Less bowing and flexing of the sink.

If you have a garbage disposal it can really start to matter.

Keep in mind that the gauge is also the thickness the flat sink blank started at.
When it was formed the metal was stretched thinner.

Never had a disposal so no idea on that but Consumer Reports has consistently found little difference in the performance of sinks based on guage. They usually suggest focusing on finish, sound dampening and design. 20 guage is very common for a good drop-in but pretty rare for an undermount - not many manufacturers make undermounts that are more than 18 guage.

My Kohler undermount SS bathroom sink is 20 gauge and is just fine. But it does not get as much abuse as a kitchen sink, of course.

I asked b/c I saw an IKEA SS undermount sink I liked that was 20 gauge. I guess I'll have to look for a different one. :-)

LOL.

OK, I won't try to cut corners as I drop cast iron slillets into the sink all the time. :-(

It seems to me that Consumer's is pretty firm on the noise differene being nominal but off hand I couldn't be certain. Similarly I could be wrong about the undermounts but it seems to me when checking among brands I didn't find many 20 guage undermounts even among those companies focused on marketing to fabricators or builders. That isn't direct experience with a 20 guage undermount talking so consider the source.

I do not agree with Consumer Reports. Keep in mind that CR is always biased toward the common-denominator; just look at how they rate appliance brands. My friend has a 18-gauge Kohler sink, and it sounds and feels tinny to me. I have a 14-gauge sink (custom), and it is quiet, but also, there is a "feel" to it when the water strikes it, or when I put a heavy pot down, that I prefer. I would not get an 18-gauge or thinner stainless sink.

But the most crucial thing is the irony that you can find 16-gauge beautiful sinks for less money than Kohler or Franke sells their thinner-gauge sinks. Check out galaxytoolsupply website, or the Kraus sinks on expressdecor and overstock. There are quite a number of Gardenwebbers who have bought Kraus or galaxytoolsupply 16-gauge sinks, and are thrilled with them.

So, the only reason I can think of to choose a thinner-gauge stainless sink over a 16-gauge sink is if you think 16-gauge sinks are more expensive. But they're not.

Or, never mind the whole issue, and get a Blanco Silgranit sink instead. That's what I am getting for my "next" kitchen - whenever that will be :)

i have a 16 gauge Kraus sink. I love it. It was less expensive than the local showroom 18 gauge sinks and it came with free sink grids which is great. It is quiet and seems like really good quality to me.

Thanks!

I'll check those out. I don't trust CR either, especially after they down-rated a Demeyere pan when comparing it to some lesser brands.

Consumer Reports drives me crazy. They seem to focus on the low to middle end products. In my experience gauge does matter, espeicaly with a top mount sink. I have experience with a consumer that purchased a high end faucet that was heavier than the cheaper faucets, and she put it on a 20 gauge stainless sink. The sink could not hold the weight of the faucet and it made the faucet tip forward due to the weight. 20 gauge is only appropriate with a cheap faucet or a small sink, like a bar sink or lavatory sink.

I have a Kraus sink just installed in my laundry room. It is very pretty but when I wipe it the paper towel is black. Will this go away eventually? If any of you have a Kraus do you know? It's very pretty and does have the sink grid and stopper drain included.

I have a 16 gauge, 10" deep Kraus apron front sink. Ditto what epressler said - the sink grates that came with it are great. The sink is very sturdy and has sound dampening insulation on the bottom. It came with very nice drains also. I wish I could have used both, but I have a disposal so could only use one. I chose the one with the little basket and the nice cover. It's been a long time since I had a SS sink and I now remember what a pain it is to keep it looking nice. We have hard water and the water spots are a real PITA. Other than that, I love it. Would definitely recommend Kraus and I am considering a Kraus for my bathroom also.

gr8day - Not sure what's happening with the black residue. I don't recall having that happening with ours. I've had it installed for about a week and a half.

Another +1 for Kraus. I have a 16ga Kraus undermount sink and am very happy with it.

CR has had a political agenda for may years now, and they plainly let it show.

They are no longer a reliable source on everything.

I have a cheap thin stainless sink with faucet an GD I throw into kitchen remodels to allow use of kitchens being remodeled.

It is normally dropped in to a hole in plywood.
I leave it mounted if possible, and cut down the plywood (1 inch thick)as needed for each job.

When i need a larger piece, I buy a new sheet of plywood and start over.

You can see the thin sink flex under the vibration and load of the GD, especially with water standing in the sink when it is turned on.

It's a sink - if it holds water and gives me a place to store dirty dishes I'm good to go. If CR's secret agenda is to get under the skin of folks who have a little too much time (and money) on their hands that is a secret agenda I can live with.I don't think CR is the be all end all but it it is usually worthwhile to check out what they have to say even if you don't agree with them.

I agree with caryscott, I am a relentless reviewer. IOW I review things to death before I buy them and after and even with stuff that I have purchased I check their reviews years later (like auto's) and I find them always to be spot on. My car is rated to be one of the better years for my make and model (true it's been a good car) but It also mentions problems with transmissions. Yep got that too. I like consumer reports, they don't quality check everything that comes off the line tho.