Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink: a Buyer's Guide

Stainless steel kitchen sinks have a reputation for several things, yet some of these things are unfounded. What's the popular conception?

• Cheap
• Will Never Stain
• Low- to Middle-End
• Scratches will polish right out

In truth, the stainless steel kitchen sink is different from this popular conception.

Stainless steel sinks are no longer the cheapest kitchen sink around. Polymer-based or fiberglass sinks are far cheaper. Contrary to its name, stainless steel will, in fact, stain. A good rule of thumb about stainless steel: it's not really "stainless"; it just "stains less." The bright side is that the stains in stainless steel are easily scrubbed out.

Is stainless steel low-end? Hardly; and you'll see this reflected in the prices in our shopper's guide.

What about scratches? Deep scratches may never "rub out."

Grade numbers in our guide (18 gauge, 22 gauge, etc.) refer to the thickness of the steel. Lower numbers mean thicker steel.

Self-rimming sinks drop in from the top. Undermount sinks attach from the bottom. Shop Direct - Elkay Lustertone 32x32 18 Gauge Stainless Steel