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Design Dilemma
edxlee

Kitchen sink: 1 bowl or 2 ?

13 years ago
We're getting Corian counter top with Corian sinks, under-mounted, lipless, seamless integration between the sink and the counter top. For the kitchen sink, we have to choose between one single bowl (around 27") or two bowls (total, still around 27") -- We understand there are pros and cons for each. What are you Houzz peep's experiences ? :) Thanks!
(The following are not Corian, but just to show the feeling)
Metropolitan Large Single Bowl Kitchen Sink · More Info

Metropolitan Double Bowl Kitchen Sink · More Info
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 13 years ago
    I've had both 1 bowl and 2 bowl. Here's the pro's an cons I found. The one bowl although handy for large items, takes a lot of water for just a few inches needed to do up a couple of dishes. The other thing i didn't like was having nowhere to let the dishes drain, here came the introduction of the ugly rubber dish drying rack that sat on the counter for days at a time :( Would never have that again.
    The first 2 bowl I had was a 50/50 split, about 8" deep, with a regular faucet. So I was able to throw out the ugly rubber thingy cause I actually had a sink for the dishes to drain YAY but no need to think this came without some issues. Large pots and cookie sheets were a bear to clean in this shallow sink, mainly hard to get into because of the standard faucet and hard to clean because the bowls were small :(
    The best solution I have found is a 2 bowl with a 70/30 split. The 70 side is great for cookie sheets, roasting pans and large pots. The 30 side is fantastic for just a few item or to wipe up the kitchen, cause we don't need 5 gallons of water for that. On this particular sink I have a goose neck faucet which is super handy.
    I have had white ceramic :( black sIl granite :( both really disappointing. Now I'm back to stainless, although I like the look of the other options they're just not performers like the stainless steel.

    Comments (51)

    • 13 years ago
      Ed, please be sure to do your research on Corian sinks. This may have changed - but there used to be a problem with thermal shock. The sink couldn't withstand very hot temperatures (draining hot pasta water for example) and would crack near the drain. When this was happening, Corian knew it was an issue and was mentioned as a non-warrantied item in their warranty.

      As I said, this may have changed but be sure to do your due diligence.
    • 13 years ago
      I grew up with the 1 bowl style and have had 2 bowl style for the last 10 years or so. Cannot WAIT to get a 1 bowl sink again. I hate that my big pots and pans won't fit in the sink without tilting and I really really hate always having to make sure bits of food doesn't go into the wrong sink and then the catcher gets all icky. With 1 sink, my pots all fit and everything can go down the drain because that's where the disposal is. Now that almost every modern kitchen has a dishwasher, I don't know why they make 2 bowl sinks anymore. I don't know what the reason of them at least.

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    • 13 years ago
      onthefence, thank you. I didn't know about thermal shock. Hmmm... have to find out. One solution would be to add cold water into the hot pasta water -- but this doesn't work, right? The cold water would ruin the pasta in the pot? Thanks.
    • 13 years ago
      I wouldn't do corian. Choose a granite with stainless steel sink. Better look and best for resale. If you like the matte finish of the corian, maybe choose a Honed granite. Or even silestone!
    • 13 years ago
      Yep, one of the solutions I'd read was to run cold water into the sink at the time you're draining. I don't know for sure that took care of the thermal shock issue though. I just wanted you to know of a historical problem I'd been aware of so you could do your research!

      For the one bowl vs two question - it seems that everyone has their own preference and for their own reasons ;-) I currently have a double bowl and know that I want a single for my next sink. My thought is that I can always turn a single into a double with use of a dish pan, large strainer, etc. But I can never turn a double into a single. This is kind of a hassle when I want to wash a large cookie sheet or roasting pan!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      The care and cleaning instructions for Corian or any other acrylic solid surface sink requires running cold water in them from the faucet, while dumping boiling water in them. If you get a single sink your pasta won't be affected by the cold water because it won't be near it. Corian is a good product, it just can't be abused. It is restorable, warm to the touch, forgiving when glasses are set on it heavily, and non porous with an NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) 51 rating for food service areas.
    • 13 years ago
      onthefence, thanks. I just went to Dupont/Corian's website and asked them a question about the thermal shock. Let's see if they get back to me. Yes, I also heard about the one solution -- to let cold water run in the sink first, before pouring hot water down it, and I also am not sure if that would take care of the thermal shock issue, either.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      That does take care of the thermal shock, I am a certified solid surface fabricator.
    • 13 years ago
      hlemon, thanks, yes, we looked at different counter tops for a long time, including granite, silestone, quartz, etc. I don't like the look of granite, actually :) Or about the germ collecting issue of granite or other stones. Resale is a factor, but ultimately, I decided it's more important to get the products we like while we're living at the place, than worry about resale (if it ever happens later :) But, thanks! :)
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Norm - another question. I seem to recall a warning to use a trivet under a heat generating small appliance (crockpot, etc) because the heat from the appliance could create a crack at a seam. Am I imagining that or is that still a warning?

      Ed - I'm NOT trying to talk you out of Corian. We have corian in another room in our house and find it to be everything Norm says it is. I think sometimes a problem is that people who have been used to laminate feel that now they've got a better countertop, they can abuse it with wild abandon! I think just knowing the limitations of any material in question is the best place to start.
    • 13 years ago
      Norm Walters, thanks very much. :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      True about the heat producing appliance such as a toaster oven, not a coffee pot. I am not in love with any one type of counter top they all have their pros and cons. If you go with absolute black, black galaxy, or ubatuba granite it won't absorb germs just like it won't absorb sealer, it is very dense. You are not suppose to set a hot pot on Quartz either, I have replaced sections of Quartz countertops because the care and cleaning instructions were not followed.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Back to the original question, If you do dishes by hand get a double sink, if you use the dishwasher alot get a single.
    • 13 years ago
      olldcan, thank you. What is "sIl granite" ?
    • 13 years ago
      Here's a link to SIlgranit, this is what I had in black. The high water marks on the sides of the sink drove me nuts, within 6 months It never looked clean
      http://www.blancocanada.com/frames/BlancoStart.htm#/pages/FeaturesSILGRANIT.htm
    • 13 years ago
      I just replaced a Corian counter and integrated Corian sink with a quartzite counter and Blanco Silgranite single bowl sink. I changed it for aesthetic purposes. I did like my equal two bowl Corian sink for 8 years, no cracking but a few areas of very small "chips". I did run some water when I poured pasta water down the drain. My single bowl sink is brand new but I think I like it better than two bowls for the reasons onthefence said. You can't beat the seamless counter/sink integration of Corian. I'd go with single bowl.
    • 13 years ago
      Ann, thank you! :)
    • 13 years ago
      I love my large sink that has a relatively low center that divides it in two. Takes a bit of extra care but just love the functionality. Gives me the best of both sizes.
    • 13 years ago
      I've had my Corian double sink for over 10 years, can't beat the integrated model for easy to clean. Corian is a great work surface, I roll out dough right on the countertop. Unfortunately, I didn't read the care instructions way back then, and I have tiny little cracks from draining pasta. Running cold water in the sink (not in your pasta water) while draining your past should protect the sink - I haven't noticed mine getting any worse since I started doing that (after nearly ten years of just dumping boiling water without any precautions. And these are teeny tiny little cracks, just slightly annoying not a structural problem. I am renovating kitchen now, and strongly considering re-using my Corian. I talked to a corian installer who can pop off my counters, replace the sink, and re-install over my new cabinets (same footprint, of course). Sorry... lots of information when you were just asking about one sink or two - but I felt like there were some misconceptions about the Corian that I could help with. (PS: I vote two sinks).
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Ed, have you checked out other brands of acrylic solid surface, or even polyester solid surface? Dupont Corian was the inventor but there are many other brands available today. Check out LG Hi-Macs, Livingstone, Samsung Staron to include the Tempest series, and Avonite has some really nice polyester solid surface choices that have alot of depth, some look like jewelry.
    • 13 years ago
      Hi Norm, thanks -- yea, we started our search at Home Depot and they had (have) Corian and Staron. Oh, unrelated question: you probably have worked with granite (or other stones) counter tops before -- do you know if granite can be used as the back splash, and have it be seamlessly joined with the same granite counter top ("cove" ?) as in the case with Corian ? Thanks!
    • 13 years ago
      Love our single sink. When we have a few dishes to hand wash we use a soapy dish cloth and then turn the water in to rinse instead of filling the sink. We use a clean towel temporarily on the counter next to the sink as the drying rack. We also have Coriander and love it.
    • 13 years ago
      Joice, thank you. What is Coriander ? Is it related to Corian ?
    • 13 years ago
      I do not know if you will have a dishwasher, but when I only have a few dishes, I drain my dishes in the dishwasher and avoid racks or towels sitting on my counter. I too have moved to a single sink from a 50/50 stainless and love it.
    • 13 years ago
      mponce, funny thing is I've never used a dishwasher, ever. :) But (just in case, for resale), we're getting a smaller Bosch dishwasher (18", instead of the normal 24"). We wash all our dishes by hand. :) Thanks.
    • 13 years ago
      Why do you wash all dishes by hand? I can't imagine that.
    • 13 years ago
      I prefer my two bowl, 8" deep sink. I find it the most versatile . I usually have a dish drainer in one side, and leave the other side with the disposal available. We use our dishwasher, but there are many things that either can not go through the dishwasher , or that you want to reuse before running the cycle ( cuisinart parts!) After using china/ crystal/ silver, I can remove the dish drainer and use one sink or washing and one for rinsing, then the dishwasher racks for drying. Be sure to get an extendable faucet, tho for ease in washing and rinsing oversized pans.
    • 13 years ago
      I have a corian bathroom sink. I got the same cracks in sink shortly after installing that onthefence mentioned. There were no extreme temperatures.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      That would have been a warranty issue as the material comes with a ten year warranty, did you file a claim?
    • 13 years ago
      I prefer 2 sinks, but not the same size. I have one large and one smalle. Best of both worlds. :)
    • 13 years ago
      Ann, in Asia, space is very limited and so it's very uncommon to have a dishwasher or a washing machine. For example, a 700 square feet apartment is already considered very big (2 bedrooms + 1 bath + living+dining area + kitchen). I grew up that way, so it's just a habit to do the dishes by hand. :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I'm a ingle bowl fan as you can get a large wok in there! My personal sink attached
    • 13 years ago
      Matt, I like your annotated sink! :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Hello Ed... I like a single bowl. Larger items can be placed in a single bowl sink.
    • 13 years ago
      VMG, thank you! We're also leaning toward a single bowl. With the 2 bowls, you're correct, sometimes a large pan would not fit in. And other times, we broke glasses on the divider. :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Hi Ed
      I have tried to read the thread to see what has been raised. One other option we went for was to have one large sink - pots and pans and drainage to side. In another area we have a prep sink. It has worked perfectly. In peak times I use the prep sink for washing as well
    • 13 years ago
      I've had both double same size, large single and now double with one small and one large. This is the best but the sink is porcelain and very heavy and very long. I think its weight is warping the very heavy well-built cabinet holding it. Plus porcelain sinks get marked up no matter how careful I am. I am going to a single
      stainless sink and new counter tops soon. They are making beautiful stainless sinks now - quite stylish. If there is a dishwasher, the old same size double sinks are completely outmoded.
    • 13 years ago
      ASV, Nancy, thank you. Nancy, please update with photos of your remodel, I'm curious! :)
    • 13 years ago
      I am planning to install new countertops and sink this summer. Bought house 2 years ago and it has DARK wine red counters which just soak up all the light from the window. I always wait to make big changes until I have lived with it for a while. The cabinets are Thomasville and very sturdy oak but we are noticing that the space for the adjoining dishwasher is changing. That's why I think the heavy sink is causing damage. It was beautiful when new but so hard to keep nice.
      I will post photos when project done. Thanks for your interest. I love HOUZZ and all the wonderful ideas presented.
    • 13 years ago
      For me there is only 1 kitchen sink choice - single bowl stainless steel.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Take your largest pot / oven shelf other awkward thing that needs cleaning and try it in the studio first on their different sink sizes ?!? You might find a large bowl more useful as you can put a smaller washing up bowl inside for smaller cleaning etc. Corian now also supply half stainless steel sinks that deal well with hot water issue pointed out previously !
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I think you would be better off with a deep single sink. If you get a double sink that is only 27inches you will not even have room to wash a large pot.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      At 27" go with a single sink. If you can get a wider sink in a 70/30 split where the divider goes only half way up the sink, that is my favorite configuration. But otherwise single bowl is great. I have to say I am a bit shocked at the description of Corian sinks not being able to take hot pasta water being poured into them without running cold water at the same time. That would be a total deal breaker for me, not to mention environmentally wasteful.
    • 13 years ago
      After dinner today, I watched my daughter try to wash a large roasting pan and an even larger cutting board in her new double bowl sink, and it brought this duscussion to mind. Everyone
      needs one BIG sink - wide and deep!
    • 13 years ago
      I can't speak highly enough of Corian for a counter top but definitely NOT for a sink. Stainless steel for a sink, you can't beat it, it is easy to clean and is kind on dishes and glassware. While a large sink has it's advantages, how often do you need that super size? The rest of the time it would be a big waste of water, especially hot water and energy heating it, filling it enough to wash things that could easily fit in a smaller sink.
    • 13 years ago
      I already voted for single bowl, but since I just made the change from double to single about 3 weeks ago, I thought I'd update. I love the single for ease of washing large items without struggling and getting water everywhere. onthefence pointed out early in this thread that you can always turn a large sink into a smaller one, but not the other way around. That's exactly what I've done. I spent $4 at Home Depot buying a nice rectangular plastic container that I used the other day to hand wash some sweaters - I didn't want to fill the whole large sink. It was great and the added advantage was that I could just use the same container to carry the wet sweater to the room I wanted to dry it in. If I want to submerge veges in water, I'll use the same container. But, in three weeks, I've only wanted the smaller option once and I've enjoyed the large area for washing large kitchen items many, many times. I've attached a picture of my new sink with the very handy basket it came with.
    • 3 years ago

      Single bowl begets versatility. There are always inserts you can buy to divide the sink for smaller everyday items. The easiest is to use the biggest dirty thing you have to wash as a soaking bowl for all else.


      Depth will depend on your back. But even that can be adjusted by flipping one insert up-side-down and putting the other on top.


      Keep it simple, for the actual sink. Use inserts to adjust.

    • 3 years ago

      @kl23 - this thread is 9 years old. OP has solved their problem by now.

    • 3 years ago

      Funny...it showed up on "latest".

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