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Discussion Forum

Kitchen Sink durability

user-7006886 | Posted in General Discussion on October 10, 2003 09:05am

Is anyone familiar with the American Silhouette sink by American Standard?

I just bought a this new single bowl sink to replace my old, worn, pathetic looking, stainless steel sink. We are also installing a wonderful, new faucet that pulls out into a sprayer. We are not yet putting in a new counter now.  We will not be redoing the kitchen for at least a few years (even though it really needs updating now).

The new sink is the self-rimming style. It looks like porcelain or enameled cast iron. It has a really great, more functional, shape with the drain in the back so there is still access to the strainer when the sink is full of pots and dishes. The left side, where the drain is, curves toward the back providing room for pot handles. It also comes with a long, narrow colander fits across the sink (a cutting board is also available).

Before I become too comfortable with this sink and my DH begins installing it, is anyone familiar with this material? Is the material the sink is made of durable, scratch resistant and lasting? The instructions call for not using 3M cleaning pads, Comet or Brillo, but most other products are fine.  I read somewhere that it is a lot quieter than other sinks and that would be a very desirable feature after using the loud stainless (I had to stop running water sometimes to hear the TV). 

 Do you have any recommendations for a mid-price sink? What is your experience?

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Replies

  1. plantlust | Oct 11, 2003 01:18am | #1

    Please be careful w/the TDF faucett that pulls out into a sprayer.  I had a Groehe and had nothing but leakage from day one.  Dunno if it was faucett design or installation(was installed by a plumber who did fantastic work in my other bathrooms).

    Stainless steel sink should have sound deadner (or be thicker steel) sprayed underneath to dampen sound.  I had the original 2 bowl, cast iron/porcelain bowl.  Was replaced last year w/stainless.  Like it alot better as there is less likelyhood of exploding china or glass.

    This jobless recovery has done more to promote the consumption of exquisite chocolate than the finest chocolatier.  Cost be damned.

    1. user-7006886 | Oct 11, 2003 03:52am | #2

      Our faucet is a Delta. It has a lifetime warranty, but don't they all? I hope it is a good quality.

      We are having a time finding a sink that will work for us. We bought an Elkay 18 guage self-rim stainless steel sink, but it did not fit flush to the counter (it turned out that the front support bar beneath was bent). We took it back, exchanged it, but that one was bent too (must have been a bad lot). Both were in unopened boxes. We also bought an Elkay 20 guage sink. I like the Americast sink--I hope someone else knows something about it. I think Mr. Eroom wants to put in the ss. The counter opening is a little bit smaller than specs, so we are concerned. Do you know how to give it the support it needs?

       

      1. calvin | Oct 11, 2003 01:32pm | #3

        Of the couple of americast sinks I have put in for customers........a couple love it, a couple were disappointed that it chipped (easily?) and the touch up paint sort of masks it, and three have experienced reoccuring rust stains from the lack of enamel under the edge of the rim.  Oddly, all three on the front left corner.  If you cook w/ cast iron skillets, you might reconsider not using stainless.  Check out Kindred, a nice line of stainless sinks http://www.fhpkindred.com/

        Occasionally the sprayer heads will leak, a new o-ring usually solves that problem.  The ladylux from grohe did experience a leak both at the head and on the handle.  Getting the handle cartridge out is near impossible, but screwing around trying seems to stop the leak.  We have a 14 y.o. ladylux and once the head was replaced by the supplier, no leak there for 8 yrs.  Most reputable plumbing suppliers (not big box stores) stand behind the products, getting replacement usually at no charge.  Lifetime was not meant to mean no problems.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

        1. user-7006886 | Oct 11, 2003 07:00pm | #6

          Thanks Cal,

          I am glad I posted here. I had posted in the brand new House Chat (Inspired House magazine) forum and not many people have visited there yet. 

          Seems like the Americast material may not be best for the kitchen, but would be better for a bath. I'll check out the Kindred ss. Thanks for the link; I am looking at the site right now. The SG804BX may be just right.

          Also, that confirms my guess that "lifetime" really doesn't mean never any problem. But is a pull-out faucet a good idea in your experience? I haven't had a sprayer of any kind for at least seven years. Back then I was always replacing it. It seems the choices and quality is better now though. With lifetime warranty we decided to take a chance with a pull-out Delta. I hope it is a good brand.

           

          1. User avater
            BillHartmann | Oct 11, 2003 08:51pm | #10

            I have had a Peerless (Delta) as soon as they got out of the designer lines (read $$$) in to the commondity lines.

            Probably 10-12 years and have had not problem with it other than replaceing the seals from time to time. And most of that is because I have overly high water pressure.

          2. user-7006886 | Oct 11, 2003 09:07pm | #11

            Thanks, Bill,

            That is good to know. I do not have a problem with high water pressure (not that it really would be a problem) so hopefully I made a good choice in the model.

             

          3. calvin | Oct 11, 2003 09:31pm | #12

            To be honest, the few times we pull it out, I think it was a good idea.  If you want spray or full on the spout, you have the choice.  The good ones allow you to fill a drywall bucket w/water, no short hose.  I think the most important thing on a kitchen faucet is high enough so you can fill the spaghetti pot w/o leaning it over.  But what do I know?  Just a dumb carpenter.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

          4. plantlust | Oct 11, 2003 09:42pm | #13

            EXACTLY.  The kitchen faucett should be tall enough to fill the spaghetti pot (in my case also the dog bucket) with water in a hurry.  In my opinion, it's much better if the faucett has a high enough arch.  The water should gush out of the faucett and  the sprayer is used for rinsing.

            And the sink/sinks can't be too shallow either.This jobless recovery has done more to promote the consumption of exquisite chocolate than the finest chocolatier.  Cost be damned.

          5. calvin | Oct 11, 2003 10:25pm | #14

            Dig this PL.  Yesterday I saw a vanity sink at the Kohler showroom.  No more than 2 inches deep.  No overflow.  For washing hands, no drain cap. 

            What'll they think of next?

            Well, in a catalogue I found out.  No rim whatsoever!  Water drains to a slight indent along the outter edge.

            Who dreams this #### up?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

          6. plantlust | Oct 11, 2003 10:46pm | #15

            Architects?

            <g,d,r>This jobless recovery has done more to promote the consumption of exquisite chocolate than the finest chocolatier.  Cost be damned.

          7. calvin | Oct 11, 2003 10:52pm | #16

            no no no my dear.  Much too practical they are.  This hasta be the work of a designer.........Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

          8. plantlust | Oct 11, 2003 11:00pm | #17

            I dunno.  There are quite a few architects out there designing things just for immortality (State of IL building comes to mind) without the practical aspect or caring that PEOPLE will be using/living in the design.  Reminds me about the initial plan for Terminal One at ORD and then the office building that was actually being filled with and used by people.  When the architect came back, a hissy fit ensued. 

            They are putting up PICTURES/PLANTS/PAPERS?!?!?  It's ruining MY design.  This jobless recovery has done more to promote the consumption of exquisite chocolate than the finest chocolatier.  Cost be damned.

          9. user-7006886 | Oct 12, 2003 12:35am | #18

            The sprayer on the Delta 470-Promo is unbelieveably long--59". I'll be able to fill a bucket or watering can while it is on the floor! My sink is, or will be soon, in an island. On the few times I need it I will be able to approach from the back and have lots of extra length (vs extending it across the sink). I am sure the faucet will be high enough to fill a big spaghetti pot while in the sink, but if not I can swing it over (I think) to the side and use the sprayer. At my old tiny house the stove was beside the sink and I could use the old sprayer to fill the pot while it was on the burner. The stove is too far away now for that.

            Thanks for the good ideas.

             

      2. florida | Oct 11, 2003 04:04pm | #5

        I too thought the Americast sink would be great. Lighter than cast, no metal to rust and much quieter. All true but it chipped so easily that I had to replace it after little more than a year. I could have bought a decent cast sink for about $20.00 less then the Americast. I wish I had.

        1. Snort | Oct 11, 2003 07:04pm | #7

          Ditto what Rick said. We've had an Americast double basin kitchen sink for over three years. It started chipping within the first year. Customer support acted like it should be no big deal, but deigned to send out a repair kit. That turned out to be a jar of appliance paint.

          For 50 bucks more, I could have gotten a Kohler cast iron. Doh<G> EliphIno!

          1. user-7006886 | Oct 11, 2003 07:32pm | #9

            Thanks Rick and Buck,

            Ok. That confirms it! No Americast for the kitchen. Sorry about your problem, Buck.

            We loved our old cast iron enamel sink from the old house. It had big grooves for dish water run-off, and was quiet and durable. It may have been a monster, but it was the best sink I have ever had!

             

  2. fortdh | Oct 11, 2003 01:56pm | #4

    There are some neat looking materials out there, but I keep coming back to stainless. My son's porcelain chipped early after moving in to new house and I have seen "hot oil stains" on some synthetics.

    We kept our SS even when re-doing the counters. It is a double sink now 28 years old. It is not tinny or loud, perhaps thicker back then, and it does have a heavy sound deadener on underside. Once a year I dump in some Comet, wet it and use the cordless with a wire brush to buff out scratches. Looks new as day one.

    There is something nice about knowing that any fluid, hot grease, dropped pan, food stain juices, etc., will not hurt it.

    Function over form in this case for us.

    Energy Consultant and author of

    Practical Energy Cost Reduction for the Home

    1. user-7006886 | Oct 11, 2003 07:23pm | #8

      Thank you, Paul,

      Great points about choosing ss. I like the idea of buffing the scratches. We may just give that a try before getting a new ss sink. Brillo and metal cleaners just didn't do the trick. The stains and discoloring are pretty bad though.

       

  3. Jenifar | Nov 08, 2023 09:34am | #19

    On the few times I need it I will be able to approach from the back and have lots of extra length (vs extending it across the sink). I am sure the faucet will be high enough to fill a big spaghetti pot while in the sink, but if not I can swing it over (I think) to the side and use the sprayer. At my old tiny house the stove was beside the sink and I could use the old sprayer to fill the pot while it was on the burner. The stove is too far away now for that.

    Thanks for the good ideas.

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