Ceramic kitchen sink

Possibilities of modern interior are practically unlimited. New trends of fashion, high technologies penetrate into our life more often. Designer vision reached and kitchen spaces. When decorating a modern kitchen, you need to be guided not only by the budget and your own taste, but also take into account the technological innovations presented to us by progress to facilitate and improve the quality of life. Interior fashion is increasingly leaning towards the environmental friendliness of materials. This applies more to kitchen sinks, which are now produced not only galvanized and enamelled. The most modern option is ceramic bowls. How to choose the right one and what can be a ceramic kitchen sink? This will be discussed in this article.

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How do ceramic kitchen sinks?

The technological process for the production of ceramic washers is divided into several stages:

1. Depending on the model, a detailed recipe is prepared, the raw mass is prepared.
2. Special additives are added to the clay to improve its properties. All is well mixed for uniform distribution of components and poured into the mold. Most manufacturers at this stage introduce dyes to give the desired color to the product.
3. Next follows the pressing process under high pressure to seal the molding mass and to give the desired configuration of the model in accordance with the designed design.
4. The product is then fired at a high temperature of up to 1000 degrees. To impart strength, the sink is subjected to a special thermal procedure "hardening".
5. White or colored enamel is applied to the treated sink. This allows you to get an original ceramic sink for the kitchen, which will become a real decoration of the kitchen interior.

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Varieties of kitchen sinks from ceramics

Ceramic washers are made from different materials. The main components are porcelain stoneware, faience and porcelain, which determine the quality and price of the product:

1. The faience is very porous, as it is mainly made of clay. It absorbs moisture in itself, because of which, in the course of operation, the surface of the sink can be covered with a cobweb of cracks. The quality of such products is low, the price is the lowest for such products.
2. Porcelain is produced from a mixture of kaolin clay, feldspar, quartz and several other components. The porcelain sinks are distinguished by the smoothness of the vitreous surface. At the same time, a special strength and an ideal appearance raise the price rate.
3. Porcelain tiles are composite and real. Strong material, not afraid of external influences. The surface of the ceramic sink is sometimes covered with enamel. But even without it, the shell looks great. The most practical and popular products on the market.

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Ceramic kitchen sink: advantages and disadvantages

Let's try to understand the pros and cons of the ceramic sinks before making a serious choice.

Advantages:

1. Ceramics is an eco-friendly material made from natural ingredients. Hypoallergenic and not harmful to human health. During use, it does not release harmful chemical elements, does not impart a specific flavor to the products.
2. Ceramic kitchen sinks look spectacular, have a diverse design and will become an exclusive element of the decor. You can choose different shapes and colors.
3. The bowl of ceramics, if used properly, will last a long time and will look like a new, elegant interior detail throughout the whole time.
4. Resistance to mechanical damage. Ceramic materials are very durable, do not scratch, do not abrade. Feel free to put any dish in the bowl.
5. Resistant to high temperatures. You can not be afraid that boiling water or hot fat will destroy such beauty. Even hot pots and pans are not afraid of high-quality refractory bowls. Composite materials are able to withstand temperatures up to 280 degrees - ideal for kitchens, which are constantly cooked.
6. They say that ceramics are a dream of sloths. The surface of the shells is covered by dirt and grease repellent coating. Caring for the surface is easy enough, using ordinary detergents. If there is severe contamination, apply a cleaning powder. That is, the service is very economical, you do not need to buy special expensive household chemicals.
7. Ceramic washers have increased sound insulation. The jet of falling water does not create a rumbling sound, as in stainless steel sinks.

Disadvantages of

Unfortunately, nobody could achieve the ideal yet. Ceramic kitchen sinks have their shortcomings, which we can not ignore:

1. This material has a large enough mass, so the products from it are very heavy. Install a shell better together. Under the sink it is necessary to determine a sturdy pedestal or countertop.
2. Although the ceramic material can withstand a significant weight load, however, it is afraid of impact. For example, falling heavy objects from a height into the sink can lead to chips and cracks leading to the destruction of the product.
3. The high price frightens off the consumer, because stainless steel costs 5-6 times cheaper. But quality can not be cheap.

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How to choose a ceramic sink?

Having weighed all the pros and cons, you still decided to purchase a ceramic sink? It remains to be determined what exactly you need. You can make the right choice if you take into account the following recommendations.

How to install the washer

The installation method is mortise or waybill. Think about the configuration of the kitchen set:

1. If you have separate modules( kitchen-island), then in this case, an overhead sink will do. It is not superfluous to recall that the cabinet should be massive, capable of withstanding the large weight of the installed shell.

Important! This option is usually suitable for budgetary options and for ready-made kitchen sets.

1. If the bottom row of furniture is combined with a long table top, then your option is a sink.

Washer location

You can choose from either a front or a corner arrangement:

1. If your kitchen is small and there is a need to use the corners of the room, of course, the best solution is to install a corner wash. This will make it possible to apply a sink with a side wing or with two small bowls.
2. Front washers are suitable for direct installation on a large kitchen set.

Number of installed

bowls Determine for what needs you need a ceramic sink, do you have a dishwasher, how often do you appear in the kitchen and cook. It will depend on this, we need one, but a large or a few small bowls.

Diameter and depth of the kitchen sink

The usual recommended depth is 16 centimeters. If you have a large family, there are a lot of dirty dishes, you need to wash a lot of vegetables and fruits, then choose a deep bowl, into which there will be even the largest caliber of your pan.

The top wall cabinets do not allow the installation of a long spout, so the washing will not be too wide, so that the flowing water will fall into the center. Otherwise - to wash dishes and food will be uncomfortable, the water will pour over the edges of the bowl.

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Ceramic sink for enhanced functionality

Do you want to feel comfortable in the kitchen, cook with pleasure while spending minimum effort at cleaning? Then additional accessories will be required in the kit of kitchen sinks:

1. Additional side surface - wings. It will be necessary for the housewives to put the drying for the dishes, to lay out the washed vegetables and fruits. Depending on the amount of free space, there may be one or two wings.
2. Kitchen accessories for kitchen sinks. Producers quite often offer to the ceramic bowls suitable for design and shape mixers. In addition, shelves, sets for washing food, cups, dispensers for household chemicals are provided. Very convenient to use sets of cutting boards, under which are designed grooves on the surface of the wings.
3. Chopper. Sold together with a sink or separately. Installed under the sink, works on electricity.
4. In more modern models there are noise absorbers. The device helps to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, in particular in the sink, solves the problem of recycling household waste.

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Colors and shapes of sinks - how to choose?

The color of the ceramic sink for the kitchen is chosen solely by following the design style of your interior. More harmoniously it will look in one color with a kitchen set or a repeating tone of the countertop. Sometimes a contrasting dark cup is set on the light tabletop. In this case it is necessary to support the color in other household appliances, for example, hood or hob.

Now determine the shape of the bowl:

• The square shape is spacious, familiar for perception, comfortable for washing dishes and products. The choice is very large in size, color line, design and functional additions.
• Rectangular bowls are comfortable, suitable for narrow tables. It should be noted that the ceramic sinks installed long side across the countertop are not so practical.
• Round sinks are the most capacious, but they do not have additional sections( bowls).
• Triangular washer - more ergonomic in small kitchens, when there is a need to use the angular space.
• Pentagonal and hexagonal shapes are the most modern in design. Formed by the side wings in the sinks with additional bowls. To install require a lot of space.

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Quality control:

1. We advise you to purchase ceramic kitchen sinks only in specialized stores. Choose products of well-known proven manufacturers.
2. Be sure to require a certificate of quality, almost all firms produce a line of products "luxury" and "economy" class. In the second case, marriage and forgery are more common. Tap on the sink with a pencil when buying dishes. If the sound is heard deaf, then it means that there are cracks and chips. Sounding sound indicates the integrity of the goods.
3. Be attentive, there are a lot of goods and countries of Asia on the market, they are distinguished by the low quality of ceramics. Such washes will not last long, they will lose their protective qualities, crack and will be covered with stains.

Important! The most high-quality goods from European manufacturers from Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The most popular manufacturers on the market are Franke, Schock, TEKA, Blanco, Reginox, Alveus and others.

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About the care of the ceramic sink

The ceramic surface of the modern sinks is smooth, glossy, impervious to dirt and grease. Has protective properties of resistance to household chemicals:

1. For everyday care, you only need water and a soft sponge.
2. If heavily soiled, a liquid or creamy detergent may be used.
3. Abrasive agents surface matt, so they can not be used.
4. If limescale is formed on the surface with a cloth soaked in ordinary table vinegar, rub the bowl overnight, and then rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth.
5. Possible wiping with chlorine bleach followed by rinsing with water. This procedure will remove stains and disinfect the surface of the sink.

Having chosen a high-quality ceramic sink, correctly selecting its design, you will greatly facilitate your work and decorate your everyday life. The interior of the kitchen will be original, cozy and will please the eye for many years. Successful purchase!