Kitchen sinks...??

[johnandtahra]

We're stuck: ceramic or stainless steel. Ceramic looks better, but stainless steel might be the more sensible choice. On a hardwood worktop. Any recs? Ta.

[other]

. .

[kevsboredagain]

We just visited our apartment at the weekend. The ceramic sink is scratched so much it is destroyed. Would never chose one for a rental.

[Casscat]

Stainless steel - but good quality.

[johnandtahra]

OK, so s/s it is then. I must admit I was against them as I often think they look a bit cheap (i.e. the stuff of student flats) but perhaps I'm judging them based on cheap ones....

Any particular recommendations for style?

[Casscat]

What type of worktop do you have?

I have twin undermounted s/s sinks with granite worktops, but if you don't have drainage grooves then you will need to think about a style which incorporates a draining board.

[Bunny]

Don't go for white ceramic. I thought it looked lovely when I installed it but, almost without fail, after every let it is brown! I have to spend ages scrubbing the tea and coffee stains off. Guests also often remove the washing up bowl and wash pots and pans in it which has resulted in the bottom becoming pitted and scratched.

[SandyBeaches]

We have a white ceramic butler sink in one cottage for three years now and it's been fine. We bleach any stains out. There's a plastic sink in the other cottage which is also fine. At home we have stainless steel and I always find it looks a mess the whole time as we have quite hard water which marks it. They can scratch too, but the scratches do polish out.

I think your selection should be down to personal choice and what will look good with the style of the rest of your kitchen ie what oven/appliances/units you have.

[greenbarn]

Guess what is the main cause of scratching on the bottom of the sink?
Plastic washing up bowls.
Get a tiny particle of something gritty under the bowl, fill the bowl with water and dishes to make it really heavy and ensure the grit embeds into the plastic. Now move the bowl slightly across the bottom of the sink - the sort of motion naturally associated with washing dishes works fine - and Hey Presto! - the sink is scratched!
Check out the recommendations of the sink manufacturers.

[Bunny]

Guess what is the main cause of scratching on the bottom of the sink?
Plastic washing up bowls.
Get a tiny particle of something gritty under the bowl, fill the bowl with water and dishes to make it really heavy and ensure the grit embeds into the plastic. Now move the bowl slightly across the bottom of the sink - the sort of motion naturally associated with washing dishes works fine - and Hey Presto! - the sink is scratched!
Check out the recommendations of the sink manufacturers.

Oh I hadn't thought of that!

[PW in Polemi]

Don't go for white ceramic. I thought it looked lovely when I installed it but, almost without fail, after every let it is brown! I have to spend ages scrubbing the tea and coffee stains off. Guests also often remove the washing up bowl and wash pots and pans in it which has resulted in the bottom becoming pitted and scratched.

Try using bicarbonate of soda mixed into a paste with a little water. The brown staining is probably tea/coffee dregs poured down the sink and not rinsed away.

[Bunny]

Don't go for white ceramic. I thought it looked lovely when I installed it but, almost without fail, after every let it is brown! I have to spend ages scrubbing the tea and coffee stains off. Guests also often remove the washing up bowl and wash pots and pans in it which has resulted in the bottom becoming pitted and scratched.

Try using bicarbonate of soda mixed into a paste with a little water. The brown staining is probably tea/coffee dregs poured down the sink and not rinsed away.

Thanks Polemi. Yes, it's definitely tea and coffee. Why can't they just run the tap when they pour it down the sink. They can see the state they are getting it in but still think it's acceptable to leave it like it.