Asked on Sep 01, 2014

Help choosing a farm sink

Carolinedavis
by Carolinedavis
I am installing soapstone counter tops and have bead board cabinet doors that will be painted. I would like a traditional white farmhouse sink (We live in a farm house after all!) but my husband is concerned about staining and scratches. He prefers stainless steel to match the appliances. The ss sink we are considering is 16 gauge, brushed finish and has excellent reviews. It is also half the price of the fireclay sink I want. The ss also includes the faucet, grid for the bottom of the sink and drain, which the fireclay does not. This is our forvever home and will be the last time we do the kitchen. I want to get it right! While price isn't the only factor, it certainly counts. My main concern with either type is scratching and maintenance. I use my kitchen a LOT and it has to be able to stand up to heavy use. Do you have a farm sink? If so, what kind? Do you have any regrets or would you do it differently next time? Thanks in advance for everyone's help!
Current view of sink cabinet
More of cabinets- these will be painted and DW updated to stainless
  13 answers
  • I would never own a SS sink again. I have never had a fireclay sink but I love my deep welled porcelain sink which is so easy to clean and if it does stain you whip out the comet, barkeepers friends, or a bit of bleach and she is clean and beautiful. Plus I found stainless to be noisier and harder to clean plus to me if you like the farmhouse look then a cast/porcelain sink is the farmhouse style (in my opinion LOL). If we ever move, I may just take my sink with me that is how much I love it. Scratches actually come out with a bit of comet. so take your time and make sure whatever you choose you will be happy.
  • Karin Van Steen Karin Van Steen on Sep 02, 2014
    I own a SS sink in my kitchen, but would rather have any kind of stone. Just think it is much more beautifull.
  • Gayle Gayle on Sep 02, 2014
    Maybe a compromise would be a SS farmhouse sink. I've seen them online at Lowes and Home Depot.
  • Nancy Wagner Nancy Wagner on Sep 03, 2014
    I have heard many say they would not have another SS sink. Not really sure why. I wouldn't think about having anything but SS. Easy to clean with Barkeepers Friend and just wipe out the water spots, which seem to be the most frequent reason. With all the new styles of deeper and different sizes I'm sure that your "forever" home couldn't go wrong with stainless steel.
  • Deb Draper Deb Draper on Sep 03, 2014
    Why would you paint these beautiful cabinettes? Wood shouldn't be covered in paint....
  • Denise Clemons Denise Clemons on Sep 03, 2014
    Though your cabinets are beautiful, I can certainly see why you might want to paint them to brighten the room. I, too, am wanting to switch from a ss double sink to a white "farm sink" with a single bowl. I had this under-mount ss sink installed during a remodel and all I can say is, Live and Learn.
    • Carolinedavis Carolinedavis on Sep 03, 2014
      @Denise Clemons and Deb Draper, Certainly painting to brighten the room it is very dark- but the main reason is that the cabinets were built in place, making them all wood and well made, but they were also finished in place. The finish was not done very well and there are many places with drips and runs. I'm not up to refinsihing them!
  • Neloh Neloh on Sep 03, 2014
    I have a Kohler farm house sink, cast iron with porcelain. Kohler recommend a wire grid to set on the bottom of my bisque colored sink. The sink has been great, easy to clean, etc. I suspect the grid has saved it a lot of wear and tear; however, the rubber feet on the grid has mildly discolored the sink, other than that ..it's been a beaut. I just bought one of Kohler's Smart Divide sinks (36") for a farmhouse I'm renovating and think I'm going to love it equally well! If you are up for the maintenance of the SS to keep up appearances the go for it. Think it becomes a matter of personal choice and economics. Who uses the sink mosts gets to pick it, I'd say;-) Either way, I'm sure you will love it!
  • Barbara Turner Barbara Turner on Sep 03, 2014
    Well, we had a white porcelain large and small 2 sided kitchen sink, not an apron sink, but that thing I HATED it! OMG! It was constantly getting chipped, had to constantly clean it and stained?! OMG! I love our stainless steel sink AND the faucet/spray nozzle I picked out!
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Sep 03, 2014
    I have had both and would never have another ss sink! The porcelain sink was much nicer and easy as pie to clean! If this is your "forever" home I think I would agree with Neloh and if you are the one who does most of the dishes, etc. then you should have your farmhouse sink!
  • Carolinedavis Carolinedavis on Sep 03, 2014
    @Neloh I certainly agree with the user should choose! After pinning him down a little more it turns out he was more concerned with the price (surprise!). I have convinced him that that "happy wife, happy life' definitely applies here and particularly since she is also the chef and chief bottle washer!!!! Thanks for your input!
  • Carolinedavis Carolinedavis on Sep 03, 2014
    Thanks everybody for your comments! At this point it is coming down to what I really want and I think I really want that classic white farm house sink! Hoping the grid will help with any scratches,etc.
  • Neloh Neloh on Sep 04, 2014
    The grid is a great protector, but it requires cleaning as well. I keep a dish brush next to my sink and it gets a good two-sided scrub when I clean the sink itself.! Enjoy your new sink!!
  • MaryAnn B MaryAnn B on Sep 04, 2014
    I purchased a mat for my sink, when it starts looking a little funky I just put it in the dishwasher. I feel that quality, quality, quality is the key to a sink lasting and not chipping.