Here’s a NOS kitchen product that has made my Dear Husband very happy.
Getting ready for my end-of-summer tag sale [ever seeking to lighten the load], I came across two New Old Stock kitchen sink basket strainers among my stashes. I had picked them up at some estate sale.
Knowing that DH always has struggled to find a basket strainer that really works — one that really holds the drain closed so the water won’t slowly seep out — for our vintage Kohler sink, I brought the boxes upstairs to consult with him on giving the old stock a try. He was totally game.
So we did. We took a look and at first, were worried that the PVC or rubber or whatever it is on the bottom of the decades-old strainer would be too dried out, but it was fine.
We tested each one — locked each one down, ran the water, waited, and…
… Without question: The New Old Stock sink strainer worked better. No seepage. And DH says the gauge of the metal is much stronger.
Could it be that new basket strainers are meant for the design of modern sinks
— and you need a vintage basket strainers fit the old designs?
Or, are the old designs just better?
Seriously, as we were walking the dog last night, DH commented again on this strainer, out of the blue-ish (we had just finished cleaning up the dinner dishes). These things have been one of his lifelong pet peeves. He’s 56 years old, like me, and said he never has found one that really works. Finally.
Hurray for little pleasures! Hurray for vintage! Note: I think you should be able to get these on ebay, they are around if you also want to give it a try.
Kim says
Where did you purchase this great strainer basket?
Thanks!
Pam Kueber says
Alas, I bought these at an estate sale, I think… BUT, see Erik’s comment further down, which I am copying here:
Chicago Char says
This is an old post but since I moved from my vintage apartment with the wonderful double huge porcelain sink to this single new stainless sink I wanted to caution that the stopper “stem” that fits in the middle slot of the drain is dangerously sharp. So beware if one chooses a “new” basket. I used to prevent the seepage by adding a flat round rubber topper over the basket and hole that was good for old tub holes too.
anthony says
Do you have more of these baskets. I have an original 1929 Kohler farmhouse sink and am trying to locate a 5 inch basket. I have looked everywhere. Please help. Thanks
Carolyn says
My hubby doesn’t believe me when I say you have to start the water running while plugging the sink or it won’t seat properly. So think about this – if I was going to go through the time and effort to make something up, of all the nonsense I could think of, would it be this?!
heidi trieu says
Funny how I have had these for 11 years since we bought our 1958 house and I never thought “hey I have cool vintage strainer baskets”. I look at them with new eyes now 🙂
pam kueber says
tee hee so now you know! thanks for the comment – made me very happy!
Mary Elizabeth says
Wow, isn’t it the littlest things as well as the big splashy changes that make retro-renovators happy?
I think the old baskets work better because they were made to go on the old sinks.
In case you didn’t know this, to get that old stainless basket all shiny, use Cameo Aluminum and Stainless Cleaner. make a paste with a wet cloth, polish it all over, let sit five or ten minutes, and rinse and polish with a dry cloth.
Jeneta says
Cool! Wow, honestly didn’t realize they were vintage, like some of the other stuff my family has been using.
Kristen says
Today I think people move so fast and pay attention to so many things at once that small fixes like this are not even considered-small fixes that make a difference in daily life. These bring me such joy. I love this read. Well, as I love most every RR read!
pam kueber says
Thanks! Yes, our lives are mostly filled with small, everyday pleasures — you are reminding me to celebrate them more!