The kitchen sink plays a vital role in the modern kitchen; it’s so important that live in a kitchen with a proper sink.
From cleaning large pots and pans to preparing food, you need to make sure that your kitchen sink is great and perfect for your kitchen. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are popular for their flexibility, making them.
This article will cover what you need to know before buying a stainless steel kitchen sink.
About stainless steel sinks
Thanks to its range of excellent qualities, a stainless steel kitchen sink is ideal for almost any kitchen. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a timeless kitchen sink as timeless as a stainless steel one, which also complements kitchen design well.
Sturdiness and durability are the biggest advantages of stainless steel sinks. With proper maintenance, stainless steel kitchens are expected to last more than 30 years – a testament to their longevity and satisfying performance.
Before you buy a stainless steel kitchen sink, there are some factors you need to consider to make your decision.
These include
- The grade of the stainless steel
- Its thickness (also known as its specification)
- The sink’s insulation and coating
- Its finish
Some other factors,for example, the number of sinks you want and the installation methods, are not as important as those listed above.
Knowing how to clean and maintain your stainless steel sink is also helpful. Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the durability of your sink.
How to choose a good quality stainless steel sink
Stainless steel is usually steel that is mixed with other elements to improve its properties. Think of stainless steel as a material that is blended with the best other materials to make the perfect end product.
The two most important materials of stainless steel are chromium and nickel, they enhance the performance of stainless steel, making it durable and corrosion-resistant.
Check out our series of stainless steel sinks here.
Grades of stainless steel
You will usually see the “18/8” label on your local stainless steel sink. This ratio represents the amount of chromium and nickel contained in the steel. For an 18/8 ratio, this means that there is 18% chromium and 8% nickel in the stainless steel.
Generally speaking, the higher the percentage of these materials, the higher the quality of the stainless steel sink.
Grades are an important factor when looking for a quality stainless steel sink. Grade 304 is considered to be the best grade for stainless steel sinks. It means that the steel is 18/8 stainless steel and consists of at least 50% iron.
By understanding these characteristics of stainless steel, you will be able to spot a quality sink from a lesser one. It can help you save a lot of money when comparing sinks among multiple brands.
Gauges (thickness of material)
The “gauge” indicates the thickness of the stainless steel metal of the sink. Don’t be confused; the smaller the gauge number, the thicker it is and vice versa. In this case, always remember that less is more when measuring sink gauges.
Gauges for materials range from 16-22 gauges, with 16 being the thickest. While some people think the thickness of a sink doesn’t matter, a thicker sink means it’s more sound absorbent.
It is much quieter than thinner sinks because it “absorbs” the sound of water running in the sink or when starting the garbage disposal. According to our experienced, quality stainless steel sinks range in size from 16 to 18.
Insulation and coating
Stainless steel sinks are often covered with an insulating coating to help reduce noise.
Another function of this coating is anti-condensation. Having a coating means you won’t have a moisture problem under your sink, which can form mold if there is moisture.
It is important to know whether your sink comes with insulation or coating. These are usually add-ons when you buy a kitchen sink, but if you don’t want to be disturbed by the noisy sound of a stainless steel sink, this is the factor to consider.
Sink Finishes
Sink finish refers to the surface treatment of the stainless steel sink. The mirror finish is with a polished appearance and a smooth feel. Many homeowners like to choose a ” brushed ” surface rather than a smooth matte look.
In addition to the polished mirror finish, you will be able to notice the direction of the grain of the stainless steel sink, which is produced by the finishing process.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Sinks
It is both inexpensive and affordable
High-end stainless steel options will cost more; however, most stainless steel sinks are affordable and as high quality as other material sinks on the market. Builders and contractors buy stainless steel sinks in bulk to increase profit margins.
It’s durable
A stainless steel sink with a thick gauge makes zero to very little noise when running water or preparing food. It’s durable and perfect for kitchen sinks because it won’t crack or chip.
Very lightweight and portable
Stainless steel is relatively light compared to other sink materials. For example, a large 34-inch-wide sink that is made of stainless steel is easy to move; doing the same task with a stone sink would be very difficult.
Easy to maintain
Stainless steel surfaces are easy to maintain and care for. All you need is an ordinary household cleaner and a cloth to clean and polish a stainless steel sink.
Rust resistant
Because of stainless steel’s corrosion resistance, you should not worry about rust when buying a kitchen sink.
It lasts for a long time
A stainless steel sink can easily do that for you if you are looking for a sink that will last 20-30 years. If you take good care of it, it will even last longer!
Maintaining your stainless steel kitchen sink
Maintaining your stainless steel sink will help you keep its original shiny look and extend its life. And even more, you’ll also save a lot of money in the process!
It’s best to consult the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance recommendations before you do anything because you don’t want to void the manufacturer’s warranty or after-sales service policy.
Fortunately, warranty policies are uniform among manufacturers, so you shouldn’t worry too much about it.
When cleaning your stainless steel sink, make sure you avoid using caustic or acidic cleaners and avoid scrubbing the surface with excessive force. Doing this can prevent scratches or stains from appearing on the surface.
Also, do not use steel wool to scrub the surface of your sink. The small pieces of steel in the lint will become embedded in the sink’s surface and rust over time. Rust will stain your sink and be difficult to remove – don’t do it!
If you must scrub, ensure you run the grains down rather than against them. Doing so will keep the surface shiny and without scratching it.
Common household cleaners and detergents contain chlorides that are not good for stainless steel. Fortunately, chlorides are water-soluble. This means rinsing the sink thoroughly is sufficient to remove the chlorides from the sink’s surface.
An important point to know is that soap scum may appear on the sink’s surface after a few weeks of use. If you are okay with it, then you can ignore it. If not, wipe down your stainless steel sink with a cloth daily or weekly to remove water stains and soap scum.
Choosing the best sink for your kitchen
At Chica Dragon, we pride ourselves on offering only the highest quality materials for your kitchen sink needs.
We can meet your kitchen design needs from premium granite composite sinks to 304-grade stainless steel kitchen sinks.
Our products come with a 15-year warranty and are 100% locally owned and operated. Our products are through ISO9001 and cUPC certificates.
Chica Stainless Steel Sinks
There are many reasons why Chica Dragon is one of the best sink suppliers you can work with. Our brand’s expertise in specific markets is second to none, and the quality of our products is exemplary. You will find us to be responsive, understanding, and skilled. Getting help regarding your order is easy, and we can also provide certifications and proof of our quality manufacturing whenever needed.
With years of experience manufacturing various sink products, we know what you are looking for when purchasing a sink product. Having the right buying process can make a big difference in your sink ordering experience, and we take pride in offering well-made products through our excellent marketing process. We can be trusted to get you quality sink products and a reliable order you can trust.