Ceramic sink vs stainless steel?

[bluekitcheny]

Having a kitchen makeover. We'll be changing the doors to a dark blue colour and everywhere I've always seen a white ceramic sink which does look good. However, my current sink is white and plastic - I'm sure there's a proper term for the actual material but don't know it! It it the bane of my life - it gets dirty really quickly and I have to bleach every few days which I don't want to. It triggers my asthma. I want a stainless steel one which I can just throw anything into and keep it looking clean easily.

Am I mad to go for a ceramic one when I cook alot. I have kids whom no matter how much I tell them not to throw things in the sink, still do!

Also one more thing. Was thinking of brass door handles. Will it look really stupid with a stainless sink and tap?! TIA

Stainless steel is called “stainless” for a reason OP, I would not consider anything else.

But the bronze will probably then be an issue, sorry!

@Temp023

Stainless steel is called “stainless” for a reason OP, I would not consider anything else.

Ha! Yes it is! But will it look ok with brass hardware?!

My parents are in the middle of a small claim for their ceramic sink.
It’s just over a year old and has lots of little haiirline cracks around the plug.
Apparently you shouldn’t drain your veg into it

I've got a stainless sink and it does get stained, particularly from tea. It has a satin/matt finish which doesn't help, and even the drainer never looks totally clean. We live in a hard water area. I am planning on a belfast sink next time.

We’ve had a white ceramic sink for seven years, it’s still immaculate. I never use bleach as I am allergic to it. Barkeepers Friend once or twice a week takes care of any marks.

I have a ceramic sink in kitchen and stainless steel in utility.

Hate the stainless steel, it always looks dull and almost grubby no matter how many times I clean and polish it. Really shows water mark up as well.

Ceramic one I’ve had about 12 + Years I still love it. Easy to clean and no water marks. There are some very minor scratches on it and a couple of black marks (which I think were caused by metal scourer) but if you look after it then will look good for years.

Will all my glasses and mugs smash to smithereens! That's the thing I'm most worried about. I also have lots of big posts that I'm worried will scratch the surface as I'm washing them?

Stainless steel for sure, if you use your kitchen a lot. Otherwise you’ll be constantly worrying about breaking dishes. Match it with stainless steel taps, and appliances, and then the look of your cupboards should really not bother you.

If you have kids who can't be gentle with their dishes, then definitely go for stainless steel. My parents have a ceramic sink and things smash really easily.

We had a white double cast iron sink by Kohler installed 22 years ago, it still looks great. This one looks very very similar.
www.inderkitchen.co.uk/kohler-deerfield-cast-iron-undermount-kitchen-sink-with-smart-divide---5838-3742-p.asp

I have stainless steel, it does stain and get dull/darken slightly with use. Every stainless steel sink I’ve ever seen has been the same TBH. A quick scrub over with (own brand) Cif and it perks right up, is the tinyest faff, much better than plastic. Ceramic is stunning but too demanding for me.

Yy to double sink. Even if the second one is teeny it’s still a massive boon.

Ceramic looks SO much nicer, I always think stainless steel looks cheap.

Hmm. I think I'm going to have to choose an easier life and go with stainless steel even though I think ceramic looks gorgeous. I'll have to just have to change my cupboard handles to brushed nickel or something to keep it matching with the sink.

Have you thought of composite sinks? I have 80% quartz 20% silicon sink and am very happy. Previously had stainless steel one and hated it, as it never looked nice and clean.

We got rid of stainless steel and got ceramic. Best thing ever. Got a fab washing bowl from Joseph Joseph with a removable plug. They both still make me happy every time I look at them.

@StubbleMeansTrouble are we the same person? I was going to say the exact same thing, even down to the Joseph and Joseph washing up bowl!

Haha! So glad it's not just me 💐

@JFCO

Have you thought of composite sinks? I have 80% quartz 20% silicon sink and am very happy. Previously had stainless steel one and hated it, as it never looked nice and clean.

I may have a composite one now - it's white and I absolutely hate it. It needs a soak in bleach almost everyday which I don't do - it gets grubby looking very very quickly and has slightly chipped away as we use it very heavily. It stains really easily with things like curries etc which is most days! I never want to see one like it ever again! I'm going to be boring and have a stainless steel one

@StubbleMeansTrouble

We got rid of stainless steel and got ceramic. Best thing ever. Got a fab washing bowl from Joseph Joseph with a removable plug. They both still make me happy every time I look at them.

But didn't all your glasses smash?! Apart from looks what was the reason you loved it so much over the stainless steel one?

Nothing has smashed yet, not a thing.. And it just looks so much nicer.. Is easier to clean.. It lifts the whole kitchen.. And the JJ bowl is a thing of beauty too.

It's classy somehow. Can't explain. And it wasn't expensive either.

Nothing gets smashed in our sink either, mind you also use a washing up bowl on one side. Easy to clean with Astonish, use that for the range cooker too.

Had my ceramic sink for 20+ years now, no problems with glasses and use a bit of Vanish oxy washing additive ( the stuff you put in the washing machine to get rid of stains) overnight to remove tea and coffee stains.