We are looking for a black kitchen sink. The Kohler cast iron ones are running about $400+ from the big box stores (and they are all special order). So we're looking at the Acrylic ones and the slate ones - those are around $200.

Anyone have issues with these - do they scratch more than the Kohler Cast Iron ones / staining - etc.?

also, any chance i could undermount any of these - some of them say undermount ready. i currently have a self rimming stainless sink in corian countertops. haven't pulled it yet to see if the hole is cut cleanly, but is there anything else to look for?

thanks.

 

Yep, the stains and scratches left by the rim of the original sink. If your hole is cut clean, it will be an industry first.

 

Check out the black granite sinks by Eljer and others. They're very hard and seem durable. Don't worry about stains from the original sink-they can be removed with sandpaper. Chandler's right; it probably won't be cleanly cut. Just hope it wasn't cut with a jig saw. Those telltale up & down strokes are crack starters. Also, the opening may not be right for an undermount sink, so it may have to be modified. Be sure to suspend the sink correctly or it could fall off.
Good luck,
Mike

 

Undermount sink cut outs are sized so that the countertop will overhang the sink. The edges are finished. To convert and finish a drop-in sink cut out for mounting an undermounted sink may present a challenge, particularly from the standpoint of finishing the edge. Although more difficult to install, but much more functional from a cleaning standpoint.

A black, acrylic sink would offer ease of maintenance. The only caution about acrylic is that it can be melted by hot pots. In general, acrylic tends to be scratch and stain resistant. Acrylic sinks come in varying thicknesses, warranties, and prices.

There are also a variety of acrylic composite sinks available-- quartz-, slate-, or granite-acrylic composites. These appear to be gaining in popularity and tend not to be easily scratched.


If heat is an issue, a composite granite slate sink is very heat resistant, easy to clean, and won't scratch, chip or stain. Genuine slate sinks are harder to maintain than granite or soapstone. Natural stone requires special maintenance and care.

 

I think you run a great risk of any shiny black surface looking hazy and dull after a relatively short period of time. I don't have experience with other materials, but I have had a lot of Kohler porcelain sinks and while I love them, they do still scratch and you have to take care of them. Think of black cars, black shows every imperfection. I'm not saying don't get black, but know what you're getting into.

Whatever material you get, I'd recommend that you get the wire rack that matches it if there is one. I keep Kohler's racks for my two kitchen sinks in them and it has greatly helped to keep them new looking.

If you do go with porcelain, Kohler sells a porcelain sink cleaner on their website that used to be around $6 a bottle. It does wonders on their sinks and works much better than anything else I've ever tried to remove stains, scratch marks, etc. I highly recommend getting some.