Planning a new kitchen - sink recommendations please.

[GrumpyMuleFan]

Hot on the heels of the Property regrets thread. .. which got me thinking about our kitchen project and what are the pros / cons of different types of sink.

At the moment we have a ceramic one and I hate it. It is always stained and takes ages to clean. Just about everything makes it look grubby - anything dark, tomato-ey, coffee grains, tea leaves etc. I try hard to aim for the drain, but there's always a few bits I end up chasing. Coloured liquids have to be rinsed immediately, which is a pain to do and my kids are deaf to my requests.

So, what's the best alternatives? Please tell me all about your sink experiences. Also spray gun tap and grinders. Are they worth the ££? I was thinking of stainless steel, that it would be v practical. I am not mad keen on how it looks, but practical is top consideration this time.

I have one of those granite/resin ones !
I didn't want stainless steel and everyone told me ceramic chips .
But the one I have , though it is huge is a 'mare to clean
It is champagne colour and it;s been working away for 15 years . I have to clean with Elbow Grease paste and a scrubby brush as anything abrasive would damage it .
Things like tea /tea bags/tomato sauce /pasta sauce will stain it .

If you have an inset/ built under sink with drainer grooves, the sink itself is much less noticeable.

I have a 1.5 bowl stainless steel sink with drainer… MN would be horrified that it’s a bit average but it’s very practical and I love it after struggling with a tiny kitchen and rubbish sink previously!

We have a ceramic butler sink, doesnt get stained.

Butler sink here, love how you can put a big roasting tin in flat to soak. No issue with staining here.

Lusso has a chef sink that is all I’ve ever wanted in a sink. Sadly It won’t fit in my tiny kitchen…

Same

We have stainless steel. Huge bowl with attached drainer. Easy to keep clean. I can chuck bleach in occasionally to get rid of tea stains round the plug gole which build up every 3 months or so
Cheap, tough and I actually like the look. It does show water marks if living in a hard water area, butbl will take chemicals. Still I think it's the best option..

Definitely stainless steel - practicality beats beauty in a kitchen. Same reason I would not get an undermounted sink: the underlip of the worktop is a dirt trap. Which might not be an issue for someone else, but I am slack at housekeeping and don't want to add a job.

I want a Japanese-style kitchen sink. IME a larger sink is always better. We currently have a double sink, which means you can separate jobs like stacking dirty dishes/prepping veg/washing hands etc, but washing large objects is still tricky.

I like waste disposal units, but they have to be properly installed. My parents' one is rock solid, runs quietly and never blocks. The one I had vibrated massively so was very noisy, and was connected to long pipe runs so it blocked from time to time if you put too much through too quickly. We got rid of it when the council brought in food waste disposal.

Double butler sink and I love it. I’ve never found it gets stained. We have one of those hoses which is good for keeping it clean (I’d like this whatever sink I had- can’t stand sink scuzz).

@GrumpyMuleFan Can I ask what brand your ceramic sink is, please? I am just about to buy an Ikea ceramic sink for my utility, but now thinking I shouldn’t if it stains!

Stainless Steel, but avoid the cheapo ones they can dent easily.

My Franke (huge) stainless steel sink is 18 years old, has a couple of tiny scratches but looks as good as new. Easy to clean, fits the biggest of my pans and trays and when we have the kitchen redone we are thinking of keeping it!

Thank you everyone for all the input. I am going to investigate a Franke sink as really wants something that lasts. I am intrigued as to how so many of you keep your ceramic butler sinks from staining. Ours was new 8 years ago and it is as if the outer layer is porus. I wonder if DH cleaned it with a scouring pad or something.... He's not a great cleaner and his use of scouring pads drives me up the wall as he keeps using on our pans too. Also cleaning tops with tea towels - but that's a whole different subject. 😅

@Polaopposite I am not sure what make it was and away this week, but will double check when home. It def wasn't IKEA as it came via our plumber with other white goods. As per above, I wonder if we damaged the surface. Good luck with your kitchen plans!

@MH0084 Thank you for the Lusso tip. I hand't come across them before, but wow, they look just gorgeous. I couldn't see the Chef sink, but loved this one. Have you bought any of their products?
https://www.lussostone.com/kitchen-c213/kitchen-sinks-c216/cullinan-brushed-stainless-undermount-workstation-sink-830mm-p6162

@CatsWee I think I will def get a hose!

@Aparecium That's a good tip about fitting of waste disposal. I would love one that is fairly quiet as hate too much white noise. I hadn't heard of Japanese sinks, but off to look. 🙏

I have a double white corian sink with a stainless steel bottom, also a waste disposal unit. If I ever move/ change kitchen I will have the same again. Easy to clean, practical and looks fabulous

My waste disposal is almost silent, wouldn’t be without it

Also looking for a sink. Small kitchen. No dishwasher (hate them). Love butler/Belfast sinks BUT they don't come with drainers and I haven't got room for a double.

Want white ceramic. Will I regret it?

I have a blanco one, similar to link below. 2.5 years in and still like new. Loved the look of it and delighted with how it has kept its look.
https://www.tradingdepot.co.uk/blanco-metra-8-s-silgranit-kitchen-sink-anthracite-513071

@littlemissprosseco I like the sound of your near silent waste disposal. Do you know what make / model it is?

@TheAmusedQuail I'm not very keen on the dishwasher either... We have one but I find it just as easy / quick to hand wash or rinse. I think the ceramic sink is all down to how you look after them. I have a non-compliant husband.

It’s an InSinkErator.

I agree @GrumpyMuleFan. Have had dishwashers before but I don't mind washing up. It's quicker. Does mean I need a drainer though and my kitchen fitter thinks a separate drainer causes water leakage.