Prep Sink, yes or no?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Forgive me if this is sort of a repeat, but I wanted to start a new topic for just about prep sinks.

I am trying to decide if a prep sink is really going to be worth the effort in my kitchen. I am remodeling my 80's ranch style home and opening up the smallish galley kitchen. I will now have sort of a large galley/ straight line with large island layout. We had to be creative with the space to make it work!

My island is fairly large - 126 x 42 .

I am looking for pros and cons on prep sink. Do I really need a prep sink even though my main sink will just be across the aisle, within 4-6 feet away?

Are prep sinks a fad that in 10 years I will ask myself why I put two sinks within a few steps of each other?

Usually it is only 1 person in the kitchen, sometimes 2 if hubby and I are cooking together... No kids... we do entertain on occasion.

Featured Answer

lisapoi

8 years ago

In my opinion, a prep sink is useful if it will help alleviate traffic glut by allowing someone to work and use the sink without bumping into or impeding someone else in the kitchen. If you are simply putting in a prep sink for the sake of having one, without really improving traffic flow, then I don't think it's worth it. Ours is in a very useful location and definitely is a big help in alleviating congestion, but it did add another $1000.00 to the cost of our Reno, even with my husband doing the plumbing himself.

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Comments (18)

PRO
Anglophilia
8 years ago
I've never seen the attraction unless one has caterers regularly, but they seem to be popular here.
PRO
MDLN
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Agree, they seem popular here. I don't have one, never have, never wanted one. However, it is YOUR kitchen. Have you ever had the desire for a second sink? If so, how often?

My only desire for a second sink was to scrub kitty litter box, and that is not happening in the kitchen. :-)
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Lisa...I think in your kitchen you could go either way. Regardless of where your (main) sink ends up, it will still be close to the cooktop & you will have room to prep b/w them. If the sink moves to the refrigerator wall, you will have even more prep space b/w them. While a prep sink would be nice, I don't think it's a necessity to make your kitchen work. Yes, it would add an additional prep area for you at the island (b/c there will be a water source) and, possibly, reduce some zone crossing, depending on the location. Right now, to get to the refrigerator from the cooktop you have to either cross the Cleanup Zone or go around the island. How many people will be using your kitchen at once? Will they all be prepping/cooking or will there be a mix of prepping/cooking/cleaning up? If cleaning up is in the mix, then the zone crossing could become an issue, especially when the DW is open. As to location, I like Elizpiz's setup best, but I can see where it would definitely reduce available counter space. If you put it on the left side across from the cooktop, it would be readily available from the cooktop as well as the "outside" part of the island for prepping there while someone else is cleaning up on the "inside" as well as be available for outsiders for a drink of water, etc. However, it will reduce that 42-1/4" to approx approx 24" of workspace directly across from your cooktop; but, as I mentioned b/f, you will still have add'l room on the wall run. If you put it on the refrigerator end, I think you're right in your assessment...I find that I use the counters across from both my refrigerator & ovens much more than the counter next to them...both for removing things from them as well as staging things to put in them. (I have approx 32" b/w the Ref & DR peninsula end and approx 44" b/w the ovens & the end of the "mini peninsula". Both have landing space right next to them as well.) We do have a prep sink, but in our kitchen it was a necessity to make it work. Our cooktop & sink are opposite each other, separated by approx 6'6" of aisle...the main aisle through the kitchen. By adding a prep sink on the cooktop wall, we were able to separate the Cleanup Zone from the Prep & Cooking Zones as well as protect both zones from kitchen traffic (inside a "U" w/short legs but long base). During the week, there are usually two of us in the kitchen...one prepping/cooking (me) and one cleaning up (DH) with an occasional child helping make veggies. On the weekend, there are sometimes all four of us working in the kitchen! When baking (usually a marathon!), there are usually two or three of us. (I seem to bake in spurts...when I bake, I seem to go all out!)
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I would keep the L shaped kitchen. But now seeing your full floor plan, I would take your initial plan and switch the cook top and sink and then switch the ref and wall ovens. This will make the hood the focal point from the living room and the ref will "hide " the sink. I would then open a pass through from the sink to the dining room. This will be a great serving counter and will help fill some of that wall space you were talking about. Since you are doing some construction you can move everything to suite your plan.... It seems that the only dimension that is fixed is the one up to the entry of the game room. What is happening with the pantry? Are you really going to be walking through everytime you go in and out from the garage? Or is it going to be closed off and then it is a back hall? Just some things to think about... Oh yes - I don't think you need to spend $$ for 15" deep wall cabinets - you are not starved for storage here....
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irmaly
8 years ago
Depends on whether you need it and would use it. We use ours a lot. We garden and wash all veggies there, and I also use it for seed prep and an extra sink when we host large dinner parties. Would hate not to have mine.
sjhockeyfan325
8 years ago
I think you already know my answer - it was nice to have, but not a necessity for me.
blfenton
8 years ago
I have one and never doubted wanting one. I use mine all the time. it's in my prep area and the other sink is in the clean-up area.
just_janni
8 years ago
It all depends on the layout. Putting one in just to have one isn't a good idea. Putting it in a place that creates additional work areas, allows for prep and cleanup to be going on at the same time and not having people cross paths / bump into each other. So - the answer depends precisely on your layout!
practigal
8 years ago
Are you the only cook? If so, it's just a luxury, if not, it may be very practical. Keep in mind that having two sinks means two areas to clean up so if it's really just you you're doubling your workload
S Hill
Original Author
8 years ago
My husband and I both cook... But usually not at the same time. We take turns cooking . Yes, I knew the prep sink would be a luxury...
Meris
8 years ago
I thought I was going to put a prep sink in, then changed my mind. I got a larger sink and installed 2 faucets on it. It's only been 5 days and I love it. I'm glad I didn't do a prep sink. We are a family of 5, so there's times where everyone is in the kitchen.
ck_squared
8 years ago
Like someone else said above, it all depends on the layout. There are a lot of plans that come through GW where I think, why are you putting in a prep sink? Some kitchens are just too small for them or the layout is such that a second sink isn't necessary.

We have one and it's not a luxury, it's a necessity in our space. It's on the opposite side of our island from our clean up sink. If we didn't have it, we'd be walking around the island from our fridge/microwave/coffee station to the big sink. Our prep sink offers a totally separate and logical place for prep and coffee cleanup area, etc.

(And it's not double the workload as far as cleanup.)
waterloo360t
8 years ago
Meris,

Could you post a picture and a few more details on your double faucet setup? What sink do you have (size) and what faucets are you using? My wife and I are currently debating this option. We both cook and clean up at the same time but don't have room for a prep sink.

Thanks
sherri1058
8 years ago
I am the only cook (although this might change after DH retires) and I am also one of those that have no need or want of a prep sink. It just doesn't make sense for my space. I am also losing my double sink and putting in a large single instead, which I think is the bigger gain.
MizLizzie
8 years ago
My kitchen is small, and I love mine. It is in the island near the fridge, and is used like a bar sink mostly, and to make the cats' food. We have a hot/cold filtration faucet on it, with the tank turned fairly low. If we entertain and will be making a lot of tea, or example, I can crank it wide open. Having the sink there keeps people on the fridge side of the kitchen, and out of my combat zone. I didn't want it, had never had one, but my sister and my KD convinced me it it would alter the flow in a positive way, and it did.
rwiegand
8 years ago
Never wanted one and never saw the point, especially of a "prep" sink that was too small to fit a colander, or even a big head of lettuce without splashing water all over the kitchen, or where you couldn't really use a sprayer.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have a second sink, which I referred to as a prep sink, until I realized from reading GW threads that it's not actually a prep sink because it's not in a prep zone. It's back-to-back with the kitchen sink to share plumbing and a pass-through, and just outside the kitchen in a dining area.

My main sink is a large, single, zero radius hulk, so I use the smaller sink to thaw and rinse meat, because it is much easier to clean, and it's out of the way of other prep functions. I do a lot of baking, so I sometimes drain the wet baking sheets in that sink, to keep them from piling up in the main sink area. The smaller sink is close enough for prep, if I have a helper, and still connected by the pass-through, so the helper doesn't feel as if she's being banished. The counter beside it is a great spot for the coffee maker.

Have you posted your layout? Maybe we can help you decide.

ETA, the smaller sink was very convenient when the main sink was out during the remodel--I didn't have to do dishes in the bathtub. :)
Meris
8 years ago
Waterloo here's a link for you with that info, I don't want to hijack this thread. I will post a pic later on the other thread for you

.2 faucets one sink
Caroline Hamilton
8 years ago
I have a large kitchen with similar island dimensions similar to yours and I didn't put a prep sink in. I am the only cook. I have never missed it and appreciate having the large interrupted large expanse of island.

Prep Sink, yes or no?

lisapoi

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Anglophilia

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