Ceramic kitchen sinks

GraceF125

Is there much difference in quality between different brands of white ceramic kitchen sinks? The prices seem to vary between £170 and £600. What issues might I encounter if I went for a cheap one over say a mid-range price of £250?

beedeedee

We had a ceramic sink, which after many years, seemed to become "porous" and absorbed stains. However, we suspect that someone (when the property was rented out), had used bleach and wire wool perhaps?
I would have another one, but be careful on its care. It was a Franke sink, if that helps?

GraceF125

Yes, Franke is one of the more expensive (better quality) brands. I was thinking about getting their taps on a cheaper sink.

Maybe the price differential is the quality of the ceramic finish and how long they're expected to last?

(I meant to add it's for an inset bowl or 1.5 bowl with drainer style sink, not a butler's sink).

cranford

We have had a Carron Phoenix Summit 150 1.5 bowl granite polar white for about 8 years and its kept clean with Bar keepers friend from Robert Dyas.
Its made of a granite compound and can be found for about £260.
Other models and colours are available using the same compound.
I fitted it myself and its left or right interchangeable although you have to knock out the relevent tap hole which was a bit of a worry but no trouble.

shortcrust

I know this might be stating the obvious but a 600 quid sink isn’t necessarily any better quality than a 150 one. Don’t assume you’re getting less by paying less.

I hate my ceramic sink. It takes up too much space and I’m constantly smashing my stuff in it!

missile

We have just replaced a very expensive Blanco sink, because it was stained.

GraceF125

Cranford - Bar Keepers Friend is a favourite in my household too for cleaning stainless steel sinks.

Shortcrust - yeah, I realise that's one of the negatives, the unforgiving surface. Our kitchen is quite dark though, and I think the traditional look and reflective light of a white ceramic sink will help.

missile - do you know what stained it? Just wear and tear?

I'm veering slightly to paying a bit more for the sink now, rather than the cheapest available, in case it does help with a longer life against staining.

Grenage

Our ceramic sink gets some staining around the plug, likely due to the glaze having hairline cracks.

I simply fill it with water and add a little bleach every month or so.

cranford

Pouring tea from the pot into the sink is good way of staining it. We use a plastic funnel so that it just goes down the hole.

nofoollikeold

We have had a Blanco white ceramic sink for about 6 years. Still looks good, although it has a few small chips where crockery / cutlery have been dropped.
Pros: Looks good, easy to clean.
Cons: Draining board is slippery and glasses tend to slide on it, can't fit a waste disposal unit because of vibration.

missile

GraceF125 wrote: »

..
missile - do you know what stained it? Just wear and tear?
....

Only normal use. We were very disappointed. Tried everything to clean it, including bleach bar keepers friend Mr Muscle et al. We complained to the kitchen supplier they contacted manufacturer. The rep came and he couldn't remove the stain. We got a free replacement and chose anthracite which we hope will not stain.

We suspect our sink may have been defective as the stain was restricted to one localised area.