We use ours all the time, but not for sponges (OK, there are a couple of new sponges stored in there). What I use often are a nail brush, and a few hard plastic scrapers that came with my Pampered Chef stoneware. I don't put anything wet in there. Oh, the cover for the garbage disposal lives in the tipout as well.

One was in the new house when we moved in, and it was really gross. And this house was clean as a whistle when the previous owner left. We got rid of it when I replaced her old sink. I'd never use the tilt-out, seeing how gross it became.

In my last house, the sink was too close to the edge for a functional flip out like that. I never found a suitable alternative for storing the stopper for the garbage disposal, or my scrub brushes. The under-cabinet caddy ended up a mess, turned over, or shoved into the abyss of the cabinet. Suction cups to hold it didn’t work either. So, what do the rest of you do with that stuff, even if you don’t love sponges?

christinero.....yes they will dry, but my sponges are used so often, they barely have time to dry out. We do tons of food prep here with lots of rinsing of dishes etc. throughout the day, so not a lot of drying time. They also make sponges that do not get that horrible moldy smell. They are useful only for washing dishes (they are not for wiping up spills or wiping down counters)......

https://www.amazon.com/Pura-Naturals-Bacteria-Guarantee-Scrubbers/dp/B00QUQCK6U/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1517856780&sr=1-2&keywords=stink+free+sponge

You can also use something like this for your sponges. It’s a sponge holder that has a magnet. It comes with a counter magnet that gets attached to the unfinished side of the sink inside the cabinet. Useful with sinks that have a thin metal wall but wouldn’t work well with a thick fireclay sink (unless you switched out the included counter magnet with a much stronger one)......

https://www.amazon.com/Magisso-Magnetic-Sponge-Holder-Stainless/dp/B008I38F9E/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1517856979&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=magnetic+sponge+holder

We retrofitted the kitchen sink and 3 bathroom sinks to have these compartments.

The ones we chose are easy to remove and clean- I think they may even be dishwasher safe. That said, the one we had in the kitchen broke a few years ago and I never bothered to replace it. The one we had, the bin was just not deep enough to hold the types of things we put in it- so the sponge would hang up between the cabinet and panel that was the false drawer front. We are in a dry climate and never had a problem with the sponge not drying out.

Now the ones in the bathrooms, I can't imagine living without. So it all depends on how you use them. I keep very little in my bathroom sink bin, it works great. DH overloads his with all manner of stuff and his stuff is always jumping out into the cabinet below.

Like mine and, because I have a large sink, the tip-out is large enough for the bottle brush, vegetable brush and scrubbers. I use a dishcloth, not a sponge.

Our trash/recycling pullout is the most used cabinet in our kitchen. Gave up a microwave to fit it in, with no regrets. Also got rid of the garbage disposal, which I can’t stand, and keep all my cleaning supplies and a scrub bucket under the sink.

All of your opinions are leading me to think no to the tilt out. Helpful to hear your pros and cons. Thanks.

We also have one. I just keep my cleaning/scrubbing gloves in there. Definitely no mold issues.

Kendrah, your question made me think of this. Occasionally I leave the cabinet doors under the sink open. Just seems a good idea to let that area get maximum air for awhile.

Here’s the deal. My cabinet guy charged me $15 for each tray (install and material). Have them installed and see how you like them. If you don’t like them you don’t have to use them for sponges. You can store something else in there. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t think $15 will break the bank.

Put it in. If you don't like it, don't use it - there's no harm in trying. It's not like you have to give up something else to get it.

If I am not going to use it I would rather not have a drawer with hardware there. I'm into the less is more when it comes to hardware and visual clutter.

A handle or pull there will just be something to catch on clothing as you use the sink.

Great place to stash DW tabs.

Kendrah: We achieved our 'less is more' by eliminating that upper panel/drawer and upgrading to full-height doors at the sink. Sorry I don't have a better pic handy, but hopefully you'll get the idea:

My preferred sponges come in a three pack, as do my copper scrubbers. I keep the two that are not in use in this tilt-out, along with my whetstone. Perfect fit.

Hate them. They get gunky. Not for me.

As for what to do under the sink without the tip-out drawer - anything. That is a style reference. You can do a false front with a handle. A [front with no handle[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/san-francisco-inner-sunset-victorian-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~127500). All cabinet front. Two bottom drawers with no top "drawer."

Here's a kitchen that did two big drawers under the sink, concealing the unusable space up top.

Miton. Collection H78 [81]. Model LIMHA ACRILICO. · More Info

And one that did a false front top and two drawer below

Inviting Contemporary · More Info

I'm all for maximizing the space you have to figure out the best storage solution. But as far as the look that "can" go under the sink - that's just personal aesthetic preference.

Regarding your under sink space issues - If you are doing custom cabinets, you may want to consider taller counter heights. Many people prefer them for comfort, and that nabs you two extra vertical inches.

And if you are not tied to your chosen sink, a single bowl, side drain will push your garbage disposal to one side, freeing up room on the other half of the cabinet.

Southeasthouse - Thanks for all of the pics and ideas. We are going to use our current sink so the set up will remain the same with the disposal right in the middle and trash and recycling on either side.

I have 2 of them, and keep my small bottle brushes in one. Because the cat likes to take them as toys.

I also keep the unused sponges and pot scrubbers there for the same reason. If they have been used he is not interested, but a new sponge is like catnip.

I would have one if you have the space and are doing new cabinets. Why deny yourself some extra convenient storage, just because some people think it might get gross because some other people store gross things in there. I keep an extra garbage disposal plug thing (after it's been through the dishwasher) and the crank tool for the garbage disposal.

It's an extra storage spot for small items. That's all it is. I think we all agree that wet sponges don't belong in there, but just about any small item could use that spot.

Have it now, won't with new kitchen (due to apron front sink) and will miss it. Don't keep sponges in it, but do use it for small bottle brushes, etc. I think not having one would be wasted space - if you don't use it, then it's similar to a drawer blank, and you may find you will use it, like we do.

I love mine. I cut my scotch brite pads up into small pads and store the clean, never used pads there. I throw my scotch brite pads way after I use them, so my tilt drawer is never gross or dirty.

As lhutch13 stated, it's great to have the removable trays.

I like mine, I never kept a wet sponge in them though. I use them for bottle brushes, old toothbrushes used for cleaning etc.

I have 2, one on the prep sink and one on the big cleanup sink. I love them. Sponges dry out, no problem, but that might be different if you live in a more humid climate than I do. The trays I have are easily removable and washable.

Also, the hardware doesn't necessarily get in the way (depending on what you select) - my hardware is long (12" on the cleanup sink, 6" on the prep sink) and doesn't have any corners to "catch" on my clothes. IMO, it makes those cabinets look more consistent with the rest of the kitchen, and I think it would look weird if those fronts didn't have pulls.

I prefer one of those suction cup bins for sponges in the sink. I actually just bought a dollar store silicone pot grabber and cut a drain hole in the bottom and air vents on the side. Viola!

Anyone have a pic from the SIDE of their tilt out? I've heard even closed they tilt and don't sit flush. But, I love mine right now and want one in the new kitchen but with the new design I cannot have it tilt out!

I have tilt outs and they sit completely flush (inset cabinets). You have to make sure that your sink is paced far back enough so the tray does not hit the sink….so make sure about your measurements.

@Nidnay we are going through a countertop store so they should do all that. we are doing a slab door though so i don't think that's an inset design.

Slab can be inset or overlay.

This is inset where the fronts sit INSIDE the frame….

1 - New Build in Process... · More Info

This is partial overlay…

And this is full overlay…

What nidnay said: Whether it sticks out and doesn't completely close when "closed" depends on whether you have sufficient space behind the false drawer front and the sink. I almost had the problem you're trying to avoid, and I ended up switching from a standard Rev-A-Shelf tip-out tray (mounted on the back of my custom front) to their low-profile tip-out tray.

I installed all my kitchen cabs. While that was a challenge, getting the tilt out installed RIGHT was actually the hardest part. If there isn't an obstruction behind it and it isn't flush, it's bad installation.

I love my tilt out! If you didn't know it was there you would never notice it!

@niday ours is a full overlap slab. I should have specified

So we do have sufficient space, as does the other person we know who has one from the same line...and the kitchen showroom did too. All were professionally installed and no instructions. I was told the product the current company uses is notorious for this issue but what I still can't figure out is if Plato uses a different insert and hardware. Actually we have extra space to the point that things fall out behind ours because there's too much room!

Andrea I found that the alignment instructions that came with the tray were plain wrong. That's why it was so hard. Had to align it by trial and error. Is rhis a new installation? Can you bring the installer back?

@sofaspud it's actually a really old kitchen we have but we're planning out the new one and that's why I was hoping the mechanics had improved. I may try tinkering with our current one and see if I can get it to be flush and if so I won't have any hesitation ordering for the next. Thanks for the advice... If you have any more based on your experience feel free to tell me what specifically you modified!

Have installed a couple myself in my own kitchen. Fairly easy to do and they work great for sponge and dish scrubbers.

The stated measurements to get the hardware right were off by about 1/8", just enough to make it not flush. Ymmv. Good luck.

@sofaspud thanks!

I hate mine and rarely use it. I wish it was just non-deep drawer. IMO, would have been more useful.

"In my last house, the sink was too close to the edge for a functional flip out like that. I never found a suitable alternative for storing the stopper for the garbage disposal, or my scrub brushes. The under-cabinet caddy ended up a mess, turned over, or shoved into the abyss of the cabinet. Suction cups to hold it didn’t work either. So, what do the rest of you do with that stuff, even if you don’t love sponges?"

There are some nice ideas above with custom drawers under the sink, etc. After measuring carefully, I used plastic drawers to organize under the sink. I use both individual drawers that can stack, as well as 3-drawer unit that fit perfectly under the sink. They hold and organize my DW pods, sponges, scouring pads, toothbrush for cleaning, microfiber cloths, produce brushes, etc. One of the drawers also has small,, square containers inside to sort smaller items. I keep the cover for the garbage disposal and a few other dry items in my tilt out.

PS ... the drawers have served me well for over 25 years. I also put open plastic refrigerator bins in various sizes to place my antiseptic wipes, spray bottles with cleaning mixtures (often homemade), and other containers for products which I use in the kitchen. It contains everything, which makes spills rare. If there is a spill or leak, it is easy to clean out the drawer put things back,

Love my two little plastic drawers inside the tilt kitchen cabinet. I typically clean them out once a month (easy in and out). Love being able to hide my sponge, magic eraser, steel wool pad, toothbrush, etc. Hope you're happy with whatever decision you made for yourself.