I think you'd want a hole in the grid over the disposal. I dunno--custom fit grids always have a drain-sized hole over the drain.

(My sink doesn't drain quickly because it isn't quite sloped properly. The plumbing is fine.)

I love my sink grids, and don't know how I lived my life without them! But I got them with my sink, so they are a perfect fit.

Catbuilder, there is a round hole in the grid that (ideally) lines up with the sink drain. If you don't have a disposal, it really doesn't matter that much, though you'll have to take the grid out to clean the drain basket.

I'm just OCD enough that it might drive me crazy if the hole in the grid didn't line up with the sink drain - but perhaps the joy of the grid would make it OK.

My sink is a double, about 70/30. When I get home I can put my small grid on the large side and see what I think.

AnnKH - tell me what you love about your grids (sorry for the hijack Fori) because I'm trying to figure out what to do with mine other than pitch it. You don't find it doubles your work having to clean the grid AND the sink? I love my Zuhne 36" sink but the grid - not so much.

Hijack away. I never really saw the point until my current sink. If you leave items in my sink--and they very much do get left in it--water will pool behind them because of the poor slope. It gets nasty faster than I like.

I know some people like to dry dishes and stuff on theirs but that requires a level of cleanliness beyond my skill level. And some folks don't want their sinks scratched which I don't care about in a stainless sink.

I have seen images of the Kohler Riverby sink with a grid which leaves the drain side open. I have no idea how it is in real life though.

Thanks, Ann, for volunteering! :)

That sink sure has a lot going on! It does seem like some are made to fit like that so maybe it would be okay.

An Amazon scan makes the think the grids made by sink manufacturers are sturdier than the aftermarket types (and they certainly have sturdier prices). More legs. More legs means being able to not wash more dishes and still be able to rinse out the sink!

I do think small ones might be nicer for putting in the dishwasher.

I have a grid and would never want to be without it.. I admit that the first couple of months were a period of adjustment and sometimes I longed for just being able to move everything with my hand to the drain. It does mean a bit of chasing with the spray, but it's become second nature to me. I just bought a new grid to replace the original one (5 years old). It was still very functional but had gotten a little grungy where the wires intersect, and for $70, it was worth it. I almost pitched my old one but it's out in the garage in case I need a grid for another use.

If I had a sink for which there was no grid that fit exactly or covered the drain, I'd find a smaller one and use it at the other end of the sink. I think it would stay in place and be better than no grid at all.

Fori, of the ones you can find, is the drain hole completely covered or just doesn't line up exactly?

The one I found that was closest has a center drain and mine is corner. So not close. In fact, I think the feet would be in my drain so it's not at all good. I might pick it up anyway and do some experimental surgery.

You definitely need clearance for your drain. Let us know how it works and if surgery is required.

DLM, without a grid I would occasionally set a dish in the sink - and it would seal off the drain. Not a big deal to move the dish - but now that never happens.

I can rinse soup cans, turn them upside down on the grid to dry, and not get rust spots on the sink.

Because I have a double sink, the grids fit easily into the DW.

I guess my reasons for loving grids don't sound like that big a deal - I suspect that since I've had them for over 3 years, I take the wonderfulness for granted, and can't remember specifically why grids are better than no grids. I just know that they are!

Fori, I hope you can find something that works for you.

hmmm.... thanks for explaining. We have 2 faucets at our sink that get used a lot so leaving things to dry on the grid would be fruitless in our house!

DLM2000...There are several threads from a few years ago discussing sink grids. Here's what I posted a few years ago to a question similar to yours:

[Taken from earlier threads - not based on this thread]

Sink Grid

I never used a sink grid until now. Grids came free with my sink (Ticor S405D) so I figured I'd give them a chance. I was so pleased with them that I ordered one for my prep sink...and it wasn't cheap!

I do think the stainless steel grids are far superior to the vinyl coated ones. I have SS in my cleanup sink (two bowls/2 grids) and a vinyl coated one in my prep sink.

Yes, the vinyl does stain and I am careful not to put a pot directly from the cooktop into my prep sink. However, I don't hesitate to drain pasta, etc. in the sink and over the grid.

In my cleanup sink, I put anything/any temperature on the grids...love them! (I wish I could get SS for my prep sink!)

The one big advantage I haven't seen anyone add is that when I drain pasta, there's no more backwash into the colander! Other advantages:

Biggest advantages to me:

• Water doesn't backup into the colander when draining pasta

• When I rinse down the sink, items in the sink no longer block the drain or block the "way" to the drain so I don't have to "chase" specks of food, etc. around the sink!

Other advantages:

• There is less scratching of the bottom of the sink (this is minor to me since I don't mind the scratches)

• When I dump something in the sink, whatever I've dumped doesn't wash all over everything sitting in the sink....whatever is dumped goes straight down the drain

• If I'm handwashing dishes, I can use the grid tines to hold things up, especially plates & bowls...similar to a dish drainer (I don't do this often - I hate handwashing washing dishes!)

• I can rinse and drain dishes on the grid and still run water in the sink w/o running it all over the items again

• Things lay flat on the grid (no slope like in the bottom of a sink bowl)

• If your sink is too deep for you on a daily basis, it raises the bottom by an inch or so. Yet, if you still need the depth occasionally, you can remove the grid.

• Less need to clean/wipe the bowl b/c things aren't as likely to "stick"

• The stainless steel ones in my cleanup sink also act as a trivet for hot things (when the sink is clear, of course!)

Some people complain about "chasing things around" to rinse their sink....

• I don't get the "chasing" things around to rinse the sink comment - with a spray, it's just as easy to rinse with the grid as without...actually, it's much easier!! I no longer have to chase food around items sitting on the bottom of the sink blocking the flow of water.

In answer to Fori's question, I think it would annoy me if the drain was covered. It's not so much that the hole and drain don't line up, it's the fact that the drain is covered. Maybe a half-sink grid would work for you.

Is your sink custom-made or is it "off the shelf"?

What about two half-sink grids? You would only have to lift one to get to the drain so it might not be as bad as a full-sink grid.

Why not try putting in a couple of cooling racks to see if it might work?

Thanks for all the gritty details, y'all! I think I'd be happy with a half rack if I can find one that goes the full depth front-to-back. If they don't slip around, it's probably all I need.

It's a custom sink and would be difficult to replace--had the fabricator not gone in for bypass surgery in the middle of installation I might not have accepted it but I'm a softie. It's not THAT bad and a tidier household wouldn't notice its flaws.

My old Blanco sink grid was in the back right corner. I saw a another that might work, too.

http://www.blanco-germany.com/en_us/en_us/sinks/sink_accessories/sinkgrids/sink_grids_overview.html?acctype=3

Fori, I tried my small grid on the big side of the sink. It did slide around a bit; I didn't really do anything in the sink, so I don't know if it's something I could get used to or not.

I'm anxious to hear your results!

Thanks all! I'll see what I can cobble together. Anything to avoid washing dishes promptly!

I have found a nice selection at Bed Bath and Beyond.

I am a recent sink grid convert! I have always had a sink mat in the bottom and would have to replace every year or so. It was clear so would stain, etc. I like having something to rest items on and cushion falls. Also to prevent sink scratches. I decided to try a grid. Got it from amazon. No drain cut out, which I thought might annoy me but I don't mind picking up the grid to empty the strainer. I really love it.

Thanks everyone! I ordered one that should cover about 2/3 of the sink. if ti stays put, I'll consider it a win. :)