Do you know for certain you want a double bowl sink? Many people here have single bowls and love them b/c of the large bowls. This is more important if you have a smaller sink base (24", for example), but many even have large single bowls.

If you're set on a double bowl (which I prefer as well, btw), then think about how you use it. For example, would an equal-sized bowl be big enough to wash the largest thing you wash by hand or scrub prior to putting in the DW?

We had an equal-sized double-bowl sink in our old kitchen and we disliked it...the bowls were too small for a 9x13 dish + handles to fit or my largest cookie sheet, but too big to use for soaking utensils. You also couldn't stack that many dirty dishes in one bowl either (to leave the second bowl free for other uses). IIRC, the bowls were around 15" - 16" wide...not positive, though (I can't find my Kitchen Notebook right now!) It did fit in a 36" sink base.

In our new kitchen, we went w/a 70/30 (or something like that). Our new sink is a Ticor S405D with the following dimensions: Overall/Exterior size: 35-1/8" x 20-7/8"
Large bowl: 21-3/8" x 18-3/4" x 9"
Small bowl: 10-1/2" x 15-7/8" x 7"
Sink Base: 36"

Thanks. I definitely want a double sink as I find them more functional. I like that your big part is really deep.

I like to dump the dirty pots and dishes in the sink while we're cooking but than I need a clean sink for the washing up. I wish they made a sink that was extra large on one side and almost regular size on the other.

Question; Why do use racks in the bottom of both sides?

I like the bigger-smaller double sinks and mine is very similar to what Buehl pictured above. The smaller side is usually used to thaw stuff, or for draining wet dishes (a bigger sink would be wasted for this as all of it would never get used, we have a dishwasher so not many things are handwashed). The bigger side is the "active" side for washing, etc. It's large enough for my big cookie sheets and roasting pans to get washed.

As far as why the grids in both sides, when I'm washing dishes or even rinsing fruit/veggies (we don't have a prep sink) I don't like them to sit in the dirty water that can collect on the bottom. And of course on the smaller side if I'm draining dishes the grid is perfect in helping them drip. In the past I've been known to put the grid on top of a soaking/thawing item (i.e. wooden barbecue skewers). Multi-purpose. ;)

Joseph7505, what you are describing re drain location is called an "offset drain". And no disrespect to Rachiele, or to you, but I am sure Rachiele is not claiming that they are especially innovative to use offset drains in their sinks. Offset drains have been a feature of sinks for years by the mainstream sink manufacturers like Blanco and Elkay, or less-known amazing-value names like Ticor sinks (made in China), and also no-name sinks found on eBay. Like you, I am a big fan of offset drains in sinks, and try to convince people here to get sinks that have them if they can. But Rachiele is quite expensive, and people can look to other brands for more bang-for-the-buck.

Although I am a fan of the single bowl sink, the OP has specifically asked about double bowl sinks. To the OP, I would say to stay away from 50-50 sinks. Really, with a 50-50, you are getting two bowls, neither of which is big enough to soak pans in. I like the one that Buehl specifies, but it requires a 36" base, and that is a very important piece of information that you have OMITTED. I think it is very important that you determine the size of your cabinet base for your sink, before making a sink choice. If your cabinet base is small, then a single bowl may be the best choice, despite your preference for a double bowl sink. But if you have a good size sink base, then you have many options open to you for a double bowl sink. And don't forget to look at the various materials available (stainless, fireclay, silgranit), whether you want a D-shape or a rectangular, and if there is an offset drain option in a sink you like.

Single vs double bowl preferences are dependent on how you use your sink...no sink is outdated. Every person is different and we each use our sinks differently so no one can tell you you're wrong in your choice.

There has been quite a bit of discussion on other threads where it was asked specifically about single or double and these threads prove there is no "one size fits all" or "one configuration choice fits all"...that attitude is what is now outdated!

So Genie73, as ShannonPlus2 has also asked, what size is your sink base or are you open right now and can have it be any size? If open, I suggest a 36" at least to allow a good sized large bowl & a decent sized small bowl.

FWIW...we use our larger bowl for stacking dirty dishes & later doing a very light quick rinse b/f loading the DW. We use the small bowl for "stacking" dirty utensils and then later soaking them while the dishes are being loaded and then using the soapy water for wiping down the table & counters.

The small bowl is also handy for draining pasta w/o having to move the dirty dishes around to make room for the colander.

Yes, if we had a single-bowl we could do the same by using a dish pan and/or trying to corral everything on one side of the sink (like that would happen!), but then I'd have to find a place to store that dishpan when not in use (I wouldn't want it to sit in the sink all the time). I really like having two bowls & a drain in each...

BTW...our Garbage Disposer is in our large bowl.

As others have said, the sink grid keeps the dishes off the bottom of the sink and allows dirty water to drain under them...I no longer have problems with anything blocking the drain. Additionally, it allows me to drain pasta without having the water back up into the colander. It also acts as a "rack" to let me air dry the few items I hand wash...the items can either lie flat on the rack or be propped up using the grid. Oh, and if you care, it reduces scratches on the bottom of SS sinks and marks on the bottom of light colored porcelain/fireclay/similar sinks.

I never had sink grids before, but since they came with the sink (i.e., no extra cost), I decided to try them out...and I'm glad I did!

As to the "made in China" issue...many of the name brand sinks are now being made in China as well (there was a thread lamenting this a short time ago)...the manufacturer may be headquartered in the US and the distributor may be in the US, but that no longer guarantees an item is manufactured in the US nor do they appear to have to tell you this...so you may have to do some digging to find out where, exactly, your sink is actually made.

Some views of my sinks at work:

My largest cookie sheet (19"x12"):

where did you purchase the racks you have in bottom of sinks?
thanks!