There are so many choices of sink available and it is not easy to decide.
We have been debating and listing pros and cons in which my partner terms it as ‘informed decision making’, visiting kitchen showroom and using friend and family’s kitchen sink (lots of volunteering of doing the dishes). It is also important to consider your prepping, cooking and washing habit.
Questions to ask will be:
- How many cooks are there in the kitchen?
- Do you thaw meat in the sink?
- Do you bake a lot?
- Do you entertain guest?
- How do you do your dishes?
- Do you have a dishwasher?
- Do you fill up the sink with water and soak dishes?
1. Farmhouse Sink/ Apron Sink?
Before I moved back to Malaysia, a farmhouse sink was on the wishlist for my new kitchen. When my colleague was doing up his kitchen in Glasgow, he managed to obtained a farmhouse sink from an old property
Common material: Fireclay, porcelain or Stainless steel. It is not that common in Malaysia, pricey and the kitchen cabinet will need to be custom made to support the base of the sink.
Verdict: No farmhouse sink
I took into consideration of my kitchen concept, my budget and decided that a farmhouse sink had to go.
2. Kitchen sink material?
The most common kitchen sink is stainless steel. Stainless steel is durable but is susceptible to scratching and has watermark issues.
My contractor had pointed out that granite (composite) sink has been gaining popularity in the Malaysian households and had a variety of colours to choose from. It is about RM1k more than stainless steel sink and also less noisy when water drops onto the surface.
Verdict: Stainless steel
Stainless steel has stood the test of time for decades as a kitchen sink material. The ones in the market are type 304 stainless steel (chromium- nickel).
3. Stainless steel thickness?
The thickness sold is between 0.5mm to 1.4mm. The thicker ones are more resistant to dents and are quieter. Pads underneath the sink could also help to reduce the transmission of noise.
Verdict: At least 1mm
The thicker it is, the more expensive it will be. Let’s get one with a reasonable pricing.
4. Zero radius sink vs standard sink (Rounded edge)?
A zero radius sink has a rectangle/ square sink with a 90 degree corner and a standard sink has a rounded edge. I was also advised that a zero radius sink is more difficult to clean as grime might collect at the corner.
Verdict: Zero radius sink
I just love the look of it… it has a professional kitchen look. It will need extra time for cleaning and I will use a brush to clean the corners.
5. One Big Bowl vs Two bowls
During a home expo, one of the display that caught our eyes was the wide single bowl sink. My first comment was, ‘You can bathe a puppy or a baby in that’. Not that I will do that due to hygiene reasons.
One bowl– It fits cooking tray, pots and pans, saves countertop space, able to accommodate large quantity of dishes
Two bowls– Suitable for ‘multitaskers’- eg prepping and washing at the same time, one bowl to soak dishes
Verdict: One big bowl sink
I like the idea of washing large dishes, pots, pans and baking sheet and will put a basin in the sink to rinse dishes. So functionally I will still have two bowls.
6. Undermount vs Topmount?
Undermount– More expensive to install, looks better, increases countertop space, traps debris & mold at the edge of sink
Topmount– Cheaper to install, Easier to replace, Debris and mold trapped at the rim
Verdict: Undermount sink
Undermount sink looks better and it is easier to sweep crumbs and food debris into the sink from the countertop. I would need to buy a good quality sink as it is difficult to replace and to try not to fill up the sink to the brim as the silicone might loosen. Note to add about 1 inch in depth after installation for undermount sink.
Conclusion:
Undermount big one bowl zero radius 1mm thickness stainless steel sink
It took us 1 month to decide on that.