Sink recommendations please!

7 years ago

Hi, we are looking for a stainless steel sink that will fit into a 30" cabinet. The only hitch is that we would like a sink depth of around 8", not the 10" that now seems standard (we're both tall and have used sinks at both depths and our backs are much happier at the shallower depth).

Thank you!

Featured Answer

Buehl

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

You're right Marisa, the taller you are, the more difficult it becomes for taller people to use deep sinks.

Why?

Taller people have to bend farther to reach the bottom of the sink than shorter people. This is one of the advantages of being short.

However, I will say that my 6'5" DH doesn't complain about our 10" + counter thickness sink. But, we don't handwash anything more than we absolutely have to.

Since you do a lot of handwashing, I totally understand!

Another cause of backaches is having to reach too far forward to reach the faucet -- try to keep the front sink rail (distance b/w the edge of the counter and the sink) as shallow as possible -- no more than 2" or 3". However, it will probably depend on your counter material as to what will work. Also, make sure your faucet has a deep "reach" (the distance b/w the middle of the faucet stem and the faucet head).

Are you remodeling? Or, are you just replacing an existing sink? If remodeling, then consider higher counters -- that will raise the sink to a more comfortable height. Taller people usually could user taller counters to achieve their "ideal" height. What's your ideal height? Calculate it this way (it takes two people):

1. Stand up straight with your arms hanging straight down

2. Bend your elbow 90 degrees keeping your arm against your body and keeping your upper arm straight down

3. Measure from the floor to your elbow (this is where the 2nd person comes in!)

4. Take that measurement and subtract 6"

5. The final result is your "ideal" work height

[Note that overall height is only one factor in someone's ideal work height...the other is upper arm length. So two people the same height but with different arm lengths will have two different ideal heights.]

Another discussion about back aches and sinks: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2515846/counter-heights#n=14

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Comments (16)

Zalco/bring back Sophie!
7 years ago
Try Kraus.
M G
7 years ago
Thank you, but they don't appear to have a sink that fits the parameters. The only one I've been able to find is this:

http://www.elkay.com/sinks/undermount/eluh2416

Thoughts? And has anyone found a work around (a very high sink grid, etc) for 9" deep sinks?
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M Miller
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
A sink grid typically subtracts 1" from the depth. Or, that Elkay that you linked looks good. Elkay a good company. I would have preferred an offset drain, Here is that Elkay sink on the Wayfair website for a lot less than the retail price on the Elkay website: https://www.wayfair.com/Elkay--Lustertone-27-L-x-19-W-Undermount-Kitchen-Sink-ELUH2416-L628-K~ELK3623.html?refid=GX99081622642-ELK3623&device=c&ptid=263650087336&network=g&targetid=pla-263650087336&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=47609888&fdid=1817&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhfGt8MDJ5AIVGZzVCh0lHQvpEAYYAyABEgKV8fD_BwE
M G
7 years ago
I realized when I'm measuring our current sink at ~8", it's a drop in sink. But for the undermount sinks I'm looking at, I would assume I need to add the depth of the countertop, correct?

So even the 8" sink I'm looking at would be more of a 9.25" deep sink, right?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
This sink will work. Yeah, it's 30 1/2", but that doesn't matter. The bowl is 8" deep and 28" wide which will easily strap in place.
Marisa G thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago

"So even the 8" sink I'm looking at would be more of a 9.25" deep sink, right?"

Yes.
Marisa G thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
calidesign
7 years ago
8" is really shallow. Have you considered getting a 10" and using a stainless steel grid insert inside? You would get about an inch higher with that. We use ours a lot to set things in the sink without scratching.
akhbear
7 years ago
Joe, is there an installation video or something that explains the strapping method? Will the 30.5" sink interfere with the cabinets next to it?

Thank you!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
I’m tall but I still like a deep sink not sure what being tall has to do with it. I work in a restaurant part time where the sinks are 18” deep and I still have no issue so not understanding what you have a problem with. Really how much time do you spend at the sink almost everything I own goes in the DW.
Marisa G
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm glad you like a deep sink but we've had both and found that our backs hurt from having to bend down all the time.

And we spend a lot of time at our sink, especially when entertaining (which is often) as we have china that we prefer to hand wash.
chispa
7 years ago
I am happy with my Julien sinks. Mine is 10" deep, but I think they have 8" options too.
Marisa G thanked chispa
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
ackbear:

Click on the video button here please. The 30.5" sink will not interfere with adjacent cabinets.
M G
7 years ago
Joe, do you have fabricator recommendations on Long Island? Thank you!
kel_kat5
6 years ago
What did you go with? I know that there is Kraus Dex - 9".
Bob W
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Have a look at Create Good Sinks. They have 8” deep stainless steel sinks. We’ll be getting ours from them.