Comparison of Gauges of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are frequently chosen by homeowners and builders based on their durability. Their sturdiness and resilience largely depend on the gauge of stainless steel used in the manufacturing process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Lower Is Better
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Steel gauges for sinks range normally range between 16 and 23. Sixteen is the thickest and 23 is the thinnest.
Recommended Gauges
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Higher quality sinks with gauges between 16 and 18 best resist scratching, nicks and dents. This gauge range of sinks also absorb noise better when pots and pans are placed in them and are less likely to vibrate if a garbage disposal installed beneath them is activated.
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Chromium & Nickel Content
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Besides gauge considerations, the quality of stainless steel sinks is determined by how much chromium and nickel is in the steel. The labeling commonly lists the content as a ratio. For example, 18.8 would indicate the sink material contains 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel. The higher these numbers, the better the quality of the stainless steel. For instance, if the chromium content is 19 percent and the nickel content is 9 percent, that would be a higher and better ratio and content than a sink with an 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel ratio.
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References
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