Prep sink - GD, waste basket, soap dispenser - what size cabinet?

15 years ago

I'd like to plan for a large-enough prep sink, at least 15"-wide inside. So the exterior dimentions would be around 17-18" square. The size is important because 95% of prep work will be done there.

As determined by the GW, a garbage disposal is a must.

But because the sink is in the island, we'll need a soap dispenser too. Don't want a soap container sitting on the island counter.

The garbage pullout will go to the main sink, so also need to fit a waste basket under the prep sink.

Now I am thinking, what size does the sink cabinet have to be to fit all these things? We have 24" (inset doors) on the plan but I'd like to reduce it to 21" if I can.

Also planning for an Instant Cold/Hot and it would be good to have it at the prep sink as well but I don't think it is possible even with a 24" cabinet. Am I right?

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Comments (5)

alku05
15 years ago
We have a 16" round prep sink in an 18" sink base. It has a pull down faucet, GD, and airswitch. That's an advantage of choosing a round sink- space in the corners of the cabinet to put stuff. There's plenty of space under the cabinet. The hardest part will be fitting in all the accessories that you want. If we had gone up to a 21" cabinet, we most likely could have fit two more items in the "faucet forest".
annab6
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Alku, the picture definitely helps. How do you find the round sink for washing the produce etc?

In our case, the prep sink would be really our "main" sink for everything other than clean-up. Should I consider round to save cabinet space?
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Unquestionably yes. I have Elkay soap dispensers in my kitchen hooked up hand soap and had one in my old kitchen. I never had any trouble with any of them. I enjoy not having to play chase the drippy freestanding dispenser slipping around the counter game Plus, I had the hassle of trying to find a decent looking freestanding one that looked good in my kitchen. Lots of shopping trips and wasted time. Then, they wouldn't last long so more shopping trips. I like the visually cleaner look of the built-in. Less mess sitting around on the counter. My prep sink has a Tapmaster so I don't even have to touch the faucet to turn it on and off. That, combined with a quick tap of the built-in dispenser makes using that sink a breeze. Love my Tapmaster. I'm also happy I sprung for NeverMTs. They allow you to connect your dispenser directly into a giant bottle of soap (hand soap in my case) so you don't have to refill the little bottle that comes with your dispenser. You can go years without having to refill the soap. Here is a link that might be useful: NeverMT
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I got mine at Faucet Depot. I priced them, made a list of what I wanted and then called. I asked the their best price on the phone, not just for the sink but for each grid, colander, faucet and soap dispenser, then asked if they would take any more off if I purchased all of it from them, and they did. They were just awesome. I paid about 1200.00 I think for all of it, including the sink, all grids, colander, Brizo Floriano faucet and soap dispenser, as well as a few other misc. items. It arrived quickly with no damage and I was very happy with the entire transaction. I would definitely only go credit card these days with anyone, though, due to the economy. You never know who might go under. I keep all the accessories in place all the time. That is just because of my own personal habits. I put most items in the DW and rarely if ever fill the sink to wash. I stack dishes on the grids and water runs freely without blocking the drain. I place bowls, etc. on the grid to do prep and it makes them a comfortable height for working, but peels, etc go through the grid and get washed into the GD. If I need a deeper area, I remove the grid on one side. If I need to wash something really large, I remove both. I use the colander all the time. Small items get placed on it so they don't go down the GD, I use it as a silverware tray, I drain pasta and rinse veggies there, small ones esp. like strawberries, blueberries and other items that would fall between the sink grids. I had a difficult remodel and a place for the washed shot glass I used for the strawberry daiquiri on more than one occasion! :) I have a large cutting board on the counter next to the sink so I didn't need that, but they do have one. Ridiculously expensive. Worse, even than the grids. If your habits are such that you would need somewhere to store the items I would plan for that. All except the bottom grid would fit in a divided cabinet like I have for cookie sheets. You could also use a dish pan, but I was a little worried about giving up my double sink, and I liked the fact that they make an insert that would make it into a double if I really hated not having two sinks later. But then again, I am a girl that likes options. :) I have no problem making a decision if I know I can change my mind later. :) Sue
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Thanks CK - I will have to go back and search the picture to give proper credit. Thanks for the measurements CK and mmpmg Enduring - that is the name - I found it yesterday afternoon - but what a rip - $10 for the unit and $7 for shipping. Now if I can find 4 people in A2 who want to order one, then one is free and the shipping is more reasonable.... Pooh- Great idea on testing on my mock sink - will have DH test also - he is left handed, so which side the soap is on, might not be as much of a problem for him but a learning curve for me. How is your kitchen progressing - Do you have you counter installed yet? I think we were templated the same day. Ours is April 27th for the installation. Ovens this week! As always - Thanks!!!
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maggiel, the flexible NeverMT tubing just fits right over the rigid tube from the soap dispenser. That's the tube that would normally reach to the bottom of the dispenser's plastic bottle, so it reaches down fairly far into the cabinet, and there are no clearance issues. It's a very tight, secure fit. I LOVE having the NeverMT. We're 2.5 years in our new kitchen (can it still be called "new" after all that time?), and I just installed the third bottle of dish soap about a week ago. It's really surprising how long a bottle lasts. We have dish soap in the dispenser on our clean-up sink and hand soap in the dispenser on our prep sink. I do sometimes wash my hands with the dish soap, but generally I prefer using a tougher soap for my dishes and a gentler soap for hands, so our arrangement has worked out well.
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alku05
15 years ago
For us, the round sink was a happy accident. I wanted a rectangular sink, but the only ones that weren't too deep front-to-back for a faucet to fit behind it were tiny! In a panic I posted here, and it was suggested that I try a round sink. Best suggestion EVER!

I know, 16" sounds small, but it's really rather spacious, more so than the 13x16.5" one we originally wanted. I can easily rinse off my cutting boards, our big pasta pot fits in there easily for filling, as does our salad spinner. We often use this sink as a place to thaw frozen stuff by submerging the frozen package in cold water and even our largest meat packs fit in there.

It's very roomy for prepping and it's not unusual for us to have a colander sitting in there while trimming other veggies and we still have enough room to access the GD. BTW, we have the Insinkerator evolution compact model and it is AMAZING! It almost silently gobbles up everthing we've thrown at it.

If you're unsure about whether a sink size will be the right size for you, do a mock-up! Cut out a piece of cardboard the size of the sink and put it on your counter. The put your pasta pot on it and see if it fits. Repead for cutting boards, colanders etc. You can also bring your kitchen stuff to a sink showroom and try out the real thing if the showroom has sinks in the sizes you're interested in.
cinthia
15 years ago
Hi. I realize my solution isn't for most people. I wanted a prep sink with a large work area but one that wouldn't look like a second wash up sink. I went with a Kohler Tray Sink.
http://designerplumbingoutlet.com/k3340.html?productid=k3340&channelid=FROOG
I was worried at first but found it's terrific. I also wanted a GD, hot AND cold filtered water faucet, regular faucet AND spray. (I'm still trying to find the perfect setup for that) but at least with this sink, I had more space to fit all that.
I can spread out fruits and veg for rinsing, and use it like a tray for serving cold appetizers etc. I also bought the cutting board. Now, when the kids make sandwiches on it, we don't even have to wipe off the dirty counter, just sweep the cutting board crumbs into the sink. When my husband make smoothies, he can set up a row of glasses in the tray (sink) and pour. No more sticky counters. As I said, it's an unusual sink but it's been better than I even expected. It's literally a serving tray with a drain. Whatever you decide, just having a prep sink will be so great, you won't be sorry. Good Luck!
cinthia
15 years ago
Sorry, I'm new at this and didn't know how to post a link. As my kids say, "my bad".

Here is a link that might be useful: Kohler Tray Sink

Prep sink - GD, waste basket, soap dispenser - what size cabinet?

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alku05

annab6
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Prep sink - GD, waste basket, soap dispenser - what size cabinet?

Comments (5)

alku05

annab6Original Author

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cinthia

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