When you get a new house or remodel a kitchen, it is not easy to decide which sink type to install. Most kitchens had double bowl sinks in the past, but today, more and more people choose single bowl sinks for their kitchens.
The primary purpose of double bowl kitchen sinks is to make washing your dishes easier. Traditionally one bowl was used to wash dishes in soapy water and the other bowl to rinse them with clean water.
Since most people have a dishwasher nowadays, they don’t use the sink to wash dishes as often as before. But even if you use the dishwasher all the time, you still need a sink to spot clean some dishes and wash large items.
The builder of our new house gave us the option of a single or double bowl kitchen sink, we went over the pros and cons below and ended up choosing the double bowl option. I thought going over these pros and cons helped us decide and it may help you as well.
Take a look at the list and choose the sink type that suits your needs and lifestyle.
Pros and Cons of Single Bowl Sink
Single bowl sinks are becoming more and more popular, especially for those who frequently use a dishwasher. These sinks have one washing basin with no dividers.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on the material, manufacturer, and quality, their price is not necessarily lower than a double bowl sink.
If you are one of those homeowners who want to follow modern trends and install a single bowl kitchen sink, here is what you need to know.
Single bowl kitchen sinks have the following advantages:
➕ They Occupy Less Space
Single bowl sinks are smaller in size, so you will be able to install them even in the smallest kitchen. Because they are smaller, you’ll have more countertop areas for food preparation and storage.
Additionally, these sinks also give you more space underneath the sink because they require less piping. If size is an issue in your kitchen, a single bowl sink may be the way to go.
➕ The Washing Basin is Larger
Single bowl sinks are typically deeper (9″ or 10″) and large enough that you can wash almost any pot or pan. This is especially important when you are having guests for dinner, and you are cooking for a lot of people. Additionally, because the sink is larger, you can use it to stash dirty pots or pans while cooking.
➕ Cleaning the Sink is Faster
When you are cleaning your kitchen, it will be easier to clean one large sink than two small ones because you have fewer surfaces and corners. This is also important in small kitchens where you don’t have a lot of maneuvering area.
Single-bowl sinks can be great, but they also have some disadvantages.
➖ No One Can Help You Wash the Dishes
Many of you probably remember how you washed the dishes when you were younger while another family member was rinsing them. If your kitchen is busy and you like to share responsibilities, a single bowl sink will not help. When you are washing the dishes, others can’t wash their hands, pour a glass of water, or anything similar.
➖ Garbage Disposal is Not as Accessible
If you have a garbage disposal, you won’t be able to use it when the sink is full of dirty dishes. For those who have a double bowl sink, this is not much of an issue.
➖ Manual Dishwashing Will Take Longer
Washing your dishes in a single bowl kitchen sink will take a bit longer because all of your dishes will be in the same place. You can fix this by installing a dishwasher. However, if you don’t plan to have one, maybe a single bowl sink is not the best option.
Pros and Cons of Double Bowl Sinks
Double bowl sinks have two washing basins incorporated into the same unit. Usually, there is a divider between the two. In the past, both of these sinks were the same size to help with washing and rinsing your dishes. Today, you can choose among different sizes, where one of the sinks can be smaller, shallower, or deeper.
Most homeowners have dishwashers, so the double sinks lost their purpose. However, some people still like them. They can come in handy if you eat alone and do not use a lot of dishes. Sometimes you can save water and electricity if you can wash everything by hand, so a double sink will make it easier.
Although their popularity is decreasing, double bowl sinks have certain advantages that make them superior.
➕ Washing Your Dishes Manually is Easier and Faster
Washing your dishes in one sink and rinsing in the other will make the washing process efficient. You can also divide the work and do it together with someone else.
➕ The Second Bowl is Multifunctional
When one bowl is full of dirty dishes, the other bowl can be used to access the garbage disposal. You can also use it to wash vegetables in it, or cover it with a board that usually comes with it to increase the working area. Some of these bowls have racks to hold your dishes while it is drying.
➕ Dish Separation Possibility
No one wants to put delicate and expensive wine glasses in the same sink with a heavy, greasy, old frying pan after a fancy dinner. By having two sinks, you can separate dishes if you want to do so.
These are some of the disadvantages of double bowl kitchen sinks:
➖ They Occupy More Space
Double sinks are usually slightly larger and occupy more space, both on top of the countertop and underneath it. Sink base cabinets have more piping to accommodate the double sinks and won’t be too useful for storage. This could be a problem in a smaller kitchen.
➖ They Are Harder to Clean
Cleaning a double sink will take more time than cleaning a single bowl one. This may not seem like a big problem, but when it comes to cleaning the cabinet underneath or when the sink clogs, double bowl sinks will be harder to manage.
➖ Washing Large Dishes is Harder
Although these sinks take up more space, their washing basins are smaller. You can make a mess when you try to wash larger pots. The only way to overcome this problem is to install a huge double sink, but your kitchen has to be big for that.
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