Brilliant idea, Joseph. Similar story microwave surround had to be sent back 3 times due to dents. Absolutely no cushioning or protective packaging.

I have Corian with a Franke stainless sink in my kitchen and am about to replicated that in a kitchennette in a guest space. I'm not a fan of integrated Corian sinks. I just have never liked the look. Always felt cheesy to me for some reason and still does. I have had Franke sinks in the past before and they worked well. I believe they are often in stock on Build.com

THANK YOU so much for the quick responses and great information, particularly the links to the Elkay and Kraus sinks. (Shout out to Roy and Louise!) Also appreciate the comments re: the countertop. I think it's a beautiful color, but it IS "strong"! I'm a bit nervous. However, the color and pattern aren't "loud"; the designer liked it, and it can't be worse than what it is replacing (also blue). Fingers crossed....

More info and questions....

33" cabinet

Single bowl - doesn't need to be the largest size possible. 24-26" works.

Workstation? Not sure. I like the idea, but I've read that they don't look as good with undermounts because the edge of the countertop is recessed a bit to allow for the sink ledge upon which you place the cutting board etc. I'm thinking that i can just buy a cutting board , colander etc that will fit over the sink. So, maybe "nice but not necessary." Thoughts?

If we do something other than stainless, it would have to be white. Good point about staining!

This is being done last minute because, frankly, it was not my responsibility. 'nuff said.

Bottom grid - Roy, you mentioned not using the grid. I would LOVE to not use a grid, but since every sink comes with them, even 14 gauge sinks, i thought it was necessary. Has anyone else gone grid-less?

Glad to hear that you've had good experiences with stainless. The rust is a particular concern - it seems to be a common problem, across brands. Not just a few outlier reviews here and there but a significant minority of reviews from numerous sources - Amazon, Build.com, Wayfair, mfr websites. Kraus particularly had a lot of rust comments. Nobody here has had this issue?

The other big issue is drainage. You have standing water in the sink and have to push or scrape water and crumbs to the drain. It seems like the drains aren't pitched enough....though I realize that they can't be pitched too much, the sink bottom needs to be relatively flat. I haven't read enough reviews on non-stainless sinks to know if it's a universal problem.

I appreciate you reading all of this. Thank you again!

Royhobbs, did you not see that Jan said if the OP needs a sink now, then they need to get an Elkay? Otherwise they need to shop for what's in stock. Read the post before bashing someone.

@catbuilder - that's not quite what she says. In any case, I was responding to @JAN MOYER's tone of hysteria about the OP needing a sink in 6 days. It was out of line with what is the reality of the market for stainless steel sinks in 2023, not 2020/2021. I am more interested in helping the OP than in defending a commenter who made all of the following statements that are either melodramatic or plain incorrect: "For heavens sake!! Six ?" "But I will tell you right now, for whatever reason you need it in six days? You are going to be in trouble." "Move the date out. By two weeks. Or go to your local plumbing supply, and select from what MAY be in stock in their warehouse." " How hard can it be"? Well it can be really hard, as we are not out of the supply chain issue by any means! Not by a long shot." "Unless you move the date? Elkay. Blanco, Franke...... go shopping for in stock /local." "When you see " 2 left'?! That means on planet Earth. Not 2 @ Build.com. 2 @ Amazom....and 2 at the next place." As I said, the website I linked above, along with other reputable websites, have hundreds of sinks in stock, and ready to ship quickly. Facts that you called bashing.

I got a stainless steel Kraus sink from Amazon. Very well packaged in original Kraus packaging. Arrived with no damage at all.

Your cabinet is 33"? Then I would get the Blanco Stellar 32" which is available for delivery from Home Depot by Tuesday (to my zip code at least) - I think it will fit, although very snug.

Be sure that your installer uses a harness system to install, as Joe Corlett often recommends.

I have the Blanco 28" in my 30" cabinet. It has been in since late 2013, with none of the problems that you mentioned (except scratches, which do blend in after time). I love the offset to the rear drain, which maximized useful space in the cabinet. I do not have a grid, and also use a drain rack, and colander, that sit over the sink.

raee, thank you for the link, I'll check it out! Although we have a 33" cabinet, I think I'd go with the 28" size. We have very little counterspace and don't need a bigger sink.:)

That indigo swirl looks so pretty -- I can't wait to see your kitchen!! And I think ss would look better than white, to be honest.

I did not say she needed to get Elkay or ANY other!

In six day?!

Unless you want a big problem , you get it Locally snd you inspect it.

Dont ask how some of these are boxed in an online order!

Yes….. dents

good advice, thanks!

We got our kraus from amazon too zero issues well packaged, no rust after 7 years. we use the grid but i’ve always had stainless in apartments and never had a grid then. i would say no standing water but of course you have to scrape crumbs. we have a center drain although the offset ones look nice.

“i thought it was necessary. Has anyone else gone grid-less?”

A sink grid IS necessary for enameled cast iron and fireclay sinks. A must for those. But it is not necessary for a stainless steel sink since a SS sink won’t chip if something drops on it (nor dent if you get a sink in the thicker 16 gauge). People nevertheless use grids in stainless steel sinks because: (A) it reduces scratches, though does not entirely prevent them; and (B) it raises the sink floor by an inch or so for those people who feel their sinks are too deep.

Me, I don’t use a sink grid in my stainless steel sink. They have lots of nooks and crannies for gunk to get into, they are one more cleaning chore to add to my list, I don’t like when a spoon falls through it and you have to fish it out, and the rubber feet can be problematic by deteriorating over time and/or falling off. Having said all that, many people love their sink grids, and would not do without one - there is no right or wrong answer, it’s personal preference.

”The rust is a particular concern - it seems to be a common problem, across brands.”

This is one of those myths that get bandied about. Stainless steel cannot rust. That is why stainless steel screws and bolts are required in roofing, in boating and other marine uses, and other applications involving water. Stainless steel sinks do not rust. When rust shows up in a stainless steel sink it is from something that has been left in the sink that rusts. That could be from people using Brillo pads to clean the sink (never do that!) which leaves behind tiny particles of metal that rust, or a metal spatula, a can, can lid or similar is left in the sink. Or, if your water is hard and has iron in it, when the water droplets dry, the iron in the water can leave a rusty residue. And guess what, it’s a big nothing! You just clean it with Barkeepers Friend and in 1 minute the rust is gone. People like to stoke fears about minor things.

In my two previous homes I had Blanco Silgranit sinks which is a granite composite that you did not list in your OP. They were both the Blancodiamond Super Single with corner drain in the anthracite color. Loved them! Though I wouldn’t get the Silgranit in the white color. The only reason I got SS for this house was that after 2 houses and 2 Silgranit sinks, I wanted a change. Now I have a SS sink and love it too. I’d recommend highly either material for a kitchen sink.

M. Miller, this is really helpful. I feel the same way about grids - I imagine food getting stuck on it when rinsing the sink,making it harder to keep the sink clean and harder to clean the grid itself. Thank you for allaying my fears about rust. I've read so many reviews - many photos - and couldn't understand how S/S could rust. Huge relief! I really appreciate your taking the time to write. :)

btw, for those who have "workstation" sinks, is it difficult to keep the "ledge" clean?

Be sure to consider sink depth if you plan to have a garbage disposal. We ran into issues with our 10” deep sink because the garbage disposal was too low in relation to drain line leaving house. If your plumbing is low enough, its no issue. I wish we wouldve gone with 9” deep deep. We sat on top of quartz just to elevate it a bit

I didn't go for a workstation sink because the ledge is an extra bit to clean, because the ledge takes away from the total space on the bottom of the sink and because I didn't want to have to find a place to store the accessories.

No, you do not have to use the bottom grid that comes with a lot of sinks. Did not think that I would use the grid that came with mine--didn't think that I would like it but ends up that I do like having the grid. But it is something extra to clean.

A rear corner drain was my must have feature.

Loads of sinks at Costco.com... that include the faucet.

" I want it to be timeless, and to last 20 Years"

" How HARD could it be to get a sink?!"

"It wasn't my responsibility, that's another story"

My favorite? "It's 2023, not 20,21,22."

Okay kids, when you have produced about eight brand new kitchens in the last two years alone, and three times as many baths? You can tell me ALL about procurement and what is available, and how it arrives, and shipping errors, and boxing and all else.

Price, quality, delivery PICK TWO. Even that has been rendered somewhat meaningless. Yes I am aware of the date.

When you need it now? You go local.

And for the last time, her material is not "corian" from the eighties, it is QUARTZ. , so I doubt she needs or wants an integrated Corian (Dupont) sink.

"Hysteria" ? It's reality. YOU make the calls to the client, the fabricator , contractor, and all involved when dates move, and a build or remodel schedule keeps adjusting ad nausea.

Good grief. Go sit on the couch you're still WAITING for, and take a nice nap : )

I don't think the ledge is hard to clean, the only bit that is annoying, in my opinion, are the corners of the sink. Mine is all 90 degree corners, so it can get hard to dig in, but it's more of an annoyance and a bit more effort than a problem really. I do keep a grate in mine, mainly because I like that it keeps things off the bottom, and our sink is big enough that I can use both the drying mat on the ledge and the grate to dry dishes, while still being able to use the other side of the sink. For reference, I have a Kraus Kore 33" with the offset drain.

Jan - to clarify, my comment "how hard could it be?" was meant to be humorous. (Clearly it wasn't). Picking a sink is very hard, which is why I wrote write after that comment that I'm "rethinking" everything. I don't think anyone is trying to minimize your experience, and i appreciate your advice.

ci_lantro and Kaitlin, are your drains in the center-back of the sink, or in a corner? What do you like/dislike about them? Thanks!

I feel like I've gone down the rabbit-hole a bit so I'm stepping back with a general question... What are the advantages of an Workstation sink vs simply placing a cutting board, colander etc across an undermount sink, resting on the counter? That's what I do now. What am I missing?

I saw this sink in person and really liked it; it's 16 gauge SS and has the noise-dampening undercoating. It's in stock at Abt and would fit in your 33" cabinet. Link. I just ordered it so I can't speak to whether I like it in use yet, but a friend has the same one and I've tried it and liked it at her house. Can't speak to benefits of a workstation sink, but I currently use a rollup drain thingy like this that I find handy for rinsing large veggies like peppers and air drying things I wash by hand. (I ordered a less expensive one on Amazon.)

fatcatzMine is in the back right corner. I like that I can dry or drain things on the far left grate and still use the other side to wash dishes at the same time, but that may also be able to be done with a center sink and grate, don't have any experience with that. I went from a shallow double sink to this, so anything was better than what I had.

Truly nobody needs a workstation sink

You are paying for a bunch of stuff easily bought and stored in many other ways!!

A waste of money for "gadgets"

Graphite Blanco Sink installed three years ago. Stainless Steel insert I found at Bargain Hunt for $7. I ordered a black grid today off Amazon....they were not available 3 years ago.

I think that workstation sinks are popular because they are "all in one", the accessories sit level with the counter so less visible, and also because they are the "latest thing". I don't think that they have any major advantage over a sink with after-market accessories.

I have a rollup draining grate like the one chicagoans linked - $3 at Menards. I also have a colander that hangs across the sink - hard plastic, from Ikea (but they don't sell it now, their only one is metal and more $). Many to choose from at many price points online - Walmart, Amazon, others. My cutting board lives next to the stove.

@chicagoans - the rollup drying rack is great. But I gotta say, that Franke one you linked to is $91! But non-Franke ones are sold all over Amazon for $10-30, and they are stainless steel, and look pretty identical to that Franke. Here is one listing on Amazon, with a number of different size options, but there are many more: https://www.amazon.com/Roll-up-Foldable-Stainless-Kitchen-17-8x11-2/dp/B07HG2HSF3/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1XUPXSXOMGV1R&keywords=stainless%2Bsteel%2Bsink%2Broller%2Brack&qid=1678488832&sprefix=stainless%2Bsteel%2Bsink%2Broller%2Brack%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-7&th=1

[Edited to add: did not notice when I wrote my comment that @raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio's comment says similar]

I have the workstation sink, but in my case I had specific dimensions I was looking for and that’s what kept coming up. Same with a fridge, I didn’t really want ice in door, but my specs (and budget) meant that it kept filtering down to ice in door models.

I don’t know how much I will use the accessories, bit for a right rear drain under 26” SS my options were more limited. I think the workstation features aren’t maybe the latest thing by demand, but caused by supply.

I really love my Riverby cast iron workstation. The ledge is beveled, so doesn't tend to hold water and is easy to maintain. One of my concerns, when I went from a two-basin sink to a single basin, was where was I going to hang my dishrag to dry. I used to store it on the center divide. The utility rack is the solution. I like having two racks in the bottom of the sink instead of one because they are easier to maneuver. I don't find the racks difficult or time-consuming to clean. The silicone cup, in the utility rack, is moderately handy for drying knives, but I wish the cup was eliminated and that I had a longer utility rack instead. I have no use for the plastic white colander because I have a collection of colanders, designed for specific tasks, that I would rather use.

theresa, that's a nice sink!

fatcatz, the drain is in the right rear corner.

@ci_lantro - do you have a link to your sink from Amazon? Thanks! Are you happy with the right rear drain? Does it function better? Thanks!

This is the sink that I have: Kraus Standart Pro KHT410-33

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PFT83DG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

It is 18 gauge; listing incorrectly states 16 gauge.

Dual mount. Top mount sinks can usually be mounted under counter, too. But this sink is available in smaller sizes and in a strictly under mount configuration.

I very much like the rear corner drain. As I said, it was a must have. Reason? So easy to keep the drain clear and unblocked by items in the sink...which is a never ending battle that you always lose with center drain sinks.

The other bonus with corner drain sinks is under the sink. The drain pipe is off to the side so you have a larger free area under there. I also netted better space by switching from a double bowl to single bowl sink--which eliminates some of the drain piping, too.

Model # of Kraus 27" undermount sink: Kraus KHU110-27 Standart PRO Kitchen Stainless Steel Sink

https://www.amazon.com/Kraus-KHU110-27-Standart-Kitchen-Stainless/dp/B07HGRP3TY

I'd like to see ci_lantro's sink also!

Does anyone have experience with Franke sinks? I saw one that I like ("Pescara"). But they're much more expensive than what I've been looking at, and they use 18 gauge steel. For the price i'd expect 16g. Are they worth the $?

@fatcatz - The Franke Professional 2.0 line is 16 gauge. However, this line is 10" deep, which when undermounted is going to be a hole. Someting to think about.

Franke began with commercial sinks, taking lots of abuse. They're quiet, hefty, not tinny whatsoever. Franke's finishes are beautiful. These are lifetime sinks.

I don't own the Pescara that you're looking at but I've seen it in person. Something to consider - The sqaure drain cover is just a cover. The drain flange underneath is round like any other drain and the voids around the drain (where the square shape is) is not seamless. If you're going to leave the square cover on all the time and don't mind wiping those areas out on occasion it would probably be fine. I decided against it for my own sanity but only you know if this would be an issue for you or not.. (It was a big "no" for me.. ) If you're going to use a garbage disposal the square cover would be a moot point anyway.

Have you looked at this Elkay? It's 16 gauge. I believe (unless I'm mistaken) if it was strapped into your 33" cabinet it would fit just fine. I said this earlier on the thread but my current Elkay is 25 years old and she still cleans up like a champ.

6 days! Tick tock Clarice!

Thank you Beatrix! It's good to hear that Franke is a good brand. I don't have a garbage disposal. I wish the drain cover was round so it wouldn't look odd when the drain is uncovered. Not a deal breaker though. I showed my husband several sinks today, including Elkay. He likes the Franke the best. So Franke it is!

What do you mean you don't have a garbage disposal? Really?

FWIW, I thought that I had to have a 16 gauge stainless steel. But I ended up with an 18 ga sink. I was initially disappointed but after giving it a good look over and factoring in the great deal that I got (Prime Day), decided to keep it. Bought is as a 'temporary' sink but, after using it for over a year, I don't have any qualms about buying another 18 ga sink. So long as it is a welded corner sink & not a stamped one.

I am also very satisfied with the quality of the Kraus sink that I got & linked above.

As far as garbage disposals go--I have inherited them in houses. Removed them all. Because they all froze up and didn't work because I don't use them.

Paul, it's true, I really don't have a garbage disposal! I didn't realize that it was unusual. We don't have any need for one.

I used to have garbage disposals when I lived in the city, but based on that experience, I found it to be more trouble than its worth because it jammed, smelled, ground spoons and wasted a lot of water. I much prefer having a scrap bowl and composting.

The new disposals can grind bones and rarely jam. Strong magnets in the collar keeps spoons from falling in as well. I can’t imagine living without one. I grew up with a scrap bag on the counter next to the sink and never wanna live like that again.

Rarely jam is different from never jams. Imagine when you are in a hurry or have company for a celebration and the darn garbage disposal jams. Yulk to fishing out the spoon from the shaft. I am happy to compost and live with a stainless steel compost bowl on the countertop, but I realize it is not for everyone. I have gardens and a septic system, so those are factors as well. You should enjoy your garbage disposal, but try to understand that its not everyone's cup of tea for all the reasons mentioned.

Two reasons to forego a garbage disposal: 1) You are on a septic system; 2) You live in area that is frequently impacted by drought. Currently I don’t want to compost, but my trash service has gone to accepting food waste in the landscape bin. I’ll let them do the composting. Win-win.

But we may have wandered off topic just a bit. I, too, would like to know how the sink saga played out.

We have a Kohler sink. Cast iron. With the metal inserts. Great for pots and divider is awesome too! I love it to keep things seperated

We decided on the Franke Pescara sink. I was anxious about having the sink in time so I ordered several sinks from Home Depot (Franke in 2 sizes, MR Direct, Ruvati 2 sizes and Kraus). It was a bit of overkill since they all arrived within 2 days. :) Thank you everyone for your advice!!

I'd order four of the sink you want from Build. Odds are one of them won't be damaged. No charge to send the others back. Maybe when enough people start doing this, Build will realize that inspecting and properly packaging and shipping sinks is more cost effective than processing all these returns. I can only hope. The President's office doesn't care a whit.

If you can't get what you need locally, that's a good idea.

I think it's a beautiful color, but it IS "strong"!

I think the same thing. I'd like half as much "pattern".

Workstation? Not sure. I like the idea, but I've read that they don't look as good with undermounts because the edge of the countertop is recessed a bit to allow for the sink ledge upon which you place the cutting board etc. I'm thinking that i can just buy a cutting board , colander etc that will fit over the sink. So, maybe "nice but not necessary." Thoughts?

The sink is the most-used item in the kitchen. Get the one you really want.
Has anyone else gone grid-less?

The vast majority of all sinks are gridless -- grids are just a new thing that come with these work station sinks.

The other big issue is drainage. You have standing water in the sink and have to push or scrape water and crumbs to the drain. It seems like the drains aren't pitched enough

Related topic: Choose a faucet with a pull-down so you can "chase" the crumbs towards the drain.

We have very little counterspace and don't need a bigger sink.:)

I'd get the larger sink ... and use a cuting board to make more counterspace when appropriate.

What are the advantages of an Workstation sink vs simply placing a cutting board, colander etc across an undermount sink, resting on the counter?

The cutting board will "hold still" if it's held in place in the work station sink.

Truly nobody needs a workstation sink
You are paying for a bunch of stuff easily bought and stored in many other ways!!
A waste of money for "gadgets"

Well, that logic can be applied to a whole lot of things in any house -- but I don't think they're a waste.

Mrs Pete, thank you for all the advice!