Which sink: stages, indio or prolific?

8 years ago

I will only have one sink in my open, but small kitchen. The sink will be at the island and the island isn't very large. So any of these 33" sinks will take up most if it, but that's okay with me so long as the sink is a work surface/ prep type sink like all three are. I just don't know which one to go with.

My issue with the stages 33", besides cost, is that the under cabinet rack thing might not work with my small island which will also contain the dishwasher. Also, I'm not sure how it will go with the builder installing it. This isn't a normal sink for them so I do not expect any creative solutions.

I've always wanted a white sink so the Indio appeals to me, but it doesn't seem to offer quite as much function as the stages or prolific.

The Prolific is stainless, which isn't my first choice, but I really like the multiple levels and different racks. Seems like it would be very useful. Not sure if cleaning will be an issue with the interior ledges.

The other thing is that the cutting boards for both the Indio and Prolific seems to sit lower than the countertop. Is that a function of the countertop depth or the size of the cutting board?

What would you go with?

Featured Answer

Lara M

6 years ago

Realizing the thread is old, but some of us are new to sink shopping so freshining it up a bit!

This is my biggest problem with the Prolific, which in so many other ways fits my requirements is stated by mrspete above: "On the negative side, it has a center drain, and I think most of us prefer a side-drain -- not that it's more functional, but because tucking the pipes away in the corner of the cabinet leaves more storage space under the sink."

It seems like sink designers stop their design where the drain ends-- and for those of us in cities that have to sort garbage/recycle/compost--we have a serious design and space challenge under the sink with a center drain.

One of the things I did was go to the local Kohler store and try all the different accessories from all the kallista and Kohler sinks with the Prolific--just to see what's possible. In some cases if your counter fabricator can cut the stone to the right reveal, then you can purchase all sorts of other accessories that will fit. Vice versa, the Prolific accessories almost fit the Kallista Multiere -- but could be easily engineering to do so by adding a little strip of something to lengthen them. I really liked the Galley Sink line with such incredibly thoughtful design -- but somehow for the IWS3 (my cabinets are 36") they also put the drain in the center (but further back). The price is high, but I would be tempted if the Prolific weren't an adequate much less expensive substitute or if the the IWS were 1500 (not almost double that). I think that the Kallista Multiere has too few accessories and isn't designed as a really good work station--it only comes with the cutting board and the colander/bowl holder as well as the flatware/drain tray. It has multiple levels (good), but if you go to the smaller Soltiere, you lose the levels and the information on these websites isn't specific enough to get an idea of how it would work as a work station.

Hope people keep posting with their experiences and ideas!

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Comments (20)

Nothing Left to Say
8 years ago
You do not have to use the accessories rack with the stages. I don't know that any of the posters who have reviewed it on here have used it with the sink actually. I think the main downside to a stages 33 as an only sink is that the basin is not all that big because of the shelf.

I haven't really investigated the other sinks and haven't used any of them (planning on the stages 45 in our remodel) so I can't be of help comparing them.
ediblekitchen
8 years ago
Yes, I had the same concern that the Stages 33 wouldn't be big enough, so am also going with the 45. And if the accessory rack doesn't fit, I am fine with not using it or repurposing it somewhere else.

I like the Prolific, but it is 18 gauge instead of the Stages' 16 gauge. And it's hard to tell whether the slightly lower cutting board would be an issue. Ideally you'd want to see it before buying it.
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@Lara, The sink is pretty deep, so that is another thing taking away from storage space under the sink. You could figure out a way to put 2 bins under the sink, but a 3rd might be difficult. My SO really didn't want any pull outs under the sink. Hopefully he won't have to do any work there, but he wants it easy to get in there if necessary! I didn't really want garbage there either because I like having it next to the sink not under it. I don't want to have to move to open the garbage when I'm at the sink. We really only have the RO system under the sink and the bowl/colander from the sink in the cabinet. Is there anywhere else in your plan where you might put the waste/recycling? If you really need your trash in the sink cabinet, the Prolific might not be the best choice. It is probably do-able, but maybe not ideal.
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I completely understand. I never would have paid that much for a sink either. I ordered a blanco super single. The plumber provided a double sink to the counter fabricator instead. They looked all over to find me a single sink that would fit the hole cut for a double. We initially tried Kohler strive which seemed basically same sink but center drain. It didn't work but the 8 degree did. I didn't pay the difference since it was their fault and the alternative was to get a new slab of granite. I would never have spent so much on a sink before, but now I've had it honestly I would sacrifice something else bc I love it that much. It works really well for our family, and I use it many times a day so I really appreciate it. Good luck, I also had no idea it was so hard to find a single sink not to mention around here it is not common so the plumber, contractor and counter guys all thought I was crazy for insisting on a single instead of just taking the double that fit the hole they cut.
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silken1
8 years ago
I have had a Kohler Indio sink for 1 1/2 years now. I really like having the extra large sink with the low divide. I mostly leave the basket in place over the smaller one to hold a few often used small items that get rinsed and then seem to live there. I rarely ever use the small sink. The cutting board is very nice and sitting below the counter, means no scraps of food get all over the counter, but can be brushed into the sink. Water or juice from veggies and fruit also drips into the sink rather than onto the counter. So I like that it is lower than the counter top. I am 5'4" and find cutting on a board on top of the counter a little high so I prefer my pull out board or the one on the sink. I don't know if that helps. If I was doing it again I would likely get one large sink since the small one is mostly a basket holder!
sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
ressepbuttercup Your island seems very small for a sink (I'm the person who suggested you put it on the kitchen perimeter.)

In case they are helpful to your sink decisions, here are the recommended minimums for sink landing space from the National Kitchen & Bath Association:
ControlfreakECS
8 years ago
IMO, last choice would be Stages because the bowl just seems too small unless is is exclusively a prep sink. I like both of the other two. I think it is really a form vs. function question, and only you can answer it.

I agree with you about the look of the Indio. It is a really attractive sink, and the color choices make it work in many designs. But it is functional as well.

The Prolific has a wow factor about it. All those gadgets seem genuinely useful if you are doing a lot of prep at the sink, and also want to be able to put dirty things in and keep them separated (either with the basin or by having them below the racks and cutting board and colander. I think you really need to think about how you cook, how you clean and what will work best for your kitchen. And also decide how much looks trump potential function.
Jillius
8 years ago
Gah! I had never hear of the Indio sink before now, but it would have been PERFECT for our kitchen that just had a very imperfect sink installed. The agony of missed opportunity is the real downside of gardenweb.
bbtrix
8 years ago
I'm not familiar with the Indio or Prolific, but do have a Kohler 45 in a one sink kitchen. I love the stages, but do not feel the 33 would be adequate in your situation. The bowl is fine as a prep sink, but I really couldn't advise it as a main sink.
reesepbuttercup SLC, Utah 6b
Original Author
8 years ago
So I went and checked out all three in person and I'm leaning towards the Prolific and the stages 33" is out.

The ledges in the prolific are not as sharp as I thought and will be easier to clean. I also like all the different accessories, not sure if I will really use the racks much?

One concern I have with the prolific is the fact that there appear to be seams. Won't they get all gunky? I'm not an OCD cleaning type and I don't want to have to get out a tooth brush to scrub the seams all the time, nor do I want to see yucky stuff. I was surprised to see that the stages sink is constructed the same way. I assumed both sinks were made from one sheet of stainless.

The Indio is very pretty and the gorgeous color offerings don't make my choice any easier. I need to review the specs, but the Indio felt deeper which isn't so great for me as I'm on the shorter side. Another issue is the side mount faucet holes. Not sure I want that seeing how this sink will take up most of my island. The double bowl Indio has faucet holes that are more to the center, but I don't want a double bowl.
silken1
8 years ago
I really like that the faucet holes on the Indio are on the sink itself. I have one and the water splashes stay mostly in and on the sink, not all over the counter.
sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
Oh boy. That single basin Indio with Karbon has me questioning my entire plan. Ack! I love it.
jdsb2
8 years ago
Did you look at the Kohler Riverby? 33" single bowl with a cutting board that is sold separately. It comes with some accessories. I love the offset drain. Kohler Riverby link
beatyboop
8 years ago
@ressepbuttercup I am also looking at the Kohler Prolific, but my other choice was to go with the traditional Franke PEX110-31. Did you end up purchasing the Prolific? If so, how is your experience dealing with the seam so far?
mrspete
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I've been in love with Stages for a while. Lots of function, and I'm sure I'd use the accessories constantly.

- I love the idea of a large single bowl.

- I'm sure I'd use the shelf for thawing meat.

I've never seen the Prolific before, but it looks great.

- I like the THREE levels for accessories; plenty of options for cutting "up high" and scraping into a bowl down below.

- It's on sale for $824 (was that it?) several places online right now, and while I wouldn't want that to be the final decision-making point for such an important work horse, it also doesn't hurt.

- Without having touched them, the grids look a little "cheaper" than those of the Stages. However, accessories shouldn't be too hard to get after-market. I mean, cutting boards can be homemade (or purchased and cut down to fit).

- 33" is pretty big, and it allows for more shelf storage in the island (as compared to the larger sinks).

On the negative side, it has a center drain, and I think most of us prefer a side-drain -- not that it's more functional, but because tucking the pipes away in the corner of the cabinet leaves more storage space under the sink.

I agree that the Indio looks lovely, but I don't think it has the function of the other options.

And to add fuel to the fire, the Kallista Multiere looks pretty great too.

In my opinion, the Riverby looks like an "also ran".
mrspete
8 years ago
Question: What do you mean by "seams" in the Stages and the Prolific? Do you mean at the point where the flat pieces come together?
dilzy
8 years ago
Have you considered the Kohler Riverby? It's one large 33" bowl, lots of colors, but comes with accessories like a soaking cup, drain shelf, sliding cutting board with positive reveal, faucet cutout at top, and it has an offset drain. I believe it's 9" deep.
Susan Okimoto
8 years ago
We bought an indio single bowl sink and now I am not sure which faucet will go best on the side. I was thinking of the Delta Trinsic Touch faucet since we got a single hole, but now I'm wondering if the 45 degree profile will drive me crazy. It seems like all the photos of this sink have a Karbon faucet paired with it. What would you pair with this unusual sink?
K L
7 years ago
We adore our Indio/Karbon combination. The two work together quite well.
mkuyekawa
7 years ago
reesepbuttercup 7a- Utah Did you make a decision? I just saw the prolific today and though it is much pricier than I had planned, I am very intrigued.
silken1
7 years ago
I have a double bowled Indio and like it. I am 5'4" and the depth isn't a problem for me. I use the racks all the time because I don't want to chip or scratch it. I really like that the tap and soap dispenser is mounted on the sink, rather than in the counter top so it is at a slightly lower level than the counter. I don't get much water on the counter behind the tap because of this. The draining basket is always in place over the smaller sink. I must say, I only rarely use the small part of the sink. But the basket holds a couple small items that are always getting used, rinsed and just sit in there and dry. Like a scrub brush for pots, and the little plastic baskets for coffee pods (rather than filling the land fill with Keurig cups)