SS Sink - Blanco vs. Elkay?

15 years ago

I've decided on a rectangular stainless steel sink. (I'd love Silgranit, but it doesn't come in the right size or shape - or depth - for me!)

So now it's a matter of which one. Blanco makes one that must have been designed for people who can't make up their minds (like me). I want either an 8" or 9" depth, and it's 8-1/2". :-) It's pretty inexpensive too! I can get it for under $200! Which actually worries me - Blanco's other similar-sized sinks are closer to $300. What's wrong with this one? Where did they cheap out?

Then there's the Elkay sink with roughly the same size and 8" depth. This one costs close to $300.

Is there really a quality difference between these sinks? Is one quieter / sturdier / more scratch & water drop resistant? I don't mind spending the extra money if the Elkay's better, but if it's not, I'd just as soon come out under budget on *something*!

Blanco 501-304

Elkay EGUH2115

Thanks!

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charlikin
Original Author

15 years ago

Spoke to a very nice representative at Home and Stone. He thought the Blanco sink might be less expensive because its chrome/nickel content is listed as 18/8 (i.e. 18% chromium, 8% nickel). He said a 10% nickel content is better - and my google research indicates that this would be more rust-resistant. The more expensive lines of Blanco sinks are indeed 18/10.

Elkay doesn't list the chrome/nickel content on their specs, so I called them. Got a semi-friendly rep who seemed astonished I would be asking about something like this. (Hasn't she ever heard of TKO?? LOL.) All she could tell me was that the sink would be either 8% or 10% nickel - they don't specify beyond that. (What, do they buy whichever stainless steel is on sale that week? If nickel's cheap that week, they do 18/10; if it's edging up in price, they go for the 18/8? How can they not specify???)

So I remain baffled about the sink. I wish Silgranit came in an 8" or 9" depth. When I've seen 10" sinks, they've just seemed cavernous to me!!!

So now I'm thinking I should get a D-shape Blanco sink so I can get the higher nickel content for sure. That comes in both 8" and 9" depths. So I'd have to choose. ARGH.

Okay, I'm declaring it officially. I'm insane.

Comments (12)

vitta_2008
15 years ago
I have a Blanco, one of the largest (I think) (35"wide 10"depth) I love it--nothing cheap about it!!!
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weissman
15 years ago
Relax and take a deep breath - you really won't notice the nickel content or most likely the gauge either. Pick a sink because you like a look and the price - the rest is mostly irrelevant.
garden18c
15 years ago
Hi,

Have you looked at Franke SS sinks? I guess they are pricier but I haven't shopped enough for them to say if they are worth it or not. I did look at a couple of them and I really liked them. I hadn't thought there was much difference between SS sinks until I started shopping and talking to people who have them. I know several people who tell me they don't like the noise that their's makes - it's probably a cheaper builder's type? Don't know about the nickel content but the shop owner showing me the Franke model commented that their 18 ga was better than some competitor's 16 ga. Depends on quality and also sound deadening pads etc. I'm still shopping around too. (and still deciding between stainless steel, Blanco silgranit, or Rohl Shaw's Original.)

The sink in the link below measures 28 by 17 by 9 inches and fits in 33" base cabinet. It has the integral ledge that lets you add in optional grids if you need those or you can get it without the ledge (OAX610) for less $. I hear you about coming under budget too. Would be nice. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Franke OXX610 rectangular sink
sayde
15 years ago
Charlikin -- insane? don't think so. You have made nearly all the decisions and you're down to the short hairs 8" or 9", 18/8 or 18/10. Geez! From where I sit it looks like you're a master and commander -- I'm still debating everything about everything!!!!!!!

I wish I were already at the point you're at instead of flitting from one forum and one website and one store to another, totally overwhelmed!
gardenburgher
15 years ago
Charlikin, I hate to add to your insanity, but have you considered a Moenstone sink? It's Moen's version of the granite composite sink.

The #25225 is 22" x 18" x 8 1/2" so I believe it meets your requirements! It comes in black, white and ivory.

I found one at faucetdepot for $338.86.

HTH!
charlikin
Original Author
15 years ago
Sayde, you just scored major points with me by calling me sane. You also lost all credibility... LOL.

Hey, I'm *still* flitting from store to store! I thought I had the tile situation figured out, and I still can't make myself pull the trigger on the order - I'm, like, totally freaked out here. I can't *wait* to start shopping for towel bars because then I'll know the end is in sight!

Garden18c, I've heard nothing but great things about Franke sinks! Unfortunately, they don't make single sinks in the size I need (must fit 27" sink base). They must be going after the market of people who have "real" kitchens. LOL.

Gardenburgher, thanks for the Moenstone suggestion. I'll take a look at that...
gardenburgher
15 years ago
Charlikin, I looked a little further and found a couple of other suggestions:
- Kindred's granite composite - 25-3/4"L x 22-3/16"W x 9-1/8"D Â Scroll down to the single bowls Â They come in graphite, polar white and ivory.
Astracast's granite composite - 25"L x 22"W x 8"D Â Astracast's composite granite Â They come in alpine white, sahara stone and metallic black

Are these too wide for your counters?

I had a problem finding the right sink, too. I have a 29" sink base and couldn't find anything that fit my specifications. For some reason they seem to make sinks really big or really small. Nothing in between.

I went back and forth between granite composite and stainless. Then I ended up getting the Blanco Silgranit (511-712) 24" x 20 13/16" x 10". Yeah, it's deep and I'm getting used to the extra reach. But it certainly is beautiful! I was able to have my existing cabinets bumped out to accomodate the 20 13/16" width. I didn't want my fauct to be squished against the backsplash.

I'm not trying to talk you into anything. Just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain. :-)

So to answer the question that you actually asked about the stainless sinks, I agree with Weissman. "You really won't notice the nickel content or most likely the gauge either. Pick a sink because you like a look and the price." I don't think you could go wrong with Blanco or Elkay. They're both reputable names.

HTH!
glorydays_2008
15 years ago
I went sink shopping today. First I went to a local plumbing supply store that my contractor sent me to. I was looking at the Elkay "D" sink, single bowl. The salesmen quoted me $600. I thought that was kind of pricey. He asked if I was buying the sink or the contractor. I said I hadn't discussed it with the contractor. He wouldn't tell me what the "contractors price" was.

I then went to Home Expo and saw an Elkay "D" bowl sink for $300. There was no salesman around and I couldn't see the exact model number because it was on a display high up.

How could there be such a big difference in price between the two stores. Even though they appeared to look the same, could there be such a difference in quality, etc. to make up for the $300 price difference.

I will have to call my contractor tomorrow and ask him what his price is. Does anybody know how much of a discount contractors tend to get ?
razenette
15 years ago
I too purchased a Franke Stainless Steel "SILK" kitchen double bowl,drop-in sink....I will try & post a picture when our home rolls in & they place it on our lot in about 3 weeks or so......This is my second "Franke" sink & my old one still looks new! I use "BKF" to clean it.razenette
charlikin
Original Author
15 years ago
Glorydays, got any other plumbing supply store nearby? Or, if you know the model # of the sink, you can just look up the price with some online retailers. You should be able to get a local price close (if not as good as) that.

If your store was quoting you list, it's a totally bogus price. No one pays list.
lavello
15 years ago
18/8 and 18/10 are designations that aren't used much anymore. Pretty much everyone is using 301, 304, 316, etc. Almost all kitchen sinks are going to be made from 304 stainless which has between 8-10% nickel. 316 stainless steel is typically only used in pharmaceutical industry or in highly corrosive conditions such as prolonged exposure to seawater. For the home user, 304 stainless steel is perfect and you should never have any problems. You might check out Lavello-Sinks.com. We carry a full line of stainless steel sinks made from 304 stainless steel.

Here is a link that might be useful: www.Lavello-Sinks.com

SS Sink - Blanco vs. Elkay?

charlikin
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