Choosing A Sink - 2
from Italian Traditional Food

More advice on choosing a sink

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Continuing the short article on choosing a sink.

Choice of materials

When choosing a sink it is probably more important to choose a sink unit which has been properly designed from the functional point of view before thinking of the material it is made of, because all sink materials have advantages and disadvantages.

Stainless steel.

The range of patterns is greatest in stainless steel. Although this material does not chip or rust, it can show scratches which will, in time, dull a shiny finish. The quality to choose be at least 18/8 (18 per cent chromium and 8 per cent nickel) which is not the cheapest but which will give good service. In very hard water districts stainless steel is not easy to keep sparkling clean. The sink must be "sound deadened", ie., fitted with a cork or wooden baffle underneath, otherwise washing up will be a clattering affair.

Vitreous enamel.

This is less clinical-looking than stainless steel and the range of colours available is quite wide. The sink may be vitreous-enamelled steel or cast iron. Cast iron is less likely to chip badly, but it is heavy and for that reason not often available in sizes larger than the single bowl/double drainer type.

Pressed steel is cheaper, but it does chip easily and although chipping the enamel only reveals a dark rust-proofed surface, the general effect is spoiled.

Plastic.

These gave a lot of trouble in their early days, but are very popular because they are so light and the colours so attractive. A new strong plastic, polypropylene, has reduced the disadvantages (tendency to scratch, poor resistance to very hot baking dishes and to some household chemicals) while still having the main advantage of quietness in use.

Height

Working at a sink at the right height can change a back-breaking chore into something, if not enjoyable, at least bearable. One of the advantages of buying a sink top and a custom-built cabinet is that you can have the sink at the right height for you, and that may not be the standard 36 inches.

To find out your comfort-level you should calculate the height from the bottom of the bowl, not the drainer. You should be able to touch the sink bottom with the tips of your fingers when you are standing upright. Choosing a sink that is too high is sometimes more comfortable to work at if you stand on an inch-thick rubber link mat. If it is too low nothing much can be done.

Page 1 of this article on choosing a sink can be found on the previous page.

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