Every time I bend down to clean the sink, not only my back hurts, but my heart also hurts.
A lot of money was spent, and the sink should be easy to use or not. The sink is "too deep" and I have to bend down every time I clean it. In addition, the "small curvature" of the corners makes it difficult to wipe off oil stains, which wastes a lot of time. It was not my damn desire to win that surrendered first, but my waist. I took a break and wiped it for a while, but it was finally clean.
If I had the chance to do it again, I would probably choose the sink like this -
Look at the "material" first.
. Material
stainless steel
has high cost performance, high strength, corrosion resistance, antibacterial and heat resistance, smooth, strong and durable. Most people still choose stainless steel material .
is not resistant to smashing, and its color and appearance are relatively simple.
Ceramic
is resistant to high temperatures, aging and easy to clean.
is heavier and prone to scratches.
stone
is mainly " granite " and " artificial quartz stone ".
The characteristics of these two stone materials have also been mentioned in previous articles. Friends who are interested can click here → rock slab . Is it a marketing product or is it really easy to use? The characteristics of
stone are environmental protection, non-toxic and non-radiation. Resistant to scratches and stains. Good looks.
However, there are many shortcomings. The texture is not as hard as stainless steel. If water stains are not cleaned in time, they can easily turn into stubborn stains. Not resistant to scratches and can easily leave scratches. The weight is very heavy, so the load-bearing capacity requirements of the countertop are high. The price is also relatively high.
Artificial stone
is easy to clean, seamless and has many colors, but its "hardness is not good".
Granite
is scratch-resistant, wear-resistant and high-temperature resistant. However, it has "poor corrosion resistance" and needs to be "cleaned" every day.
Cast iron enamel
is strong and resistant to acid and alkali corrosion. Rich in color and full of personality.
is heavier and requires more effort to install and requires bracket support. It is easy to bump and is difficult to clean when there is a lot of oil stains.
Then select specifications based on usage habits and usage scenarios.
. Specifications
single slot
has small single slot and large single slot. The general size of
small single tank is below 650mm, which is suitable for kitchens with relatively small area. The general size of the
large single tank is over 850mm, and it is very practical. You can put the pot in it for cleaning.
has only one drain, and the drain pipeline is simple. It will be more convenient to install the food waste disposer.
double slot
has several specifications, one is that the two slots are the same size. Functional partitioning is possible, but it is not very convenient to wash pots with this size. Larger pots cannot be completely put in, and water will easily splash during cleaning.
also has a double slot with one large and one small. This kind is more suitable for us to use. It is best to have a large tank that can accommodate a wok, a large tank that can be used to wash dishes and pots, and a small tank that can be used to wash fruits and vegetables.
multi-tank
is based on the double tank, and there is a small sink or garbage disposal tank next to it.
But this type is basically not suitable for the use of ordinary families. First, the space is limited. Each sink with multiple sinks cannot be too large, which makes washing pots more troublesome. Second, if you really need multiple sinks, then installing a single or double sink, connecting the garbage disposer , and then "developing" a small sink using accessories can also achieve the goal.
sink dishwasher
integrated design, the sink is large, it is very convenient to put the dishes into the dishwasher after rinsing them, without having to bend down or tossing back and forth. But be optimistic about the capacity of the dishwasher. Some have smaller capacities and are impractical for too many people. Something to note about
is. If the garbage disposal is installed, it may conflict with the installation position of the sink dishwasher.Furthermore, the center of gravity of some sink dishwashers is not in the middle, but on this side of the dishwasher. The weight is pressed on one side. Over time, it may cause cracks on the countertop or looseness of the cabinet.
Picture source: Current cooperative brand FOTILE
Two single slots
Some friends will choose the design of two single slots according to their own requirements. For example, during peak cleaning hours, the design of two single tanks can avoid such problems. For example, one is washing vegetables, and the other can be used to wash fruits.
Picture source Xiaohongshu: There is a salted fish heart
Other types
In order to meet the needs of details, one side is the sink and the other side is other functional areas. For example, there are many cases where a large single tank is added with drain basket , chopping board and other functional accessories.
Multifunctional sink
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Picture source: Current cooperative brand Wrigley
. Installation method
Desktop installation
This is the easiest to install and is also sturdy.
However, the connection between the sink and the countertop can easily harbor dirt.
Stainless steel sinks and countertops are usually sealed with glass glue. If they are not wiped clean in time after long-term use, moisture will easily cause the glass glue to grow moldy and turn black. It is not only unsightly, but also difficult to clean.
Countertop installation
The sink and the countertop are on a flat surface. The processing is very difficult and requires precise milling of the contour and required depth. On the premise that there are almost no dead corners and gaps, the visual unity will be very high and beautiful, but the price is very high.
There are many examples of overturning in this way. The main reason is that the construction technology does not meet the requirements, causing problems such as excessive gaps, blackening, and water accumulation.
supports three installation methods: on-stage, Taichung , and off-stage
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. The under-counter installation
is the cleanest and will not hide dirt. It’s also easy to clean the countertop.
However, it is relatively difficult to install. The edge of the sink must be completely hidden under the countertop to avoid water accumulation.
is not as strong as above-ground basins and countertops, and needs to be reinforced by other means.
Embedded installation
The countertop does not cover or partially covers the sink, and is often used for ceramic sinks.
The sink and the countertop do not need to be at the same height, which means that the sink can be partially higher than the countertop, reducing the bending height, which to a certain extent satisfies the owner's need for a height difference in the countertop.
The disadvantage is that the seams between the sink and the countertop easily harbor dirt.
One-piece installation
One-piece installation is a seamless connection between the entire countertop and the sink. Basically, the sink and countertop are made of the same material. Commonly found in stainless steel countertops and artificial stone countertops . Usually it is a customized brand. There are many shapes, no gaps and no dirt, but the price is high.
Picture source Xiaohongshu: Furnishings
. Size
The thickness of the sink
The thickness can be between 0.8-1.2mm. Of course, the thicker, the better, and anything over 1mm is better. If it is too thin, it may leak after being used for a long time.
Depth
Nowadays, we often cook at home, so choose one with a depth greater than 18cm. It has a large capacity, can hold a lot of things, and can prevent water splashing to a certain extent.
However, the deeper the better, try not to exceed 23cm, otherwise it will be easy to bend down to wash things, which will be very tiring.
Most people choose stainless steel sinks, but also pay attention to these points:
. The surface treatment process of stainless steel sinks
Brushed surface/mercerized surface
A wire drawing device is used to draw the surface of the stainless steel sink in a complicated manner. Because the surface of the stainless steel sink is directly drawn, the requirements for the plate will be higher.
combines the advantages of frosted technology and polished mirror surface. There are subtle drawing marks on the surface, which is delicate and smooth to the touch and feels good in the hand. Scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, beautiful and easy to care for. The surface of
is easily stained with oil, but fortunately it is easier to wipe. Do not use sharp tools such as steel wool balls when cleaning, as they will damage the surface.
Pearl surface
is also called pearl silver surface, matte surface, and pearl matt surface.
first sandblasts its surface, and then performs chemical electrolyte surface treatment on it (the principle is similar to electroplating)
process is the simplest, with low technical content and low production cost. Therefore the price is relatively low.
is resistant to oil stains, but not scratch-resistant. The surface is prone to scratches, and in severe cases, the coating may peel off.
does not recommend choosing a sink with this kind of craftsmanship.
Frosted surface
Use fine grains of sand to hit the surface of the stainless steel sink evenly and at high speed, so that extremely fine small grooves are evenly formed on the surface (hard to see with the naked eye)
Generally requires that the wall thickness of the plate should not be too thin, and it should be stretched as a whole Most stainless steel sinks are treated with this process.
is scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, improving the hardness of the surface of the stainless steel sink. However, it has low corrosion resistance and is easy to rust.
Embossed surface
embossed regular patterns on the surface of the stainless steel sink, or directly pressed with embossed sheets, and then surface treated with pearl surface treatment. The visual effect is good.
is stain-resistant and wear-resistant, and is relatively anti-fingerprint. Some people worry that the oil fumes in the kitchen will accumulate dirt in the pattern, making it difficult to clean. Some embossed surface sinks use food-grade nano-non-stick "paint", which is not easy to adhere to oil stains.
The new mirrored sink looks great, but it may get worse the longer it is used.
is not recommended for home use as it is extremely easy to cause scratches during use. It needs to be scrubbed frequently, otherwise it will be easily stained with oil and fingerprints, affecting its appearance.
. The process of stainless steel sink
one-piece molding
Features:
The sink is formed by stamping with a machine and has no welding seams. The production process is relatively simple and the R angle formed is relatively large.
Note: R angle is the radius of the transitional arc where two straight lines intersect, here it refers to the internal arc angle. Advantages of
:
is not welded, so there is no need to worry about water leakage. The cost is low and the price is relatively cheap.
Disadvantages:
The tank body of the one-piece stretch-formed sink is relatively thin, so it is easy to get holes after being used for a long time.
Hand-welded
Features:
is hand-welded, and the thickness depends on the thickness of the material. The technical requirements for donors are relatively high. A smaller R angle can be achieved.
Advantages:
The sink can be made thicker, generally above 1mm. The originality of stainless steel plate will not be destroyed. Disadvantages of
:
has higher manual requirements for workers. If it is not welded well, it will easily leak. The price is relatively high.
Summary
If the installation method is determined, communication must be good in all aspects.
For example, if you choose under-counter basin , you should communicate with the cabinet designer to make holes in the countertop.
If you choose a sink with a faucet opening and want to install an undercounter basin, you can make a hole on the countertop facing the hole of the faucet. However, in this case, the position of the opening will be fixed, and it will be more troublesome to change the sink later.
choose SUS304 stainless steel , food grade.
has limited space, you can buy single slots and wash pots. But it is more convenient to be equipped with some auxiliary tools, such as a drain basket.
