Choosing a stainless steel sink

Despite the fact that today on sale you can find sinks for the kitchen made of different materials, including artificial stone, stainless steel sinks remain the leader in popularity. Our advice site will tell you what criteria to follow when choosing a stainless steel sink.

The first is the composition

A quality sink consists of 72% stainless steel. Another 18% should be chromium plus 10% nickel. The product must be marked 18/10. Only in this case, the sink will withstand shock, temperature extremes and corrosion. The surface will have a spectacular shine, it is easy to keep it clean. The best steel grade is AISI304 (08X18H10). You should not choose a sink made of AISI204 steel – there is almost no nickel in it, the service life is noticeably shorter, and the appearance is worse.

Important! The easiest way to be sure of the quality of the sink material is to take a magnet with you to the store. If it slides on the surface, that’s good. If it sticks tightly – the stainless steel is of poor quality.

The second is the thickness

Of course, the thicker the steel sink, the better, more durable, stronger, but also more expensive. For overhead sinks, the optimum thickness is 1–1.2 millimeters, for mortise sinks, at least 0.6–0.8 millimeters.

Third – manufacturing method

All stainless steel sinks are divided into two types:

1. Stamped. They are literally “squeezed” out of the steel sheet, there are no seams. This is a plus, but such sinks are always thinner and smaller. They are shallow, uncomfortable;
2. Welded. Durable, thicker, quieter. The base of the bowl is welded to the sides for deeper and larger sinks. But in this case, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the seams..

Important! The portal has already written about how to choose a mixer for a kitchen sink.

Fourth – size and shape

Stainless steel sinks can be very different – round, square, rectangular, angular, with “wings” on the sides and without them … The sizes are also very different. It all depends on where exactly you want to place the sink, how much space you have on the countertop. One thing is for sure – the optimal depth of a kitchen sink is 16-18 centimeters. If the sink is shallower, water will splash in different directions. And the owners will have to bend over to a deeper sink.

Important! Corner sinks are convenient and usually have wide “wings” on either side. But they are installed in special pentagonal modules, which raises the cost of the kitchen set.

Fifth – surface

It can be smooth, shiny, or matte, textured. Traces of drops remain on the polished bowl, scratches are visible. Matte stains are not afraid, but in general it is more difficult to care for – dirt lingers on such a surface better.

Important! In any case, every time after use, a stainless steel sink must be washed and wiped dry..

Sixth – installation method

There are overhead and inset stainless steel sinks. The first ones are literally put on the lower module of the kitchen unit and must strictly correspond to its dimensions. The latter can be installed flush with the table top, under it or on top. If you have a chipboard countertop, then the only possible option for installing the sink is on top of the work surface to protect it from moisture. It is possible to embed a sink under or flush with the countertop only if it is made of artificial or natural stone. In this case, the installation can only be done by a professional. Overhead sinks are cheaper, easier to install yourself, a great option for a budget kitchen. But water can enter the cracks between kitchen cabinets..

Seventh – the ability to turn the sink with a “wing”

There are reversible models, and there are non-reversible ones. In the first case, you yourself can decide on which side the “wing” of the shell will be. In the second case, there is no choice.

Important! You need to pay attention to whether the sink has a hole for the mixer, if you want to install it exactly vertically, and not on the wall above the sink. If not, then the mixer will have to be cut into the countertop, which is not always convenient and correct.

Eighth – noise protection

Inexpensive and thin steel sinks are noisy and the sound of falling water can be annoying. There should be a rubber pad on the bottom to absorb water noise. And, we repeat, the thicker and more expensive the sink, the quieter it is.

Ninth – manufacturer guarantees

Inexpensive stainless steel sinks are usually given a warranty of only one year. If the manufacturer promises a service life of 5 years or more, this is a good indicator. Most likely, the sink will last significantly longer.