And the Kitchen Sink

[Jeff Thies]

I've got my kitchen base cabinets made and need to cut out for the sink. I have an old stainless sink, that I would like to replace at some time. Are there any more or less standard dimensions for sink cut outs? The outside standard seems to be 33" x 22" .This will have a granite tile top on it, so it won't be possible to recut later.

And about the sink, what kind? Aside from a double, cast iron, stainless, or something else. I'm hard on just about everything, Kohler claims their cast iron won't chip, but what about scratches?

Jeff

[DerbyDad03]

Your question is somewhat confusing.

You have a sink that you would like to replace "at some time", yet you are asking about "more or less standard dimensions".

If you are planning to use your current sink, aren't you "more or less" stuck with the dimensions of that sink?

Take a stroll through a couple of Google Image pages for Kitchen Sinks and look at the vast selection of shapes and sizes.

Do you really want to limit yourself to only those sinks that will fit into the cut-out size you make now?

Unless you are willing to limit your choices to something that will fit whatever size opening you make right now, I strongly suggest that pick a sink *now* and finish the job, even if that hurts the budget.

It'll either cost you more in the long run or you're going to have to "settle" for something you aren't in love with.

[Ken]

I purchased a stainless steel sink for my kitchen remodel on Ebay months before I installed it. They of course come with a template for making the cutout. I would have the sink before I did anything major to the counter top if it were my kitchen, as they come in many different configurations. By the way, I got a great deal on my sink. Like buying anything on Ebay, you need to do your homework before you buy something.

[dadiOH]

Yes, sinks are more or less a standard size. Which is not to say you can't get one a different size. Best to decide on the sink you want and compare the size to the sink you have. Naturally, you need a new sink that mounts the same way...drop in (probable) vs under mount. _____________

Sure it will. To make the opening larger, at least. ________________

I've never heard of a cast iron sink that wasn't covered ib porcelain so I assume that is what you are talking about. Those sinks are made by heating the cast iron then blowing glass beads on it so they fuse (melt). They do the same thing to steel sinks but those are much lighter and tinnier.

Porcelain will be scratched by aluminum oxide ("sand"paper, ruby and sapphire) and diamonds. Maybe by quartz too, depending on the porcelain. It won't be scratched by steel or anything else you are likely to have in the kitchen.

[mike]

Granite tile? Hope you like all that grout. It also makes it more difficult to get an undermounted sink, which would optimal.

Aside from that, I'd go shopping on the net and on specialty plumbing shops for the biggest single-basin stainless steel sink that will fit in your cabinetry. Stainless is easy to keep nice looking (baking soda & dish soap paste / acid-based cleaners) and is probably going to outlast chip-prone cast iron. You will never regret having lots of uninterrupted sink space with everything going into a garbage disposal for fast clean-up.

[GROVER]

There does not seem to be any advantage to cutting the countertop before you have the sink in hand.

JoeG

[DerbyDad03]

re: "Yes, sinks are more or less a standard size"

Have you searched Google Images for "kitchen sinks"?

While in one respect it's correct that there are "standard sizes", there are also hundreds of "non-standard" sizes, shapes and options. To cut a "more or less a standard size" hole now would seriously limit the choices for a replacement later.

re: "Naturally, you need a new sink that mounts the same way...drop in (probable) vs under mount. "

Not if the counter top hasn't been cut yet. At this point, his options are wide open, only dependent on the base cabinets that were purchased.

When I replaced my sink, it's going to be undermount so I can wipe debris directly from the counter into the sink.

[hrhofmann]

BUY THE SINK FIRST!

[DerbyDad03]

re: "Hope you like all that grout"

Now that you've brought that up, could somebody explain to me why anyone would want to use anything but a perfectly smooth surface for a kitchen counter?

Why would you want to put yourself through all the extra work it itakes to wipe down the counter? Why would you want to have to worry about grout sealer upkeep to prevent grape juice and spaghetti sauce stains?

Did you ever notice what they use in commercial kitchens, even the highest end, trendy restaurants? They sure don't have grouted tile on their prep surfaces. Ever wonder why?

[dadiOH]

And dependant upon the sink he currently has which he says he plans to use until he gets his new one.

[Caesar Romano]

On Fri, 8 Oct 2010 07:50:21 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03 wrote Re Re: And the Kitchen Sink:

Good advice there.

[DerbyDad03]

What you say above is true, but my response was based on the way you worded your previous response:

"Best to decide on the sink you want and compare the size to the sink you have. Naturally, you need a new sink that mounts the same way...drop in (probable) vs under mount"

That could certainly be taken to mean that he has to use a sink that mounts same way as the one he has now, which isn't the case if he does what we all (including you) think is the best thing to do: Decide on the sink he wants *now*, not after he has already cut (and tiled!) the counter top.

That's really the bottom line here: The OP is seriously limiting his options if he cuts (and finishes) the counter based on the old sink. He should bite the bullet and get the new sink now.

[HeyBub]

I see stainless steel sinks about three times a month on my local (large) Craigslist. Usually in the fifty-dollar range. Over the past two years, I've bought two ($25 and $35). Both came with single-lever faucets and spray hoses.

I'm pleased with both.

[Jeff Thies]

Well, I asked someone at Builders Surplus, who sells a lot of sinks and the standard cutout is 32 x 21.

That's good enough for me. I bought this:

$179 at the Borg.

And sure enough the cutout they suggest is within an 1/8 of an inch smaller.

Jeff

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