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Original poster

Ceramic sink vs stainless steel?

29 replies

bluekitcheny · 02/05/2021 13:01

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

OP posts:
Temp023 · 02/05/2021 13:09

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

Temp023 · 02/05/2021 13:10

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

Original poster
bluekitcheny · 02/05/2021 13:11

@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?!
OP posts:

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Home improvement
Mydogisagentleman · 02/05/2021 14:11

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

TeaAndStrumpets · 02/05/2021 14:31

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.

Cosmosgrowinmygarden · 02/05/2021 14:38

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.

JimBobNoJob · 02/05/2021 17:24

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.

Original poster
bluekitcheny · 02/05/2021 17:40

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?

OP posts:
impostersyndrome · 02/05/2021 17:57

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.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 02/05/2021 18:01

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.

fitflopqueen · 02/05/2021 18:10

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

OwlBasket · 02/05/2021 18:16

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.

OwlBasket · 02/05/2021 18:18

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

Sosigsandwich · 02/05/2021 18:24

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

Original poster
bluekitcheny · 02/05/2021 18:39

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.

OP posts:
JFCO · 02/05/2021 18:44

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.

StubbleMeansTrouble · 02/05/2021 18:46

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.

MarmaladeToastAndAMarmaladeCat · 02/05/2021 19:05

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

StubbleMeansTrouble · 02/05/2021 20:02

Haha! So glad it's not just me 💐

Original poster
bluekitcheny · 02/05/2021 20:34

@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
OP posts:
Original poster
bluekitcheny · 02/05/2021 20:35

@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?
OP posts:
StubbleMeansTrouble · 02/05/2021 20:49

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.

StubbleMeansTrouble · 02/05/2021 20:50

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

fitflopqueen · 02/05/2021 20:52

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.

ParoxetineQueen · 02/05/2021 20:55

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.