for sinks with a good (such as lifetime) warranty.

The Pros & Cons Of A Stainless Steel Sink

Like virtually any product for your home there are pros and cons and stainless steel kitchen sinks
are no different.

First, the positives...

 Durability and longevity - Quality sinks with reasonable care should last forever. They're
made from a corrosion resistant steel that's harder and tougher than other types of
materials and won't chip, crack or wear out.
 Affordability - Yes, you can pay over a thousand dollars for some high-end stainless triple
bowl kitchen sinks but there are plenty of very affordable models that provide the benefits
stainless sinks have to offer.
 Timeless look consistent with many appliances - depending on your perspective and taste,
stainless steel sinks provide a consistent look in a kitchen with stainless appliances. Even
without these types of appliances, stainless steel sinks have consistently been in fashion
and immune from fluctuating style trends.
 Sanitary surface - Stainless steel sinks are easy to clean and non-porous giving little refuge
to bacteria and other nasties.
 Bigger bowl capacity - Stainless steel's relatively light yet strong properties allow it to be
formed into larger and deeper bowls that might not otherwise be feasible with cast iron or
other materials.
 And it's recyclable - If you like the idea of buying products that can be recycled at the end of
their life instead of ending up in a landfill, a stainless steel sink is one that'll meet that
requirement.

...and then of course, some of the negatives...

 Not immune to scratching - Even though they're metal you can still put scratches in a
stainless steel sink. They also have a "grain direction" and any rubbing with an abrasive
 material in the direction opposite of the grain will result in visible scratches and/or a blotchy
appearance inconsistent with he rest of the sink.
 There's maintenance involved in keeping it looking good - Stainless sinks are relatively easy
to clean as they don't really stain but keeping them looking new and fresh takes effort.
Dried mineral deposits from standing water and drips can make a stainless steel sink look
dingy pretty quickly. You'll need to wipe out the sink frequently to avoid the drab filmy look.
 The noise issue - This is somewhat subjective but some people just don't like the "tinny"
sound that's associated with a stainless steel sink. Coatings added to the bottom help
deaden that sound but the nature of the beast is that it will just naturally sound metallic --
the degree depends on the thickness of the material and whether the sink is coated, both of
which add mass and help reduce sound attenuation.

Interesting Products & Options To Know About

If you think all stainless steel kitchen sinks are simple basins, think again. They can be as simple as a
drop-in single bowl style or as fancy as a triple bowl design with integral perforated drain boards
and removable platforms.

The point is, there are lots of options and styles to choose from. We've listed some highlights of
stainless sink design to whet your curiosity. At the least it may make you aware of some feature
you didn't know about and give you something to consider as you shop for a stainless sink.

 Zero-Radius Corners

One style trend is the zero-radius sink that emulates commercial and restaurant style sinks.
The corners of these sinks are typically very sharp (90-degrees) with no curve or radius. One
consideration however is the effort required to clean those tight corners - they're not as
"open" as traditional sinks with gentle curved corners.
 Julien's Urban Edge® and Elkay's Avado™ are two examples of sinks that exhibit this modern
styling.

 Recyclability and "Green-ness"

Stainless steel is a recyclable material and many sinks are made from salvaged raw material.
Stainless steel doesn't degrade or lose any of its properties in the recycling process making
stainless steel sinks a good green option. Some manufacturers like Julien feature sinks made
from 90% recycled material.
 Stainless Steel Apron Sinks

Photo Courtesy Of Elkay

Do you like the style of a farmhouse sink but want it in stainless steel? They're available.
Kraus makes several very good varieties with a modern twist that are characterized by a
slight curve on the apron front.

Julien has an apron front stainless sink in their UrbanEdge® and Classic collections. Elkay's
Elite Gourmet and Gourmet series sinks feature stainless farmhouse sinks.

Kohler offers two styles of stainless apron front sinks in their Verity® line. One is an
undermount style while the other is a countertop (drop-in) style with a 4" apron that
surrounds the sink on top of the countertop surface.

Blanco includes several apron front stainless sinks within their BlancoMagnum Series. Sinks
are 18 gauge, include double and single bowl designs and are treated with a satin finish.

Not to be outdone, Houzer makes several models of 16 gauge stainless steel apron sinks.
Their Epicure line contains models made from a combination of 16 and 18 gauge material.

Learn more about your stainless apron front sink options and best choices here.
 Added Features, Options and Product Enhancements

Many stainless sink manufacturers offer added features and product enhancements. Each
maker has their own brand of sound suppression coatings and silencer pads.

Other options include grids to reduce scrapes on the sink bottom and removable cutting
boards shaped to fit a portion of the sink. This allows you to process food right at the sink
while still maintaining access to the sink's drain and garbage disposal.

 High Design and High Functionality

If you're looking for a stainless kitchen sink style that's a conversation starter, consider
Elkay's Design Inspirations 08™ featuring the creativity of two top American designers,
Jamie Drake and Fu-Tung Cheng. These designers have developed sinks with very unique
styling and features sure to add distinctiveness not found in every kitchen.

Multi-function sinks feature tools and design attributes that make the primary sink not only
a workhorse but an efficient one at that. Kohler's PRO TaskCenter™ sinks come in double
and triple bowl designs and feature accessories like wire racks, strainers and added
removable basins for making food prep and cleanup available in one location.

Photo Of Elkay Avado®Accent - Courtesy of Elkay

Elkay's professional grade Avado Accent drop-in sinks aim for efficiency and functionality
with several versions and options available. Multi-bowl designs with varied-depth basins
redefine multi-tasking sinks and kitchen space efficiency. These models feature commercial
grade 16 gauge stainless steel in a polished satin finish with zero-radius corners.