For me, neither LOL! I would choose a single bowl sink, especially if the sink is 30" wide or less. That way, you will have room to set down a roasting pan to soak and the like. While you said a double-bowl sink is "standard", it's not really, as just as many prefer the single-bowl sink. It's a matter of personal preference; just as many prefer a double-bowl sink. If I were buying a double-bowl sink, I would go 70/30 as my first choice, again to allow a large bowl big enough to set down large pans and not bang against the divider when using the sink. Second choice --for me-- in a double bowl sink would be the 60/40. I would not even consider a 50-50 sink at all. I don't know why you say a 50/50 is "workable". I see it as unworkable, with neither side big enough for anything.

Instead of using the granite installer's sink, you could buy one yourself. That way you'd get the size and configuration you really want. 18 gauge is fine, but there are reasonably-priced 16-gauge sinks available (16 gauge being thicker than 18 gauge) that are very very nice. Check out Kraus stainless steel sinks on overstock (plenty of good reviews there for you to read) or Ticor sinks on galaxytoolsupply. Most of the Kraus and Ticor sinks also come with a matching sink grid which otherwise would cost $50-$100 extra. People like sink grids cause they prevent scratching and you can drain stuff in the sink using the sink grid.

If you use the search box at the bottom of the Kitchens Forum page, and search for "double bowl" "single bowl" sink, you will come up with threads explaining why people like each type.

60/40 over a 50/50 without doubt. I went with a single and miss my 60/40.

Just gave up my 50/50 in the new kitchen reno. It's all I've ever used so I always thought it was workable. Until I got the farmhouse. I love, love, love the deep. 70/30 16 gauge and soundproof. Rear set drains. Plenty big enough for large roasting pans. And I like having a side prep sink. IMO the 18 is too thin. I did look at singles, but some posters mentioned poor draining and rinsing issues. Plus it uses a lot more water.

Mine is a Kraus. Would have loved a soapstone sink, but way out of my price point. Shannonplus2 is right, I ordered online and got free sink grids.

I loathed my 50/50 sink. Bought a Blanco supersingle and haven't looked back. If I need a small basin I use a big stainless bread bowl or a plastic washbasin, but love having the large sized single to hid dirty dishes and more importantly clean large pots and pans, and clean/prep garden veggies for canning.

I personally have 70/30. I toss dirty dishes in the big side while cooking, but still have easy access to the disposal and a clean sink for rinsing veggies on the other side. But, I can totally see the attraction of a single sink: my larger side is big enough for a 12-cup muffin pan, but just barely. My largest cookie sheets don't go in flat.

Key piece of data that's missing from your request: What size is your sink base? If it's on the smaller end, you don't want to divide it up into two even smaller sinks.

I never liked our 50/50 sink in our old kitchen even though it was in a 36" sink base, the bowls were either too big or too small for what I needed to do.

We now have a 70/30 an we love it! The large bowl is big enough for our longest cookie sheet, all our pots & pans (including handles), all the refrigerator bins (with the exception of the 32" wide deli drawer), and our Vent-A-Hood insert to fit completely flat in the bowl (i.e., no tilting or leaning to fit the item in the bowl). In addition, it holds several bowls and dishes at one time.

The small bowl is perfect for soaking utensils and is big enough to fit all but one of my colanders (the one w/big handles doesn't fit b/c of the handles) as well as all my pots except my 12qt stock pot.

Glasses, etc. sit fine on the bottom...I do have a sink grid, but even w/o it we have no problems. It's great having one side to soak or work in while the other bowl is also available for use...rinsing dishes, rinsing or washing veggies, washing hands, etc....and both bowls have a drain so you can use/empty one w/o affecting the other bowl (something you cannot do with a dish pan in a single-bowl).

IMHO, the secret to a really functional double-bowl sink is to get one that has a large bowl...preferably no narrower than 20".

I have a Ticor S405D that I got from GalaxyToolSupply.com. I think you can also get them on eBay and from other sellers. Here's a pic (I linked to GTS below).

Dimensions:

BTW...the sink grids & strainers are included in the price. The grids are very heavy duty & stainless steel (not vinyl-coated, thank goodness!). You can also get a custom cutting board for $20 if you order it when you order your sink. I also recommend going with the brushed rim as well (no charge). Neither the brushed rim nor the cutting board were options when I ordered mine in 2008 :-(

Usefulness:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ticor S405D Undermount 16 G Stainless Steel Double-Bowl Kitchen Sink

I personally have a 70/30 with an offset (I think that's what they call them?) - so the larger sink is extra tall. And I'm a big fan. But to restrict my 'vote' to your options, I would say 60/40, based on that I've really enjoyed having a larger sink compared to my 50/50.

This is the "offset" sink I purchased, and find it has been a great, practical choice. We were limited to the 32" size, but also wanted the functionality like we had two sinks. This does the job. The depth of the large size makes it large enough for my largest fry plan with the handle to sit in the bottom (I don't think the cookie sheets fit, but I just clean them quickly versus soaking because they take up too much room when out.)

We use the large side for cleaning and keep the small side clear for prep, cooking, water, etc.

The only criticism of the Kraus is the grates scratch up the sink (the contact point is a hard plastic. The good news is the grid is easy to clean. I figure I can stand the scratch because the grid always covers it and it was much more afforable than other sinks I was considering. The only regret I have is it is an odd shape - so if I want to replace for some reason I don't know how easy it would be. But I am NEVER doing this kitchen again so it won't be a problem... right :)

Good luck.

I'm getting the Elkay Aqua Divide. It's an 8" deep 50-50 sink, but the divider in the middle is only 4 7/8" high. This is supposed to give you "the best of both worlds," since you have two sides, but you can also wash big things across the divide. Kohler makes the same sort of thing, I don't know how deep it is, called Smart Divide. Blanco makes it in Silganit. Mirabelle makes one 9" deep that is 50-50 and one that is 60-40. If you haven't seen one of these, you might want to consider it.

I've always had a 60/40 sink and I LOVE it! I like to handwash pots and pans and put them in the big side to air dry! The other smaller dishes go in the dishwasher.

I got the 8 and 9 inch deep version, but when it's undermounted beneath 3 cm. granite it goes a little deeper. Perfect for bigger items.

I've never used the bigger side for dirty dishes, but it seems like a great idea when you want to visit with your company after dinner and not have to stare at the mess!!

Jakzof3 - any response?

I have the same sink as Buehl, except that it's the S405DR -- the small sink is on the left side. We use the small sink just in the same way. And the large sink is still large enough to fit just about any pot or pan that we have.

I was just about to start this thread as I am shopping for sinks. You guys have converted a lover of 50/50 to 60/40! Have always had a 50/50 and while they are "workable", there is always the big pot that takes up too much room or the skillet that won't fit flat in the sink to soak...thanks for the thread and all the info :o)

Decided to go with the 60/40. Called several sink companies and spoke with reps.
One rep said her dream sink would be an 80/20. I have not seen one of those.
She said that most people go with 18 gauge and that is what is provided with our granite installation. I would like 16 gauge but since the kitchen sink is thrown in I will stick with the 18. We have a choice of many of the divisions that have been mentioned above. Some reps said that the 70/30 is a big seller too but the 60/40 was very popular. I do lots of gardening and really need the two sinks. One large sink would not work best for me. Hubby does all of the loading of the dishwasher so he got his say and he likes the 60/40 and he also chose the dishwasher since he is the one who loads it. Kitchen Aid top of the line. is what he chose.....nice appliance.
We also have a full kitchen in the basement and a 50/50 down there and it works fine.

the best thing I ever read against the 50/50 is
'the one side isn't the right size and neither is the other'

I think a big single bowl sink is the best option for your. You can get everything in there. the smaller bowl always seems like a waste to me. Its just kinda worthless. I like the 112 by Ticor. Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.abovethedrain.com/112

I wanted to try a single bowl, but DH (who frequently does the dishes) wanted a divided sink. We got a Kraus 60/40 and love it. The grids that came with it are nice also. It really depends on how you personally use your sink.

Just to provide another viewpoint, I love my huge Blanco Performa 50/50 sink. The bowls measure 20" by 15" and are 10" deep. We hand wash all of our cookware and use the dishwasher only for dinner plates.

I do have a separate prep sink, the Blanco Precis, which measures 20" by 18". The prep sink is used only for prep work and I love the single bowl for that. We did get a sink grid and it comes in handy during my weekly fruit forays at the grocer. I like to wash, rinse and then let all the fruits drain in the sink to dry on the sink grid.

For whatever reason, I don't seem to have trouble washing things in my double bowls. It is correct that cookie sheets do not lay flat in the sink, but I have never needed them to in order to get them clean. All of these very strong opinions must have something to do with a person's individual clean up style.

The neat thing about my Blanco under mount sink is that the divider between the two bowls is an inch or two lower than its sides, so rinsing off large items isn't an issue for me (the water stays in the sink).

I have worked with a large single bowl sink and it didn't work for me. I like to scrub one or two things at a time then rinse and hand to a house elf to dry. So, with a big single bowl, I'd scrub a few things, then run into a quandary when I needed to rinse, since I didn't want to add more water to the sink. It would probably be okay if I only had a couple of pots or pans, but when I cook, I tend to create mountains of dishes. So the single bowl does not work as a cleaning process station for me.

As far as a the uneven sized double bowl sinks go, the small one is always too small for me because I do like to scrub a few things at a time. Also, the asymmetry just fundamentally bothers me. It reminds me of the Vanishing Twin Syndrome. What are the people using the small side for exactly? I know I would always be gravitating toward the bigger side, so then I'd have unequal usage of the 2 sinks, which would then lead me to the conclusion I should have chosen the larger single bowl or the double bowl.

Be that as it may, when trying to decide between which sink layout is best for you, it really comes down to how you personally use the sink. There is no overarching ideal right or wrong solution, only opinions when it comes to the sink selection question.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blanco Performa Sink

I was trying to figure out how you got two 20" bowls in a 36" sink base...I looked a the specs and now I understand...they're 15" wide, not 20" wide; the 20" is the front-to-back measurement, not side-to-side.

You're right, it's all personal preference, I had a 50/50 with closer to 17" wide bowls in my old kitchen and they were not useful to me...too small for larger items and too large for smaller tasks.

I do agree on the prep sink...the bigger the better! Mine is only 15-3/4" square and sometimes I wish it were at wider.

what is a stainless steel version ( size and shape) of the executive chef cast iron kitchen sink by Kohler?thanks

I have the blanco silgranit performa u 1.75, and I love it! It has a low divide(4" lower than the sides), with one side being 18" wide, the other 12". I went back and forth between a single bowl and a double, and this was the perfect compromise for my family. We've got two little kids, and we're often making dishes quicker than we can wash them, so I put dirty rinsed dishes in the big washing bowl(mostly just the big and delicate stuff I can't put in the dishwasher, or where dishes "wait" to go into an already running dishwasher) while keeping the small bowl clear for rinsing, hand washing, draining and garborating. My baking sink is the précis u 1. My parents have a tiny sink as a prep sink(maybe 8 or 10"), and it doesn't get used because of its size. I Would have preferred to have the super single for my baking sink to wash my extra big cookie pans, but there wasn't enough space, and the précis u 1 works well enough. My main sink has the dishwasher and garborator, and a single sink just wouldn't have worked for how we do dishes.

Oops, didn't realize this was such an old post!