Kitchen Sink Buyers Guide

There’s no way one would venture into an enterprise they know nothing about. It’s just like towing a dark path without a guide. Hence, people like to get enlightened about whatever business venture they want to enter. That’s why you need a guide to direct you when buying kitchen sinks.

There are many pitfalls you would want to avoid when venturing into a business like this.  I’m very sure you don’t want to lose your hard earned money to fraudulent suppliers. Thus, a buyer’s guide is important for wholesalers that order kitchen sinks in large quantities.

Moreover, you may want to have an idea of everything that concerns kitchen sinks to help you avoid scammers. Also, you should know tricks on how to find a reliable supplier to enable you to buy the best products. All these and more, we provide in this write-up.

This article also points out how to check the quality of the products as a distributor or wholesaler.  However, we would also touch on different types of kitchen sink, including things you should consider when buying them. Let’s get down to it.  

Classifications of kitchen Sinks

Choosing a suitable kitchen sink to deal on has been a challenge for most distributors. This is because there is a wide range of options to choose from.

Let us shed light on some of the kitchen sinks available in the market. The classification of kitchen sinks includes

Based on Installation method

 Farmhouse style sink

Also termed Apron sink because it juts out over the edge of your counter. Made either from fireclay or cast iron, this sink is durable and easy to clean. It has a deep basin which makes it suitable for a large family with lots of dishes.

Undermount sink

This sink works with most kitchen layouts. Placed under the counter, this sink assures an unbroken flow from the counter to the sink. The unique setup of this sink makes cleaning the kitchen sink easy to manage.

Drop in/ Top Mount Sink

Drop-In, also called Inset Sinks or Top Mount Sinks, is a popular sink installation style. The unique feature of this sink is the way its edges curve outwards to form a rim. This rim then sits on the counter on the installation of the sink.

Based on Bowl Configuration:

Single Basin

Looking for a sink with one large space with no dividers? A single basin workstation is for you. With this large basin, you could use large pots and pans without stress.

Double Basin

This comes with two basins. The basins could be equal or unequal. Most people like the double basin sink because of its efficiency in doing dishes.

Triple Bowl  

Mostly found in commercial kitchen, tis sink comes with three bowls. You could use them to share tasks in the kitchen. The bowls on the edge serve as washing basins while the center one could be for prep purposes.

Based on Material used in Manufacturing:

Fireclay sink

Made from clay and glaze fused at very high temperatures. The glaze improves the shine of this kitchenware. The fusion of the clay and glaze happens at a temperature above 1600⁰F. This sink does not chip, etch or stain and is durable.

Cast iron sink

Fireclay sinks become shiny through the process of glazing. Cast iron sinks get their glossy finish when sprayed with a porcelain coating. Cast iron sinks are hard and can chip your dishware. It is not advisable to use abrasive cleaners on these sinks as they wear down the coating.

Copper sink

Copper sinks made with 99% copper and 1% zinc may range between 14 and 18 gauge. This is the best form of copper sink although it is quite expensive. It is perfect as an under-mount or drop in style and comes strong anti-microbial features.

Granite Composite Sink

Composite sinks are those with a blend of a natural component and a resin. In this combination, the mineral content always tends to have the higher concentration. The natural component might be quartz, granite or the two.

Hence, you can’t say quartz or granite sink because it wasn’t from the mineral only.  The term given to the finished product in sink form would depend on the manufacturer. Also the percentage composition of the single components play a part in the term.

Granite composite sink is an engineered combination. It contains crushed quartz, stone dust, and acrylic resins. The result of this blend is high durability, easy to maintain, stone-like material.

Granite composite sink is lighter than its counterpart solid granite sink. It contains 80% quartz sand and 20% acrylic, but most contain over 70% quartz sand. The acrylic helps bind the engineered components of this sink. Making the granite composite sink a homogenous piece.

Types of Granite Composite Sink

Granite composite sink is both functional as well as aesthetic. Being a unique piece of kitchenware, granite composite sinks come in different styles.

It is malleable and can come in the form of any of the sinks mentioned above. Are you a fan of a single bowl, double bowl, or under-mount sink? You can craft your granite composite sink into any sink shape that suits your taste.

Stainless Steel Sink

Stainless steel has been the first-choice sink in most homes for a very long time. It is the most popular form of the kitchen sink. Let us explain some terms you need to know before going out to get a stainless steel sink.

Stainless Steel Sink Gauge

The term gauge as regards steel refers to how thick the steel is. The gauge for stainless steel ranges from 16 to 22. The lowest gauge has the thickest steel. This means that 16-gauge steel is thicker than 22-gauge steel.

Stainless Steel Sink Grade

Unlike steel gauge, with steel grade, the higher the grade number, the higher the steel quality. The level of steel shows the percentage of chromium and nickel present in the steel. The 304 stainless steel is the highest grade of this sink material. 18/10 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

Stainless Steel Sink Series

The stainless steel series goes in tandem with steel grade. The best series of stainless steel are the 300 series. Although the most widely used is the 304 18/8 grade stainless steel.

Types of Stainless Steel Sink

·  Drawn: Here, heated steel is in a mold and shaped to form a sink. It is the most used sink in American homes. Due to its production technique, it has a high diversity and can take on different shapes.

·  Handmade: Sinks made through this process are of better quality. The quality is due to the uniformity of thickness throughout the sink. It involves cutting a steel sheet with hands. And then folding and fusing the corners by welding them to form the sink walls. 

Solid Surface Sinks 

The surface might look solid, but this sink material is most trendy after Quartz. It is a mid-level component that has found its way into the heart of customers due to its sleek nature. At least, you can give it a new look surface by using only an orbital sander.

However, it doesn’t have the depth of natural stone but is non-porous and sturdy. The main components of the solid surface material are acrylic and polyester resin. It also has bauxite, epoxy, and marble dust.

The above classification presents the categories of sinks a buyer can decide to order. It also highlights some of the materials used for making them. Yet, the most sought after sinks in the market include Granite composite sinks, solid surface, and stainless steel sinks.

But how do you pick the type of sink you’ll buy?

Let’s look at things you may want to have in mind before going into the kitchen sink distributing business.

Other Types of Kitchen Sink

Bar Sink

Also known as prep or island sink, bar sinks are smaller and shallower bowls in the kitchen. They could be round or square in shape. It mostly comes in a copper or stainless steel material.

Corner sink

This is a sink placed at a 90⁰ angle from each other. Placing this sink at a corner of the counter ensures you make the most use of available space.

Ledge Sink

These are also called workstation sinks. It comes with a ledge, built in to provide room for accessories like colander, cutting boards and drain mats.

Drain board Sink

This type is one with an in-built drain-board. There are a variety of designs available for this style of kitchen sink. Thus, drop-In single basins, double basin, and triple basin sinks. They come with ridges or grooves. This feature is what differentiates them from other sinks.

Things to Consider When Buying Kitchen Sinks

Before placing a kitchen sink order, try and consider a few things. It’s best to have some factors in mind to help you stay on the right track. No one wants to make a wrong order or buy what is not marketable. Ordering forms and type that appeal to customers is the first step to making good sales.

So what are the factors to consider?

Design

Everyone would love to know the best design of kitchen sink to buy, isn’t it?

So run with me.

People have different choices of things and rightly so when it comes to kitchen sinks. Despite the numerous design options out there in the market, some layouts are prevalent.

Hence, your focus as a distributor should be basically, the design that moves the market. For instance a square sink sells faster than a round or oval sink.

Size or Style

Size has to do with manufacturing because the bigger the order and mold size the more money you pay. So you should consider your client base before placing the order. Also, consider the style you bring into the market.

Here’s the deal.

You either go for a minimalist appearance or a traditional appeal. These two are the most sought after in the sink market today. Hence, you could do yourself a whole world of good by getting what your end users would like.

Material

This is hands down the most important factors to consider when buying kitchen sinks. The material of the sink determines the features and properties of the sink. Hence, you should try to go for sinks that have quality materials and excellent characteristics.

Ring a bell?

There are numerous sink materials as listed above in this article. But which is the best out of the lot? Granite composite and stainless steel sinks are the two most sought-after kitchen sink materials. That says it all, so you can always make the right choice.

Dimensions 

The biggest worry of a sink buyer is the varying dimensions. Getting a sink with the exact specifications has become an almost impossible task. The acceptable difference in dimension is less than or equal to 1/32”

Type of Material

You should also consider the type of material used in making a sink. Ensure it is always the best grade of each material to enhance durability of the sink. For granite composite sinks, the best is the 80% quartz-and-20% acrylic grade.

For stainless steel, although the most widely used is the 304 18/8 grade stainless steel. There’s also the 316, called the surgical grade that has an 18/10 ratio of Chromium to Nickel. For Copper sinks, those made with 99% copper and 1% zinc and range between 14 and 18 gauge are the best.

Getting a Reliable Supplier

There are many fraudulent agents who pose as kitchen sink suppliers. So you should be mindful of the factory or manufacturer you order from. Try and find a trustworthy supplier where you can always buy from without fear.

We know this might sound alien to first time distributors. Thus we have a guide on how to find a reliable supplier.

How to Find a Trustworthy Supplier

Nothing increases a business like associating with the right supplier. So, try and weigh your available options before choosing a supplier for the sinks.

·  Check out the history and review of clients. Once many brands/clients test and trust their services, place an order from the client.

·  Check the location of the supplier as it says a lot about them. For instance, in China, different areas specialize in various products. Guangdong province has all the wares you need. But you may want to check out other places.

·  Check out the design and surface finish to find out the quality. You may also visit the factory if you can or send some sample chips if you can’t. You may also ask for help from a third party that is around the factory to confirm. 

How to Check Quality of Kitchen Sinks

Importing low-grade materials of granite sinks may be detrimental to your business. Hence, always ensure you confirm the materials used in the production of the sink.

There’s no way you can compare a sink made with quartz sand or acrylic to one made with ceramic. Moreover, since the sink is the heart of the kitchen, try and get food grade quality.

Some components react with hot food or cooking ingredients. So, you should avoid any product that hasn’t passed the granite certification tests.  You may also carry out the test yourself to ensure the standard of the material.

For the first test, which is the hardness test, you can use a coin. Scrape the sink surface with the coin and then clean it with a moist fabric. Check if the scratches are still on the sink after cleaning.  

If there are no scratches, then you have yourself a quality sink. But if you see the dents, it means it failed the test.

Secondly, there is a heat-resistant test. The normal heat-resistance range of a granite sink is 200^oC. Hence, we test this claim by subjecting the granite sink to a hot water/ hot pot test.

Summary

Kitchen sinks are among the first things on the list of kitchen installations. It helps to keep our meals healthy which is why you should be careful when buying them. Both for distributors and end-users, a guide is essential to make a good buy.

A guide like this one will help to point you in the right direction on things to do and the ones to avoid. Just like sinks are central to every kitchen, a buyer’s guide is important to all end-users and distributors.