How to Buy a Stainless Steel Sink

Stainless steel sinks are the most purchased type of sink, and for good reason they are dependable, low-maintenance, heat- and stain-resistant, reasonably priced, and resistant to chipping and breaking.

You must ensure that your sink is ideally suited for your kitchen in order to clean huge pots and prepare food. Due to their adaptability, stainless steel kitchen sinks are common and a fantastic option for both domestic and commercial kitchens in cafes and restaurants.

We'll go through the information you should know regarding how to buy a stainless steel kitchen sink and what to look for in a stainless steel sink in this article.

Benefits of A Stainless Steel Sink

Due to their many positive characteristics, stainless steel kitchen sinks are the perfect solution for just about any sized kitchen. 

• Cost-Effective: The majority of stainless steel sinks are inexpensive and are equally high-quality as every other sink on the market, if not better. High-end stainless steel choices will cost more.
• Durable: Thick gauge stainless steel sinks are silent or barely audible when running water or cooking food. Its exceptional durability makes it ideal for kitchen sinks because it won't chip or split.
• Light and Portable: Comparing stainless steel to other sink materials, it is rather lightweight. For instance, a huge 35-inch broad sink that is composed of stainless steel is simple to carry.
• Easily Maintained: Surfaces made of stainless steel are incredibly simple to clean and maintain. An ordinary household cleaner and a cloth are all that is required to clean and polish a stainless steel sink.
• Rust Resistant: Rusting is not something you need to be concerned about when buying a kitchen sink because stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance.
• Long Life Span: Stainless steel sinks may easily provide you with a sink that will last you for decades if you're looking for one. If you treat it right, it will even last beyond that!

Consider the Metal It Is Made From

Look at the Gauge

Before actually buying a stainless steel sink you might be asking yourself. What gauge is best for stainless steel sinks

Metal sheets are used to create stainless steel sinks, and the density of these sheets is expressed in terms of gauge. Metal is sturdier and more durable the lower the gauge, while steel is thinner the higher the gauge. 

For the best gauge, stainless steel sinks you want the robust, quiet type, which is typical of the low gauge sinks. There's no need to stress over the difference between 16 and 18 gauges, but after you reach 22 gauges, the metal becomes more prone to denting, vibrating, and is less capable of withstanding a garbage disposal.

Confirm the Grade

On the stainless steel sinks you commonly see in homes and kitchens, you'll typically see an "18/8" label. The ratio indicates how much nickel and chromium are present in the steel. According to the 18/8 ratio, the stainless steel has 8% nickel and 18% chromium.

As a general rule, your stainless steel sink quality would be greater if it had a higher percentage of these elements.

Another consideration when buying a stainless steel sink is the grade. As far as stainless steel sinks go, grade 304 is considered to be the best. This designation indicates that the steel is at least 50% iron and is an 18/8 stainless steel.

Determine the Number of Bowls

Kitchen sinks with a single basin are perfect for tiny rooms, large cleaning, and soaking of pots and pans. The middle of double and triple bowl sinks is divided to create separate work spaces. This sink provides distinct areas for cleaning, rinsing, and/or soaking in various configurations.

Get the Right Size

One of the key things to consider when researching how to buy a stainless steel sink is ensuring you purchase the right size for your needs.

The secret to choosing the ideal undermount stainless steel sink is striking a balance between the sink's size and the space you have in your kitchen. You'll require a sink that can fit under your current countertops and is large enough to hold your largest pots and pans.

Although they can't contain much, seven-inch-deep basins are inexpensive to produce. In contrast, an 11-inch sink has a large capacity. Remember that an undermount sink ends up about an inch lower, which can cause your back to hurt if it is too deep for your height. 

The shape is also crucial. Sinks with squared corners, straighter edges, and a flat basin give you more volume, yet soft angles make cleaning and drainage simple.

Check Compatibility With Accessories

Something that usually gets looked over when people are considering how to buy a stainless steel sink is what kind of accessories they will be using with the sink itself.

To find out what kinds of accessories the sink can accommodate, count the number of holes. One- to four-hole faucet, sprayer, and sink-mounted dispenser specs must match the number of openings in the sink. Using a deck plate, a one-hole faucet might be compatible with a three-hole sink, but not the other way around.

Consider the Finish

When looking for stainless steel sinks, it's simple to be lured to the polished stainless steel sinks' bright mirrored sheen. Because polished finishes expose every fingerprint and smudge, they are infamously challenging to maintain even using industrial stainless steel cleaning methods in actual life regardless of the fact that they glitter in the showroom. Choose brushed or matte finishes for simpler maintenance; they conceal wet marks and scratches better.

Key Takeaways

We at AmgoodSupply are a top-rated supplier of stainless steel sinks and other commercial kitchen equipment such as bread racks, kitchen prep tables, and stainless steel tables.  We work directly with the makers of our stainless steel products to ensure the highest quality possible at competitive prices.

If you have been searching for a quality, durable stainless steel sink, take a look through our stock for the perfect one for your commercial or residential kitchen.