How to choose a reliable kitchen sink?

Two-thirds of the things we do in the kitchen are related to the sink in one way or another. If it is small, shallow, made of poor quality material and noisy, the process of cooking or washing dishes can turn into real torture. If you set up the working “wet zone” correctly, work in the kitchen will become truly comfortable.

How to choose a convenient and reliable kitchen sink? There are several key parameters to pay attention to.

Mounting method

Before buying, you need to decide on the method of installation. According to the type of installation, sinks can be divided into four types: overhead, mortise, underbench or built-in.

Overhead are mounted on a curbstone by the principle of a cover. Suitable for modular furniture. The most inexpensive option. However, it should be borne in mind that most often overhead sinks are made of 202 stainless steel with a lower chromium and nickel content. This means that they are more susceptible to corrosion and may not last very long (read about steel grades below).
Mortise protrude above the work surface, but are mounted in the countertop, for which a hole is cut in advance in it. One of the most popular and easy to use options. The prices for such sinks are low, and you can install them yourself.

Embedded sinks are mounted flush with the countertop. Best combined with natural stone countertops. Aesthetic, but expensive and difficult to install option.

Underbench sinks are built below the level of the countertop, and therefore they are only suitable for stone or plastic countertops — inexpensive materials from non-moisture resistant chipboard next to such sinks quickly become unusable. Undercounter sinks are beautiful, hygienic and practical, but their installation will be very expensive, as they can only be properly installed at the place where the countertop is made.

In the IDDIS® range there are only sinks and underbench sinks.

Sink bowl size and capacity

Bowls with a depth of 16–21 cm are considered the most versatile and convenient. If you choose a deeper sink, you will have to bend over for a long time while washing dishes, and this can lead to constant tension and pain in your back. If the bowl is less deep, it will be difficult to place large dishes in it, and splashes of water and fat will fly around.

sink shape

When choosing a sink, you should take into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and the dimensions of the furniture. There are many interesting multi-bowl solutions on the market today. But in Russia there are very few truly spacious kitchens, and therefore most often you have to opt for a single bowl. However, here, fortunately, there are many interesting and convenient options.

In a small kitchen, a corner or round, compact version of the sink would be most appropriate. A one-and-a-half sink, consisting of a main and an additional bowl, will become more convenient. In the latter, you can wash fruits and vegetables, defrost food or use it in any other convenient way. Additional functionality can be provided by a wing, on which you can put dishes, hot containers for drying, and leave food.

Square sinks are functional and allow you to use the space as rationally as possible.

BAS65PRi77, Sink, stainless steel steel, polished, bowl right, 650*500, Basic, ID / EDI44B0i77, sink, stainless steel, for underbench mounting, bronze, 440*440, Edifice, ID

Round more spacious than rectangular ones, but often do not have additional sections. They are easy to care for as they are easier to wash due to the absence of corners.

SUN49P0i77, Sink, stainless steel steel, polished, D490, Suno S, ID

Rectangular suitable for narrow worktops.

triangular (corner) ideal for small spaces.

Pentagonal and hexagonal — the most modern form, which is formed due to the side wings. Roomy, can be mounted in a corner or along a wall. More appropriate in spacious rooms.

sink material

Today, sinks are made of metal, ceramics, natural and artificial stone, and even plastic.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks Lightweight and thin, yet durable enough. The cost of such sinks is much lower than ceramic and stone ones, and the choice of shapes and designs is very wide.

A stainless steel sink can have a glossy, matte or decorated surface (with an embossed ribbed pattern). High-quality stainless steel contains chromium and nickel, which protect the sink from corrosion and give it a beautiful shine.

REE61SLi77, Sink, stainless steel steel, silk, bowl left, 615*480, Reeva S, ID

An important characteristic of such a sink is the thickness of the steel sheet from which it is made. For the production of sinks, steel with a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm is used. The thicker the steel sheet, the better the sink: it lasts longer, is more resistant to mechanical shocks, has good sound insulation, is easier to install, because it retains the geometry of the product (the edges of the sink fit perfectly to the countertop).

When choosing, pay attention to the steel grade. If it is AISI304, then you can be sure that this steel is resistant to corrosion and household chemicals, temperature extremes, hygienic, safe and will last a long time. In addition, a sink made of such steel is resistant to acids. The same cannot be said about sinks made of AISI201 steel. Such steel contains less chromium and nickel and is therefore susceptible to corrosion. She will not resist acids.

Today, you can often find information that the quality of the sink metal can be checked with a magnet. It is alleged that the sink, which attracts magnets, is made of low-quality steel. It is a myth. Even non-magnetic 304 stainless steel acquires magnetism during the process of mechanical action on it in production. However, this does not affect the quality of the metal. It can’t get rusty.

Natural stone sinks (marble, granite, basalt, onyx) are durable and easy to care for — they do not leave stains, they do not fade, they absorb the sound of water well and easily tolerate high temperatures. At the same time, these sinks are not without drawbacks. The porous structure of the material is able to absorb moisture and dust, and a cabinet made of wood or MDF simply cannot withstand the heavy weight of such a sink, and it is always difficult to install it due to its gravity. It should also be borne in mind that the cost of stone washing is quite high — from 30 thousand rubles.

Sinks made of artificial stone (composite) are much lighter and cheaper than those made from natural materials. Unlike sinks made of natural stone, they have less porosity and are resistant to aggressive liquids.

All composite sinks can be divided into two types: granite (they are also quartz, in fact, this is a mixture of mineral filler and polymer resin) and gelcoat (they are marble, they consist of limestone and epoxy resin, protected from external influences by a layer of gelcoat 1 mm thick ).

The gelcoat finish provides shine and visual appeal, but if damaged, a different base color will show through. Also, limestone is washed out through scratches, and the sink may eventually crack at the site of damage. Quartz sinks have a homogeneous structure and are not afraid of scratches, they can be sanded.

IDDIS Granucryl sinks consist of 80% granite chips from high-purity granite and are resistant to physical and mechanical stress, withstand temperatures up to 280°C. The color of such a sink will not change over time, since the surface of the composite material does not deteriorate from chemicals and alkalis. The composition of the Granucryl material prevents the growth of bacteria on the surface of sinks, which guarantees their safety in conditions of high humidity in the kitchen.

V34C785i87, Sink Granucryl, chocolate color, 1 1/2 bowls, size 780*500, Vane G, ID / K12G771i87, Sink, granucryl, grey, 770*500, Kitchen G, ID / V28P965i87, Sink, granucryl, sand, corner , 1 1/2 bowls, 960*500, Vane G, ID

Ceramic sinks are lighter than natural stone sinks, but are more fragile and susceptible to temperature changes. They are not afraid of scratches, chemicals, very resistant to surface damage and high temperatures. Just take care of them. However, they are quite heavy and do not like strong blows. Their cost is quite high.

If you take into account all these nuances before buying, working in the kitchen will be a pleasure!