Proper Use of a Double Bowl Kitchen Sink
Double bowl sinks offer advantages single bowl sinks can’t provide, including increased storage capacity, more organizational ability and easier dishwashing. If you choose a double bowl sink, use it properly to gain the most from this kitchen appliance. Once you learn how to use it, you will see how this effective tool improves your cooking and cleanups.
Dishwashing in Standard Double Bowl Sinks
A standard double bowl sink has two bowls exactly the same size, each placed side by side. When using this type of sink, store dishes in the side without the garbage disposal, if the sink has one. When the time comes to wash the dishes, scrape food into the side with the garbage disposal, stack the dishes on the counter and fill the other side with soap and water. Now you can soak and wash the dishes in the side with the water, and rinse them in the other side when finished.
Food Preparation With Standard Double Bowl Sinks
When prepare food in a standard double bowl sink, always use one side for rinsing vegetables, fruit and meats. This way you can clean and disinfect this one area when finished, and germs from meat don’t spread around the whole sink. The other side is ideal for peeling potatoes, carrots and turnips. This setup allows food preparation space for all parts of the meal. The meat and vegetables do not mix inside of the sink, so there is no fear of meat germs spreading onto raw vegetables used in a salad.
Dishwashing in Non-standard Double Bowl Sinks
In non-standard double bowl sinks there is one small bowl and one large bowl. Washing dishes inside of a sink like this is a little more difficult. So to make dishwashing easier, use the smaller bowl only for rinsing. The larger bowl is suited for storing dishes, soaking and washing dishes. You can clean and rinse glasses in the smaller side, but if the bowl is shallower than the larger bowl, you risk breaking the glass on the sink or faucet. The larger bowl allows more room to maneuver long glasses and dishes.
Food Preparation With Non-standard Double Bowl Sinks
When preparing foods in non-standard double bowl sinks, use the smaller size bowl to peel vegetables and rinse the fruit. The larger size bowl is ideal for filling pots and rinsing large vegetables like squash and bunches of grapes. If you have limited counter space, use an over-the-sink cutting board on the smaller bowl to perform food preparation like cutting vegetables or boning chicken breasts, which increases counter space while sacrificing the least amount of sink space.
Different Types of Kitchen Sinks
When deciding on a sink type, you will need to consider the number of bowls you want. Most sinks come with one or two bowls. If you have a smaller space, opt for a single bowl. Small double bowl sinks lack functionality. Single bowl sinks also make cleaning large pots and pans easier and they are faster to clean as well. Double bowl sinks offer flexibility. You can soak vegetables in one basin while you have dishes in another. You can have either two equal sized bowls or one smaller and one larger bowl.
An undermount sink is attached underneath your countertop. It uses the base structure of your cabinets to get support. This allows for a consistent look on your countertop. This is made with solid surface countertops in mind. It can be installed on a marble or composite surface among other similar options but not on other choices.
A flush mount choice is made with a surface that mixes in well with the rest of the countertop. The design allows the sink to come with one of two designs. First of all, it can be made with the same general color tone as what your countertop uses. Secondly, it may entail a body that is different from the rest of the countertop but mixes in well without any rising surfaces in the area. A grout line should be applied in between the sink and the countertop to create a strong bond between the two while keeping the entire body consistent and smooth in its design. That grout line can be finished in a tone that blends in perfectly with both parts.
The farmhouse style, or apron sink as it is also called, is made with a rounded edge that matches up with what is on the inside of the basin. The sink can be added into the middle of a countertop although some cutting might be required. This creates a rustic appearance when used correctly and is common in rustic kitchen styles and farmhouse kitchens.
A self-rimming model uses a border that fits above the main cabinet countertop. It can be quickly affixed to a surface with a cement material or other adhesive. This is the easiest option for you to work with when getting something installed. The rim is made to support the weight of the sink. It is a stronger option that is very easy to clean. It also creates a distinctive look in your kitchen. Best of all, it can be utilized on any kind of surface you have. You should check and see that the color matches up well with the rest of the surface and that any fixtures you add blend in just as well.
A quartz sink is typically designed on a much larger countertop. Many manufacturers will make their countertops where the sink is already installed in its body. This is easier to spot on a quartz surface than on anything else you might find.
A prep sink is a much smaller type of sink that is made with smaller needs in mind. A prep sink is typically made with a minimal body that is used for preparing a series of foods. This can especially work when you’ve got to clean off produce or drain pasta among other things. Such a smaller sink can be paired with its own small tap as well. A prep sink can also be referred to as a bar sink. A bar sink would be better used for things like cleaning off glasses for serving or preparing fancy drinks.
An island sink is made to combine a sink with a kitchen island. It uses a design that fits right in the middle of your kitchen and has a pillar that houses the necessary plumbing fixtures for it. This is made with decorative purposes in mind although it can be rather functional if you have a quality basin setup to work with.
There are many options to consider when finding quality materials for a kitchen sink no matter where you add it. Here are a few of the more common choices to find:
1. Stainless Steel
A vast majority of sinks on today’s market are made with stainless steel materials. This is thanks to how stainless steel offers an inexpensive option that is sturdy and easy to clean. It will not scratch easily and will fit in well with most countertop surfaces.
Do check when finding stainless steel sinks that you look at the gauge of the steel. The steel is typically measured from 15 to 24 gauge with the higher numbers being thinner. A sink with a lower gauge is stronger but also adds more weight and might cost more for you to get.
2. Cast Iron
Cast iron is made with a porcelain enamel finish for the most part. It is a very tough material that keeps scratches and other common problems from being an issue. This is powerful enough for a variety of needs but it can also be expensive due to its weight. Also, you would require some supports underneath the sink bowl for it to be kept up without being at risk of falling off from that added pressure and weight.
Composite materials are often used in sinks with a granite or quartz material involved. Those stone materials are crushed and mixed together with an adhesive to create a consistent body. This can hold up well to hot conditions.
Fireclay uses a ceramic clay material that is molded into a powerful shape. It then dries at a high temperature as a means of making it stronger. It is a great option but it can chip if too much pressure or force is added onto it at a given time.
While wood materials are typically not used in kitchen sinks (as wood is porous and easy to damage), bamboo wood has become a prominent choice in recent time. Bamboo wood is capable of handling water quite well without being at risk of warping or being damaged in some way.
Bamboo wood is thick and non-porous. It can be secured with a series of thick sheets that are secured with adhesives. It is powerful enough to last for a while and will not scratch easily. A water-resistant topcoat finish can always be applied onto its body for added protection and to ensure that its look stays consistent.