Chris:

I run a sink replacement business. No one who is making the choice to replace a sink picks a 70/30. I tear those out religiously. Vitually everyone chooses a single bowl. Get a 36" sink cabinet please as your choices for sinks expands quite a bit. If you get a workstation sink, a larger sink actually adds more counter space.

You may ignore the sink manufacturers sink base cabinet size reuirements if you strap, not clip or block, your sink in place. A 33" sink undermounts into a 33" cabinet, a 36" into a 36", etc.

I totally respect Joseph Corlett, LLC’s point of view on many levels but… I would rather open a bloody package of ground beef or other raw animal in a separate sink and prep it for a meal than do the same in a larger single sink that could conflict with air drying dishes above or the inconvenience of chasing the blood down the drain of a very large sink. Sorry. This topic is a constant on this forum and we all have our own experiences. 😔

thanks

Thank you. My husband wants the 70/30 for a few reasons. He is pretty set on it. It may not be for everyone but it is something he wants and since I have been able to pick most things for our kitchen Reno it seems a small one to have to compromise on. There is no space for a work station sink. I appreciate the pointers. Personally I would prefer a single bowl (and I definitely do not want a 50/50 or 60/40), this was the compromise we came up with. We are no where near ready to install it though.

Have you looked at a double bowl that is 42” wide in a 60/40 split? In my mind this would be the best of both worlds.

Compromise 😉

@mainenell I dont know if we have enough space for a 42” sink but maybe. I misunderstood ”work station” sink and thought it meant a second sink elsewhere. I love the idea of the work station sink (thats the one thst has a cutting board?).

If you want a 70-30 sink, you should get it. I am actually a single bowl person, but I see nothing wrong with a 70-30 sink. BUT, with a 70-30 sink you must get one that fits a 36” wide cabinet. That way the larger side will be big enough to set down pans and wash them without banging into the divider. So your senrence that says ”I estimate a 30-36” cabinet for the sink“ is the problem. It needs to be 36” cabinet.

As to workstation sinks, sone people love them, others (like me) do not. The accessories seem too small to be useful, and need to be stored somewhere when not in use. I like a good-sized cutting board and colander, not the downsized ones that are part of a workstation sink. And if the accessories are left in the sink, they impede access to the sink and the use of the sink IMO. Make sure you see a workstation sink IRL before deciding.

When looking for a SS sink, look for 16 gauge stainless steel, not the thinner 18-gauge. Many people feel that 18-gauge is fine, but I prefer 16-gauge. Brands like Kraus do not charge a lot more for 16 gauge.

I have a 30" 70/30 sink, like the OP is talking about. There is no issue with pots and pans not fitting in the larger side. It is big enough that cookie sheets will lay on the bottom.

So I have to ask: What are you washing in your sinks that is so enormous?

So I have to ask: What are you washing in your sinks that is so enormous?

The hyperbole not necessary. I wash - and soak - regularly my Le Creuset dutch ovens (5 qt and 7 qt sizes), my 10" and 12" fry pans, roasting pans, casserole dishes. I do not see how they would fit in a 70-30 sink that is only 30" wide without banging into the divider - which is too challenging with a heavy cast iron pot or pan, and there would not be enough space to lay them flat to soak. It's just geometry.

When determining sink bowl sizes, I often tell posters here to go to a place that has sinks on display, and bring a couple of pots and pans you use most often, and "pretend" to wash them in the display model. That is the best way to tell if the bowl is sized right for your needs.

I guess I just have a magic sink then, since I have no trouble washing any of those things. The roasting pans lay flat and soak just fine. The cast iron fits. It's never been a problem.

Seeing the sinks in person is a great idea and something we will definitely do.

The sink is the most used item in a kitchen. Getting anything other than what you want isn't a 'small' compromise, IMO.

I am firmly in the single bowl camp. A problem with divided sinks is that you lose space to the divide itself. If you have a divided bowl sink, you can replace it with a smaller single bowl sink and gain 3-6" more counter space and have the same or even more actual sink space. As well as much more functional space. Something I realized when I replaced a 33" 60/40 cast iron sink with a 33" single bowl stainless steel sink. The new sink seemed huge in comparison to the old one. Could have easily stepped down to a 30" sink and gained a very valuable (in my situation) extra 3" of counter space.

So happened that I ended up with an 18 gauge Kraus sink with a rear corner drain. The corner drain was my Must Have. Initially thought it was 16 gauge when I ordered it and was a bit disappointed when I realized the listing info was in error. In reality, it truly is fine. Quite sturdy; doesn't sound tinny at all. Mind you that it replaced a very, very sturdy Kohler cast iron sink at that. Just so you know my point of comparison.

With a single bowl sink, I can tip full sheet pans into the sink and wash them with getting an inadvertent shower in the process. Long handled skillets sit flat in the bottom of the sink. As well as commercial sized stainless steel bowls. I air dry on a mat to the side of the sink and focus on keeping the sink clear of 'stuff' and ready to use.

Yeh, I love my sink. After decades of putting up with double bowl 50/50 & 60/40 & triple bowl sinks, I am just so, so pleased with and appreciative of my new-ish sink!

I hear what you’re saying, but two people’s “must haves” don’t always align. I will definitely bring up the valid points you all have brought up.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC is this what you mean? I casually showed this to my hisband and he likes it.

Yes, but no 90* corners in estone as shown in the picture please.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC is there one you suggest? Also, can undermount sinks be replaced in the future if needed without damaging/changing counters?

Oh wait, you're say the counter should be more rounded not the sink??

FWIW, I would avoid the square 90 degree corners in the sink, too. I like the look and easier to clean small radius corners.

I’ll have to keep looking. I didn’t see any workstation sinks without corners.

I think he was talking about the cut of the counter being 90 degrees-not the sink itself. To avoid eventual chips.

Oh, got it. If we do this sink then we’ll request more of a curve from the counter people.

"@Joseph Corlett, LLC is there one you suggest? Also, can undermount sinks be replaced in the future if needed without damaging/changing counters?"

There are many fine sinks out there.

Undermount sinks are easily changed without removing the countertops if the sinks are strapped, not blocked or clipped, in place. Hercules Universal Sink Harness or Sink Straps. Silicone at the flange, not epoxy.

Just as a reference ... this is a 17 " by 20 " (at bottom) bowl and various full size

Sink size · More Info

cookware. Standard frying pan, non-commercial cookie sheet, turkey roaster and lobster pot.

We had a single bowl and my husband the cook hated it. New build has a split, can’t remember if it’s 60/40 or 70/30, and it’s more functional for us. Did you know you can choose which side the larger bowl is? I also recommend a sink that comes with a grate. We scratched our ss sink, before we had a chance to put the grate in.

Here’s something else I learned from all these good folks on Houzz… an apron sink sets closer to the front edge of the counter. This makes it a shorter reach to the middle of the sink, is easier on your back especially if you are a short person, and gives you a safer angle when cutting (workstation-style sink) on the cutting board. I have this Create Good Sinks sink. It will be installed in mid-April.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC Which strap do you suggest for a sink with rear right drain? It is the Kraus Kore WS sink going in 3cm cambria.

@mainenell - "Have you looked at a double bowl that is 42” wide in a 60/40 split? In my mind this would be the best of both worlds."

Just chiming in here - I would love to find this! I've looked everywhere and I can't find anything that big, but that size would be perfect for my 46" cabinets. I agree, it would be the best of both worlds especially if you don't need to try to save counter space. (I don't..)

Lynn:

Either will work for that sink.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC would the cabinet requirements be the same if strapped vs clipped? For example, this sink says 30” minimum cabinet. Does that still apply with strapping or does ot change it? This is the only one without a zero radius corners I can find. Still looking though! Thanks!

https://www.deltafaucet.com/kitchen/product/95B932-27S-SS.html

"You may ignore the sink manufacturers sink base cabinet size reuirements if you strap, not clip or block, your sink in place. A 33" sink undermounts into a 33" cabinet, a 36" into a 36", etc."

@beatrix There are a few listed on Home Depot. Your material may be limited to stainless or copper, though.

true

@Joseph Corlett, LLC not sure if you can help with the faucet but if we went with a 27” work station sink (the one I linked above) would any of these bar prep faucets work? I like the swan neck look but not the height of the regular ones. My preference is the first one and it seems to have the biggest ”reach”. Would like it to have a pull down sprayer.

They'll work.

@ci_lantro this is perfect! Thank you for sharing :) I couldnt find anything this height, they all seemed to be 16+”