In the UK, a “sink” typically refers to the kitchen sink, which comes in various materials, shapes, and sizes. At Stainless Hub, we prefer stainless steel sinks, though we also offer a selection of composite sinks to give our customers a coloured alternative. Our collection is divided into domestic sinks for home use and commercial models for businesses.
Sinks serve various purposes in a commercial environment. They may be designed for janitorial tasks, making it easy to fill buckets, or for catering kitchens that require heavy usage. Additionally, laboratory sinks need to withstand chemicals. These sinks come in many shapes, sizes, and grades of stainless steel. Since they are typically purchased based on price, they are often not finished to the high polish standard of sinks sold for domestic use.
The domestic sink is arguably the most used appliance in the kitchen, despite its workload being vastly reduced by the introduction of the dishwasher in the UK in the 1920s. It is a centrepiece, and when deciding which model to buy for a kitchen, it is important to consider how it will be used.
One of our sink suppling manufacturers is a business called Pland Stainless based in Leeds in West Yorkshire. They were the first company in the UK to manufacture a stainless steel sink for a domestic kitchen, having produced commercial sinks for many years, and they still make them in the same factory today and have done so for over 100 years. They are a key supplier to Stainless Hub and produce over half of the kitchen sinks that we sell.
Today, the domestic sink serves as a multifunctional workstation for food preparation, often featuring various additions like removable drainers and chopping boards. The first decision to make is whether you want the sink to be ‘Sit-On’ the sink base unit or ‘Inset’ into the worktop. A popular modern trend is the ‘Undermounted’ sink, which is mounted beneath the solid worktop, creating a seamless flow across the kitchen counter.
When deciding on your kitchen sink, consider how many bowls and drainers you want or whether you want a drainer at all. If you do want a drainer, what side of the bowl do you want it on? Left-handed or right-handed? You might prefer to use the second bowl as a drainer instead. And think about what size and depth of bowl you require, what will this sink be used for. Ultimately, your choice may depend on the space available in your kitchen design and your budget, as prices for these options can vary significantly.
Whatever model you choose, most designs are available in stainless steel. This durable material is fully recyclable at the end of its life, making it the most sustainable choice for a kitchen sink.
