IMO, they are a real pain. As you pointed out, they are more work to keep clean, makes more work for cleaning the sink and keeping hard water stains off is nearly impossible. What I do like about it is that it keeps the sink bottom from getting scratched up and having your dishes in the sink elevated above the gunk at the bottom makes it a bit easier to wash things. I do tell myself at times that I wish I had my old scratched up SS sink. =)

Sink grids were developed for overly obsessive people who ordered too deep sinks. Patina happens. It’s fine. A 10” deep sink will give almost everyone a back ache. It’s too deep.

Green Designs: what do you think is a good depth for sink?

Depends on your height. I am relatively short and went with an 8" farmhouse sink. I had been toying with a 7" or 7.5" but the manufacturer (Havens Metals) told me that his grandmother was my height (5' 4") and the 8" was fine for her. It is a fine depth for me as well - deep enough to be functional but not so deep as to make me strain to reach the bottom.

I have a ledge type of sink and ordered the grid but I never use it as a grid. It sits on my ledge and effectively extends my counter space. I love the design of a ledge because I can use my grid for drying stuff that I hand wash and I also prep and wash on it which eliminates having to clean off my counters.

I have been saying for several years on this forum that sink grids are not for me, because they are just one more thing to have to clean. I have a stainless steel sink, and got comfortable with its patina. Some people like a grid because it makes the sink less deep by about an inch which is helpful if you feel you are bending too much to reach the bottom of the sink. I am short, so I do not have an issue in that regard. Also, I am guessing here, but a grid might help prevent chipping with an enameled cast iron sink if you drop your Le Creuset pot in it or similar.

I like 'em for keeping things off the bottom of the sink. Not for keeping that stuff from scratching the sink, but to prevent standing water that might be trapped somewhere.

And if I'm draining something in a colander, it drains better and more quickly, without anything sitting in the bottom of the sink.

I love my sink grids. As Joe T said, they eliminate the possibility that something will block the drain; they serve as a drying rack for the odd pot that doesn't fit in the DW; I have a double sink, and the grids fit in the DW.

Strange that you have to lift up your grid to chase the debris into the drain with the spray. I have the large Stages sink and do that all the time without moving the sink grid.

I didn't like how the rubber feet on the grid got dirty and would catch things, so I actually use the grid with the rubber feet up and there is still plenty of space underneath to chase debris around. It's much easier to clean the feet with my sink brush that way.

I like being able to empty boiling water from pasta and draining the liquid out of canned contents into the sink and not worry about getting the cup/s that are drying upside down on the grid wet.

It''s extra space to dry dishes and pans. The grid helps to hold my drying baking pans and cutting boards vertically against the side of the sink. Otherwise they would just slide right down.

I like being able to put a used spoon on the clean grid and reusing it for the same recipe (like a spoon rest).

I like being able to clean my heavy pots and pans without worrying about denting or scratching the stainless finish.

I would have a sink grid even with a shallow depth sink for all those reasons.

I had a grid for my big copper farm sink. It was plastic coated and worked like a dream. So I assumed I'd love the grid that came with my Kraus stainless undermount sink. Same as you, I had to wrestle it to get it out of the sink, all kinds of debris stuck to it. I was always picking food out of it. So that one I took out and I don't use a grid in that sink. I think it depends on the grid and the sink if it works well or not.

I love my sink grids. I just periodically put them in the dishwasher to get them clean.

I love my sink grids too. I have one in my cleanup sink and one in my prep sink. I didn't know if I would like the grids but they came with the sinks so I figured I would try them out. I don't have to lift it to spray debris into drain. I lift one end to clean sink bottom and just wipe down the grid with soapy sponge each night and every now and then I'll flip it over in the sink to wipe down the bottom.

i like the grids that can go in the dishwasher. They make the sink less deep, give a platform for drying stuff, keep my fireclay sink safe and dont require work on my part to clean. I tossed the grid that came with my sink that was too big for my dishwasher. Mine only covers half my sink.

I love mine because it is 2 parts so fits in the dishwasher.

Hello everyone. I am working on a new grid design for my sink and am trying to make it as useful as possible. Curious- what would you want to see in a dish grid ? Having it in two parts so it fits in a dishwasher is in the new design , as well as having clear plastic SOLID feet so no gunk can build up.

Is having it close to the bottom ( within 1/2") preferable to the standard 3/4" height?

Any and all suggestions would be both helpful and appreciated.

You know how manufactures never listen to consumers when designing products? here's a chance to change that (:

~~joseph

I would love having a split design as my one large one does not fit into the dishwasher. For me, I would not want it closer to the bottom than the standard 3/4" as it would reduce the clearance of "junk" washed under the grid.

@RCKsinks Inc. - it is commendable that you are asking for feedback on grids that you will offer with your sinks. I looked at your Houzz page and your website. There is only one sink pictured, but what struck me was that the drain was centered, and not offset. You need to make the sinks with offset drains, and offset into the corner is even better. Look at Elkay Crosstown, BlancoDiamond Silgranit Super Single, Kohler Whitehaven, and Rachiele sinks to see what I am talking about. I would never buy a sink with a center drain.

for me, they are a waste. If I wanted the sink shallower, I would have bought a shallower sink. I don't leave things in the sink, usually wash them within a short time (pans, etc) or put them right in the dishwasher. I really don't wash much by hand, only things that take up too much space in the dishwasher and things that can't go in there. I don't need any extra things to clean!

The good news is, if you don’t like the grid you don’t have to use it. I didn’t think I would like one but I do. Mine in really easy to get in and out, and I have a cast iron sink so it keeps the cast iron pans from banging the bottom of the sink.

The sink grid I have lives on the shelf of the sink (just below the cutting board and bowl holder). It seldom sees the bottom of the sink. However, pots and pans are washed in the dishwasher. If they were washed in the sink that would be different. The larger bowl doesn't fit in the dishwasher, but it also never reaches the bottom of the sink. (Yeah, it's really large).

I have an enameled Kohler cast iron sink with grids. I always figured the main purpose was to keep dishes from clunking the bottom of the sink and possibly chipping or breaking. Also to prevent chipping the sink. I don't mind it and occasionally throw it in the dishwasher and it looks pretty good. I just lift it up to wipe the bottom of the sink.

I have a grid over half my sink because my sink doesn't drain very well and it keeps things out of the sludge. I'm cool with patina.