Stainless steel kitchen sinks

The stove and the sink are two fundamental items, without which the kitchen is not a kitchen. And it is with the hassle at the sink that two thirds of all our kitchen matters are usually associated. Therefore, the most practical owners choose stainless steel kitchen sinks, pleasing not only with their functionality and beauty, but also with the ability to easily be combined with any design, ease of installation and a pleasant price-quality ratio.

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Features and benefits

In difficult conditions of operation of the kitchen area, mortise stainless steel sinks are indispensable - high humidity, temperature changes, chemical detergents and cleaning agents, mechanical stress and rust are not intimidating to them. It is simply impossible to break, punch, bend, or at least scratch it. A sink made of metal that is not susceptible to corrosion, and properly embedded into the tabletop, will last for many years without losing its main advantages - high strength,excellent heat resistance, excellent hygiene, durable aesthetics and comfort in daily maintenance. That is why the kitchen units of stainless steel are equipped with most cafes and restaurants around the world.

Another important plus is that for a mortise sink, unlike a bill of lading, it is not necessary to specifically select the size of kitchen furniture. It can be installed on any type of worktop and from any material that matches the width. And the installation is so simple that it does not require special skills or special tools. Perhaps the only drawback of a stainless steel kitchen sink is its low noise absorption. However, the sound of pouring water or the knock of dishes on such a sink is leveled. if you choose the one that is made of a thick metal sheet, or one that has a sound absorber layer.

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Sizes and shapes

Stainless steel kitchen sinks are usually made with a glossy or matte smooth surface. But designer fantasy in combination with modern production methods sometimes turn them into real works of art with a textured texture, a complex embossed pattern or an unusual shape.So, in addition to the standard round, square and rectangular shells, there are also triangular, and trapezoidal, and oval, and double, and even in the shape of a heart.

Rectangular stainless steel sinks are convenient for installation in narrow pedestals or tabletops, although they are not very practical in use, since their dimensions of 40 x 50 cm or 50 x 60 cm do not completely prevent splashes from entering the sink. But the opportunity to increase the length to 130 centimeters provides the opportunity to complement them with accessories in the form of a cutting board, chopper or basket for drying washed products and dishes.

Equipping the same round sink will not be easy, but it is much more capacious rectangular and very ergonomic. Most often, a round stainless steel sink is chosen with a diameter of 49 cm for tapping into the corner of a kitchen set.

The most convenient and rational for installation in a standard kitchen is a square stainless steel sink (with dimensions of 60 x 60 cm or 50 x 50 cm). And professional chefs and high-tech style fans prefer double sinks with the same or different sized bowls with one or two mixers.This separation is also used to equip various useful kitchen gadgets that turn an ordinary sink into a modern multi-functional unit. There are models with three bowls, but they are rarely used, because they require too much space.

There are also “winged” stainless steel kitchen sinks - this is when additional work surfaces are arranged on one or both sides of the sink. Usually, corner or rectangular sinks are made in this form.

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Installation Methods

The standard mortise stainless steel sink is mounted in a pre-cut hole in the kitchen cabinet and clings to it with its sides. Its installation is so simple that everyone will cope with it without much effort and special skills. However, usually this type of installation does not allow perfect leveling of the surface of the tabletop and the sink, which is still slightly protruding. This creates an uncomfortable area for cleaning, which does not contribute to the hygienicity of the space and soon looks completely unaesthetic.

The integrated kitchen sink helps to avoid such problems. It is not mounted on top, but under the tabletop and as a result looks like a single unit with it.But this method of installation requires the skill of an experienced master, and therefore additional payment for his work.

In any case, when installing a mortise stainless steel kitchen sink, it is important to carefully work out the hole for it. And it should be remembered that the countertops made of chipboard are not suitable for inserting stainless steel sinks into them.

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How to choose

The most important thing is the material from which the stainless sink is made. A sink with a sheet thickness of 0.6 to 1.2 mm and a steel grade of 18/10 or AISI 304 (08X18H10), which means, is considered quality. that the product is made of alloy steel containing 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Unscrupulous manufacturers can use steel thinner than the minimum allowed by the standard of 0.4 mm, or even its technical grade with low nickel content (AISI 202 or 12H17G8N), which can lead to corrosion of the surface or deformation of the shell. So before you buy, carefully study the passport of the selected car wash.

When choosing between stamped and welded washers, it is important to compare not their cost, but the main parameters. Pressed is quite affordable and has no seams that could leak, because it is pressed on a special machine from a single sheet of stainless steel. But when technology is violated, its walls are often uneven in thickness.In addition, the bowl of the stamped shell is rarely deep (no more than 15 cm) and during operation it makes a lot of noise. Welded car wash will cost more, and when you buy it, you must carefully check the tightness of the seams with which its bowl is welded to the base. But this method of manufacture allows you to create a variety of shapes and set the cup to any depth, even significantly exceeding the standard 22 cm.

Judging by the reviews, the most rational choice for equipping the kitchen area will be a double stainless steel sink, whose deep and spacious bowls will allow you to wash high pans and large baking pans without splashes, and also save time and effort when cutting food for cooking . A small sink, no matter how good its low price, justifies itself only in a very small kitchen, where another option is simply impossible.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that a beautiful polished stainless steel sink is effective, but its surface is very noticeable all the water drops and greasy stains, which quickly turn into an unpleasant bloom. However, such a sink is easily cleaned and re-polished.Brushed stainless steel sink less whimsical in everyday life, but more demanding in the care.

And another little secret of choosing an excellent stainless steel kitchen sink: bring a magnet to it - if it slides, but DOESN'T pull tight, then everything is in order, quality steel.

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Manufacturers Overview

The easiest way to choose a kitchen sink is stainless steel, focusing on the well-known manufacturer with a good reputation. In the rather demanding markets of Russia, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, France and other European countries, really high-quality, worthy of attention and money spent, Franke, Ledeme, Teka and others have proved to be excellent.

Franke is a Swiss concern specializing in the production of sinks and faucets with the ability to develop and customize their individual designs.

Teka is a famous German brand with the widest assortment and the highest quality of built-in kitchen appliances, which is second in the world in its production.

Ledeme is one of the few truly high-quality brands of kitchen sinks and faucets, whose production is located in Russia and China, which allows them to withstand the extremely low price of their sanitary products made of high-alloy steel.

Blanco - this manufacturer from Germany especially carefully selects the material for the manufacture of their sinks, whose surface has enhanced resistance characteristics to the external environment - MicrotexTM.

Alveus is a young Slovenian plumbing trademark with a unique, easily recognizable and already popular design of its kitchen sinks.

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