My sink odyssey must end!

5 years ago

First, thank you!

Full kitchen remodel. Based on feedback from several supply stores, settled on Franke, Elkay, and Blanco as stainless steel sink options as the professionals indicated these companies source steel from Canada, US, and Europe only (assume that is true). I did not see anything I liked in Franke or Blanco so settled on Elkay based on feedback and aesthetic preference.

1. Found two Elkay sinks I like at a plumbing supply source. Someone who works there suggested there was no difference between their sinks and those at Home Depot, just more limited selection at Home Depot. So, I checked Home Depot, found both sinks, they say they are 18 gauge and 304 steel, for a combined nearly $500 less. If it is the same Elkay dimensions and product line at plumbing supply and Home Depot, are they the same sinks? I had fully intended to purchase at the plumbing supply . . . . they have spent time with me and are commissioned but with the $ I am spending, saving $500 means a lot . . . . and they mentioned it.

2. Is Elkay the same quality it has been in the past? I am reading some posts about rust spots on sinks out of the box and saw one in a store display that looked to have small fish-eye blue and purple circles all over it.

3. The plumbing supply rep also suggested that Elkay Lustertone is not what it once was, is basically treated (by Elkay) the same as the Elkay Gourmet line now, and has a problem with showing water spots that are difficult to remove. Anyone familiar with that?

4. I know I do not want stainless sourced from Taiwan, Korea, China . . . basically anywhere other than US, Canada, or Europe. Is there someone else I should be looking at?

I am paying a fortune for the kitchen and the last thing I want is to put it all together, including expensive quartz counter tops cut to fit a specific sink, and then have a problem with the sink. I know what I want functionally, two bowls, one about 7.5 to 8" deep, the other larger front to back and 9 or 10" deep. I just cannot deal with a problem. And, I understand Elkay is discontinuing a lot of sinks right now and suspect those are the ones landing at home depot. So replacing it if there is an issue could be a problem.

Thanks for helping this stressed lady make the right decision!

Featured Answer

friedajune

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread. I am going to try to clear it up. Most of all, all stainless steel scratches. That is the nature of stainless steel. Some may show it a bit less because the finish is brushed instead of polished like a mirror. In the decision among different SS sinks, take "scratching" off the table as a way to differentiate them, other than choosing a polished vs. brushed finish. Regardless, it will scratch. Many people opt for sink grids to reduce the scratching. Kraus is a great value because it comes with the grid for free, while other brands charge $80-120 for it.

I want to emphasize Patricia Colwell's point about the sink gauge. 16 gauge (thicker) is better than 18 gauge (thinner). Yes, I know people will point to Consumer Reports which said 16 vs. 18 gauge makes no difference. CR isn't always right. The thicker gauge means a quieter sink, and also a sink that has a more "solid" feel to it - hard to describe, but when you drop something into the sink, you will know what I mean. Chiflipper mentioned 14 gauge, and I agree. However, I do not believe 14 gauge can be found other than with custom, and it sounds like the OP is not in that price range for a custom sink.

The double bowl vs. single bowl decision is all about how big is your cabinet for this sink. If it is 36" or larger, that will fit a double bowl with one of the bowls a good size. A cabinet that is less than 36" width means a two bowl sink won't have a bowl big enough to soak pans or wash things easily. Joseph is correct in what he said above - just look at any design magazine - every kitchen shown has a single bowl. If you don't like them, that is your choice, but don't reject them without thinking it through first.

The OP's questions:

1. As mentioned above, I would opt for a 16 gauge sink. The Kraus sinks are 16-gauge and come with the sink grid for free. So many glowing reviews of the Kraus sinks on this forum, Amazon and Overstock. I am one of the "old-timers" on this forum, and the great reviews for Kraus go back for years.

2. There was a recent post here saying that Elkay is not what it once was. If so, it would be a shame, because that company has been known for quality fixtures for decades. Here is a link to a person's sink decision-process that might help you: [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/elkay-crosstown-vs-elkay-lustertone-vs-other-brands-dsvw-vd~5084735?n=56[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/elkay-crosstown-vs-elkay-lustertone-vs-other-brands-dsvw-vd~5084735?n=56)

3. Water spots--like scratches I discussed above--are the nature of stainless steel. The tendency for water spots has nothing to do with what brand sink you have; it has to do with your water's Ph. The harder your water, the more you will get water spots. I have just slightly hard water, and I get them. In the scheme of life, are water spots in a sink a huge crisis? Shrug. But if you don't like water spots, and your water is not soft, do not get a stainless steel sink.

4. Be careful when looking at companies just because they are German, Swiss, or U.S. Blanco, Franke and Kohler all sell some sinks which are made in China. Just by buying a sink with one of those brand names does not guarantee you a non-Chinese-made sink. You can find the country of origin of a sink you are considering by either looking at its box, where it must be labelled, or calling the manufacturer's customer service number and asking them. Another clue is the price of the sink. Franke for example sells SS sinks that are in the $400-600 range, and SS sinks at $1,200+. Guess which ones are made in Switzerland. Kohler does same. Just look at the price differences.

"If you can't scratch it easily, chances are it won't rust."

One has nothing to do with the other. As mentioned above, all stainless steel scratches. People buy grids to minimize scratches, but to me, a grid would be just one more thing to clean. As has been discussed many times on this forum, the scratches eventually blend into a patina, and you don't notice them. Rust is not from the stainless steel. Rust is from something left on top of the stainless steel that rusts. For example, a metal spatula, or a can left in the sink. Most commonly, people wash their SS sinks with steel wool pads, which leave tiny particles behind which then rust. A SS sink should be cleaned with BarKeepers Friend, not steel wool pads.

The overarching theme I am seeing in this thread is that people are looking at SS sinks and not liking scratches, not liking water spots, not liking the possibility of rust, not liking where the SS sink is sourced. Those people should all then turn their attention instead to Kohler enameled cast iron sinks, or Blanco Silgranit sinks, and stop focusing on those SS issues.

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Comments (21)

Zalco/bring back Sophie!
5 years ago
Get a Swiss or German made Franke.
A G thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
" If it is the same Elkay dimensions and product line at plumbing supply and Home Depot, are they the same sinks?"

Yes. Manufacturers don't have production days for the big boxes and production days for all others, no matter how much the mom and pop operators claim to the contrary. When you buy sinks by the railcar load, you get a discount. A really big one.

"I know what I want functionally, two bowls, one about 7.5 to 8" deep, the other larger front to back and 9 or 10" deep."

You may know what you want, but I know what the people who are going to buy your home some day want and that's a single bowl sink. I pull double bowl sinks out of new construction regularly to install single bowl sinks. When people change sinks, virtually no one gets a double bowl.

If you're insistent, please make sure the cutout for your sink is no deeper than 18 1/4" from the cabinet front. That way I won't have to charge the people who buy your home to customize a sink to fit.
A G thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
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Kristel Quintana
5 years ago
I went to Home Depot not long ago to look at sinks. My concern with stainless steel was the scratch factor. I noticed that many of the sinks in the kitchen cabinet display area that had been installed in mock kitchens had scratches. I used my keys to test in a small area and sure enough minimal pressure scratched the sink. I found an Elkay Lustertone sink in the area where they mount them on the wall and impressively couldn't scratch it. I'm not sure about the ethics of my test but I really hate paying a lot of money for something that looks old and used in a couple of months. I ended up with a Kohler cast iron sink but if I would have gone with stainless steel the Elkay would have been my first choice. I scoured reviews for Elkay sinks when I was sink shopping and I do not remember the water spot complaint you speak of. If you can't scratch it easily, chances are it won't rust.
A G thanked Kristel Quintana
Sue 430
5 years ago
One of the reasons we have so few independent specialty store left is that people use them for their expertise and service and then buy from a big box. I always pay the extra money to a local store if I get good advice, good service and can get the product I want. I have even insisted that my contractor buy from a specific store if they were really helpful.
Kristel Quintana
5 years ago
A G - I would stay away from Kraus. The ones at Home Depot scratched the easiest and the one on display in a mock kitchen - a model that many bloggers rave about - looked like it had been through a war. Granted it was a display sink but it was so easy for me to scratch it. I don't want to be super gentle with a sink. It was cheap for a reason.
A G thanked Kristel Quintana
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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
5 years ago
Franke sinks are fantastic--can't believe you couldn't find one you like, their selection is quite large. I have 2 in my new kitchen and have no problems at all, they have a beautiful finish and are very soundproof. I also have a Blanco in my vacation rental and it's great too. I'd recommend either of them very highly.

I also agree on getting a large single bowl--they are so much more practical especially when you need to wash large pots and pans.
Lisa SW
5 years ago
I installed an Elkay Lustertone 60-40 low divide as part of a remodel last year. While I don’t doubt others’ experiences, I encountered no problems with rust or staining and would definitely purchase again. I’m on a well with hard water with some rust in it, and a little Barkeeper’s Friend keeps the sink looking brand new. While I purchase locally when feasible, I purchased the sink from build.com. Even with the addition of the drain kits and grills I saved hundreds. Single vs. double bowl sinks always illicit heated responses here, but my best advice is to know how you operate in a kitchen. I did a lot of second guessing and felt terrible ordering a double bowl, but that’s what works for us and I’m glad I did. Joseph, thanks in great part because of what I learned from you my remodel went flawlessly, but if you want to take my sink you’ll need to bring me a new husband;)
A G thanked Lisa SW
new-beginning
5 years ago
"real" stainless steel does not rust.
chiflipper
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Any SS sink will scratch, a brushed finish hides them better. If I were to buy stainless I would get a 14 gauge. (The lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel.) Back in the day, a separate pan was placed in the large single bowl sink to hold the wash water. Double bowl sinks were "invented" to solve the issue of "the wash pan" before automatic DW's were common. Nowadays almost anything that will fit in the DW goes in the DW. When washing a large item in a single bowl most people DO NOT fill the sink, they just use a soapy sponge / scrubber and then rinse. Give serious consideration to a single bowl.
Janet
5 years ago
Lisa, I’m with you on the double sink with low rise divider. I can’t stand cleaning up dishes at my daughter’s with her single sink!
dan1888
5 years ago
Put the dishes in the dw like I'm sure your daughter does. You're a guest.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
IMO you are over thinking a sink purchase find one you like and get it. I have lived in places where the sinks were the cheapest things ever and still had no problems, what can really go wrong with a stainless sink really. BTW 16 guage is better than 18 and I love Franke.
Lisa SW
5 years ago
Janet, too funny...it was a visit at my daughter’s that affirmed my sink choice. There are pros and cons with each; it’s my hope that everyone is happy with their choice. OP, echoing Patricia, get the sink you like.
Anne Duke
5 years ago
Very happy with my almost 5 year old Elkay SS single bowl with grid. I almost went with Kraus for fewer $, but chickened. My only complaint, a minor one, is the difficulty of cleaning the grid.
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
I would get a Franke sink without hesitation. You have put a lot into this kitchen. Get the best sink and you will not regret it. Like others, I think you should reconsider getting a double bowl.
A G thanked Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
The trend in low divide double sinks is a good one. It's kinda like the best of both worlds in that you technically have two sinks, but the divide is low enough that they act like a single bowl.
A G thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
friedajune
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Joseph - I've heard that, but the low-divide ones I've seen still don't allow you to lay down a pan to soak, so I don't understand why they are the best of both worlds. Even Kohler's video about one of their low divide sinks shows a roasting pan leaning against the divide and having to fill the water to the top of the sink to get the pan under water sufficiently to soak.
A G thanked friedajune
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Fill the sink up past the divide?
A G thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
suseyb
5 years ago
I can fill my low divide enough to clean my cookie sheets. I can’t soak them completely, but they are also too large to soak completely in a regular divide sink.
A G thanked suseyb
geoffrey_b
5 years ago
I have several Elkay sinks in my home - over 20 years - no problems.
A G thanked geoffrey_b

My sink odyssey must end!

friedajune

Comments (21)

Zalco/bring back Sophie!

Joseph Corlett, LLC

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