Classic farmhouse drainboard sinks look quite charming in a vintage kitchen. Whether you are looking for a reproduction drainboard sink, or are hunting for vintage, I’ve pulled together all my research to help you find what you are looking for in this buyer’s guide. Overall, I count 9 difference sources depending on the age and material of farmhouse drainboard sink that you are looking for.
1. Authentic vintage farmhouse drainboard sinks:
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
If you are the owner of an older porcelain enamel bathtub or sinks — or are considering buying one — please see my May 2, 2016 story Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age; this article focuses on raising awareness around three potential sources of lead dust exposure in your home – old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any era — and steps you can take to assess and, if required, address them.
A note on terminology: I have seen the terms “Porcelain Enamel”, “Enamel”, and “Porcelain” each used to describe the top coating that is baked onto metal substrates on bathtubs, sinks and other products. As such, you may see the various terms used interchangeably on this blog by me and by others who are interviewed or commenting. To verify what types of products you have and what they are made of, do your own research including consulting with the original manufacturer or your own professionals.
Prewar and mid century drainboard kitchen sinks were, I believe, generally manufactured using a cast iron or steel substrate, covered with porcelain enamel. They were available in white…… and in pastels and other colors, as in Erica’s Jadeite kitchen (shown above.)
Here is slide show of 16 vintage Kohler kitchens that give you some idea of the designs.
Where to find vintage drainboard sinks:
Vintage sinks may be found at salvage companies, on craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, ebay, etsy, at your area ReStore / Habitat for Humanity, etc. See this story I did on Ken, who specializes in collecting and selling original-condition vintage kitchen sinks.
2. Re-porcelain a vintage sink:
If you already have a vintage drainboard sink in hand, but it needs restoration, it can be done. Yes, vintage sinks can be re-porcelained. Custom Ceramic Coatings is one resource we found that can re-porcelain cast iron sinks (photo above is an example).
Reader Barb had a porcelain-enamel-on-steel sink (not cast iron) and found another source Independence Porcelain Enamel, to reporcelain it.
- Do your own research with these companies to ask what materials and processes they use in their re-porcelaining processes.
3. Cleaning a porcelain enamel drainboard sink:
I reached out to Kohler to ask about various cleaning products for their porcelain enamel on cast iron products made today. See this story:
Please consult with the manufacturer of your sink you buy new; and again, if your sink is vintage take care considering this story.
4. Farmhouse sink reproductions — porcelain enamel on cast iron:
Now I’m diving into reproduction / new farmhouse drainboard sinks with porcelain enamel coatings on cast iron substrates.
I know of several sources for a reproductions of apron style farmhouse drainboard sinks. These designs below are porcelain enamel on cast iron — the very old school way to make these sinks.
The first is the Sanford Cast Iron Kitchen sink with drain board and apron from Signature Hardware — like Laura used in her adorable summer cottage kitchen.
Above: Strom Plumbing also has a 42″ design – also in cast iron.
Another available option — also in cast iron — is the Clarion farmhouse drainboard sink. It is made by Strom Plumbing and marketed by a number of companies such as our longtime advertiser, deabath.com — but you can shop around. This apron sink is 60″ wide.
These sinks will all use a vintage style wall-mount kitchen faucet. As some examples, see our story 8 vintage style wall-mount kitchen faucets.
Another source for cast iron drainboard sink reproductions, like the one shown above (more designs on their website): Ready To Re — now apparently called “Watermark Fixtures”.
5. Steel drainboard kitchen sinks:
Next up: Drainboard kitchen sinks made out of metal — steel, mostly, but check before you buy.
- Elkay still makes a number sink-top drainboard sinks very much like the porcelain enamel on cast iron. See this story on the different styles of Elkay stainless steel sinks.. above: Read this story about how Joe used one of these Elkay steel drainboards to replace a damaged original sink in his kitchen.
- Second, we did a separate round up eight places to find drop-in stainless steel sinks.
- See this story, too, about ways to do stainless steel sinks and countertops in your kitchen. Check local building codes to ensure these are to code in your locality.
- Also check companies like Ikea and Franke, they may have some “drop in designs”.
Need a faucet? I like the one that Joe used. It looks like this Chicago model.
I also am a #1 fan of Dishmasters — I use one in my kitchen!
6. Reproduction farmhouse sinks available from Nelson Bath Tub, Inc.:
Next up: Modern technology allows for drainboard sink reproductions to be made from modern polymeric materials.
Nelson Bath Tub offers six reproduction farmhouse drainboard sinks manufactured using gelcoat and fiberglass reinforced polyester resins. Above is the “Apron Sink”.
Above: Apron sink with double drainboards.
Above: The second sink from Nelson Tub and Bath is a 66″ wide double sink double drainboard farmhouse sink.
Above: Nelson’s double bowl, double drainboard 60″ sink.
Above: Farmhouse sink from Nelson’s with single bowl.
Above: Nelson’s 42″ single bowl, single drainboard sink. And be sure to check their website, they continue to add new designs each year, it seems.
7. Reproduction drainboard sinks in other materials (including colors)
Another new option is this Blanco sink (*affiliate link) lists for $933 plus shipping. While this model has the lovely drainboard — and appears to be made of a composite including hard rock granite — it is not what we’d describe as “retro” in style. Still, we’ll put it out there for you. This model is available in eight neutral colors — but also has the drawback of no faucet holes — limiting counter top options.
veronique tanasale says
I say a double deep porcelain sink with no washboard dated around 1941 with on hole between the two sinks . made by crane. what type of sink is this called is it for a laundry room??? sinks 18x20x14″. want to make sure not going to pay too much.
pam kueber says
We don’t do valuations, veronique….
Heidi E. says
The green color is gorgeous, but I must admit I’m kind of nonplussed by the extremely shallow depths of all the repro and about half the actual vintage sinks. I currently have an 8-inch deep sink and am often frustrated at how hard some things are to wash in it. I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have my sprayer hose. Are gallon stockpots a modern invention? Even most of my vintage Pyrex would be hard to get under the faucet in some of these.
Maureen says
My sink has a sliding porcelain drain board that is cracked
know any where I can replace it?
Sue S. says
I saw this YouTube video (link below) last night where the man mentions his farm house sink with drain. I went ah-ha! that’s what my house needs since it doesn’t have an (automatic) dishwasher (small house, small kitchen). Thanks for this blog post, good info!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6kPzMSvdDA
pam kueber says
Yes, that’s an Elkay style stainless steel drainboard sink. You can still get them from Elkay, or vintage. see this story — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/09/02/8-vintage-style-elkay-drainboard-sinks-for-a-midcentury-kitchen-remodel/
gb says
$2,000 for a stainless steel sink, I think not !
pam kueber says
I tend to think you can find them retail for less than that, but am not sure. Or: Stalk your ReStore — I do see them occasionally!
Audrey says
We just found a steel cabinet with double farm sink. The cabinets have 2 very narrow and tall doors on either side of the middle doors. Any idea what those narrow compartments are for ?
pam kueber says
Hard to say without seeing a photo. We have tons of stories on steel kitchen cabinets in Kitchen Help / Steel Kitchens category here — https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/steel-kitchen-cabinets/
Marlis Wilcox says
Trays for serving
Cece says
My guess would be they are for cutting boards or baking sheets
reba says
I beleive they are for bread pans or cookie sheets
Donna says
I am lucky enough to live in my family farmhouse with original dbl drainboard, dbl sink. My problem is finding a drain stopper that fits. Evidently, standard size has changed over the years. Any suggestions?
pam kueber says
hmmm…. My first place to try would be deabath.com, but this one may be tough…. What is the size you are looking for?
Jade says
You can get a flat drain cover – they’re about 6″ across and will cover nearly any drain. Not perfect, but at least it’ll do until you can find something that really fits. I’ve used them in old bathtubs, and even in stall showers that were deep enough to bathe a baby.
Pam Zirbel says
WOW!!! How hard is it to find a dbl bowl porcelain left drain board!!?!! OIYE!!! This is Pam that has bought that 1870 house and showed you a pic on FB today!!! Might have to settle for a stainless one..or..use the cruddy stainless one that is there!! Looked on ebay and of course…people know the valiue and how popular they are now!! Might be looking at Buffalo Restore place!!! Can a stainless one BE porcelainized!?!! Thanks and thanks for having your blog!! You rock!!
pam kueber says
I was told that stainless cannot be porcelainized. but check our reporcelainer — see story under Kitchens / sinks
pam kueber says
I looked at the photo on Facebook. Will a Kohler Delafield drop into the same space as your stainless sink? I presume you are not messing with those pink countertops!
Deb says
I recently bought the farm sink from Signature Hardware, after looking for a used one for two years. It’s beautiful and worth the little more than I would have paid for a used one.
Tracy says
Have you been happy with this sink? I notice a “Deb” posted a review of this sink on the Signature website noting that it scratches easily. I need to replace a 42 inch vintage sink and would really like to get this one, but not if it will look bad quickly. Thanks!
Val says
there are places that you can take the old sinks to be reglazed look around for a place for you to do that.
pam kueber says
We’ve written about two. The key: You need to get them re-porcelained, truly re-porcelained. Epoxy coating = paint = won’t hold up.
Tracy says
We had ours redone at a machine shop recommended by the building parts salvage store. They supposedly sandblasted it, recoated it with porcelain, and baked it. But it did not hold up in the sink basin. Began to look bad after a couple of years and coating is almost entirely gone in basin now. Not sure if others do the process better. That is why I’m looking for a new sink.
Olga says
Hi,
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience installing a double drainboard double sink onto anything other than a steel sink cabinet base? I fell in love with the sink and bought it off of Craigslist without realizing it doesn’t easily mount on modern sink base cabinets!
Any ideas would be appreciated. Also, my apologies if I’m not posting in the right place – I am new here!
pam kueber says
Hi Olga, I do not know the answer to this question…
Linda Ghiloni says
After owning my double drainboard double bowl cast iron porcelain PINK sink for almost 10 years, it is finally installed!!! We opted for quartz counter tops by Olympic in the Nevern pattern.
pam kueber says
Wow, fantastic news, Linda! I’ll send you an email, we’d love to take a look!! Pam
Maggie says
Putting mine on a frame built around it with large old table legs repurposed in front and mounted to a board on the wall in back.
Mary Becknell says
My brother remolded his kitchen recently and removed his old 1948 double deep sink but did not save the cabinet. I asked him to save the sink for me. Any chance that I could get just the cabinet to install this back into? Any Ideas as to how I could incorporate this into my outside flower garden?
pam kueber says
See our stories about steel kitchen cabinets including where to find them in the Kitchens / Steel Kitchens category.