If you love the functionality of the classic farmhouse drainboard sink — but don’t necessarily want vintage or reproduction porcelain — perhaps a drop-in stainless steel drainboard sink is just the ticket. After searching far and wide — I’ve come up with seven places where you can find drop-in stainless steel drainboard sinks today — in a range of sizes, styles and prices sure to fit any kitchen and budget.
Note: We are not experts on manufacturing and materials specifications issues, so we did not try to try to assess these sinks for gauges / construction / durability. There could well be differences model-to-model, so if you are in the market, this is something you should/could research further. We do tend to believe that if your stainless steel drainboard sink is of good quality, it will last virtually forever. Regarding scratches and the like, we do not get in a tizzy when it comes to hard working surfaces like this. We quite like patina, actually.
#1 Elkay:
We already know that Elkay makes stainless steel drainboard sinks — perfect for a mid century kitchen remodel — but they also make several drop in drainboard sinks — 10 different configurations by my count. These sinks are pricey, so make sure to save your pennies if you fall in love with one.
#2 Franke USA:
Franke sinks are made in the USA — always a plus — and this model (the only drainboard stainless steel sink I could find by the company) sells for right around $100 and is available at big box stores like Lowes, Home Depot and Menards.
#3 American Standard:
American Standard also appears to only have one drop in stainless steel drainboard sink — the Culinaire top mount dual level sink & drain board. At just under $1,000 — it is pricey — especially if you were hoping for more sink bowl space.
#4 Fluid:
The Fluid Company has one very modern and streamlined stainless steel double bowl drainboard kitchen sink — available for about $800.
#5 Ikea:
The Ikea Boholmen sink series — available in four configurations ranging from $85 – $202 — is as affordable as it is reversible — since there are no faucet holes, faucets must be placed in counter top or backsplash.
#6 Whittington:
If you are looking for a drop in stainless steel drainboard sink with a single bowl, single faucet hole — look no further than the Infinite stainless steel rectangular drop in prep sink with drainboard from Whittington. At $165 it won’t break the bank, and its compact size won’t hog the counter top either. They also make a round version.
#7 Kindred:
There is also a modern looking stainless steel drop in sink model from Kindred sinks. I couldn’t find any pricing information — but if you are looking for a double bowl model with a sleek design — this sure fits the bill.
#8 Buy vintage:
Pam spotted this vintage sink at her local Re-Store just last week — it was $40.
We guesstimate that this style of sink has been around for decades — especially from Elkay. So if you want to save big bucks, keep your eyes peeled at the Restore Habitat for Humanity and maybe craigslist — you might find one at a small fraction of the retail price today. The photo above is Pam’s. She said that this sink seemed “pretty honkin’ heavy duty.” She could not easily see a label. It was priced at just $40. If you have a ReStore, and you have the time to stalk it, you can find amazing bargains.
Want a complete stainless steel counter top? See our story — 5 ways to do stainless steel counter tops.
And, we have a mega round up page — All about Farmhouse drainboard sinks.
14 rare vintage kitchen sinks spotted in 6 years of blogging 
Two affordable retro kitchen sinks — $100 or less 
NBI introduces its sixth vintage reproduction kitchen drainboard sink — 60″ wide 
Checking out the Nelson’s sink on display at KBIS 
Get our retrolicious free newsletter.
I have had the 18/8 stainless large single bowl sink with the right side drainboard and 3 holes since 1977 dropped into our maple butcherblock counters. Both sink and counters still look great after all these years. The quality of the stainless is important if you want the sink to last and look good for a long time.
@Lynda how do you find the drop-in works with your butcher block? I want to do the same with my upcoming kitchen reno but was advised that a drop-in sink may catch water and warm the counter faster than an undermount would.
Ugh, *warp* not warm!
Sprayfaint, We have had no trouble with the 2″ thick maple butcher block warping. I do not leave water standing on the counter. I use cutting boards for prepping food and wash them or put them in the dishwasher. We used to put Watco Danish Oil on the counters and then maintained them with mineral oil. A few years ago we sanded them and put on Waterlox. Waterlox is a better product, however bleach, even Oxiclean will mar the surface and they do not touch up easily. Our tops are 36 years old and look great. The Waterlox does not need further maintenance, but another coat should be put on every 3 years or so. You do not have to sand the surface for a new coating of Waterlox.
Hmm…forgot to say the sink above is an Elkay Sink from 1977. I will say that if you use wood counters, you may want the type of sink that has the stainless back splash too. That has been the only area of my butcher block counter that has been troublesome over the years. I keep the wood well sealed and use a towel to cover the area when using the sink. The drainboard area of the stainless sink is such a nice feature in the kitchen.
I can vouch for the quality and durability of the Franke sinks. I have had other brands in my past houses, and the two Frankes were the absolute best. Franke puts a nice amount of insulation on the bottom so its nice and quiet when the water hits the bowl. No tinny hollow sounds. As a matter of fact, when we remodeled our last home, I kept the Franke sink and reused it in the new cabinets. They sell nice faucets, too.
Franke is a great brand. Just make sure you get the thicker gauge and the 18/8 stainless. My daughter bought the Franke for her kitchen after a lot of research. I think there were two different sink lines and the quality was not the same. From the site: ” Franke uses nothing but the best when it comes to top quality stainless steel. Their sinks vary anywhere from 16 gauge, which is commercial gauge, to 20 gauge sinks. Franke has a line of Professional Series sinks at 16 gauge giving you the highest quality stainless steel used in commercial kitchens.” (Remember the lower the gauge, the thicker the stainless.)
It’s always good to know what you’re paying for and how “stainless”, stainless steel is. A quick test is with a magnet. Any magnet will do, even the promotional, “stick on” type. The more attracted to the metal it is the more ferrous content it has which means it will have an easier propensity to oxidize or “rust” depending on its application.
Thanks for the tip. Like we said, we did not try to assess quality as we are not experts.
My sweetie and I are in the process of restoring a sprawling 1951 ranch…the kitchen needed a new corner stainless steel sink. We searched everywhere for one…..then found one in the UK. It’s being delivered today!!! It’s a CDA, and I love the drainboard.
http://www.tapsaver.co.uk/tap_1453.asp
Thanks for the tip — we need to look up Blanco!
I looked up the Blanco sinks — it appears that the only drainboard stainless steel sinks they offer in the US are undermount sinks. Neat that you found a drop in drainboard ss sink in the UK!
I love IKEA, they also have a corner Stainless steal sink, it’s called the EMSEN and it’s only $153
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49817378/
I love my stainless sinks in my home and in my camp trailer. I have been using Cameo Aluminum and Stainless Steel Cleanser on my stainless steel sinks forever, because my mother and grandmother did so. (It’s been around at least since World War II, if not before.) It is not available in every store, but I can usually find it in ShopRite grocery stores. It does a fantastic job of cleaning and polishing the sink, but I worry because it is sightly abrasive. Does Pam or anyone out there have a great nonabrasive product for polishing and cleaning stainless?
I have used Maas polishing cream with good results.
Looks like they have expanded the product line since I bought it many years ago. It lasts a long time.
http://www.maasinc.com/maas_metalpolish_products.aspx
Kindred is another good stainless brand and I think they have a drop in with a drainboard. I have Kindred undermounts in the master bath.
Ikea sells a cutter-tool that can cut a hole in the sink for a faucet, in that triangle of space at the back where sink and drainboard meet. It is not pre-drilled, because the sink is reversible. The faucet will be at an angle. If you install it this way, the faucet does not have to be in the back splash or counter top. We have had ours set up this way for several years and it’s held up great!
Here’s a picture of our Ikea sink with the faucet at an angle. Counter top is boomerang formica.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112021661062895217731/TempSink?authkey=Gv1sRgCLqF37zAruSP2gE#5838304946295849266
Thanks, Laura in PA!!!
Looks very nice, Laura. Pretty color of laminate.
Pam, may I respectfully add: IKEA has more than the BOHOLMEN line of stainless sinks, also check their NUMERAR, FYNDIG, and BREDSKAR
We installed the double bowl/drainboard BOLOLMEN $203, last summer in our retro kitchen and couldn’t be happier!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99847467/
By the way, the faucet hole IS cut in the sink by your self, or your contractor.
We used Formica’s brand of solid surfacing Signatures (like corian) to get a vintage look for the sink area in Citron Ice (lime green ice)
http://www.formica.com/home/ProductLine_Colors.aspx?prl=PRL_SOLID_SURFACING#
and gave it the stainless snap on edging and cove mouldings from New York Metal
http://www.newyorkmetal.com/pc-238-18-ss801a-1br-snap-on-moulding.aspx
The entire look is perfect (I need to get pictures to you)
thanks to you and your sources Pam!
Thanks for the clarification. I will ask Kate to update the information to clarify who has multiple models…. And YES, dear, send me your pics!!!!!
Thanks for pointing out the FYNDIG drainboard stainless steel sink — I’m adding it to the story. The NUMERAR and BREDSKAR are nice, but they don’t have drainboards…
I just looked up the Franke sink as I always try to buy American whenever possible. According to the specifications, this model is made in China. I didn’t check out any of their other models, which may be made here. I’m just commenting on this model.
About 1 1/2 years ago my daughter bought a Franke sink from the professional line and the box said it was made in Canada. I think the other lines are made in China. Last time I checked Elkay is still made in US. On the Elkay site they list the models that are made in the US.
http://www.elkayusa.com/cps/rde/xchg/elkay/hs.xsl/97223.aspx
Blanco Canada (CDN) has two discontinued 18/10 sinks with either left or right drainboard. Marked down from $685 to $230.
http://shop.blancocanada.com/BLANCO-MEDIAN-XL-6S-Left-Hand-Drainboard.html
Thanks for the tip!
Just put the Elkay double sink, double drainboard in my delightful new kitchen, with mid-century feel. Love it!
FYI:
I have the IKEA Boholmen and you get what you pay for. It’s all scratched and looks kind of shitty all the time. I have to wipe the water off of it EVERY time or it looks bad.
Am I the only one who thinks the Elkay are so HUGE? The smallest is enormous for my kitchen and I don’t think I have a small house. I really want a sink with drainboard that fits where the IKEA one is.
35 1/2 x 19 1/2 I am willing to spend a smaller fortune to have a good one that lasts forever. Can anyone help?
Thank you!
try… Blanco
They may have one
Oh my lord. Swoon. Blanco has some SEXY sinks! But I am not finding drainboards. I don’t think I can live without one. They are so practical to me.
Is 43″ too much? http://www.faucetdirect.com/elkay-ilgr4322r-gourmet-lustertone-stainless-steel-43-x-22-single-basin-top-mount-kitchen-sink-with-right-drain-board/p413326?intcmp=recs~item_page.rr1~MultiItemViewCP~Elkay~elkayilgr4322r
Yes, thank you, but it’s WAY too big. I had the cupboards made around that crappy IKEA one. Anything bigger than 36″ cuts into my gorgeous drawers.
(We also want to replace the IKEA / Whirlpool fridge, speaking of IKEA.)
But the sink isn’t 36″ ….
MY Boholmen is 35 1/2 x 19 1/2 .
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89847463/
I am not an expert on the installation, but I don’t understand why something like this cannot go in your space. The drainboard sits on top of the substrate, doesn’t it? If so, it should not impede your drawers from functioning…
You could also see if you could find someone to make you one. I recall a reader doing that (use search)
Old thread, I know. For some reason the entire hole is cut out for sink and drainboard. My drainboard goes over the dishwasher. Maybe it would not sit flat if it was not cut out? In fact the Elkay site tells you you need a sink cabinet as large as the cut out. I know that is not true. You need a sink cabinet to be big enough for the bowl(s} to fit.
me no understand
Here’s the other drainboard style from Elkay http://www.elkay.com/sinks/top-mount/ilgr4322l
you need to search around for best pricing though
Ummmm, I saw one in my Re-Store two weeks ago – $40! Clearly used – but in great condition – I don’t think these things ever wear out!
Your Restore is way better than mine. Mine has all super sad depressing 1980’s stuff.
43″ is way too big for the space, it looks weird.
OMG, I am an idiot! That is true! 😉 And my idiocy is here on the internet for everyone to read! I will lose some of my “coffee station.” I have to think about it.
Make a sink?!?!
haha
i found this, but it’s an undermount – http://products.whitehauscollection.com/whitehauscollection/products/whncm4019-drop-in/
dangit — 33″ — http://www.ebay.com/itm/Franke-USA-FDBS703BX-Single-Bowl-Kitchen-Sink-w-Drain-Board-Stainless-Steel-/310909927287
dangit, 38″, never used, but pointing the wrong direction for you! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Franke-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Sink-with-4-accessories-/111608631362?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19fc649042
I found these as well, not my favorite, but i’m capturing them for this thread https://www.plumbingsupply.com/ada-sinks-with-drainboards.html
It’s very cool, the Franke one, but I can’t see how a $100 one would be any better than IKEA.
here ya go, folks like this do custom work, i bet you could find someone in your metro area http://www.specialtystainless.com/residential/finishes_4.php
38-5/8″ http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Oliveri-221-1-Stainless-Steel-Sink-Single-Basin-with-Drainboard-Right-Topmount-One-Tapping/8745/Cat/588
This was fun, here are the Oliveri’s http://www.oliveri.com.au/us/drainboard.cfm
and for sale here! https://www.google.com/search?q=oliveri+sink+drainboard&rlz=1C1CHKZ_enUS437US437&espvd=2&biw=2133&bih=1061&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=_aLzVKiZI5SiyASFlYLACg&ved=0CB0Qsxg
Wow, thanks!
Looking into custom, too.
I know this is an old post, but just wondered, Pam, what you think of the Oliveri sinks. We’ve been thinking about them, as our vintage St. Charles sink base is 40″ and the Oliveri would fit perfectly. But I wonder if they look “vintage enough” especially the 220-0 seen here: http://www.oliverisinks.com/us/brisbane-canberra.cfm
I like that one because it has a large, single bowl. Big enough for my larger pans. But I worry that the look won’t be right…
Sure, yes, with that drainboard, they sure do look vintage!
No, the Boholmen drain board has a cut out under it. It fits nicely OVER our dishwasher
Thanks! Now DH wants to do one long (7 ft?) stainless steel countertop with integrated drainboard sink… He’d have stuck with the Oliveri if I hadn’t equivocated 🙂
The cool American Standard one is discontinued now. 🙁
I found ours about 14 years ago – right place at right time…..too bad it’s been discontinued as it’s been a super addition to our retro-remodeled kitchen!
ikea sells a cutout tool, $13, to make your own faucet hole in the stainless sink
When re-retro-modeling our kitchen, I just happened to find the American Standard (large, deep bowl, small bowl and drainboard) – on sale yet…….under $200. It was one of the very last items I needed – and couldn’t believe my luck as our ‘kitchen budget’ had just about been completed. We love it – the smaller middle section is perfect for stacking plates or a fry pan after they’ve been rinsed. And it looks pretty darn great in our 1963 ranch. I was shocked to see it was $1K!