16 gauge is generally used in commercial applications. Residential sinks range from 16-22, I think 18 is considered very good.

Perhaps more important is the percentages of chromium and nickel, that is what gives it strength and corrosion resistance. The specs for this are often displayed as a ratio such as 18:10 or which means there is 18% chromium and 10% nickel in the stainless steel. The higher the percentage of these elements, the better the grade of stainless steel.

Kohler is a good brand.

I have a single bowl sink and I love it, just for the reasons you stated. My sink also has the benefit of an integral ledge, which I think is wonderful.

As far as depth, there is a point of too deep however that depth depends on the user. You'll have to try a few to find out what fits.

Here's a link to a older thread where ashlander shows a great pic of the Orca with the ledge and grids. Franke also makes the Oceania, simple rectangle shape, with a ledge if you are interested in the concept. Both available as top mount.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll Down for Pic of Orca

Kohler is a good brand but you are paying extra just for the name. Many Kohler sinks are made in China. That is not a bad thing except that you are paying so much more for the Kohler name. You could call Kohler customer service to see where the model you want is made.

You will get much more bang for the buck from Ticor sinks (sold at galaxytoolsupply) or Kraus sinks (sold at expressdecor and overstock dot com). Those brands are 16 gauge (I prefer 16 gauge), and come with free strainer and grid. Grids can cost $50-100 extra from Kohler.

I'm a Silgranit convert, I'm just here to preach ;-)

We're thinking of moving, and the first thing I'll do is replace whatever sink is there with Silgranit.

Note that the OP wants a drop-in (not undermount sink). I doubt a drop-in sink is sold in a 16-gauge stainless. While if given a choice I do prefer 16-gauge, I think it is not such a big deal to get an 18-gauge. I would not go to 20-gauge.

I agree that Kohler is way overpriced for what you are getting. The $470 you mentioned is crazy. And I would bet that particular Kohler model is made in China, which I am not criticizing the quality, only that if so, it should be priced much less. I will link a sink that is 18-gauge, single-bowl, stainless steel in the dimensions you like, for less than half the Kohler.

If you do a search on this forum you will find many happy reviews of Ticor sinks. OMG, the Ticor sink not only is $219, it comes with the sink grid and strainer free. The optional colander looks like a nice convenience too.

Ticor S994 Overmount Single Bowl Sink with accessories = $219

If you any inclination in thinking about something different than stainless, which does annoyingly scratch and show water marks (ask me how I know LOL), you should consider Silgranit that Uroboros5 mentioned. People on this forum absolutely love them.

Oh, I just realized you said you can do a 36" cabinet base! Eureka - found you a 16-gauge overmount. Plus it's got cool accessories. It's another Ticor sink that'll be larger than the one I linked above. I think in a sink, larger is better. My own sink's width (though an undermount) is about the same as this one--I wouldn't want to go narrower. However, note that this one is almost square, so it is deep front-to-back at 20". If it appeals to you, make sure you have room for it front to back along with your faucet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ticor TR2000 Overmount 16-Gauge Sink

Thanks for the ideas and advice. There seems to be always more to consider and decide.

I love that Ticor TR2000 but it is too modern for my old house. But the S944 looks perfect. I think someone in town carried Ticor sinks. I' m going to take a look at them today.

Anyone, any thoughts about ordering from the internet? Any good/bad experiences?

Thanks again. You folks are my sounding board and I am so grateful!!

Suzanne

I just purchaed a Kraus sink and faucet from Express Decor. Not a plug for the site but just where I found the best price. I had not heard of the brand before but did a bit of research and found positive reviews. I personally think their sinks are really great to look at and better priced then more well known brands such as Kohler, especially for 16 gauge. The sink was originally $450 but with a 15% sale discount, (may not still be available) no shipping, no tax, and a few fun inclusives (stainers, etc) it was a great price. My items were delivered in 3 days and they are really as great as I had hoped.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kraus Undermount Sink

Alinev - the OP has said the sink must be top-mounted. Kraus only makes one top-mount sink, and it's only 25", which is much smaller than the OP wants.

Put another vote in for the Ticor sinks sold online at GalaxyToolSupply.com...I am not a single bowl sink person, but I ordered a really nice 16-gauge double bowl for $249...great product and they have lots of options.
capegirl

Here is yet another vote for Ticor at Galaxytoolsupply.com I also got a 16-gauge double bowl for $2-something (can't remember exactly) and it had a cutting board as well as the grids for the bottom. I got the "brushed" stainless and love it.
Here is the link to one that appears to be the one I purchased, but about $50 cheaper now :(

Here is a link that might be useful: Ticor 60/40 sink

we went with Franke oxx110 single undermount. I assume they also have drop-in style that you need. Kitchen almost done so not using it daily yet by I like the size and look of it (in 36" opening) about 9" deep (deeper w/granite counter on top). Best feature for me is the 1/2 shelf that can sit 1/2 way down and across for quickly cleaning a few dishes or pot/pan - I can set it on the 1/2 shelf to drip dry, etc......
Good luck - kitchens are a lot of work, lots of decisions and mine is ALMOST DONE....can't wait!

Consumer Reports on its website says the gauge on stainless sinks doesn't matter for performance. We bought 16 gauge anyway.

We also bought online because the local choices didn't really have what we were looking for. Like alinev, we found what we wanted at Express Decor. The sink came promptly (the box decorated the floor for several weeks until we were ready to install), was well packed, and undamaged. Success all around!

Hi, I too wanted an overmount and found one called Paola ZSR-300, made by C-Tech Sinks. It is 16ga. 9.5" deep I think. Drop in or under mount. Barely fits in my 34" sink cabinet. It does not come with a grid, but I think if I look I may be able to find one that could work. It has a nice basket strainer, but I don't have a picture of it. I got is at Zigsby's Kitchen on the internet. I also got a C-Tech faucet.

Here is a picture of my sink newly installed:

Here is a far away shot of my sink in the 34" cabinet. It's large but I love it:

Friends, I am considering the Ticor, S/S, undermount, triple sink, model TR1900. Has anyone had any experience with triple sinks (disposer in the center)? Seems like a good way to go if you have the room. Thanks, Richard

Here is a link that might be useful: Ticor Triple undermount sink

I an surprised no one mentioned. If you are going for the nice big sink please think about an off center drain. That way you are not always moving things out of the way and or blocking your drain. I love my franke.

Rorser - triple sinks are usually not very useful. Occasionally you will find a person who likes them, but most who have had them have found them to be a PITA, rather than a useful fixture in the kitchen. You will be hard-pressed to find a professional kitchen designer who would install one. Please explain specifically why you think it "seems like a good way to go". If you are undermounting your sink, you'd better be absolutely certain you really want a triple bowl sink, cause you will be stuck with it.

I would look at pots and pans you use most in your kitchen, measure them, do a cut-out on a piece of paper or cardboard of the largest of the 3 sink bowls, and compare it to your pots and pans to see if you will be able wash them in it. There's nothing like seeing the visual to help with the decision. Also, think about that you will have triple the surfaces to clean.

If you are lucky to have "the room" as you say, I would get the Stages 45" sink, or any of the large 36" single bowl or double bowl sinks. I myself prefer a single-bowl sink, but I understand people like the double-bowls too. I have a dishwasher to do most of my dishwashing of course, so don't need a double bowl sink for that, and I am glad to have the room for my big dutch oven or roaster when I need to wash them in my sink. Can't come up with any uses for 3 bowls at once, especially given the bowl size constraints, but you've said you can.