Questions commonly asked about kitchen sinks

Scetch of our dual tier sink

What Questions:

• What material is best for kitchen sinks? - Metal sinks, like stainless steel, brass, bronze and copper. They are generally lifetime products.

• What size kitchen sink do I need? The size is based on the size of your kitchen and your daily use. If you do a great deal of food prep and cleanup, a 42" workstation sink is your best choice.

• What is the difference between undermount and drop-in sinks? Undermount sinks are installed under the countertop, and drop-in sinks are installed on the countertop. There are advantages to both. Undermount sinks are generally considered more pleasing to the eye. Drop-in sinks have the advantage of protecting your countertop investment because they protect all of the edges around the sink area from being chipped. That said, a good-looking and functional drop-in sink that is a workstation sink requires no wiping from the countertop into the sink.

• What gauge stainless steel is best for kitchen sinks?  For kitchen sinks, 16-gauge stainless steel is generally considered the best choice for most homeowners. It is more durable than 18 or 20 gauge sinks. Less prone to denting. It is simply a better long-term investment. 

• What are the most durable kitchen sink materials? The most durable kitchen sink materials are high-quality metal sinks. Virtually all of the alternate choices Have shorter lifespans.

• What is a farmhouse sink?  A farmhouse sink is a large, front-facing sink with an exposed apron front that extends beyond the edge of the countertop, originally designed for rural kitchens but now popular even for contemporary kitchens as well as vintage aesthetics. It is also known as an apron front sink.

• What is the standard depth for a kitchen sink? There is no standard depth for a kitchen sink. The depth of the bowl should be determined by the height of the user for ergonomic comfort. Very tall or shorter users should consider a single bowl with an offset drain that is slightly under 8 inches deep. Other users will feel more comfortable with an 8-inch depth, perhaps up to nine inches deep.

  
  

How Questions:

• How do I measure for a new kitchen sink? The answer depends on how the kitchen sink will be installed. If a traditional clip system is used, measure the overall size of the kitchen sink cabinet and subtract 2 to 3 inches for the overall size of the sink. There is an outlier, Rachiele Custom Sinks, that allows for a unique installation method, giving the ability to use the same size sink as the overall size of the cabinet - affording a much larger sink to be used.

• How much should I spend on a quality kitchen sink? A quality kitchen sink should start at $2000 and go up from there based on the functionality.

• How do I choose between single and double bowl sinks? The single ball the sinks are clearly more popular and more usable than double-bowl sinks. A properly designed single bowl sink will allow much more functionality than any double bowl sink.

• How do I choose between single and double bowl sinks?  If installed properly, virtually any countertop can support an undermount sink. However, Rachiele sinks are supported by the cabinetry, not the countertop.

• How do I prevent water spots on stainless steel sinks? High mineral content causes most water spots. Install a water softener if you have hard water. Always rinse the sink after use.

• How long do kitchen sinks typically last? Cast iron, fire clay, synthetic granite, and most nonmetal sinks can last anywhere from one day to 20 years. It's literally a roll of the dice. The only type of kitchen sink that will last for decades or more is a properly made, high-quality metal sink.

• How do I install a kitchen sink myself?  Installing a kitchen sink yourself involves first turning off the water supply and disconnecting the old sink's plumbing connections, then carefully removing the old sink and cleaning the countertop opening. For the new sink, you'll need to attach the faucet and drain assembly before setting it in place, ensuring proper alignment with the countertop cutout and applying plumber's putty or silicone sealant around the edges for undermount sinks or clamps for drop-in models. Once the sink is secured, reconnect the water supply lines and drain pipes, checking all connections for leaks before testing the installation. While this is a manageable DIY project for those comfortable with basic plumbing, consider hiring a professional if you need to modify countertop cutouts or run new plumbing lines, or if you're working with heavy materials like cast iron or natural stone that require specialized handling. 

Why Questions:

• Why are some kitchen sinks so expensive?  When you see a premium sink with a high price tag, you are often looking at something far beyond a mass produced commodity. A custom sink is not just a fixture. It is a functional tool designed for decades of daily use, built with materials and craftsmanship that most consumers never see behind the scenes.

  Rachiele Custom Sinks® is a perfect example. Every sink is individually fabricated to order, not made on a production line. Instead of thin imported stainless, we use heavy gauge domestic 316L stainless steel. Instead of shortcuts or hidden seams, our welds are fully fused and micro polished by hand. This kind of work takes time, skill, and experience, which is why our sinks sit at the top of the market. You are paying for one-at-a-time craftsmanship, not mass volume manufacturing.

  Another part of what makes many luxury sinks so expensive has nothing to do with how they are built. Most brands are sold through multiple layers of markup. A factory representative takes commission, a dealer adds margin, and the end consumer pays for both. Advertising costs alone can drive prices even higher.

  We took a different approach. We stopped traditional advertising in 2008 and still operate with a very small marketing budget. We sell directly to homeowners, one to one, allowing us to invest in the product rather than the distribution chain. The value is in the metal, the hands that shape it, and the custom design that fits the way you cook, clean, and live.

  In short, some sinks are expensive because they truly are worth it. The right one is built to last a lifetime, designed specifically for you, and crafted with a level of precision that mass production simply cannot match.

• Why choose granite composite over stainless steel? In our opinion, granite composite sinks have built-in flaws. They can crack and stain. These are flaws not found in quality stainless steel sinks. 

• Why are farmhouse sinks so popular?  Farmhouse sinks are popular because they combine aesthetic appeal with practical ergonomics - their large basins and front-facing design reduce back strain by allowing you to get closer to the sink without leaning over a countertop edge, while their large capacity easily accommodates oversized pots and pans. 

• Why do some sinks have sound dampening? Some sinks do not require sound dampening. The most popular sinks, stainless steel, require significant sound dampening. 

• Why are deeper sinks better? Clearly, deeper sinks are not better in a kitchen environment. Bending over to wash something in the bottom of a deep bowl is ergonomically uncomfortable. The concern about having large pots and pans should be addressed by using a proper faucet that is designed not to splash and splatter. Waterstone is a good example of a faucet with those benefits.

Which Questions:

• Which kitchen sink brands are most reliable? This is an answer that can easily be answered by looking at discussions on Houzz.com and by looking at the warranty. Check to see if workstation accessories have a warranty. Check to see if the warranty is a transferable lifetime warranty. That is an indication that the manufacturer will stand behind the sink no matter who owns the sink. Also look at ChatGPT for some deep dives.

• Which is better: 16 gauge or 18 gauge stainless steel? Clearly 16 gauge, which is a heavier gauge, is a better thickness. Counterintuitively, the higher the number, the thinner the material is.

• Which sink finish is easiest to maintain? A stainless steel kitchen sink with a random matte finish is the easiest to maintain.

• Which type of sink works best with granite countertops? If you are concerned about maintaining the integrity of your granite countertop, a drop-in sink will protect all of the corners and edges around the sink from chipping.

• Which kitchen sink size is most practical for families? The answer depends on the size of the family and how much the sink is used on a daily basis. Start with a 36 inch workstation sink for a family that is not a high user. Consider 42 inches and up for families that are large and prepare meals several times a day.

Where Questions:

• Where can I find the best deals on quality kitchen sinks? Typically buying factory direct will offer the best value.  Kitchen sink pricing typically starts with the manufacturer's cost (materials, labor, overhead), then adds their profit margin to create a wholesale price. This wholesale price goes to factory representatives or distributors who add their commission or markup (usually 10-30%), then to retailers (both physical stores and online) who apply their own markup (often 50-100% or more) to reach the final consumer price. 

• Where should the sink be positioned in relation to the dishwasher? Generally speaking, if you are right-handed, the dishwasher should go on the left, and if you are left-handed, the dishwasher should go on the right. The most important deciding factor is traffic flow. If the placement of the dishwasher blocks traffic coming from where the food is consumed to the sink area, the dishwasher should be on the opposite side of the sink so it does impede traffic flow

When Questions:

• When should I replace my kitchen sink? Clearly, the kitchen sink is the most used appliance in the kitchen. Consider replacing the sink, no matter how old it is, when functionality Is not up to par with what is currently on the market. Time is valuable!

• When do I need professional installation vs DIY? The answer to this depends on how the sink manufacture recommends how the sink should be installed. A Rachiele sink is very simple to install and directions are on their website.

Are Questions:

• Are expensive kitchen sinks worth it? All you have to do is read comments online to know that an expensive kitchen sink can be worth the investment. An expensive kitchen sink should save time, be comfortable to use and should be easy to care for. If you were ever thinking of selling your home in the future, A properly designed workstation sink will not only increase the value of your home but will likely help to sell your home quickly because as we all know, the kitchen is the heart of the home and the sink is what makes the kitchen work efficient

• Are copper sinks high maintenance? The answer depends on where you buy your copper sink. The vast majority of imported copper sinks require drying after ever use and have a long list of requirements. Rachiele copper sinks are made in such a way that the only maintenance is rinsing after use and wash with dish soap.

• Are kitchen sinks standard sizes? Yes, most kitchen sinks come in standard sizes based on how they fit in standard size kitchen cabinets. That said, Most kitchen sink manufacturers require cabinetry that is anywhere from two to 4 inches larger than the overall size of the sink. A Rachiele sink is designed to fit the same size as the cabinet, offering substantially larger sinks than most others on the market.  

• Are scratch-resistant sinks really scratch-proof? No, Most sinks are not scratch proof. Type 316L Stainless Steel is more scratch resistant than the typical stainless steel used in kitchen sinks. By pairing that material with a random matte pattern, scratches are less visible and they are easily removed simply by using a Scotch brite pad.