For future readers of this thread - someone commented that if you do not buy the cast iron kohler cleaner the yellow stains don't come out. I have the Kohler Whitehaven, 36" single bowl. I LOVE IT. And Comet works just fine.

I also have the Whitehaven in white with the sea salt finish. I cannot tell you how much I love my sink. I also use comet in it all the time. I love that it has the front lip that goes over the cabinet, so no caulking in the front or odd cabinet cuts are required. Can't recommend it enough!

PB: what was the outcome to this discussion. Did you decide? And if so with which sink did you go? It's good to end a thread with your feedback. Thanks

Thank you for reminding me to follow up on tthread! I Thank you for reminding me to post a follow up. I guess I'm a little new to Houzz and the etiquette around here, LOL!

We ended up choosing a Shaws Rohl 36" farmhouse sink (the more modern silhouette)with it being under mounted underneath the granite. It turned out beautifully! We could not be happier! I've attached some photos, which show the sink installed-- but please don't judge as the rest of my house is a total mess! We are still finishing up a kitchen/dining room/living room remodel. There is still stuff everywhere, but hopefully in two more weeks! Whew!! Who knew a remodel is SO. MUCH. WORK.

PS - Sorry the lighting is so bad, we still have no shades on the window.

Pat: looks great! Thank you for the follow up.

It's so beautiful! Love your plants, too. Nice choices!

Thank you very much, Jodishi!

Jodishi, I am considering the Kohler Whitehaven in Sea Salt color. Can you post a photo of your sink? Would it match with soft white cabinetry or is it too creamy/yellowy?

I will come back to this in a few hours.

I know it's not exactly the same look but there are several good features about a copper farmhouse sink. It's way more forgiving than the others so you won't break as many dishes and glasses. Copper is also anti-microbial.

Hello,

We are going through a remodeling and last night we were thinking about how to install the 36" sink with tall apron from Kohler if our Quartz Countertop has bull nose.

Anybody else had that problem?

In the video from Kohler, their countertop doesn't have bull nose. My installer doesn't know how to do it yet... Please help with an advice.

This is the install video from Kohler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAHK76U3TSQ

Thank you

Couple more quick photos now that everything is completed!

Last few pics! So very happy with how everything turned out, especially deciding to do an entire wall with subway tile! Really opened up what is otherwise a somewhat small kitchen space.

Considering the Shaws Rohl 36" farmhouse sink for our kitchen remodel, but then I discovered the Latoscana 33" Fireclay Farmhouse Sink made in Italy at half the cost. Has anyone installed a Latoscana sink? Need a comparison of the two.

From my own personal experience, I would not go with concrete. I know they can look great but they are unlikely to stand up to the heavy day-day use in a kitchen. The Fireclay is gorgeous but do not rely on the sizing specifications as they often vary, so you must have the sink on site to get the counter top correct and the base cabinet trimming done. Most of these sinks will require additional support as they are very heavy.

Graham

Hi Larry, did you decide on which sink, I am in the same problem.

Rohl vs Kohler vs Latoscana?

Leaning toward the Latoscana sink. Like the price and it is reversible, plain on one side and fluted on the other. Excellent reviews on QualityBath.com where we plan to buy.

I love my Kohler Whitehaven - one of the easiest to install - less risk to your cabinet.

Hi Patricia, I love your kitchen it is beautiful! I am going through a remodel myself right now and can not decide which farmhouse sink to buy either. I have been doing a lot of research and found the information that you and others have posted here to be very helpful. Although, I'm not sure yet what sink I will be buying I do know that I love your granite countertop! Can you please tell me what name it is? I have the same cabinet color as yours and I just love the granite you picked.

Leaning toward a fireclay sink from the Julien Fira line. It come with many accessories such as cutting board, colander, dish drainer, etc. Has anyone ever had experience with this line? Can't find any reviews so hesitant to be the first - LOL!

Patricia Bell - It has been 15 months now since you got your Rohl sink installed. I am wondering if you are still loving it??

I have an American standard. It's been wonderful. I especially love the high back!!

Hi Bpawa,

I am so sorry, I did not see your question until today! Hope I'm not too late!

The color granite we chose is called "Mystic Cream", it is a Brazilian granite and we got it from a local supplier, Granite Mountain in Fresno, California. Keep in mind that most granite companies have different names for the same color granite. In other words, you may be able to find this granite but it may be called something else where you live. You can always call Granite Mountain and ask them if they know of other names that granite might go by.

It has been about a year and a half since we put it down and I could not love it more! There's not a day goes by when I don't admire it, and I have never once thought to myself: "I wish I would've picked a different granite color!" Highly recommend if you have light colored cabinets... it really helps to bring a little life to your cream/white kitchen so it doesn't look too washed out.

The very last photo is probably the best representation. Unfortunately my iPhone is making the granite look much darker that it truly looks in person. Overall it has a beautiful creamy color to it with lots of charcoal, raspberry, and gold streaks running throughout!

Our cabinets are a hand-painted kind of oyster off-white. The backsplash tile is a true white. Hope that helps!

Milesdog: yep!!!!! Absolutely, positively love the Rohls Shaws Classic farmhouse sink we installed. It is beautiful, handsome, and the thing I love the most about it is how big it is so you can fit large pans etc. in there and wash up is easy!

When I first started looking into different sinks, I read a lot of negative reviews about this particular one. I am so glad I did not let that stop me. Number one, it IS heavy but as long as you just place support underneath the sink (wood slats, easy) when you install it, it's no big deal. Number two, it's true that they are not uniform in size but we did not have to have the sink in hand for the cabinets or granite to be installed properly. Our granite installers were able to install it as an Undermount sink with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Just because there's a little bit of variation here or there did not make one bit of difference as to how it looks as a finished piece. I think the quality is absolutely beautiful and I do not have one single complaint about the sink!

Photos of Rohls Shaws Classic under mount sink.

sonal63 I wonder if you ever ended up buying the Julien Fira sink. I am very interested in the same one.

This information is all very helpful! I've heard that the Shaws sink chips and stains easily and that water pools in it. Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated!!

Also love my Kohler whitehaven, you will never think about the fact that it doesn't have the full sides for the farmhouse sink.

Going on 5 years old, and in great shape!

Jodishi - is that the short apron front?

Does anyone have any opinions on the signature hardware risinger apron front compared to the kohler whitehaven? Trying to make a final decision this week on our kitchen sink...

I belive it's about 7 or 8 inches. I love mine!

The Risinger is a traditional farm sink made of fireclay - I have no knowledge of that particular sink as to durability. The Whitehaven is a self facing apron front sink made of cast iron. I have the short apron Whitehaven because I used my old sink base cabinet - pics in my "my pics" idea book. There is a tall apron style too.

The traditional farm sink needs a farm sink base and the cut needs to be well done to go around the cabinet. The self facing apron on the Whitehaven covers the cut in the cabinet, making installation easier and possibly cheaper - talk to your installer. Fireclay is more prone to unrepairable damage (cracks, crazing, large chips) but the enameled cast iron on the Whitehaven can chip too - just not ruinously. For either sink I recommend the protective grates for the bottom. Some prefer the look of fireclay to cast iron. I kind of do myself, but my concern about damage to fireclay and the ease of install moved me to the Whitehaven.

Risinger:

Whitehaven (also comes in uneven low divide):

So glad I asked I had thought both were cast iron! What about the rhol version? Is it cast iron or fireclay... if the cast iron/whitehaven is easier to install we should probably go with that option, seems our contractor is able to find a way to mess anything and everything up! haha

Rohl's apron front sinks are fireclay too. Signature Hardware does carry two cast iron farm sinks and they are the traditional style - so need a carefully cut cabinet and the price just a little less than a 36" Whitehaven. I am not familiar with either sink or the companies the make them, and both are listed as 33".

https://www.signaturehardware.com/kitchen/farmhouse-sinks/shopby/material-cast_iron.html

Elkay carries a self facing apron front sink similar to the Whitehaven and it is made of quartz. It is new and I have not heard about the durability of a quartz sink. Most of Elkay's apron front sinks are stainless or fireclay except this onethat is quartz.

http://www.elkay.com/sinks/farmhouse/elxufp3620

Most of Blanco's apron front sinks are also fireclay. They have one made of SIlgranite - again I don't know anything about the durability and I really do love my Whitehaven. Here is the Ikon for comparison - appears to come only 30":

https://www.blanco-germany.com/us/blog/2016/02/blanco-launches-ikon-the-first-apron-front-sink-of-its-kind/

Linzee: Sorry, I just now saw your earlier question about chips and durability for the Rohl’s farmhouse sink...I have the Shaw’s, see above reply for a picture.

Have had mine for over two years now with no problems whatsoever! As I said in my earlier response it was easy to install despite the fact that it is quite heavy and it does have slight variations on the measurements. Experienced cabinet/granite people will have no problems understanding what it takes to install the sink. As for durability, it seems extremely well-made and the finish is very hard. I think it would take something really big and heavy to chip it! Like, for instance, a cast iron skillet banging around in there would probably do it. Needless to say, based on the expense of the sink (and my own personal OCD), I am very careful when I wash dishes etc. in there. To date, I don’t even have any scratches or scuff marks that haven’t come off very easily with a little Bon Ami gentle cleanser. My sink still looks brand new.

I honestly believe based on the quality that it would not be any more vulnerable to chips than, say, a tub or any other porcelain fixture. Just be careful with big, heavy things and you should be fine! The only “tiny“ drawback others have noted is that water does pool a bit at the bottom. Again, I think this is greatly over exaggerated. I have a pull-down style faucet and I just use the hose to rinse food etc. from the bottom/corners down into the disposal. It really is not a big deal and only takes me a few extra seconds of cleanup to accomplish. It’s not like I go back an hour later and there’s an inch of water standing at the bottom of the sink! Not really sure why people even bring this up?

I debated back and forth about the Rohl - Shaw's farmhouse sink and the Kohler Whitehaven. I went with the Rohl and could not be happier. In my opinion, the Rohl is much more aesthetically pleasing. I just could not bring myself to go with the Whitehaven even though some would stay that it is the more practical choice. To date I have not seen any difference in how my fireclay is holding up compared to my cast iron prep sink. I feel that it is worth the tradeoff.

Anybody considering the Whitehaven: be aware that there seen to be some major quality control issues with it at the moment. We have had four delivered to us and none is perfect. Chips, flaws in the finish, pimple like imperfections... Waiting on the fifth one to be delivered tomorrow. I don't know if this has anything to do with the Kohler fire, but it has caused a major disruption in our kitchen renovation. I would certainly have chosen something else if given the chance.

HU - Are the issues confined to a certain production time? Mine is about 5 years old (I think) and haven't had any issues.

Jodishi - I guess. Three of these came from Ferguson, one from Home Depot, and the one tomorrow is from Ferguson again. They were all ordered and delivered recently.

When we ordered our sinks about in January 2018 from Gerhard's Kitchen and Bath Store we were told that they were having production issues with the Kohler cast iron sinks. Fortunately they were able to get our Iron Tones Sinks in at the same time as we got our Rohl sink.

I will be happy to report over time how the fire clay is holding up to the cast iron as I have a the Kohler cast iron as my prep sink and mudroom sink and the Rohl Shaw's sink as my main kitchen sink.

@Milesdog - how is the fire clay vs cast iron holding up?

Amy S - I still love my Rohl Farmhouse sink. It has been in for more than a year and we have had no issues and no signs of wear. We do use the grate in the bottom of the sink. Water can stagnate in the corners but we don't find it problematic as we clean out the corners when we empty the sink and fill the dishwasher. I do dump my boiling water into my Iron Tones cast iron sink since I have it and it is closer to the range. I am so happy that I went with the Rohl Farmhouse sink. I think I would have regretted my decision each time I walked into my kitchen if I would have gone with anything else. As it is we still comment on how much we love our kitchen at least twice a week.

@milesdog - I have read a lot about the sink installation "issues", but haven't seen anything regarding boiling water. Is there a concern with this sink and that too? We won't have another sink to use if that is an issue. Also do you have a garbage disposal? Is there any concern with that causing cracks? How did you handle the discrepancy in size and weight with your installers/cabinet markers? I'm concerned with the undermount and if we do have issues with cracking, the nightmare to replace the sink...starting to lose sleep over this decision.
Analysis Paralysis!!!! Thanks so much for your input.

@milesdog I too am in the market for a farmhouse sink and am going back and forth between the Kohler and the Rohl. Can you explain the major differences aside from price in terms of fireclay vs. cast iron? Thanks.

@Amy S - We had an amazing cabinet maker so installation was a breeze and it fits like a glove. He built in a ledge around the cabinet and had no issues with getting it set and having the counter installed. As far as the boiling water, I am unaware of there being any issues. We do not have a garbage disposal as we are on a septic system and were told that we should not have a garbage disposal when we moved in 15 years ago. I absolutely love my sink and am so glad that I went with the Rohl. If I had done something different, I think I would have always had regret about my decision. I am so glad that I went for it with the Rohl Farmhouse Sink.

@taviat - I am no expert but I did a great deal of research before I made my decision. One major difference is the installation with the Kohler compared to the Rohl. Since the Rohl is hand made each sink has a it's own shape which can present installation challenges. The Kohler has a front curtain that covers the cabinet making installation simple. As far as the fireclay vs cast iron, the fireclay is hand crafted and fired in a kiln. So as a piece of pottery it may be more susceptible to chips and cracks and breakdown overtime. That said, the company has been making sinks since 1897. They must be doing something right and overall they must hold up to wear and tear. The cast iron Kohler is suppose to be indestructible since it is enamel coated iron. Some people may say my decision to go with the Rohl was impractical but in the end the aesthetics won out and I am very pleased with the decision.

I have the Koehler farmhouse sink and love it. One of my favorite features is the sink rack that comes in 2 pieces. Both fit beautifully in my dishwasher for a thorough cleaning at least once a week.

Amy S - hope I’m not too late for your decision, I do understand “analysis paralysis” when it comes to kitchen renovation, these are big, expensive decisions!!! You are wise to collect info from others’ real life experiences.

I also felt that feeling of analysis paralysis a few years back when we did our kitchen. I did a lot of research and came across several websites where people were complaining about their Rohls farmhouse sinks cracking around the disposal opening which definitely concerned me. We put one in and I have to say, three years later absolutely no problems! We did have a disposal and ran it every single day. In retrospect, maybe the comments that I read during my research had to do with a bad batch of sinks or something. Or maybe they were just installed improperly which contributed to the problems.

I also think the comments about water pooling at the bottom are not of great significance, since you can easily use your pulldown faucet to rinse the corners out and if you give it a little scrub once a week it will look nice and clean! I highly highly recommend the grate that Rohls makes to fit the bottom of their sinks. It will save a lot of wear and tear from pots and pans and keep your sink looking great! As for installation: as others have mentioned, an experienced cabinet maker or contractor should easily understand that there just needs to be some additional support put in for the sink due to its extreme weight. Other than that, installation was no problem for us. What will happen is your cabinet maker will be able to use caulking, etc. to fill in any tiny gaps once the sink is installed. Of course, due to the fact that porcelain is little more delicate than, say, a stainless steel sink, I was very careful with mine - especially when moving big pots and pans around in there so as not to chip it. I think just a little extra vigilance is all that is required to keep it looking great. Keep in mind, even stainless steel sinks have many pros and cons, not the least of which is if you have hard water in your area your sink will constantly get hard water spots and can get stained and etched from certain foods. For that reason alone, I personally would never have one.

I also poured boiling water in my sink many many times with no issues. It never occurred to me that that could be a problem! I suppose, if you wanted to err on the side of caution you could just simply pour the boiling water directly into the drain and avoid the sink as much as possible. But again, I never really worried about it and I never had any problems with it.

Overall, it was an awesome sink and now that we have moved to another house three years later I am definitely going to buy another one! It is a beautiful statement piece to any home!

@milesdog it's been awhile since youyr post, but you mentioned you had both a cast iron Kohler sink and a Rohl/Shaw fireclay sink. What has been your experience with them both? Comparisons? Pros/Cons? Thank you