These days it is very easy to find kitchen sinks. They can be found for a great price and are available on just about every street corner. For a business establishment operating in the food industry it is important to make the right choice when it comes to acquiring a kitchen sink. Be it a restaurant or a café, your business can depend on it. Let us take a look at the relevant parts of deciding about getting a sink for a commercial enterprise.
History
The first sinks made in the United States were for the bathroom and intended for the washing of hands. Consisting of a small table, a pitcher and bowl was placed on it. In the 19th century running water made its appearance and carrying water around in buckets was not something that Lisa had to do any longer. Kitchen sinks were heavy and formidable and mainly constructed out of cast iron. This lead to the saying “everything but the kitchen sink” referring to the fact that if one had to take everything that could be moved from the house the huge kitchen sink wouldn’t be one of them. Today the National Sanitation Foundation (NFS) certifies sinks that have to be used in cafes or dining establishments.
Compartment sinks
Nowadays sinks are available in three varieties. There is the hand sink which is designed and used for cleaning the hands. Then there is the prep sink that is used for preparing and washing food. The last variety of sink is used for washing dishes. A sink that is made for washing dishes should preferably have three separate compartments. This allows the kitchen staff to get on with the business of washing, rinsing and sanitizing the dishes in the same area. A compartment sink can be selected from three styles. A drop in is appropriate for a small area or even a kiosk or a mobile unit. A corner sink gives more space by using a spare corner whereas a standing sink is the most functional for a professionally run operation. Some may be available with vibration dampening material on the sink’s underside to assist with keeping noise levels down.
Gauge and stainless steel
Commercial sinks are mostly manufactured from stainless steel. The gauge that is mentioned refers to the steel’s thickness. The numbers used to indicate the gauge works a little like golf. The lower that the number is, the better. It is not advisable to go higher than 18-gauge stainless steel. This number indicates a weight of 2.016 pounds per square foot and a thickness of 0.0500 inches. Nearly all of the stainless steel sinks are made from Type 304 stainless steel which indicates not less than 18% chromium and 8% nickel, leading also to the descriptor 18/8.
When it comes to a selecting a commercial compartment sink it is of the utmost importance to speak to professional suppliers such as USA Equipment DIRECT and to take time to choose the one most appropriate for your business.