Choosing stainless steel sinks for the kitchen

A modern kitchen sink can include multiple water bowls, a dryer, a waste disposer, a sliding chopping board, and even a colander bowl.

The sink remains one of the main elements of kitchen comfort. It does not lose its relevance, even if the kitchen is “head over heels” stuffed with all kinds of equipment, including a dishwasher.

Stainless steel sinks

The modern premium kitchen sink is a high-tech device. It can include one or more water bowls. The bowls are adjoined by work surfaces (wings) for cutting semi-finished products and drying dishes. The bowls and dryer are equipped with a water drain system, and in some cases also a waste grinder (disposer). The package may also include removable elements: for example, a sliding cutting board, a grate for drying, a colander bowl, sometimes referred to as a colander (from the English colander – a bowl, sieve), etc. Such a sink equipped with a “full program” turns into a convenient workplace …

Sinks Blanco Lexa (Blanco) in a new color scheme “coffee” and “silk gray”

Vision Series (Alveus). Capacious 200 mm deep bowl makes it easy to wash or fill bulky dishes with water

Model of the Classic-Line series (Eisinger Swiss) coated with zirconium nitrate, the high corrosion resistance of which will keep the sink elegant, from 37 rubles.

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.

Washing


Zeno 60 B (Teka) in high quality stainless steel (left), with a choice of two surface finishes – mirror polish or micro texture.

A large sink of a cast-iron kitchen sink Tanager (Kohler), 16 400 rubles, helps to make even bulky dishes simple and convenient

Sink Blancostatura 6-U / W 70 (Blanco) can be completely covered with two cutting boards

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.

Model Pento 60 B (Teka). After washing the dishes, they can be easily dried using a special holder that allows up to 10 plates to be placed vertically on the sink

Sink Vision 30 (Alveus). The spacious wing serves as a convenient drying area for food or dishes and easily converts into a work surface for cooking

Inexpensive models of steel sinks, such as this one manufactured by Tree (China), are equipped with one bowl and a drainer for drying dishes.

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.

Corner sink


Vision 40 (Alveus). Spacious grooved wing, as well as a defrost tray with separate drain, are convenient for draining food or dishes

Corner sink Blancodelta-I Edition (Blanco) with flat FinessTop edge looks like it is installed flush with the worktop

The bowl of the Bordelaise (Kohler) cast-iron sink, 17 rubles, has the shape of a bucket with an inclined surface and is equipped with a grate attached to the bottom 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.

Model Ohio (Reginox), from 6690 rubles. The bowl, made of high quality stainless steel, has a great depth of 22 cm

Vision 10 (Alveus). Special platform for the mixer does not allow liquid to stagnate on the surface

Model


from the collection


Pure-Line 25 (Eisinger Swiss),


from 26 400 rubles. The individual stainless steel bowls are handcrafted

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?

Corner sink Blancolexa 9 E (Blanco) is made of composite material Silgranit C, durable and scratch-resistant

Sink Double XL (Reginox) – winner of the prestigious European design award Design Plus,


13 470 rub.

Model KBG 160 (Franke), new. Sink body (Havanna color) made of composite material Fragranit

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.

Where can I buy

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