runnels never were gunked up when we had them. . . so I'll second the no mess

Cleo, your left handed?? Five runnels look good to. . .

There were a couple of threads on this over the summer but apparently they have dropped off. Most posters said they loved their runnels and based on that, I got them too. I have been very happy with them and there has not been a "gunking" issue.

cleo - Would you mind sharing the make of your faucet? Looks great... any splashing issues with a deep sink?

On the topic of runnels, what price range should I expect to have them added to a soapstone order?

bloomin...

Thanks for your responses. Will post pics...someday when it is done!

bloominwhereplanted: The faucet is a Showhouse Waterhill (Showhouse is owned by Moen). I really like it. The sink does have splash issues but I think it is due to the faucet not being lined up over my drain. Plus farmhouse sinks are lower in front which lends to splashing anyway. The sidespray is really strong too.

The runnels were $300. They have another kind of drainboard area where an entire square area is carved out if you didn't want individual runnels.

M. Texeira told me 350 for runnels, and the fabricator that I ended up choosing told me around 600. Quite a difference! But they agreed to do it for the lower price. (I don't have my counters yet, so can't comment on their usage. But I am constantly hanging wet produce and/or colanders halfway off my counter to the sink. So I can't wait for runnels!)

I have the type of drainboard that cleo mentioned- not runnels, but the whole area is recessed with a gradual slope. Someone else (I can't remember who anymore) on GW posted a picture of their sink with this on both sides and it looked nice so I went for it. Not a chance for "gunking". I always had my ratty old plastic drainboard on my counter, so now I am quite pleased.
The cost? Nada. It was going to be several hundred extra dollars (still worth it to me) but since there was a delay in installation, the countertop guy felt bad and ate the cost.

suska - any chance you have a picture? That drainboard thing sounds interesting!

Thanks, cleo for the faucet info!

bloomin...

My counters are Silestone, so this may be a little difficult to see on a picture. However, the GW picture from which I took the idea had soapstone counters. I believe this can even be done with granite (vs. runnels) according to my countertop guy, however not many places want to because of the labor involved.

The recessed area is 1 inch in from the front and back of the sink. The length of the drainboard from the sink to zero slope is 18 inches, and the difference in counter height at the sink edge is about 3/8".

We also did the sloped drainboard on both sides.
Our stone is a schist rather than soapstone or granite--I don't know if it is harder or easier to work with. I think each one was about $150 but that was a few years ago.

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Hello and thanks for the photos. My soapstone counters are already installed but the carpenter says he will slope or cut a draining area if I can find instructions . Does anyone have a DIY link with instructions for cutting or sanding soapstone? Thanks!

Sorry to revive an old thread, but what do people use runnels for? Do they put a dishrack on top of the runnels, let the dishes dry, and then wipe off the runnels when finished?

I like the look of runnels in soapstone but am just having trouble figuring out what exactly people are using them for.

You got it! Functional runnels, are usually pitched toward the sink, and we like to make them wide enough for you to put your finger in. We think this makes it easier to clean and the pitch speaks for itself. They should not be rough or square, as that would be hard to clean.

One more thing to note is that many people use them more on a daily for rinsing fruit or vegetables off. Set the colander right over the runnels and the water stays contained within the runnels.

I always say most people buy them for the look (at least I think that way), but they are super functional for a busy life.