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Pros/Cons Kohler Smart Divide sink?

16 years ago

I do like the Kohler Smart Divide sink. I have website below. I'm not ready to give up two sided sink but this seems to be the best of both worlds. Anyone have one and what is your opinion. The middle divider is very low so can't fill either side really deep but can get cookie sheets, pots to sit flat because handle can go across. Plus, I still get one large and one small sink. I like the undermount largest one.

Comments (8)

rhome410
16 years ago
I wasn't impressed with them. I like 2 bowls, so I can skin/bone chicken in one side, for example, without contaminating what's on the other. I don't think that little divider would do that.

I also think I would be aggravated by the bump in the middle when trying to lie pans across the bottom, or I'd be hitting it with large things...and I'd want a deeper soaking place. If I have to put in a pot or a dish pan, I might as well have a 1-basin sink. I just couldn't see that it would accomplish that much for what I would be giving up. I think it diminishes the best things about each kind, rather than being the best of both worlds. But that's how I made the decision for myself and how I do things...Not necessarily relevant to you. Best wishes on your decision.
patti_bee
16 years ago
I have the Irontones Smart Divide sink and am very happy with it. The divider is 4-5 inches tall and works just fine for me for separating my sink needs. The large cookie sheets (half sheets? from Costco) will easily lie flat in the large side. But it really does depend upon your preferences. I observed that I don't tend to have a sink full of soapy water, instead I have a bowl or pot filled with soapy water and mostly wash from that. If you like a huge vat of soapy water, this might not be for you. Even at Thanksgiving, everything that needed a bath was able to be washed and I did fill up the big side of the sink.
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I decided on getting the new Vault, which is also Smart Divide. We wash a lot of dishes by hand, so I need two sides, and I like all the accessories that Kohler has, like the dish drain/rack. I do a lot of cleaning in the kitchen by filling one side with dish soap and clorox, using a dish towel to wipe everything down. Having two bowls lets me do that easier and faster..... ....and having that lower bridge in the middle means if I forget and leave the water on, I won't flood the entire kitchen.... ...not like that has ever happened! LOL
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Boone- the 10 inch depth is just the sink, so adding the countertop in makes it about 11-1/4 inches to the bottom of the sink, So it is definitely a deep sink. To be honest, I didn't give the depth of the sink too much consideration during the planning process. I knew I did not want a stainless steel sink or a solid surface one like Corian or Swanstone, so that narrowed my options quite a bit. When I researchd Silgranit, I focused on the material and wanting double bowels. The sink is probably a bit to deep for my 5'5" and shrinking frame. Since my back hurts most everyday whether I am standing at the sink or working in the yard, I can't really judge the comfort of the sink but regardless, I love my sink. If you do go with a deep sink like this and are going to install a garbage disposal make sure your plumber realizes how low the garbage disposal will be and because the drain lines may need to be adjusted. It wasn't a problem for my plumber but there have been some posts on here from others with this sink that had to lower their drains after they found this out. I have attached one discussion below and there are some others on this forum too. Not sure if you need this picture but here is how my full size Insinkerator Evolution Pro looks under my deep sink. Here is a link that might be useful: deep sink and garbage disposal
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I had a Kohler cast iron sink with the larger basin (16x19) on the left and the smaller (12x17) on the right. The left side was 10" deep, and the smaller side was 8" deep. I loved the shape of the sink as I could lay large pans flat in it for soaking and washing. During prep time, I could have a smaller dishpan on the left going for cleanup of prep pans/utensils but still have room for rinsing veggies, etc, behind that. Clean dishes could go on the right. I'm planning the same configuration in my new kitchen, but a Silgranit sink by Blanco. While I loved the size, but I was never impressed with the finish on the Kohler cast iron sink. Even though I had the grids on the bottom of both sinks, the finish near the drains chipped off easily. It was easily scratched. Just a couple of years into its use, it was a mess. I'm hoping my new Silgrant sink will be more durable.
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I went with the Blanco Silgranite sink, and mine is dark charcoal or some similar name. They have a variety of layouts. AND colors. I also went with a low divide - 70 / 30 perhaps, or something similar. The low divide helps you clean the turkey platter etc. But provides separation as desired. Check them out - not cheap, but very reliable. (Something suggested to me back here in my early days on this site.)
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cedelchef
16 years ago
I have the Langlade Smart Divide Sink and I love it! I find it easy to wash large pans or whatever that is too big for a traditional sink. If an item needs to be soaked I find there is plenty of depth in the sink to accomplish that as well. Both sides of this sink are the same size. The rounded back side of the sink also helps accommodate all kinds of dishes. I find it very functional.
lynnette63
16 years ago
I've got the Langlade model, too, and really like it. I'm not a fan of the huge vat of soapy water that patti bee mentioned, so the sink works great for me. I love that I can get my big saute pan down in the water so well, and leave it soaking while having the other side of the sink free. I've had my sink for about 20 months, and have no regrets.
homey_bird
16 years ago
I have a true, divided sink, and the only problem I noticed with it so far has been that, with hand washable pots/pans having a long handle, it is very difficult to fit it completely in the sink to scrub. For me, all the dishwasher safe stuff goes in the dishwasher.

So I guess the smart divider can act as the best of both worlds...you can divide the areas and also immerse large pots/pans thanks to the low divider.
mary52zn8tx
16 years ago
How hard is it to keep these sinks clean? We have decided to go for a smart divide and are torn between the Swanstone and the Kohler. Thanks
amylville
16 years ago
I have the langlade as well and agree with Lynette exactly. As far as cleaning it I have had it for 5 months and it looks good as new with soap and water.
kharmony
16 years ago
I have the black Langlade and love it! It is very easy to clean, just soap and water and it looks good as new. I do use the grids in the bottom.

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