Bar Sink
Bar Sink How do I add a mini fridge to a cabinet space? I'm installing a wet bar in a former pantry space. There is just enough width for a cabinet with about two cabinet doors. The bar will ha...
Bar Sink
Copper Bar & Prep Sinks Buying Tips
Bar and prep sinks provide for an area besides the main food making area like the kitchen to serve friends and family when putting together snacks or other special dishes or preparing drinks.
Choice in size: measure your prep area accurately before deciding the size of the bar sink. Unlike kitchen sinks, the bar sink should be shallow with around 5 ½ to 6 ½ in depth.
Keep in mind how you’d like the final setting of the prep area to look before deciding upon a self rimming or under-mount sink. The former ones have a small protruding flange which allows the sink to rest on the counter top while the latter gets fitted under the sink cavity thereby leaving the countertop surface itself without any joints to other surfaces.
Many bar sinks are designed purely for prep purposes without any holes. So if you feel the need for faucet or sprayer then go for one or two holed sinks.
Buying a copper sink could be a tricky affair as you must ensure strength, quality and workmanship.
There’s a choice available between smooth copper sinks and hand hammered ones. If you prefer the smooth finish, do consider the fact that smooth finished surfaces show scratches and dents more readily – therefore, if the sink is intended for the kitchen or prep areas or if you plan to wash dishes/pans/pots in it, a serious second thought should given to other options. The term “hand hammered” came from the process carried out by hand – where copper sheets are literally hammered into shape. The resulting surface is unique and always one of a kind.
If the sink is for a kitchen or another prep area where utensils might be washed, then given the demands of the kitchen, the stronger hand hammered surfaces should be preferred over smooth surfaces.
Copper sinks should be of pure copper as it posses antimicrobial properties so that no germs grow on it.
Another thing to keep in mind is the patina process which is sometimes employed to artificially induce age into the copper to give it a dark, warm look – this is at times done with harmful chemicals so watch out for residues etc which suggest this is the case.
Copper sinks are rather rugged but with that distinct touch of elegance – particularly once they’ve aged. Especially with the natural harmless Patina process, the sinks get an undertone of warmth which constantly changes in colour. This change may be greatly reduced by the use of regular wax coatings but letting the copper evolve is a good idea.
About the Author
Amit Bhawani recommends you to visit Copper Sinks Store which has a wide variety of products including copper bar sinks which you can compare, review and then buy.