Choosing stainless steel sinks for the kitchen

About the variety of species

Existing models can be classified according to the following criteria:

By the way it is placed in the kitchen. There are sinks located along the countertop, as well as corner models. Mortise sinks are suitable for a kitchen island installed in the center of the room.

By the method of installation. Sinks are divided into overhead, inset, and also designed for installation under the countertop. Surface-mounted models are mounted on a free-standing base unit. Mortise is designed for installation on top of the countertop panel (in a pre-provided technological hole) and are fixed with fasteners from the underside of the panel (see diagrams).

By body material. The most widespread are models made of stainless steel or artificial stone based on a natural quartz component and a connecting acrylic composition. Less common sinks with a body made of granite, glass, copper, brass, bronze, ceramics, steel and cast iron with an enamel coating.

Which model is more convenient?

In kitchens with built-in furniture and a single worktop, flush sinks are usually used. Manufacturers offer a large selection of models of various shapes for working surfaces of any configuration.

Overhead sinks are generally more convenient than cut-in sinks (no technological seams on the working surface, greater depth), but their use is limited by stringent requirements for the design of the countertop. As a rule, sinks with installation under the countertop are equipped with work surfaces made of natural stone. In kitchens with freestanding furniture, inexpensive overhead sinks are used.

In small kitchens, the sink is often located in the corner. For such cases, models of a round or special angular shape are provided. In general, if the size of the room allows, it is better to place the sink along one of the walls or so that only the wing takes the corner position. “Island” models are still rare in our country – the difficulties in connecting to communications affect.

Who’s who in the sink market

The trendsetters for kitchen sinks in our country are traditionally manufacturers from Western Europe. Washers of such brands as Franke, Eisinger Swiss (Switzerland); Blanco, Kohler, Schock, Teka (Germany); Elleci, Plados, Telma (Italy); Reginox (Netherlands), Stala (Finland), are of the highest quality and a solid price. Recently, Turkish, Polish, Russian and especially Chinese manufacturers have been increasingly competing with “old Europe”. These are, for example, equipment from Ukinox (Turkey), Alveus (Slovenia), Pyramis (Greece), Granmaster (Poland), Eurodomo (Russia).

Products are priced as follows. Enameled items can be purchased for 400–600 rubles. However, their design and convenience leave much to be desired. Inexpensive models, both imported and domestic, will cost customers 800–1000 rubles. As for the sinks of the world’s leading manufacturers, they will cost from 3-5 to 15-20 thousand rubles, and the prices for top models can reach several tens of thousands of rubles.

These vital details

Many housewives have already appreciated the convenience of a sliding cutting board. Most of the leading manufacturers are equipped with this device. By moving the board towards the bowl, we increase the usable area of ​​the working surface. Sliding cutting boards can be made from different materials, such as wood or impact resistant glass. An improved version is offered by Teka (Penta model). A special opening allows shredded food to be dropped directly into the pan. Also, three different graters are installed on this hole: coarse, fine and for slices. The graters are firmly fixed to the glass surface for maximum stability. And the mobility of the board allows you to work in any part of the sink.

An interesting Statura 6-U / W70 sink with an Eloscope-F mixer is offered by Blanco. The bowl in this model can be completely covered with overhead panels (the mixer is retracted into the sink like a submarine’s periscope).

Good lighting is important for comfortable housework. A one-of-a-kind washbasin with a glass top and integrated LED lighting is offered by Eisinger Swiss (Vetro model from the Pure-Line series). Additional lighting not only makes work easier – it makes the sink look extremely elegant.

Modern sink models are equipped with multiple bowls. Therefore, a well-thought-out water drainage system is especially important so that during intensive emptying of one bowl, water does not flow into the other (according to the law of communicating vessels). That is why all three bowls of the Active Kitchen (Franke) model have an independent drain. This solution ensures that the flowing water does not enter the adjacent container.

When choosing, pay attention!

Dryer side. It is desirable that it has sufficient height and reliably prevents the liquid from spreading (for example, if you have to wash baking sheets or other large dishes).

Bowl depth. In many budget models, the bowl is not deep enough (less than 15 cm). This is inconvenient, since water spills out of the sink with an intense pressure. It is better to choose a bowl of great depth – 18–20 cm or more. These are, for example, the Blancohit 8 (Blanco, 20 cm deep), Acquario (Franke, 22 cm), Ohio (Reginox, 22 cm), Aura (Teka, 23 cm) … Who is bigger?

Cup size. The larger the bowl, the easier it is to place bulky dishes in it. In the Acquario (Franke) model, the size of the bowl (75 × 41,5 × 22 cm) is not inferior to a baby bath!

Steel surface texture. Polished steel looks better, but you can see any speck on the surface. However, clear polished product from dirt is much easier. With a matte surface, the situation is exactly the opposite. Stains are not visible on it, but getting rid of settled dirt is much more difficult.

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