Metal sinks for the kitchen: pros and cons, types, choice and care

The two main components of the working area in the kitchen are the stove (hob) and the sink. The sink is designed for washing vegetables, fruits, dishes, hands. She is considered an indispensable assistant to the hostess. When choosing kitchen sinks, it is important to choose a reliable and practical product that will fit into the interior of the room and will be in perfect harmony with furniture and household appliances. Recently, metal models are considered the most popular. Let's consider what options manufacturers offer, how to choose the optimal sink, and also tell you about the rules for caring for a metal sink.

A metal sink for a kitchen can be made from several materials. The most popular are the models made of stainless steel, consisting of chrome and nickel. The surface of steel shells can be polished or matte, less often there are products with a surface that visually resembles linen. Some companies offer stainless steel sinks with a brass, bronze or gold finish.

Less commonly, there are iron shells on sale. To increase the reliability and durability, the products are coated with zinc. Galvanized sinks are not subject to corrosion, they look stylish and can be combined with a kitchen set made of any materials.

Another unpopular option is kitchen sinks made of non-ferrous metals. They can be made from brass, copper or aluminum.

Aluminum sinks, like copper ones, are distinguished by their increased softness. Due to this feature, abrasions and scratches will form on their surface at the slightest mechanical stress and power loads. The rarest models are sink models made of cast iron or enamelled black steel. Cast iron products are distinguished by their weight, which makes them difficult to install and dismantle, and steel models covered with white enamel have an unpresentable appearance.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks are especially popular among consumers. Let's consider their pros and cons. The advantages include affordable cost and a large assortment - you can choose products with different surface textures, with different shapes and dimensions. Among the advantages are also noted:

• flexibility and strength - unlike ceramic products, metal products will not break if utensils or other objects are accidentally dropped, and when deformed, they can be easily straightened;
• resistance to corrosion - the shells are made of a specialized alloy that is not afraid of prolonged contact with water;
• ease of installation - you can install a new sink yourself, without the involvement of hired specialists;
• aesthetics - metal products have a presentable appearance, due to which they will fit into any kitchen interior;
• resistance to high temperatures - in contact with hot dishes, the product will not lose its aesthetics;
• easy maintenance - it is easy to remove all kinds of dirt from the steel surface using any detergent and cleaning agent at hand.

Metal sinks have some disadvantages as well. Their main disadvantage is "noise". Budget models, made of thin metal and not having specialized sound-insulating layers, emit sounds when water flows from the tap and when in contact with dishes. Sometimes such noises can be heard even in neighboring apartments. During use, scratches and abrasions are formed on the surface of the products.

Aluminum, galvanized, iron sinks and stainless steel products are available in a wide range of models. Products are welded and stamped. The former have a connecting seam between the bowl and the plane of the bowl. The latter do not have welded joints. Models are:

• mortise - mounted in the plane of the surface;
• built-in - fixed at the level of the working surface of the countertop;
• overhead - installed in a separate cabinet with appropriate dimensions.

Kitchen sinks can have 1-2 bowls of the same or different sizes. There are models with three bowls. Thanks to the large selection, you can choose a model for any type and size of kitchen. Metal sinks have various configurations. Depending on the needs and personal preferences, you can choose a product of round, oval, square, rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

Sinks can be equipped with sides of different sizes, providing practicality and ease of use. On sale there are also models with "wings" - a horizontal surface, which is located on one or both sides of the sink.

There are a lot of models of metal sinks for the kitchen, which makes it sometimes difficult to make the right choice. The tips below will help you make a successful purchase.

1. Steel quality. High-quality products must contain at least 18% chromium and 10 nickel (designation 10/18). Objects made of such an alloy have good anti-corrosion properties, resistance to corrosion and resistance to high temperatures.
2. Metal thickness. The higher the number, the better.Products that are too thin (0.4 mm) emit loud sounds when water flows from the tap, and they are easily deformed under power loads (for example, if you put heavy dishes in a bowl). Good quality products should be at least 0.6 mm thick.
3. Bowl depth. The higher this indicator, the more convenient it will be to use the sink - it will be possible to soak a lot of dirty kitchen utensils in it. Average depth values ​​range from 15 to 18 cm.
4. Surface type. Sinks are smooth or textured. Matte products retain their external perfection longer during intensive use, and glossy products are considered less "capricious" in care. On a glossy surface, water droplets, streaks and various dirt will be strongly visible. Textured products are more practical in this regard.

Metal sinks are considered picky to clean. However, there are some rules, the observance of which will allow you to preserve the aesthetics of products for a long time. The sink should be washed after each use. If you neglect this advice, an oxide layer will form on the surface over time, due to which the product will lose its shine.

Once a week, the sink should be washed with specialized products designed for the care of metal objects. As a rule, these are various gels. It is undesirable to use cleaning agents that contain abrasive particles. Abrasives can cause scratches and abrasions. For the same reasons, it is worth abandoning the use of a metal sponge and a stiff brush.

If the sink is too dirty, pour water into it and add vinegar. In the "soaked" state, the sink should stand for at least 1-2 hours. After that, wash the surface with detergent.

For information on how to choose a sink for the kitchen, see the next video.