Single or Double Bowl Sink Benches: Which is Best For Your Kitchen?

Stainless steel sinks are a staple of any kitchen, serving as a central hub for washing hands, preparing food, and cleaning dishes. Whether you live in a large house with a big family, or alone in a one-bedroom apartment — whether you mostly cook for yourself, or you frequently entertain guests - the humble stainless steel sink is there to aid you with all your cooking and cleaning. There’s almost a touching commonality to it. Given their ubiquitous importance, there’s little wonder that many of today’s kitchen sinks are designed to optimise functionality while maintaining a classic, sleek aesthetic.

At Stainless Express, we offer an extensive selection of top-quality stainless steel benches with sinks, including single sink benches and double sink benches. Read on to find out which is the right choice for you.

The Different Grades of Stainless Steel

When searching for the best kitchen sink for your home, it’s important to consider the different grades of stainless steel. Stainless steel grades invariably fall into two categories: 304 & 316.

Grade 304 vs Grade 316

16 Gauge vs. 18 Gauge: Which is the Right Thickness For You?

Consider the following aspects when choosing a gauge that accommodates your needs:

16-Gauge

• Thickness: Typically around 0.0625 inches thick, the 16-gauge offers a heavier and more robust construction, ideal for handling the wear and tear of a busy kitchen.

• Corrosion Resistance: The 16-Gauge generally offers slightly better corrosion resistance due to its thickness, which can help protect against the elements over time, particularly in harsher environments.

• Joint Strength: Made with thicker material, the 16-gauge allows for stronger welds and joints, which can contribute to the overall sturdiness and longevity of the sink.

18-Gauge

• Thickness: Around 0.05 inches thick, the 18-gauge is slightly thinner than 16-gauge, making it less heavy-duty but still durable and perfectly suitable for regular household use.

• Corrosion Resistance: The 18-Gauge provides good corrosion resistance, suitable for normal kitchen activities, although it may not perform as well as 16-gauge in very corrosive environments.

• Joint Strength: Though it’s adequate for standard joints and welds, the thinner material of the 18-gauge may not support as strong a joint as the 16-gauge.

Benefits of High Quality Stainless Steel sinks

• Durability: High-quality stainless steel sinks are designed to last. They are built to resist dents, scratches, and most any other type of damage that might incur in even the busiest of kitchens. This robust construction ensures that you won’t need to replace your sink in a hurry, making a stainless steel kitchen sink an excellent investment for any home.

• No Stains or Buildup: A key feature of a high-quality stainless steel is the ability to resist stains, acids, and oxide accumulation. The surface remains free from persistent stains or discoloration, even in the face of coffee, tomato sauce or red wine. Spills and splashes can be effortlessly wiped away, ensuring that your sink maintains a clean and glossy appearance for many years.

• Easy Maintenance: Cleaning up is a breeze with high-quality stainless steel sinks, especially after a busy day in the kitchen. The smooth surface allows for easy wiping and rinsing, while the integrity of the stainless steel material prevents food and grime from leaving any permanent stain.

• Hygiene: Not only does stainless steel material make cleaning easier, but it also enhances the area’s overall hygiene. This is because stainless steel has a non-porous surface, which prevents bacteria, viruses, and other germs from being absorbed and allows for easy disinfection. Its resistance to corrosion and stains also ensures that it does not harbour contaminants, making it an ideal material for maintaining sanitation.

• Style: Stainless steel sinks effortlessly combine practicality with style, offering a sleek aesthetic that is at once timeless and modern, making it an ideal match for any and all surrounding designs.

• Perfect For Any Kitchen: Whether you're outfitting a new kitchen, or updating an old one, a high-quality stainless steel sink will match any room’s decor; and with a range of sizes, you’ll be sure to find something that fits the specific dimensions of your space.

Single & Double Sink Benches from Stainless Express

Stainless Express stocks both single and double sink benches. Each sink comes with a 150mm splashback, a 90-50mm European basket waste, adjustable feet, and a pipe undershelf. All of our stainless steel benches are crafted from Grade 304 which boasts high heat resistance, making them ideal for both domestic and commercial kitchen installations. They are the top hygienic option for canteens, commercial kitchens, restaurants, and cafes.

All of our sinks come in a range of sizes, which you can browse here:

• BenchTech Single Sink Bench

• BenchTech Single Sink Bench - Right Hand Bowl - 1200mm

• BenchTech Double Sink Benches - Right Hand Side - 2400mm

• BenchTech Double Sink Benches - Centre - 1800mm

Why a Stainless Express Sink Is Right For You

Stainless Express is globally acknowledged as a leading innovator and manufacturer of stainless steel products, commercial-grade plumbing fixtures, and architectural fittings. Our industry-leading product designs have now become standard features in stainless steel fixtures worldwide. You can browse Stainless Express single and double sinks here, or head over to the Stainless Express homepage to check out our other wide range of products. For all inquiries, get in touch with us here.

FAQs

Why Do People Prefer Single Bowl Sink Benches?

• Single Bowl Sinks Take Up Less Space
  

  In a nutshell, single bowl sink benches take up less countertop space. Opting for a single, larger bowl allows for a reduction in overall sink size, freeing up more counter and bench space.

• Single Bowl Sinks Can Be Better For Washing Up
  

  Single sink bowls are typically designed to be larger and/or deeper than doubles, making them an ideal solution for cleaning larger pots and pans. This is something you can do at your leisure with a sizable single sink that can conceal dirty pots and dishes, helping you maintain a tidier kitchen appearance by keeping dirty dishes out of sight.

Why Do People Prefer Double Bowl Sink Benches?

• Double Bowl Sinks Allow the Separation of Clean & Dirty Dishes
  Those who like to multitask in the kitchen often opt for double sink benches, as their setup allows them to use one bowl for washing, and the other for rinsing and drying clean dishes.

• Double Bowl Sinks Allow For a Longer Soak
  Many homes find it beneficial to soak dirty dishes in one sink filled with soapy water while using the second sink for washing hands, preparing food, and rinsing soap off the dishes once they are done soaking. This set-up ensures that you can take your time getting around to the dishes in the sink while still having a second sink free for unrestricted use.

• Double Bowl Sinks May Use Less Water
  Double bowl sinks typically feature one smaller bowl, which requires a smaller amount of water to fill.This can prove to be a more environmentally friendly option, for many homes conserving water while still effectively cleaning dishes.
  

Are Single or Double Basin Sinks Better?

Neither single nor double basin sinks are inherently better; the ideal choice depends on your budget, kitchen size, and routine household needs. Single sinks are great for smaller kitchens and less active cooking environments, whereas double sinks are preferable in larger, busier households, or simply in a kitchen that necessitates the extra sink space. Single and double sinks come in a range of lengths (900mm, 1200 mm, 1500 mm, 1800 mm & 2400mm), so measuring your counter space is a great first step to determining whether you’re leaning towards a single or a double.

Which Stainless Steel Grade is Better for Kitchen Sinks?

Grade 316 stainless steel, also known as "marine grade," is recognized for its superior quality and durability, particularly its resistance to chemical exposure. However, for a domestic sink, this level of resistance is generally unnecessary, given the infrequent use of harsh chemicals in home kitchens. Opting for a Grade 316 stainless steel sink would mean paying for a premium feature that you will, in all likelihood, not require. So while Grade 316 is empirically stronger than Grade 304, the practical choice for a domestic sink is inevitably Grade 304, which still offers strength and durability but at a more affordable price point. And it's also recommended that you avoid anything below Grade 304, as those lower grades simply do not offer the same quality and durability.

What is Stainless Steel Sink Gauge & Why Is It Important?

The stainless steel sink gauge refers to the thickness of the sheet metal used in the fabrication of the sink. The sink gauge is very important, as it impacts the sink’s durability, noise level, and resistance to denting. Typically, the lower the gauge number, the thicker and more durable the sink. The most commonly used gauges in kitchen sinks are 16 and 18; a 16-gauge sink is thicker and more robust, making it less prone to denting and offering better noise reduction when dishes are being washed. An18-gauge sink, while slightly thinner, provides a good balance of strength and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice for residential applications. Both gauges are highly favoured for their durability and practicality in everyday kitchen use.