Grade-304 is regarded as the best grade for stainless steel sinks. This grade means that the steel is an 18/8 stainless steel and made up of at least 50% iron. By understanding these properties of stainless steel, you'll be able to spot high-quality sinks from poorer ones.
THICKER GAUGES
A better quality stainless steel kitchen sink is the 18-gauge, which is 0.0500 inches. Many home improvement choices recommend 16 to 18 gauges as a good choice for a stainless steel kitchen sink. The more costly, a 16-gauge stainless sinks is often touted as a luxury sink and are 0.0625 inches thick.
The maximum gauge I would recommend for any stainless steel kitchen sink is 18 gauge. The best choice is of course 16 gauge, however either 16 or 18 gauge will provide the same top value in terms of cost, performance and overall satisfaction. Don't bother with higher gauges (20, 22, 24) which are significantly thinner.
The sinks made of thicker steels are highly durable. It is best to opt for 1.2mm or 1.5mm stainless steel sinks. They are resistant to dents and dings; thus, even if you accidentally drop the pointy edge of a knife into the stainless steel sink, you don't have to worry about the piercing in the metal sheet.
Stainless steel sinks in the 300 series are the most sought after as they have higher levels of chromium and nickel, the elements that add durability to stainless steel. 304 series stainless steel sinks are especially strong and corrosion-resistant.
Grade 18/8 (Series 304): Made up of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This grade is highly rust-resistant and is the best stainless steel grade for sinks. It's less expensive than Grade 18/10 but is still unlikely to rust.
18/10 stainless steel is more durable than 304 stainless steel, as it contains more chromium and nickel. This makes it better at resisting rust and corrosion. However, because of the higher amounts of these elements, 18/10 stainless steel is more susceptible to scratching than 304 stainless steel.
The higher the number, the thinner the material—so if you're looking for a strong, durable material for your project, 14-gauge stainless steel is usually your best bet. However, if you need a thinner material that still offers good corrosion resistance or weldability, then 16 gauge may be better suited for your needs.
So for instance, if you are looking at an 18 gauge vs. a 16 gauge, then the 16 gauge would be thicker (and therefore, more durable) than the 18 gauge. With an 18 gauge, you're looking at a thickness of 0.0478 inches whereas the 16 gauge comes in at 0.0598 inches.
Most stainless steel ordered around the world is Grade 304. It offers the standard corrosion resistance, formability, strength, and easy maintenance for which stainless is known. While 316 comes in second in terms of quantities sold, it offers vastly superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and acids.
I would HIGHLY recommend this sink! You will save a lot of money and it is superb quality. It is not cheaply made, very heavy and made from 16GA stainless. As good as ANY $1,000 sink.
MR Direct Sinks and Faucets
For example, most commercial kitchens will use 14 gauge thickness in their sinks, while a 20 gauge would be great for a wet-bar sink. Most kitchen sinks that are installed are either 18 or 16 gauge though, which is perfect for the size and durability needed in the average household kitchen.
The gauge, or thickness of the material, is an important number that plays a role in determining the quality of the sink. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the material, and thus the higher quality the material. You want to have a thick sink to ensure it is durable and long-lasting for all your kitchen needs.
Both top-mount and undermount models are available; undermount models ease cleanup because there is no lip to catch food and debris, but are usually more expensive. Stainless steel sinks also resist chipping and cracking, however, are likely to be scratched through everyday use and often show water spots.
The quality of 304 steel is better than the 201 grade. Some variants have a lot of tensile strength; others have a high melting point. Oxidation and corrosion resistance also vary in every stainless steel sink type. Generally, a rule of thumb is that the better the stainless steel is, the more it will cost.
Stainless steel sinks typically last 15 to 25 years and are most often replaced because of interior renovations or upgrades rather than degradation of the sink itself. In addition, Stainless steel requires only minimal maintenance, which is both economical and good for the environment and society.
Kitchen sink depth:
The standard depth is around 8 to 10 inches. Anything shallower than 8 inches will make it difficult for you to have enough space to wash dishes.
The standard or metric equivalent of a gauge value depends on the metal. For example, 18-gauge sheet metal would be 0.040 inches thick if made from aluminum and 0.048 inches thick if made from stainless steel.
KOHLER stainless steel sinks complement any kitchen and are incredibly rust- and stain-resistant. Our stainless steel is premium 18-gauge steel or better, preventing chipping and cracking.
This is the primary reason a lower gauge stainless steel is always the best for your needs. Premium gauges are lower in number because they are made to resist scratches and dents and to be capable of improved durability when exposed to caustic liquids as well.
In general, the standard sink size is 22” x 30”. While single bowl sinks can have a width upto 36 inches, double bowl sinks can go upto 48 inches.
Buttrick recommends a sink that is at least 27 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 7.25 inches deep. “Once you factor in the three-quarter-inch counter depth, the sink is eight inches deep,” he says. Similar-size models are also available commercially.
The most popular grades of kitchen and food quality stainless steel are 304 and 316. 304 is usually used for kitchen appliances and equipment and the most highly used stainless steel. 316 is considered to be more surgical grade and used for cutlery with a smoother finish and prevents certain types of corrosion.
Grade 18/8
This food-safe grade is the most popular type of stainless steel used in restaurants and commercial kitchens.
All grades of stainless steel resist corrosion, but grade 304 is particularly rustproof because of its high nickel content. This addition to the alloy makes grade 304 considerably more expensive than grade 430 stainless steel, however.