Sinks for the kitchen

The kitchen of the modern hostess is the embodiment of scientific and technological progress. The kitchen sink, along with a refrigerator and stove, takes pride of place in the process of preparing food. Therefore, it is not surprising that the choice of a sink for the kitchen is paid a lot of attention, because it should not only be convenient, practical, functional, but also fit into the interior of the kitchen. So that you can buy that sink for washing dishes that will ideally suit you in all respects, check out the useful information in this article.

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Criteria for choosing a sink for the kitchen

To determine which sink option will be the best choice for your kitchen, you need to make a list of requirements for a plumbing element:

1. Roominess. Unlike the sink in the bathroom, the sink in the kitchen is designed to wash food and remove dirt from dishes. The kitchen sink is specially designed so that it is convenient to put mountains of dishes in it or to place large objects under the tap, as well as fruits, for example, watermelons, melons.
2. The material of manufacture. The wash basin in the bathroom, as a rule, is made of sanitary porcelain or sanitary ware, since only hands and face are rinsed above it, but the kitchen sink is most often made of metal or stone, because it must withstand high temperatures, mechanical stress and must be distinguished by increased resistance to impact various household chemicals. Despite this, it should be easy to handle and operate, and also to maintain an excellent appearance with a minimum of care.
3. The size. The dimensions of the sanitary element largely depend on the area of ​​the kitchen itself. Agree, in a 6-meter room, a sink with wings 120 cm wide will look strange.
4. The number of bowls. Double and one and a half options are most popular (1 bowl is large and the other is small), but the number of bowls can be from 1 to 5. Additional elements are designed for separate washing of dishes and processing of fruits and vegetables.

Important! If the number of bowls is 3 or more, then they will be at a great distance from each other, and you will have to install a mixer with a retractable shower head, which will cost more than a conventional model.

5. Sink style. It’s worth looking at the plumbing element after you have decided on the design of the room. A sink for the kitchen should harmoniously fit into the interior and be combined with all furniture, appliances and accessories. For example, a simple copper model is not suitable for smooth lacquered facades with “recessed” stainless steel handles.
6. Installation method. According to the installation method, the sinks differ in mortise and overhead. The overhead sink “lies” on the countertop, holding onto its sides. The mortise sink is “sunk” into the countertop. In both the first and second cases, installation requires good waterproofing.
7. Optional equipment. Many models are equipped with so-called wings, on which it is very convenient to put clean cups and put washed fruits. In addition, the sink for the kitchen may have baskets, boards, trellises, colanders, etc.
8. Mixer. On a kitchen sink, unlike a sink in a bathroom, a faucet with a long spout is always mounted, since it is convenient to use and wash large and tall objects.

Important! When choosing a sink model for your kitchen, consider the culinary habits of your family. That is, what foods you use, how often you cook, and how many dishes you need to wash daily. It is also necessary to decide whether you will install a water filter or a waste shredder.

Decide in advance which items you will keep near the sink and which mixer model you want to choose. All this is very important when choosing the ideal model of sanitary ware for your kitchen.

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How to choose the size of the sink and the depth of the bowl?

If you have a small kitchen, then a spacious roomy sink with two or three bowls will not suit you. For you, the best option is a corner sink for the kitchen. Typically, this model consists of one large or two rectangular small bowls. Bowls can be located on one line or at an angle to each other. The corner sink in the kitchen will occupy an empty “uncomfortable corner”, and it will look very compact.

The depth of the bowl is also very important:

• if you choose a deep sink, then during work you will have to bend down constantly;
• tall dishes and splashes of grease will not fit in a shallow bowl; water will constantly fall onto the countertop and adjacent wall.

Important! Experts believe that the optimal depth of the bowl should be 160-180 mm. Such a model is convenient for the hostess, and the sink will be quite roomy.

Another factor is the radius of the fillet between the bottom and walls. The shape close to the right angle looks more stylish, but it’s much harder to wash.

Important! When choosing a model, it is important to take into account such a moment as depth - the distance between the front and rear walls. Dimensions should be less than the depth of the kitchen unit cabinet or the depth of the floor cabinet.

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What type of sink in the kitchen to choose?

Sinks in the kitchen can have both quite traditional - rectangular, round, square, and the most bizarre shape. Modern technologies and materials allow to realize the most daring fantasies of designers. By degree of popularity, one can make the following classification:

1. A classic sink is usually rectangular or square.
2. You can often find round sinks in the kitchen.
3. Much less often are sinks with a triangular and oval bowl.

The choice of form depends on convenience. For example, the simplest round sinks, in comparison with a sink of another shape equal in volume, are more spacious. When choosing the shape of the sink, consider the interior design of your kitchen, since the plumbing element should complement it in style.

Important! How many sink bowls to choose depends on your desire and financial capabilities, because a high-quality model with two or three bowls costs much more than a regular one. But in extra bowls it is very convenient to defrost meat or fish, as well as wash fruits, vegetables and herbs.

A sink in the kitchen with one bowl is simple to operate, it is easier to wash, but it is less convenient for processing food and washing dishes. The most convenient and functional kitchen sink with two bowls, so this model is very popular among housewives.

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What kitchen sink material to choose?

The choice of material depends on many things:

• Kitchen design.
• The style of the interior.
• Desired sink characteristics.
• The budget.

Important! To make it easier for you to understand all the diversity, you can listen to the opinion of experts:

• For classic cuisine, experts and designers recommend an artificial stone based on granite or ceramic.
• For a kitchen in a modern style, a stainless steel sink or sink made of composite materials (artificial stone) is perfect.

Ceramics

Ceramic sinks for the kitchen look incredibly stylish, have a spectacular design. Ceramic sink is very high quality, resistant to surface damage, resistant to high temperatures and the effects of household chemicals.You can safely put a hot pot on it or put frozen foods.

A quality ceramic sink is not afraid of scratches. The surface is easy to clean, as modern sinks have a special coating that makes cleaning and maintenance easier.

Important! Disadvantages of the ceramic model:

• Heavy enough.
• Relatively fragile.
• May be susceptible to shock.

Fake diamond

Composite sinks are made of stone chips and a special binder based on resins and pigments. The colors of the model can imitate a natural stone and have the most bizarre shades.

Advantages:

• Environmental friendliness.
• Fits perfectly into any kitchen interior.
• Easy to clean. Due to the almost zero porosity of the composites, oily stains do not remain on the sink.
• Dyes from products such as beets, red wine and more do not penetrate, but are easily removed with a simple sponge.
• Not afraid of household chemicals.
• It absorbs well the sound of pouring water, thanks to the rough surface.
• Has a temperature maximum of +280 C.

The main disadvantage of a sink made of artificial stone is the high price.

Important! When choosing a sink, its color takes an important place. It is determined by dyes and filler. Since the surface of the composite material is not subject to the action of the chemical and alkalis, there is no danger that the color of the wash will fade. For everyday care, experts recommend using soapy water, and solid contaminants must be removed with a small amount of powder for the dishwasher.

If you want to choose a stone sink, then keep in mind that there are two types of artificial stone:

1. Acrylic - based on acrylic resins. He’s quite moody. The stone is easily scratched, but it can be easily sanded and restored to its original appearance. Experts do not recommend pouring boiling water and placing hot dishes into the sink made of acrylic stone.
2. Agglomerate. Very durable and comfortable sinks made of granite composite. They are very beautiful and it is a pleasure to use them.

Stainless steel

Modern stainless steel kitchen sinks, manufactured by well-known manufacturers, are radically different from their predecessors - both in quality and in characteristics, design. Quality stainless steel contains nickel and chrome. This material gives the sink a beautiful shine and protects against corrosion. Stainless steel sinks have a glossy or matte finish. In some cases, the sink is decorated with a textured pattern.

Important! To make sure the quality of the sink made of stainless steel, use a magnet. If the material of manufacture is good steel, then the magnet will slide over the surface of the sink.

Advantages:

• Low price.
• Ease.
• Durability.
• Hygiene
• Resistance to traditional operating conditions.

Important! The disadvantage of the stainless steel model is its low sound absorption when in contact with a stream of water. To eliminate this drawback, many manufacturers offer their own solution to the problem: they make sinks from thicker steel with a sound absorber from soft materials under the bowl.

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How do sinks differ by type of installation?

There are 4 main groups of sinks according to the type of installation. They differ both in price category and in operating conditions. Get to know them better.

Surface mounted sinks

False sinks in the kitchen simply “put on” the furniture from above, like a lid. Traditionally, such a sink is mounted on a special floor stand, replacing a countertop. These models are suitable for kitchen sets consisting of separate cabinets-modules.

Advantage of the laid on model: simplicity and availability of installation. Installation does not require any complicated manipulations. Installing a sink is easy on your own, without the help of specialists.

Important! Disadvantages of overhead sinks:

• Relatively small thickness of the sink.
• Inconvenience during operation: water enters the gap between the kitchen cabinets.This is unhygienic, and additional care is needed to fix the problem.

Mortise sinks

This is the most common option. The mortise sink is installed in the hole in the kitchen worktop. Specialists recommend using sinks of this type if the kitchen has a beautiful, long countertop.

Important! You can install mortise sinks for the kitchen above or below the countertop, as well as on the same level with it. The choice of installation option depends on the model and your preference.

Mortise sinks can be installed in the countertop from any material: wood, chipboard, laminate, granite, artificial stone, stainless steel.

The advantages of mortise sinks include hygiene and ease of use.

Integrated sinks

Some manufacturers offer an integrated type of sinks. They are mounted flush with the working surface of the countertop.

A feature of this type is the perfect matching of the edges with the countertop. Unlike the previous types, the installation of integrated sinks is quite complicated and requires specific skills. However, with this installation method, the sink looks like an organic element of the kitchen interior.

Table sinks

Sinks of this type are installed under the countertop and are mounted below its level. Table sinks can be used for granite, wooden, as well as plastic countertops. Very often, this installation option is used in kitchen sets that have a single countertop made of natural stone. Table washing, in this case, does not hide the natural beauty of the stone in the cross section of the countertop.

The advantages of this type include: hygiene, ease of use, as well as the absence of the need for special care.

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How to complement the sink in the kitchen?

A modern sink in the kitchen is a real work center, which includes many additional accessories. In addition to their models, many manufacturers offer a number of different devices:

• convenient cutting boards repeating the contours of the sink;
• metal baskets for washing vegetables and fruits;
• dispensers for liquid soap;
• garbage shredders (disposers) - an electrical appliance is installed under the sink and connected to the sewer.

Important! The garbage shredder can cope with any kind of food waste in a few minutes, and the grinding process is silent and completely safe, since it does not require knives or blades. You just need to open the cold water tap and turn on the appliance, and dump the remaining food into the sink.

It is not recommended to process plastic bags, rags and threads in garbage shredders.

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Stock footage

We hope that thanks to our information, you have chosen the perfect sink for your kitchen. We advise you to purchase your favorite model in plumbing stores. The ideal option is the official store of a large company engaged in the production and sale of sinks. This not only guarantees quality, but also provides an opportunity to save money, as there are cheap Asian-made sinks in the markets and small shops, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. Have a good shopping!