Ceramic sink for the kitchen

The possibilities of a modern interior are practically unlimited. New fashion trends, high technologies penetrate our lives more and more. The design vision reached the kitchen spaces. When designing a modern kitchen, it is necessary to be guided not only by budget and your own taste, but also take into account technological innovations presented to us by progress to facilitate and improve the quality of life. Interior fashion is increasingly leaning towards environmental friendliness of materials. This is more true for kitchen sinks, which are now produced not only galvanized and enameled. The most modern option is ceramic bowls. How to choose it and what can be a ceramic sink for the kitchen? This will be discussed in this article.

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How are ceramic kitchen sinks made?

The technological process for the production of ceramic sinks is divided into several stages:

1. Depending on the model, a detailed recipe is prepared, raw material is prepared.
2. Special additives are added to the clay to improve its properties. Everything is well kneaded for even distribution of components and poured into a mold. Most manufacturers at this stage introduce dyes to give the desired color to the product.
3. This is followed by a high-pressure pressing process to compact the molding material and give the desired model configuration in accordance with the designed design.
4. Then the product is fired at high temperatures up to 1000 degrees. To give strength, the sink is subjected to a special thermal procedure “hardening”.
5. White or colored enamel is applied to the treated sink. This allows you to get an original ceramic sink for the kitchen, which will become a real decoration of the kitchen interior.

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Varieties of ceramic kitchen sinks

Ceramic sinks are made from different materials. The main components are granite, faience and porcelain, which determine the quality and price of the product:

1. Faience is very porous, as it is mainly made of clay. It absorbs moisture well, which is why during operation the surface of the sink can be covered with a spider web of cracks. The quality of such products is low, the price is the lowest for such products.
2. Porcelain is obtained from a mixture of kaolin clay, feldspar, quartz and several other components. Sinks made of porcelain are distinguished by the smoothness of the glassy surface. At the same time, special strength and perfect appearance increase the price rate.
3. Porcelain tile is composite and real. Strong material, not afraid of external influences. The surface of a ceramic sink is sometimes coated with enamel. But even without it, the sink looks great. The most practical and sought-after products on the market.

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Ceramic sink for the kitchen: advantages and disadvantages

Let's try to understand the pros and cons of ceramic sinks before making a serious choice.

Benefits:

1. Ceramics is an environmentally friendly material made from natural ingredients. Hypoallergenic and not harmful to human health.During use, it does not emit harmful chemical elements, does not impart a specific flavor to products.
2. Ceramic sinks for the kitchen look unusually spectacular, have a diverse design and will become an exclusive decorative element. You can choose different shapes and colors.
3. A bowl of ceramics with proper use will last a long time and throughout the whole time will look like a new, elegant interior detail.
4. Resistance to mechanical damage. Ceramic materials are very durable, do not scratch, and do not wear. Feel free to put any dishes in the bowl.
5. Resistance to high temperatures. You may not be afraid that boiling water or hot fat will ruin such beauty. Even hot pots and pans are not afraid of high-quality fireproof bowls. Composite materials can withstand temperatures up to 280 degrees - ideal for a kitchen, which is constantly cooked.
6. They say that ceramics is the dream of sloths. The surface of the sinks is covered with a dirt and grease-repellent coating. It’s easy to care for the surface using ordinary detergents. If heavy contamination occurs, use a cleaning powder. That is, the service is very economical, you do not need to buy special expensive household chemicals.
7. Ceramic sinks have increased sound insulation. The jet of falling water does not create a rumbling sound, as in stainless steel sinks.

disadvantages

Unfortunately, nobody has yet succeeded in achieving the ideal. Ceramic sinks for the kitchen have their drawbacks, which we can not ignore:

1. This material has a fairly large mass, therefore, products from it are very heavy. It is better to install a sink together. Under the sink, you must determine a strong pedestal or countertop.
2. Although the ceramic material can withstand a significant weight load, it is afraid of shock. For example, falling heavy objects from a height into the sink can cause chips and cracks, leading to the destruction of the product.
3. The high price discourages the consumer, because stainless steel is 5-6 times cheaper. But quality cannot be cheap.

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How to choose a ceramic sink?

After weighing all the pros and cons, you still decided to purchase a ceramic sink? It remains to be determined what exactly you need. You can make the right choice, given the following recommendations.

Wash Installation Method

The installation method is mortise or consignment note. Think about the configuration of the kitchen unit:

1. If free-standing modules are provided (kitchen-island), then an overhead sink is suitable. It will not be amiss to recall that the cabinet should be massive, able to withstand the large weight of the installed sink.

Important! This option is usually suitable for budget options and for ready-made kitchen sets.

2. If the bottom row of furniture is combined with a long countertop, then your option is a mortise sink.

Sink location

Your choice of frontal or angular location:

1. If your kitchen is small and you need to use the corners of the room, of course, the best solution would be to install a corner sink. This will make it possible to use a sink with a side wing or with two small bowls.
2. Front sinks are suitable for direct installation on a large kitchen set.

The number of installed bowls

Decide what needs you need a ceramic sink for, whether you have a dishwasher, how often you appear in the kitchen and cook. It will depend on this, you need one, but a large one, or several small bowls.

Diameter and depth of the kitchen sink

The usual recommended depth is 16 centimeters. If you have a big family, there are a lot of dirty dishes, you need to wash a lot of vegetables and fruits, then choose a deep bowl, into which even your largest-caliber pan will become.

Upper hanging cabinets make it impossible to install a crane with a long spout, so you will need a sink that is not too wide so that the pouring water gets into the center. Otherwise, washing dishes and foods will be uncomfortable, water will pour out over the edges of the bowl.

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Advanced ceramic sink

Do you want to feel comfortable in the kitchen, cook with pleasure while spending a minimum of effort on cleaning? Then additional devices are required in the configuration of kitchen sinks:

1. An additional side surface is the wings. It will be necessary for the housewives to put out a dishwasher, to lay out washed vegetables and fruits. Depending on the amount of free space, there may be one or two wings.
2. Kitchen accessories for kitchen sinks. Manufacturers quite often offer faucets suitable for design and shape to ceramic bowls. Additionally provided shelves, kits for washing products, cups, dispensers for household chemicals. Very convenient to use are sets of cutting boards for which recesses are designed on the surface of the wings.
3. Chopper. Sold with sink or separately. Installed under the sink, powered by electricity.
4. More modern models have sound absorbers. The device helps to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, in particular in the sink, solves the problem of household waste disposal.

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Colors and shapes of sinks - how to choose?

The color of the ceramic sink for the kitchen is chosen solely following the design style of your interior. It will look more harmoniously in the same color as the kitchen set or the repeating tone of the countertop. Sometimes a contrasting dark bowl is set on a light countertop. In this case, you need to support the color in other household appliances, for example, an extractor hood or hob.

Now let's determine the shape of the bowl:

• The square shape is roomy, familiar to perception, comfortable for washing dishes and products. The choice is very large in size, color line, design and functional additions.
• Rectangular bowls are convenient, suitable for narrow tables. It should be noted that ceramic sinks installed with the long side across the countertops are not so practical.
• Round sinks are the most capacious, but they do not have additional sections (bowls).
• Triangular sink - more ergonomic in small kitchens, when there is a need to use the corner space.
• Pentagonal and hexagonal shapes are the most modern in design. Formed by the side wings of sinks with additional bowls. Installation requires a lot of space.

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Quality checking:

1. We advise you to purchase ceramic sinks for the kitchen only in specialized stores. Choose products from reputable, reputable manufacturers.
2. Be sure to require a quality certificate, almost all companies produce a line of products "luxury" and "economy" class. In the second case, marriage and fakes are more common. Tap on a sink when buying dishes. If the sound is heard deaf, then this means that there are cracks and chips. Voiced sound indicates the integrity of the goods.
3. Be careful, there are a lot of goods and Asian countries on the market, they are distinguished by low quality ceramics. Such sinks will not last long, lose their protective qualities, crack and stain.

Important! The best quality products from European manufacturers from Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The most popular manufacturers on the market are Franke, Schock, TEKA, Blanco, Reginox, Alveus and others.

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About Ceramic Wash Care

The ceramic surface of modern sinks is smooth, shiny, impervious to dirt and grease. It has protective properties of resistance to household chemicals:

1. For everyday care, you only need water and a soft sponge.
2. If heavily soiled, a liquid or creamy detergent may be used.
3. Abrasive materials mattify the surface, so they can not be used.
4. If limescale forms on the surface with a cloth dampened in ordinary table vinegar, rub the bowl overnight, then rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth.
5. It is possible to wipe with chlorine bleaches followed by rinsing with water. This procedure will remove stains and disinfect the surface of the sink.

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Stock footage

Choosing a high-quality ceramic sink, choosing its design correctly, you will greatly facilitate your work and decorate your life. The interior of the kitchen will become original, cozy and will please the eye for many years. Have a good shopping!