Sounds like you've studied each option. Composite sinks can stain, and heat can affect their appearance. Fireclay sinks crack if you have a disposal, and sometimes even if you don't. Enameled cast iron can stain, chip, and rust, although people who have them claim they never do - which is more anecdotal than factual. So there are reasons to avoid all three options, especially if you plan to use an undermount sink and put a counter over it. You don't want to find yourself needing to replace your sink.

I chose a stainless steel work station form Rachiele, and that's what I would recommend to anyone - quality stainless is a lifetime sink. The best of these have a brushed finish that hides scratches and soundproofing that makes them quiet. Buy stainless - good stainless.

If you’re not a fan of SS (neither am I 😉) I would recommend the Kohler Riverby. It is a single bowl, but not an apron front. It is cast iron. I have that for my main, clean up sink, and a Blanco Silgranit sink for my prep sink. I have not had any problem with staining or chipping. I did have a stainless sink before, and to be honest the problems weren’t with the sink itself but rather with my water. Lots of water spots and couldn’t ever get the sink to look clean. Others have had far better experiences with SS. I may well be in the minority. But I am very happy with my current sinks and don’t see myself going back to SS anytime soon.

We have a pair of 20 year old white enameled cast iron sinks that still look good. Not pristine, but certainly acceptable. Staining hasn’t been a problem. We’re about to demo our kitchen and are definitely going with white enameled iron again, so no complaints about the material. I’d even consider reusing the existing sinks, but we’ve had enough doubled-bowled nonsense for one lifetime.

We had cast iron previously and now have a Kohler Whitehaven in Sea Salt for our clean up sink and a stainless ledge sink for prep with grates in both. They protect the sink and are also more forgiving if you drop something. We cook a lot of Italian also and have had no problems. Both sinks still look new.

Get a white Corian sink. Stains come off easily, it’s pretty much bullet proof, and can be be under mount is not integrated into a Corian countertop. It’s simply the best sink out there!

Thanks for everyone's input! Mom, how long have you had yours?

It’s not that long, about a year. I do have the grate in the cast iron Kohler sink which no doubt gives some protection. With fairly heavy daily use both sinks are doing well - still look new.

I put a Kohler cast iron sink when I remodeled the kitchen a year ago. Prior to that, I had basically the same sink for 20 years in my last house. I like the look of the cast iron drop in, I’m not crazy about stainless steel and prefer the drop in to an undermount. I have a grate and use it on and off. The grate is a pain to clean and I’ve never had a problem with cast iron chipping or discoloring, although I’m sure it can happen.