Kohler Whitehaven Cast Iron Sink Discoloration

last year

It’s been less than a year since my new Kohler Whitehaven Cast Iron sink was installed. From the day one it was cleaned only with a Kohler Cast Iron Cleaner and a stainless steel rack used to avoid any scratches or damages. Recently during my regular sink cleaning, once the sink was dry I noticed multiple colorless, matte stains on the sink basin. The stains won’t go away after using the above-mentioned cleaner, soda, peroxide, dish soap and vinegar. I wonder what these discoloration is and what could have caused it. Has anyone had anything similar?

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dough71

last year

I am so relieved to find someone who has the EXACT same issue! Our sink was installed last spring as part of a massive kitchen renovation, but we didn’t start using it until July. It’s a Kohler Whitehaven Cast Iron Apron in Biscuit. The base of the sink has developed a matte texture and odd spotting—kinda like oily-looking residue but embedded in the finish. I’ve tried taking a photo, but it’s hard to capture. The sides of the sink appear unscathed. I can’t figure it out. I also take extreme care of the sink. I purchased the Kohler sink racks and have only ever used the Kohler Cast Iron Sink cleaner. I read several negative reviews regarding the rubber on the legs of the sink racks leaving yellow stains. It’s true, the rubber leaves bad stains, so every night I clean the sink and remove the racks. I’ve had Kohler cast iron sinks and tubs my whole life. They have always looked brand new even after 35+ years of use. The quality control at Kohler has gone way downhill. We had to send the first two sinks back. The first one had rough texture, and the second one had chipped enamel which was no fault of the shipper, as the box arrived in pristine condition. I have also read several negative reviews about the Kohler Cast Iron cleaner and how the formula changed. I’m wondering if that has anything to do with the damage to my sink, given that’s the only cleaner ever used. I will try to capture some good photos and post.

Comments (8)

susanrhill34
last year
@Roxy Roxy i am looking at this sink to purchase vs Stainless or quartz composite so have been reading several discussions. I did see a few people mention soft scrub works well to get stains out. We are not particularly careful with putting things in a sink and do not generally like having a rack, so I am concerned about chipping and staining...eems like there is no perfect sink out there! but I do like the short apron
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Maybe just consider my kitchen officially broken in. I wouldn't give up yet! I understand cleaning paint brushes with a wire brush - I do that, but not in your kitchen sink! Utility sink perhaps, or outside at a water hose is far the preferred method, especially since it was not you doing it. I do think you should call a professional resurfacer, get a price, have them explain the details of the procedure, and tell the contractor who you want to have it fixed unless he has a pro do it. You scratching it versus someone who doesn't own it are two different things. Also, we're getting a couple Whitehaven's, as well as the sink grids, and I intend to buy some of those suction mats for the sides for when we clean our cast iron items (I use cast iron frequently).
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I have a 36" Whitehaven and I love it. However, because I did a retrofit into my older cabinet, I went with the short apron style. I do have this pic showing the inside: I bought the grills a few months after I took that pic. The 36" has two grills, so you don't have to try to pick up one huge grill:) This is my kitchen - but keep in mind this is the "short apron" style, not the "tall apron" style of the Whitehaven. Both sinks are the same inside. I am sure someone will be along with a pic of the 36" tall apron. https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 I have always had a cast iron sink. Although not common, the crazing that can happen to fireclay scared me away from it.
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susanrhill34
last year
@Roxy Roxy and @dough71 hate to see this post as we are about to install the Whitehaven ice gray farmer sink in a total kitchen renovation. Looks like Roxy Roxy has a white version and with what dough71 posted about their biscuit, I am wondering if the lighter colors have something to do with the issue. have either of you contacted Kohler? If so what was their response? I also ordered the racks. I had read you need to replace the silicone feet over time, but leaving stains is not acceptable. also did the finish issue come to light after a few months of use or right away? thanks for any info..good luck finding a resolution and, of course, I would be interested to hear what you find.
dough71
last year
Roxy_Roxy, here are some images of the bottom of our Kohler sink basin. As I mentioned in my previous post, our sink has this weird oily-speckle look. Very odd. Don’t know how else to explain it.
Laura Baer
7 months ago
I would not buy a Kohler anything. I have a two month old Whitehaven Kohler cast iron that they warrant to not chip or scratch. It has a chip on the enamel of the divide. They are sending me touch up paint. They don’t stand behind the words of their own warranties.
B Hilton
4 months ago
We have a new white Whitehaven sink too. It stays white until I put the Kohler protective racks in. The stains show up wherever the feet are. It’s an awful dirty brownish yellow color. Dawn power wash and other non-abrasive cleaners don’t touch it. I have started to throw the racks in my dishwasher every time I run it in case it’s caused by a food/fat/grease build up. It helped a little better, but not much. I sparingly use liquid bar keepers friend on just the stains in the sink. It’s the only thing that gets them out. But I am really thinking about trashing those racks. It’s got to have something to do with the rubber feet things. So frustrating because I love the sink and I don’t want to mar the surface. I was hoping someone would have some words of wisdom regarding this…..
B Hilton
4 months ago
I ordered a set of feet made from clear PVC for sink racks from Amazon (<$6 for 60 pieces 60 Packs Kitchen Sink Rack Feet... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MTLRF4F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share ) and these have done the trick. The problem was whatever material they were made out of. I no longer get stains that won’t come out with a simple wash with dish soap.
christin Christl
2 months ago
I found on the website they say to use soft scrub gel with bleach cleaner. It's hard to find but I clean and leave for 5 minutes and the stains are gone. Yes... very frustrating! When you do everything right to protect your cast iron and then these yellow stains from the rubber mat we use to protect it actually are causing the stains. ALso.... brand new and already has little pits that are completely no fault of ours. Poor poor quality!!

Kohler Whitehaven Cast Iron Sink Discoloration

dough71

Comments (8)

susanrhill34

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