Sinks are an essential component of any commercial kitchen. The number of sinks required in your kitchen will depend on several factors, including size and workflow, but as a general rule of thumb, it’s best to have at least one sink in every food preparation area.
The question is: which sink should you choose? Let’s first look at the best materials for commercial kitchen sinks and the best types. Then, we’ll share our top picks for restaurant sinks.
What’s the Best Material for a Kitchen Sink?
The best kitchen sink material for commercial kitchens is stainless steel. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a sink that wasn’t made of stainless steel.
Why is this the best material? Because stainless steel is:
- Corrosion resistant
- Easy to clean
There are different grades of stainless steel, too. You’ll find that most restaurants, hotels and food service establishments go with 304 stainless steel. It’s an affordable yet durable option.
What's the Best Type of Kitchen Sink for Commercial Kitchens?
There is no single “best” type of commercial kitchen sink because they all serve their own purposes.
Some of the main types of restaurant sinks include:
Compartment Sinks
Compartment sinks are for food prep areas. They're used for washing produce, scrapping food, draining colanders, thawing food and other similar tasks. When they’re not used for food prep, compartment sinks can be used for dish cleaning.
These types of sinks come in multiple options:
- Single compartment
- Two-compartment
- Three-compartment
- Four-compartment
The more compartments, the bigger the footprint. However, having more compartments gives you more options because each one can be used for a specific function.
Three-compartment sinks are ideal for most restaurants.
Hand Sinks
The FDA requires every food service business to have at least one hand sink with convenient access for employees.
Some commercial hand sinks even come with additional features, like soap and paper towel dispensers, which can be convenient.
Best Kitchen Sink Reviews: Our Top Picks
Your kitchen is unique, but if we had the option to choose a sink that’s perfect for almost any kitchen, it would be one of the following models below.
L&J LJ2020 - 20x20
The L&J LJ2020 is one of the leading sink choices, with a single-compartment sink made from stainless steel and dimensions of 20” x 20”. Heavy-duty 304 stainless steel ensures the sink’s strength and is a mainstay in commercial kitchens.
The total dimensions of this sink are:
- 25-inch length
- 26-inch width
- 14-inch height
Perfect for long-lasting service, the sink has pre-drilled holes for your controls and will fit seamlessly in any kitchen. The round edges on the rim of the sink also help guide water back into the sink if it splashes on the edge.
L&J LJ1416 14x16
Unlike our previous choice, the LJ1416 has a drainboard on both sides, allowing for easy prep in even the busiest kitchens. A single sink compartment sits in the middle and boasts the same 304 stainless steel that users love.
Dimensions for this model are:
- 42-inch length
- 22-inch width
Total sink dimensions are 14” x 16”.
You can also use the drainboard for drying dishes or sorting them without concern of creating a slipping hazard in the process. The total weight is 90 pounds.
If you have the space, this is a great sink to own. However, the wide drainboard does take up the space of nearly two sinks.
L&J LJ2424 24x24
The LJ24242 is a perfect sink when planning out your kitchen because it’s massive. The sink has a 123-inch length, 30-inch width and 14-inch height. Reliable and made from 304 stainless steel, the unit’s main differentiating features include:
- Life-side drainboard
- Two areas for a faucet
- Three main compartments
The bullet feet allow for one-inch height adjustments, 3.5” drains allow for thicker liquids to flow with ease and the working height is 36”.
You'll love the inset sinks and compartments that are designed to reduce spills and keep your commercial kitchen as safe as possible. The one downside of this sink is that its large footprint may be too large for smaller eateries.
L&J CRS162016 16x20
Corner sinks offer a lot of great, functional space in areas of the kitchen that often go under-utilized. The CRS162016 has three main compartments that allow you to wash dishes, rinse produce and more.
Dimensions for the sinks are 16” x 20”.
Drainboards are on each side of the compartments, allowing you to easily prep food or leave dishes to dry after washing. An iconic stainless-steel look and a thick 304 stainless steel make this the perfect sink for restaurants of all sizes.
Omcan 25263
If you need a single-compartment sink, the Omcan 25263 is a great option. This model is made from 304 stainless steel and features:
- A left drainboard
- A 1.8” corner drain
- A 3.5” center drain
The 25263 adheres to CSA Standards and is easily assembled.
Omcan sinks are durable, reliable and easy to clean, which is why they’re one of the best kitchen sink brands on the market and one of our top picks for food service establishments.
Omcan 43034
Omcan’s 43034 is a hand sink that’s compact enough to fit into any sized commercial kitchen. This wall-mounted sink is made with 304 stainless steel and comes with a:
- 6.5” backsplash
- 4” gooseneck faucet
- Side splashes
- 1.5” drain basket
With a weight of 4.6 pounds, this sink is easy to install.
Blue Air BS3-18-12-L
Blue Air’s 18x18, 3-compartment sink is ideal for any restaurant. This unit has a sleek, modern design and is made with 304 stainless steel for added durability.
The left-side drainboard provides space for drying or sorting items.
For food prep areas, the BS3-18-12-L will allow you to handle multiple functions in one convenient space.
Final Word
Every commercial kitchen must be equipped with the appropriate number of sinks to comply with regulations. Investing in a quality sink will ensure that it gives you years of use and is easy to maintain. The models above are some of the best ones in our shop and are backed by reputable, quality brands.
If you need help choosing the right sink or want to view more, click here.