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Sindy Sink
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Sindy Sink: Hi Grace! Good question- we've wondered this ourse...
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Grace: Sindy, How do you decide -- 1, 2 or 3 sink bowl...
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Hey Sindy Sink! LOVE your name, btw.
Question — what do i clean my stainless steel sink with?
Hi Ann!
Great question. Many people make the big mistake of scrubbing their sinks with steel wool pads- gasp! This will just destroy the finish of your sink and cause more problems in the future.
The best thing you can do for your stainless steel is to clean regularly. If you rinse your sink and use a mild soap every couple of uses, it will last a lifetime.
But, let’s be honest, who really cleans their sinks all the time? If your upkeep isn’t as consistent as it should be, use a cleanser like Bar Keeper’s friend or a Scotch Brite pad. Be sure to scrub the sink in the direction of the grain. It will amplify the shine and finish, and blend surface scratches.
Happy cleaning!
I am left-handed, what do you recommend I look for in my main sink?
Hi Kathy,
This is really such an interesting question. You might consider an Elkay model ELUH3120 sink with the small bowl on either the left or right. They also offer double bowl sinks of equal size, for those who can’t decide.
Given that most of the population is right handed, the left-handed people generally favor the “L” version with the small bowl on the left as the setup they would prefer. While there could be other reasons for the popularity of the “R” version (drain limitations, lack of knowledge, disposer location, etc.), I have an “R” version sink and the “wash in right and air dry in left” makes for a good work flow and a better use of space. The opposite should be true for a left-handed person as well.
I hope this gives you and our left–handed readers some more options just for you!
I’m in the market for a new kitchen sink but there are so many choices. What are a few of the main features I should look for while sink shopping?
Hi Jennifer! Sink shopping can be very overwhelming, and you may want to just pick something quickly or get the cheapest one, but a great sink will outlast your kitchen and make your life easier.
First of all, let’s talk shape. The larger the bowl, the more room you have to work in your sink. Look for nice deep bowl (but no deeper than 10″), a small taper, straight sides, and a low bowl radii. This can get pretty technical, but if it’s deep and more square, your dishes are going to lie flat, you’re going to fit more things, and overall you will have a better experience. Some sinks offer noise reduction, which can help reduce the clanking and clattering of dishes, either through spray coating, pads, or both.
The composition of the sink is probably the most important factor you should consider. Look not only for a low gauge (the lower the gauge, the thicker the sink; 18 gauge is considered high quality), but a good chemical composition. 304 stainless steel is high quality, and contains an ideal quantity of chromium to nickel, 18-8.
I know that’s a lot to digest, and a lot to consider, but hopefully this will help you make the right choices, so you don’t sink money into a poor quality sink
For those looking for a different twist, what options are available for custom style sinks?
Some of my favorite sinks are those that take functionality and give it a new twist. The workbench sink (which you can look at here: http://sink.com/2011/11/03/workbench/) and the work shelf (http://sink.com/2011/11/03/workshelf/) are great for expanding your work surface and keeping items off of the bottom of your sink.
Now for those looking for something truly unique, you could either invest in a sink with a unique look or material, like copper for kitchen or bath, or different shape. Or, try out a sink with a moving cutting board like these (http://www.elkayusa.com/cps/rde/xchg/elkay/hs.xsl/elkay-res-sink-family-83682.aspx).
Thanks for the question, Andrea. I hope this might have helped!
Sandi, I am thinking about adding a sink for my outdoor tiki bar, any suggestions on the material I should consider.
Hi Paul!
The overwhelming choice for outdoor kitchens is stainless steel. You have to pay extra attention to the steel composition when it’s outside. Although your kitchen sink lives in water, in normally doesn’t have to face all of the elements like an outdoor sink does- not to mention scary things like hail, sea air, and cold weather. Choosing a 316 stainless steel will prevent it from rusting and corroding and keep you ready for BBQ season.
Good luck with your tiki bar- wishing you many successful luaus!
Love your hair color and sense of style! Keep up the great answers!
Hi Sindy! I have two toddlers- twin boys if you can believe it- and I don’t trust some of those harsh chemicals for cleaning my stainless steel. Any ideas for natural cleaning solutions that will still make my stainless shiny?
Hi Leah! Twin boys, wow! That sounds like a handful!
Natural cleaning can be a very serious issue for young parents. For those seeking a non-toxic solution to remedy dull, dirty sinks, the first step would be to try your handy-dandy supply of baking soda. Scrub lightly and rinse. Another great, and great-smelling tip? Cut up some citrus fruit (I like lemons and grapefruits best!) and dip in salt. Scrub in the direction of the grain and enjoy the fruits of your labor
There’s some rust in my stainless steel sink!!! What happened and why is it rusting???? Is it the sink or something I did? I just bought it this year!
Frenchi, I can understand your frustration! How disappointing to have a new sink with rust marks in it already!
On the bright side, it’s very likely a superficial, surface rust mark left over from pots and pans or other kitchen tools. If you scratch the surface of your sink by using wire scrubbers or brillo pads, you increase your chances of rust. Therefore, I would NOT suggest using sandpaper, because it will allow for more rust to collect in the future. The chromium on the surface of the sink is what protects it from rusting and corrosion- if you remove this, you will only hurt your sink in the long run.
Using a gentle cleanser like Bar Keeper’s Friend on a regular basis with soft cloths is a good preventative measure, and will likely remove small rust marks. To get rid of sizable, tough stains, scrub in the direction of the grain with a Scotch Brite pad or similar product. You want to remove the rust and not the steel.
That being said, when you look for a new sink be sure to look for 304 stainless steel, made with 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This will be rust- and corrosion-resistant.
Good luck!
Sindy,
How do you decide — 1, 2 or 3 sink bowls??
Hi Grace! Good question- we’ve wondered this ourselves, so much so we decided to write about it. Take a look at this article:
http://sink.com/2011/12/27/how-many-bowls-its-as-easy-as-1-2-3/
It comes down to what you want most, flexibility, sharing, or multitasking.