Countermoves to Dull, Inefficient Kitchens

Selecting a sink used to be about the dullest part of remodeling a kitchen next to choosing the color of your sponge. However, with today’s new sink materials and colors, picking one can be as tough as selecting the right wallpaper.

Even if you’re not up to a new kitchen, a new sink can make everything else look better. Your first action is to take a good look at your sink. If you live in the average Orange County tract home, condo or townhouse, chances are you have what’s known as a pressed-steel sink with an enamel coating.

These look great during their first few years of use, but have a tendency to scratch and chip later on. Their advantage is their price. You can replace that sink for around $50 plus installation.

However, do you really want another sink you’ll hate after a few years?

“All it takes is one or two good scrubbings with a harsh abrasive and the finish is ruined,” says Paul Kemper, a plumber from Irvine. “I’ve seen people who have older homes that originally came with cast-iron sinks get a pressed-steel sink when remodeling their kitchen.

The pressed steel resembles the cast iron, but it has nowhere near the strength. However, it’s inexpensive, which is why it’s popular in a lot of new homes.”

The modern cast-iron enamel sink is basically the same one your grandmother had in her kitchen, and ranges in price from $250 to $300.

In the manufacturing process, the iron is heated till it becomes red-hot, then a layer of glass beads is sprinkled on, which melts to form the enamel finish.

Despite the invention of new, stone-composite materials for use as sinks, cast iron is still one of the favorites.

“About 90% of the sinks we sell are cast iron,” says Dan Kramer of D & D Kitchen & Bath Design in Brea. “They’re durable and come in a variety of colors, and you generally get a great sink for the money.”

Richard Haagsma of Faucets N’ Fixtures in Orange says, “The best thing about cast iron is it’s so tough. You’d really have to smash it with an iron skillet or a hammer to cause some damage. It’s not just going to chip if you bump a plate into it.”

However, in the same way Superman suffered from Kryptonite, cast iron enamel suffers from harsh cleansers.

“Most of the manufacturers recommend using Bon Ami to clean it since it’s a simple abrasive with no chemical cleaners,” Haagsma says. “When you use cleansers that have been enhanced with harsh chemicals, the enamel has a tendency to scratch and not look so nice.”

Relatively new to the sink scene are those made of synthetic stone and quartz, which try to claim the high end of the sink market. A large custom-made beauty loaded with features can cost as much as $1,200.

One of the most popular is Silacron, which is made of 70% silicate quartz combined with a polymer resin. Very strong and stain- and heat-resistant, these sinks have become popular in European homes. “These are really very durable and lightweight,” Haagsma says. “They’re not as sensitive to cleansers; however, I think they’re a little more susceptible to chipping from dropping sharp objects into it.”

Synthetic stone sinks, such as those made of Corian by DuPont, can be created to match or contrast the color of the synthetic stone countertop.

“Corian is another kind of surface that can take a lot of abuse,” Haagsma says. “And a lot of homeowners like having a sink that’s molded into the counter.”

They’re a good choice, but they’re expensive, says Kramer.

“I’ve had many customers have a Corian countertop installed with a cast iron sink to save some money in their remodel.”

The stainless steel sink, which has been around as long as cast iron, continues to be a favorite in some kitchens. Although it only comes in one color, stainless steel is durable and easy to clean. “It’s usually favored by gourmet cooks who work with a lot of pans while cooking and cleaning and don’t want to worry about banging them around in the sink,” Haagsma says. “They’re almost indestructible.”

Probably the biggest revolution in kitchen sinks is in their design.

In most kitchen product showrooms, finding the traditional dual-basin sink isn’t easy. “Today’s sinks have basin shapes that accommodate different needs,” says Kramer.

“You can customize your kitchen by getting a sink shape that maximizes your efficiency.”

Many of the new sinks have an extra-large basin as well as a smaller, shallower sink.

“The larger compartment is for those pots and pans that are too big for the dishwasher and need to be washed by hand,” Haagsma says. “If the sink is large enough, you can totally immerse a big pot in water, which you can’t do with the averaged-sized sink.”

With all of the options available, shopping for a sink can seem like shopping for a car.

While some additional features are useful, others may not get used much in your kitchen, which is why some advanced planning is essential. If you rarely use your sink to wash dishes, you probably wouldn’t appreciate a remote drain opener, which allows you to drain a basin full of water without getting your hands wet.

Some sinks have holes on either side of the faucet, which can be used for a soap or lotion dispenser, super-heated and refrigerated water units, or a soft water outlet. “Many people like the cutting board and baskets that fit in the sink’s compartments,” Haagsma says.

And to get rid of garbage from the cutting board, on certain Silacron models you pull open a door and dump it down a chute that leads to a trash bag under the sink. “That hasn’t caught on yet here,” Kemper says. “But if more people see it they may get interested.”

When looking for a sink, the experts advise that you examine how you use your kitchen, especially your cooking habits, and go from there.

“I’ve seen a lot of people buy a simple sink, then after it’s installed they look around and realize that for what they paid, they could have had something better,” Kramer says.