When searching for a new kitchen sink, you want one that not only looks nice but also functions well. This crucial part of your kitchen should be durable, attractive, spacious, and easy to clean. Sinks come in various materials, sizes, and styles, however, which can make the selection process feel overwhelming. To simplify your decision-making, we’ve created this guide to the best sinks for a kitchen.

Common Types of Kitchen Sinks

Best Sink for a Kitchen

First, let’s review the differences between sink types so you can decide which one is best for your kitchen.

Undermount vs. Top Mount

Undermount sinks are installed beneath the countertop, giving them a sleek appearance. They’re popular options among Chicago homeowners because they’re also easy to clean. Top-mounted, or drop-in, sinks are placed into a hole in the countertop. The rim of this sink rests directly on the counter. They’re easier to install than undermount sinks but more challenging to keep clean.

Single, Double, and Triple Bowls

Most kitchen sinks come in configurations with one, two, or three bowls. Single-bowl sinks offer the most space for placing and cleaning large dishes and pots. Double-bowl sinks are practical options that provide you with two separate spaces for performing different kitchen tasks, such as preparing food and rinsing dishes. They generally come in 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30 ratios. Triple-bowl sinks are like double bowls but with a third, smaller vessel for prepping. In addition to the number of bowls, you’ll need to select the appropriate width and depth of your sink.

Materials

Modern sinks come in many materials, most commonly stainless steel, copper, cast iron, fireclay, and granite quartz composite. Stainless steel, however, is one of the most popular and versatile kitchen sink options, coming in a wide variety of configurations. The material you ultimately choose might depend on the style of your kitchen and its fixtures. You might also choose a material that has a long life span or is easy to clean. And if you have a busy lifestyle, you might want to choose an easy-to-care-for sink material that doesn’t require extra time and attention to detail to clean.

What Type of Sink Lasts the Longest?

The best sink for a kitchen is typically one that will last for years and even decades to come. One of the biggest contributors to a sink’s longevity is the material it’s made from. Average sink life spans based on materials are as follows:

  • Stainless steel:  15-30 years.
  • Granite composite: 40-50 years.
  • Copper: 40-50 years.
  • Fireclay:  About 20 years.
  • Ceramic:  50 plus years.
  • Porcelain: 50 plus years.
  • Resin:  10-40 years.
  • Tempered glass:  10-30 years.

These estimates will vary depending on the amount of use the sink gets and its level of care.

What Type of Sink Is Easiest To Clean?

You want a sink that’s quick and easy to clean. In this regard, stainless steel sinks are some of the most low-maintenance and durable options on the market. You can effectively clean them using only soap and water, and their nonporous nature makes them easy to disinfect. Fireclay and cast iron are other nonporous materials that are similarly easy to clean and don’t scratch easily. Nonporous sink surfaces are particularly popular in gourmet kitchens because they’re hygienic and less likely to experience bacterial growth.

Granite composite sinks are just as easy to clean but can scratch easily. Copper sinks have natural antimicrobial properties, but it can be challenging to maintain their rich color and shine. Single-bowl sinks are typically faster to wipe down than sinks with multiple bowls, and undermount sinks are easier to keep clean because they don’t have an exposed rim above the countertop collecting dirt and grime.

What Is The Most Stain-Resistant Kitchen Sink?

If you’re looking for a sink that will maintain its appearance, then you’ll want one that doesn’t stain when you leave food and dirty dishes in the basin. Stainless steel stinks — as indicated by the name — are the most stain-resistant kitchen sinks. These sinks resist not only stains but also heat and scratches. Other good materials that don’t stain easily include granite composite, cast iron, ceramic, and fireclay.

Other Considerations

When trying to decide on the best sink for your needs, you’ll want to consider other factors that will enhance functionality and efficiency in your kitchen. If you know that you want a double-bowl sink, for instance, make sure that you choose one designed to have the garbage disposal installed on the same side of the sink as your dishwasher. This will make rinsing dirty dishes and placing them in the dishwasher quick and easy.

Another consideration is size. If you’re replacing an existing sink, look for dimensions that are a precise match. Otherwise, choose a sink size that will fit within the dimensions of your base cabinets. Sinks also come with different basin depths. If you have a large family that piles dishes in the sink after meals, for example, you might prefer a deep basin depth.

Lastly, don’t overlook the number and type of faucet and accessory holes in each sink you’re considering. Most kitchen sinks feature one to six holes for faucets, soap dispensers, sprayers, and more. Match the number and types of accessories you want in your kitchen with those on the sink. Err on the side of having more holes than you need than too few. You can always place a decorative cover or deck plate on the ones you’re not currently using.

Are You Ready To Shop for Sinks?

The best sink for a kitchen is one that fits your style, kitchen configuration, and cabinet sizes and meets priorities such as durability, cleanliness, and ease of use. Equipped with all this information about kitchen sinks, it’s time to begin shopping. Here at Allied Plumbing and Heating Supply of Chicago, we offer various top-quality kitchen sinks. From single to triple bowls, undermount to a top mount, we can help you find a style to fit all your kitchen-based needs.

Photo credit: View from kitchen sink! by John Coley is licensed with CC BY 2.0