Choosing a Kitchen Sink

Few people give much thought to choosing a kitchen sink before the kitchen design process is embarked upon. With such a range of styles, it is possible to enhance and complete the look of your kitchen with the right sink choice. Kitchen sinks are generally made from stainless steel, enamel coated cast iron, solid surfaces, ceramic and composites.  The stainless steel option is by far the most popular because of its durability, versatility and stylish look.

Kitchen sinks can be fitted to benchtops in 4 ways :-

1. In-set sink – where the edges sit on top of the bench-top.
2. Undermount – where the edges are attached under the bench-top.
3. Integral – where the sink is moulded into the bench-top.
4. Butler’s or Belfast Sink – a full depth sink that sits on a lower cabinet replacing a portion of the bench top.
5. Flush mount – where the sink is mounted so that the top of the sink is at the same level as the benchtop.

In-set sinks are by far the most common mount and are the most cost effective, integral mounts have the advantage of being easier to clean as they are seamless.  A rise in popularity of the Country Style kitchen has made Belfast/Butler’s Sinks more popular and more widely available making some styles a fraction of the cost of other high end options. Common sink configurations are single bowl, double bowl and single bowl with prep sink.

In-set Sink

Undermount Sink

Integrated Sink

Belfast / Butler’s Sink

Choosing a waste disposer

Considerations to take into account in choosing a waste disposer are:

1. Blade type
2. Motor size
3. Feed type

Blade Type

Waste disposers usually incorporate one stationary blade and one rotary blade. Budget models usually have galvanised cutters and they tend to be lightweight. Medium models have stainless steel cutters which are heavier and will not corrode. Heavier duty models either have extra heavier impellors or extra “rippers” or are made of cast iron.

Motor Size

The disposer will need enough grunt to get through the waste.  The size of the motor will alter the physical size. Size is an important factor as units must be small enough to fit in the allocated space under the sink. Remember that there is a relationship between motor size and noise!

Feed Type

Batch Feed – safer with children around as it needs a special stopper in place, but can only process food in batches

Continuous – faster as once the water is flowing through it, will continuously grind the waste that is fed into it