Undermount Double Bowl Vs. Single Bowl Sink: Which Is Really Better?

Do you spend a great deal of time pondering about kitchen sinks? Perhaps you are wondering whether an undermount double sink is still relevant. This sink became popular before the discovery of the dishwasher. Its two bowls make it easy to wash dishes with one bowl for soapy water and dirty dishes, the other for clean water to rinse the dishes. However, in the modern age with people owning automated dishwashers, there is a big question of whether a double bowl sink is still relevant.

Defining double bowl and single bowl sinks

A double bowl sink comes with to bowls in a single unit separated by a divider. Traditionally, these bowls came with the same size. One is for filling with hot soapy water and the other for clean water to rinse the dishes. Today, double bowl sinks come in various configurations and sizes including with one bowl bigger than the other taking up more counter space. In addition, the smaller bowl can be shallower too.

Single bowl sinks come with one large bowl without a divider. These sinks are very popular in various homes where there is much to do in terms of washing dishes. Additionally, single bowl sinks are popular for modern homeowners who own automatic dishwashers. For people today who prefer a minimalist lifestyle, a single bowl sink is the catch.

Washing dishes by hand

For people who enjoy washing dishes by hand, undermount sinks  with double bowls are more convenient. Apart from using the bowls for soapy and clean water, you can keep a rack in the second bowl. This will come in handy for keeping items after washing when you have a dishwasher. It allows the washed items to air dry. You can as well find a double bowl sink with an integrated cutting board fitting over one bowl to offer additional work surface.

A single bowl sink is a bit inconveniencing when washing dishes by hand. You have to first clean all items with soapy water before using the bowl to rinse them. This takes more time and you might end up using more water than necessary. Although you might have a dishwasher, you might not find space for placing the dish rack for the items to air dry.

Divide and conquer

A double bowl sink allows separating dirty dishes when preparing food. You can stack dirty dishes in one bowl and use the other bowl to prepare meals. This allows washing the dishes at a time of your convenience. This sink offers ample space for all your dishwashing and food preparing needs especially when you choose a 50/50 double bowl sink.

For a single bowl sink, you only have one sink that might not be large enough. When the bowl is filled, you can use it for other tasks. You will have to spend more time handling one task at a time. In addition, if you don’t have a dishwasher, hand washing the dishes is extremely hard especially when you have a large household. You will spend more time washing, rinsing, and draining the dishes in a single bowl. This will only be easier if the single bowl sink comes with a drain board.

Accessing the garbage disposal

Part of cleaning the dishes is garbage disposal. This requires removing leftovers and food scrapes while cleaning. These can’t be deposited in the sink drain. Luckily, you can have a garbage disposal  installed in one of the bowls when you have a double bowl sink. When the other bowl is filled with unwashed dishes or water, it is very easy to access the garbage disposal.

A single bowl sink is not disposal friendly. It is impossible to access the garbage disposal when the single bowl is full of water or unclean dishes. It gets even harder when you have hunger pangs. You can prepare meals before cleaning the single bowl sink. You will have to suffer more until you have cleaned the dishes preparing a meal.

More for less

You get more than you bargained for when you invest in a double bowl sink. Although considered as traditional sinks, double bowl sinks today come with a sleek appeal to match any interior and space. Additionally, this sink comes with various inconveniences including more space, allowing multitasking  and allowing easy access to the garbage disposal. You can all these for a price of a double bowl sink.

A single bowl sink is limited in use. You can do more than two tasks at once. Preparing meals is only after cleaning the dishes in the bowl. When you have a large family, hand cleaning the dishes is very hand. It will take you more time and energy to clean, rinse, and dry the items. You might even have to invest in a second sink to meet your requirements.

Verdict

By now, you have realized the ideal sink to choose. A double bowl sink is a better choice for offering more at a price of one sink.