In response to Friday’s post on the patriotic 40s kitchen, Josh writes: I’m in love with that sink. Do they still make any like that? Thanks for the question, Josh. I researched this question, and I have some recommendations:
- Porcelain-enamel-on-cast-iron or steel drainboard sinks were extremely common in vintage homes, and you can find one vintage if you are patient. Watch your Re-Store Habitat for Humanity or local salvage type place, Craigslist, ebay, facebook marketplace, etc. I were looking for a vintage drainboard sink, I would hold out until I found one in near-perfect shape, although you can get these re-porcelained.
- Historichouseparts.com, one of my favorite places. The first sink (below) was for sale on their site for $725, and count on a hefty shipping charge, too. Others shown are sold for the most part, check in frequently and I’m sure they’ll be glad to help:
- I also recently found a site, thisoldtubandsink.com that says it specializes in vintage porcelain-on-cast-iron pieces, including refinishing. Honestly, I cannot vouch for the refinishing work – and from what I know about this, it can be truly tricky. But this merchant certainly also seem to have a number of as-is pieces in good shape such as this 42×25 double sink at $635. There are other pieces with drainboards as well:
Click this photo to see how Joe used the Elkay drainboard sink in his kitchen - And, don’t forget – that another very viable alternative, are the Elkay Lustertone stainless steel sinks made in the 50s and still available today. While they may not be as “sweet” as the white porcelain, they are probably in reality – more functional, as stainless steel does not chip, is very sanitary, and is easy to keep clean.
- If you are looking for a vintage drainboard sink, be sure that the length and width will fit your space – and that the height of the integral backsplash will work for you as well. You’ll also need to “mate” the sink to the adjacent countertops, I don’t have any advice on this…
Again – there were millions of these made. For example, in the immediate (and less affluent) postwar period from 1946-early 50s, the sink cabinet/drainboard sink combo was marketed heavily as a standalone piece to be integrated into farmhouse kitchens — the Mrs. would keep her wood cabinets, only buy the steel sink base and complementary sink/drainboard. There were big names all over this action, too — Kohler, American Standard, Youngstown. That’s why you see so many sink bases ONLY (as in the photos from historichouseparts.com, above) for sale.
Finally, in further researching Josh’s question, I found two reproduction sinks that are made currently – both are very pre-war and are really meant as farmhouse style sinks to stand on legs or freestanding. Note, most cabinets today and in the 50s on, were 25″ deep.
Here’s the Nottingham Brass Sandford sink, it’s 42″x21″ and $969 free shipping from signaturehardware.com:
And here’s a Strom sink sold as Clarion by plumbingsupply.com (and others) at $1599 plus $175 shipping:
Justin says
I am posting for the second time. I do remodeling and last year pulled out an old porcelain over steel double bowl, double drainboard sink that is in excellent condition must be seen to believe. It is just shy of six feet long and does have the fourth hole for a sprayer. It has an eight inch spread for a faucet, just absolutely beautiful. I would use myself but the size of my kitchen will not allow the use of a six foot sink. If interested contact me at sipejustin@yahoo.com. I can provide pictures. Price is negotiable. Serious inquiries only thank you.
pam kueber says
Justin – no buying/selling here on the main blog. PLEASE post this on the forum — https://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Stefan says
Found out it was Fords Porcelain Works in Woodbridge, NJ.
Do you know any Vintage stores that might be interested in it? I hate to throw it away.
Tiffany says
To Stephen,
I am interested in the old sink you have.. If you are wanting it off your hands. Ive been looking for a long time! Just shoot me an email at tmpiercefield@gmail.com, Thank you!
Stefan says
Hi,
I have an original ceramic double slop sink that came with my house which was built in 1935. The stink has a sticker with a stamp FPW. I know the PW stands for Porcelain Works but don’t know what the F stands for, being that part of the sticker is gone. The company was based in New Jersey. Anyone know what company that might be?
pam kueber says
Stefan, I do not know…
Becca says
Hello,
My husband and I just bought out 1st home. It was built in 1918 and is considered a historic landmark.. One thing that sold us was the old style “farm house sink”.. Sadly the drainer and pipe is broken and we cannot find a replacement anywhere that fits its size. Does anyone know where I can look or if theres a place that will make a custome drainer to fit into this type of sink??? Otherwise we will have to replace it and that is the last thing I want to do!! I appreciate your help!!
pam kueber says
try deabath.com, becca, tell ’em i sent you… good luck.
patricia burgett says
I have a vintage sink for sale. Single bowl with drainboard .Very used, no chips.cleveland ohio.
pam kueber says
Patricia, this needs to go over on our buy/sell Forum –> https://retrorenovation.com/forums
Crystal says
I have one of these vintage drainboard sinks. We took it off the metal cabinet so that we could install it into our existing 1940’s kitchen cabinets. It was in rather rough shape, so after much internet research, I refinished it myself with POR 15 auto body paint (look the website – it’s not as crazy as it sounds.) Assuming it will hold up, I have two installation pickles – 1. the sink is only 24″ deep, but the old countertops are 25.5 Also, the front of the sink is a bit crummy looking. Any ideas on how to hide the crummy job I did refinishing it? It’s not horrible, but certainly not perfect?
Shaye Harber says
Can someone give me a review of the quality of a Sandford cast iron sink with drainboard? thanks
China says
Hi!
I have a sink almost exactly like the one you found on ebay (small pic, very top left). It came with my apartment and I love it. Unfortunately the cabinet (thin metal) needs to be replaced. The landlord wants to gut the whole thing and throw out my sink and give me stainless. Do you know where or how I get a new cabinet for underneath? Do they need to be custom built?
Justin Sipe says
Hey Lauryn you really want to take care of that rust it could lead to issues down the road since under sink tops moisture can build up. Very simply take a wire brush and go over bottom of sink knock off any loose rust check for any pin holes that may have made it through the sink itself. If you find any there are companies that can fix these. If you see a pin hole that did not go through the enamel finish on the front you can patch it from the back with bondo before the enamel is lost due to the lack of a substrate below it. After you clean the rust off take any type of oil and just rub it over the entire bottom of the sink. It literally can be any type of oil: vegetable oil, crisco, lard, vaseline, linseed, etc…. Watch your hands there can be some sharp edges under the sink where you knock the rust off. The reason for the oil is to put a protective coating on the metal and to shed water away from the metal to prevent rusting. If you have any questions just post I will respond.
As a side note I currently have a dbl bowl, dbl drainboard for sale. It is 66″ long by 25″ wide, extra hole for sprayer, white finish, near perfect condition. Anyone interested post and I will respond. Good luck to evryone with thier renevations and have great weekends.
Justin
Lauryn says
Thanks, Justin. That is very helpful information. I’m pretty sure there are no holes in the enamel, but I will double check. Sounds like a relatively simple DIY job, too.
Your sink sounds fabulous. Wish we had some counter space we could sacrifice, but it’s a tiny kitchen with very limited countertop, so no double drainboard for us. Many thanks again for the tips.
Lauryn says
Hi Pam. I thought I would ask this question on a blog entry rather than through email in case anyone else has the same question. I recently had the good fortune to be given an old double bowl cast iron sink for our kitchen remodel (no drain boards … our kitchen is just too tiny!). It is in beautiful shape, especially considering it has been outside on a friend’s farm through all of the Iowa seasons — even still has the hudee ring, though we did buy a new one because this one is dinged up. (Our friend was using the sink as a goat trough, but that’s another story.) My questions is that while the enamel is in amazing shape, the underside cast iron has a small amount of rust on it. Is that something we should be trying to clean up before it is installed in the kitchen or is it safe to assume it will be okay having survived snow and rain and ice and sun and all those outdoor elements?
pam kueber says
I don’t know the answer to this one. Lauryn, I recommend that talk to a professional about this one… Maybe a plumbing supply company… or even, try Kohler’s Customer Service, they still make these kinds of sinks. Also remember, test materials before you mess with them in case of lead or asbestos or other vintage nastiness; you never know! Good luck.
Ken Buzzell says
I have a lot of these old sinks and have dealt with your underside issue many times during the past 10 years. I also wire brush the underside, then wash it down with Mineral Spirits, use rubber gloves if you have concearns. I then paint with Rust-o-Leum with a brush, I put it on heavy, let it dry in the sun. Any paint that gets on the porcelain comes off easily with a putty knife or window razor scraper. Don’t worry, you wont hurt the porcelain. Just keep the blades flat on the sink surface. I often just use my pocket knife. Makes for a nice clean installation. If you go with the advice using a greae or oil, I would use mineral oil as it does not go rancid and does not attract insects. Paint is really the best method in my opinion.
Lauryn says
Thanks, Ken. There really is very little rust on the sink, but it’s not exactly a dry climate here in Iowa (especially these days) and it makes sense to take care of this before it becomes a problem. Your help is much appreciated!