I can't answer about the clean-up sink since I went with a pretty big one, but I do love my prep sink. I thought at the time I was getting a pretty big prep sink, because it was bigger than many of the other options. After using it for a year, I can't imagine getting by with one much smaller than this. The bowl size is 13" x 16-1/2", which leaves just enough room to wash veggies or to set a colander to drain pasta, which are my two main uses for it.

Here is a link that might be useful: my prep sink

What size is your largest pan? I'd go with at least a 20" cleanup sink, single bowl.

Our prep sink is 15" x 15", but you could go smaller if you install a pullout faucet so you could fill pots on the countertop. Our pullout faucet has a button to tap for hands free spraying, a great feature.

We purchased grids that were designed for our sinks, and they have made such a difference with improving function as well as protecting the sinks.

My prep sink is Kohler's "Napa" entertainment sink: 18 3/4" X 20 7/8". Larger than I expected, but I'm happy about it because it will be really useful when several people are cooking and cleaning at the same time.

I agree with holligator about prep sinks. Ours is 13"x18" and is 10" deep and I find it just right. We use the sink for prep and for some clean up since our dw is located there.

Our main sink (in which we wash large items) is 30" wide but we could get away with smaller. We used the prep sink for a couple of months before the main sink was hooked up and I found I could do everything I wanted in it. It was deep enough so that I just filled it with a little water when washing and then the rinse water could add to it without overflowing. It fit the largest stock pot I needed at the time. So, theoretically, I would say you could get by with this size sink but I can't imagine going smaller than 24" in reality.

{{!gwi}}

When we were shopping for a Prep Sink, our KD told us anything less than 12"x12" interior dimensions is not very usable except as a bar sink. We had picked one out that was 10" wide. So, we looked again until we found the one we now have...15-3/4"x15-3/4" and I am so glad we made the switch! I would definitely not have wanted anything less than what we have now!

As to main sink...we have a 2-bowl sink in a 36" sinkbase. The larger bowl is 21-3/8" x 18-3/4" x 9" & the smaller is 10-1/2" x 15-7/8" x 7". All of our pots, pans, cookie sheets, roasting pans, etc. fit in the larger bowl and is big enough for our needs.

So, if I had to answer your question of minimum size of sinks:

Main: 21" x 18" either as one bowl or as the larger of 2 bowls (if one bowl, I would consider 24" or wider just for the extra space)
Prep: 12" x 12" (preferably bigger, though)

My prep sink is 14 x 14. I love it and it is big enough to wash pretty much everything(except my largest roaster). I have a large regular sink for that! Here are some pics

My main sink is 30x18 (and it's 12" deep). We love that size. You can bath small countries in it if necessary.

The prep sink is a 12 x 12 or 12" diameter I guess circle. Any smaller would be useless. We use it for salad prep and dish clean up during parties as well as water for coffee etc. We have a very small island so this is the best we could do. It's used daily, so I think it's worth putting in (but only if you do a garbage disposal in it). But I'd admit larger (ie 15" diameter" would be nicer if we had the space available.

The interior dimensions of our prep sink are 14 1/2" x 15". It seems to be a good size...the colanders and pots fit, we can work in it without crashing our knuckles, etc. I wouldn't want smaller.

I've seen a prep sink even smaller than most of these. If you are limited on space, the bowl is only 13" by 10 3/4".

Here is a link that might be useful: small prep sink

My prep sink is 12" x 15", which seems fine, except the faucet we chose is very splashy! I don't know if it's the placement, the faucet, or the faucet/sink combination, but if it's possible, check out the splash factor.

Our main sink is huge and non-splashy, so we use the prep sink mostly for rinsing fruits and vegetables and not for anything more serious.

Measure everything out and go with the largest sinks you can. You won't regret having a bigger sink, but you might regret a smaller one.

Thanks, everyone, for some great advice! One thing that I should have mentioned is that I'm putting the prep sink in a small island that will be about 41 inches wide. I've read that a good stretch of countertop space should be about 36 inches in length. That doesn't leave me much room for a sink. Would it be crazy to go for an oval-shaped sink? There's a Franke one that is about 7" x 14". I've also attached a link.
The question is - Which is more important? Having a decent-sized prep sink? Or having more counter top space?
Thanks!
Rose

Here is a link that might be useful: Franke oval shaped sink.

It seems that most people who get a sink that small end up using it as an icebucket for parties and not much else. Think about whether you can really work in a sink that's only 7" wide...will both your hands and a potato fit plus have room for peeling or washing. IMHO, 7" is just too narrow to be workable...if that's the absolute widest you can fit, then ask yourself if it's worth the cost of the plumbing & sink fixtures.

Do you have a layout you could post? We might be able to find a way for you to do what you would like to do...

Welcome to the world of TKO!

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

Rose,

That's the same sink I was going to use in our soon to be island. We are enlarging it from 4X4 plus three sided table height counter to 4 X6 with two sided table height counter. I'm replacing my JennAir range with an induction cooktop and separate oven in the island.
I want a sink in the island but I'm not sure how much prep I'd do there. I want the faucet for filling pots at the cooktop. I thought the 7 X 14" sink would work out ok. I'm not putting in a garbage disposal because we have a septic system and I save all my veges scraps for the compost pile so not much goes down the one I have.
Also, when I peel veges, my hands are above the sink.

SO, does anyone have a 7inch wide prep sink??????????

Good luck with your project, Rose.

Sandy