Best Fireclay Farmhouse Sink Reviews
Before there was running water, people had to use buckets to bring water from a water source, like a well, back home. The farmhouse sink, also known as an apron front sink, was designed to be storage for large amounts of water so that people would not need to visit their water source as often. It allowed people to instead just take water from the farmhouse sink when it was needed for things like bathing. Its deep design also allowed it to be used for many purposes like washing clothes. That being said, nowadays people mainly buy farmhouse sinks for other reasons, like their unique and classic look.
The Apron Look
The term apron front sink is sometimes used interchangeably with farmhouse sink, and although most farmhouse sinks are apron front, they are technically not the same thing. An apron front sink is one where the countertop is completely cut out in the front, exposing the sink. This allows for a nice classic look while also allowing for easy access to the sink because the countertop is not in the way. A farmhouse sink could be exposed on more sides than just the front, which would technically make it not an apron front sink. In short, farmhouse sinks can be apron front, but not the reverse.
Pros and Cons of Farmhouse Sinks
Pros:
- Lots of space to wash dishes and take care of your other needs.
- A true centerpiece to your room.
- The apron front design allows for easy access. In other sinks, a segment of countertop lies between the sink and the edge of the counter. This pretty much makes it so that you need to lean over the countertop edge when accessing the sink, causing back strain.
- Adds value to the home.
- Easy to clean.
Cons:
- Generally more expensive than the average sink.
- Typically a little bit more difficult to install than other types of sinks.
Pros and Cons of Fireclay Material
Pros:
- Fireclay is the same solid material all the way throughout the sink and is baked to a much higher temperature than cast iron. It is also coated with a resistant glaze that prevents scratching and chipping. This makes it much more durable than many other materials used for sinks. It can even maintain its new look 20 years down the line!
Cons:
- Heavier.
- More expensive.
What to Look for in a Fireclay Farmhouse Sink
Here is a list of things you should keep in mind when comparing fireclay farmhouse sinks:
How Large the Sink Is
Farmhouse sinks typically come in 30, 33, and 36 inch sizes, and you will want to find a balance between a sink that fits in the space that you want it to go in and one that is big enough to handle your requirements. We recommend that you get a relatively large sink if you are going to be using it in the kitchen so that you do not have too much splashing when washing dishes.
Basins/Bowls
Almost all of the farmhouse sinks that we could find on the market only came with one bowl, but there are some that feature an option for two bowls.
Single Bowl/Basin Sinks
If you want to go for a classic farmhouse look, go with a single-basin sink. They have a simple look and have plenty of available space for washing pots and pans with handles.
Double Bowl/Basin Sinks
Sinks with two bowls have the advantage of allowing you to multitask in the kitchen more easily. One example of this is the ability to soak dishes while also washing vegetables at the same time. The downside to double basin sinks is that it requires you to divide the available sink space up into two, which might not allow for enough room to handle large pots and pans in either basin. A work around for this would be to find a double-basin sink with a low center divider, allowing for the use of both basins more easily.
How They Are Mounted and Their Style
Almost all of the farmhouse sinks we found were undermount and apron front, but there were some that were overmount. Below, we will explain what each mounting style is and the unique advantages each of them provides.
Undermounted
To mount an undermount sink, a hole in the shape of your sink will be cut out from your countertop and the sink will be positioned slightly underneath the surface of your countertop. The fixture itself is usually mounted separately on the countertop. Here are three main ways that undermount sinks can intersect with the countertop:
Positive Reveal
A positive reveal allows for the lip of the sink slightly hang in front of the countertop. While this creates an interesting look, the main downside to this kind of sink is that the seam between the sink and the counter can require cleaning from time to time.
Negative Reveal
With this design, the countertop is cut in such a way that it overhangs into the sink a little bit. This cutting method is not as common in the kitchen as it is in the bathroom, but it still does appear in kitchens from time to time.
Neutral Reveal/Zero Reveal
This type of sink sits flush with the countertop and is recommended because it makes it more difficult for water and other materials to get in-between the countertop and the sink.
Overmounted/Drop-in
As the name suggests, these types of sinks are dropped into the countertop hole and they hang over the edge of your countertop rather than under it. The main benefits of this type of sink versus an undermount one is that it is easier to install, it is easier to clean and recaulk when needed, and it is usually less expensive. This is a particularly good choice to go with if you have a countertop that is made out of certain materials, like laminate or wood, because they can warp or grow mold if exposed to water for too long.
Step Rim
Some of these sinks feature a step rim that allows you to mount a cutting board or something similar onto the sink. This feature makes cooking and food scrap disposal much simpler.
Fireclay Farmhouse Sink Colors
Fireclay farmhouse sinks typically come in white, blue, grey and black, with the most common color being white. This is mainly a personal preference and not something that matters in regards to quality. All of the products we review in this article come in white, but some of them have options for other colors.
Best White Fireclay Farmhouse Sink Reviews
Below, we feature three sinks that we feel are great choices, each for their own respective reasons:
Best Bang for Your Buck Pick:
BOCCHI 1138–001–0120 Classico Apron Front Fireclay 30 in. Single Bowl Kitchen Sink with Protective Bottom Grid and Strainer
This is a popular fireclay farmhouse sink that comes in at a relatively low retail price, and includes a protective bottom grid and strainer. It has a simple and classic farmhouse design and is just about large enough to fit most peoples’ needs.
Best Double Bowl Pick:
Barkano 33" Double Bowl White Farmhouse Kitchen Sink
This model is slightly larger than the BOCCHI 1138–001–0120 and comes with the option to have two reservoirs in a farmhouse sink. As we discussed earlier, this option is not what most people think of when they think of a farmhouse sink, but it can make it easier to do certain things. Depending on your needs, a double bowl sink is something to consider.
Best Overall Pick:
Kraus KFR1–33GWH Turino Fireclay Kitchen, White Farmhouse Sink
With its Italian design, this is one of the best fireclay farmhouse sinks on the market. It features a single bowl and its thick design helps dampen noise better than any of the other sinks we looked at. It also includes a protective bottom grid and strainer like the BOCCHI sink we mentioned above.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, fireclay farmhouse sinks are a great choice due to their durability, aesthetics, ergonomic design, and more. If you go with the BOCCHI 1138–001–0120 this can all come at an affordable price. That being said we recommend the Barkano Double Bowl White Farmhouse Kitchen Sink for those who like to multitask. The Kraus KFR1–33GWH is for the person who enjoys premium quality, but still wants to stay within a reasonable budget.
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