One of the reasons to *not* rinse/prewash dishes is if you use an enzyme detergent it needs the food particles to work better. It'll etch glass and stuff if it doesn't have the food particles. I can't explain it well, but it's easy research for a more thorough explanation. Most just recommend scraping the dishes (and really, who wouldn't?!) then into the DW. I haven't had a dishwasher for more than 30 years but I'm starting to miss it. I would get grossed out though when it left stuff on it. When washing by hand and using a good soap it gets clean. Sure, you just put it back in and rewash but it still bugs me. It also bugs me to see people leave dirty dishes in the DW for a week before washing them. Argh! If it takes a week to fill it, you should have a smaller DW or use a top rack only feature. This is what impresses me about the F&P Dish Drawers. And geez, I can wash a few dishes FAR faster than an hour or two for a dishwasher! LOL And when you compare the time to load the dishwasher vs washing, it's pretty close. Time's not a factor. It's the hassle of washing them. I soak my dishes and a quick swish, rinse in HOT water and into the drainer to dry. Putting them away is comparable to time in a DW. Oh, and one thing I found out quickly, the way you load it makes a big difference. You have to learn how the water sprays and make sure it's not blocked for effective washing.

Kmkane - that's terrible! Can you please provide more information? You had the sink installed 1 day, and so, did the sink spontaneously chip? Could it be that it was chipped during installation (one of the installers dropped a hammer or something), and you didn't noticed it till the next day? Or perhaps, if you gave the sink to your countertop fabricator for templating, it got damaged during that process? There have also been stories of sinks being damaged in shipping by sellers who do not pack the sink well. I am not trying to challenge you, but I just am throwing out possibilities, because you said you didn't use the sink, and after 1 day it chipped. No manufacturer will pay for re-installation, whether it's an appliance, a counter, a faucet, or a sink. Let us know if Blanco is providing you a new sink. I had two Silgranit sinks in two kitchens, totaling about 7 years of use. Never had a chip, and I washed my Lodge cast iron and my Le Creuset in there, and banged them now and then. When I left those kitchens, the Silgranit sinks looked the same as the day they were installed.

I definitely broke more glasses in my soapstone sink then any other sink when I first got it. Once I got used to it and was more careful, I stopped breaking glasses. Keep in mind that I am always in a hurry and slightly accident prone (see below). I did get a grid for the bottom which helped, but I couldn't stand cleaning the grids so I put it in my garage. Breaking more things is also a function of the fact that I definitely entertain and cook more in the new kitchen, so the probability of a break goes up if you are washing more dishes and wineglasses. Last week was a winner...I dropped my Deruta utensil crock on top of my Le Creuset batter bowl in my sink and smashed both of them. That was a nice $120 accident. That was not the sinks fault since they hit each other. And I broke 2 glass pitchers when I accidentally swept the whole dish rack into my sink when I was cleaning. It sounds like I should cook in a padded cell. I would certainly not let this advice from the dealer deter you from getting the sink you want. I noticed that a lot of builders and contractors would prefer you get the product through them and soapstone is something that most builders don't carry. My mom had a lot of cabinet stores misleading her about soapstone. We noticed that in every one of the cabinet suppliers, soapstone was the only surface they did not offer for sale thus they were encouraging her to choose granite or Zodiaq by slamming a product line that they did not carry. trailrunner: I love your sinks. I am definitely going to look for a salvage one when we do the next kitchen.

you can simply build a frame out of 2x4's and drop your sink into that and then use a curtain for your under the sink area like they did in the old days. you could also build a little platform a few inches off the floor to use for storing things on. we have one like that in our powder room (also has a curtain hanging off of the sink to hide the pipes and clutter). and there's also the option of a wall-mount sink. vintage ones are highly-prized, but there are still some manufacturers making them. kohler springs to mind as one, and lots of restaurant supply-type stuff made of stainless.