What Is a Bar Sink? (Quick Explanation)
When it comes to sinks, there are so many different models for different uses that it really feels overwhelming, and one of the types is a bar sink.
In this article, I will teach you exactly what is a bar sink among other things regarding them. In addition, I will teach some things about sinks in general and the different aspects of bar sinks. Before we go further into the world of sinks, we need to understand what exactly a bar sink is?
Bar sinks, also known as wet-bar and prep sinks, are small sinks often used for convenient rinsing, hand washing, or other quick tasks. Bar sinks are usually made from stainless steel although there are various material choices. They have usually shaped either square, round, or rectangular.
Bar sinks are found everywhere, from domestic kitchens at home to large commercial-grade kitchens. If you want fully understand what a bar sink is, we need to go more in-depth into each feature they offer, so let’s take a look at what kind of bar sinks are there.
Contents
- What kind of bar sinks are there
- Materials
- Benefits of a bar sink
- What do you use a bar sink for
- What size are bar sinks
- How deep is a bar sink
- Where should a bar sink be placed on a countertop
- Can you use a bathroom sink for a bar sink
- Does a wet bar need a sink
- How much space do you need for a wet bar sink
- Conclusion
What kind of bar sinks are there
The first difference between bar sinks is the installation types. There are 3 main installation methods that affect the price and design it. Let’s take a look at installation methods.
Drop-In bar sinks
Drop-in sinks are the easiest to install because you drop the sink into the pre-designed opening in the countertop. Drop-in sinks will have the edges of the sink on top of the countertop, which shares opinions about whether they look good or not. These sinks are easy and affordable options, so if it is mainly used for convenience, drop-in sinks are the go choice.
Under-mount bar sinks
Under-mount sinks are installed under the countertop hiding the sink better and offering the opportunity to conceal it by placing something on it, usually a cutting board or a stylish cover that comes with it. Cleaning around the under-mount sink is easier because there are no corners where dirt can get stuck. In most cases, under-mount sinks are installed to solid and durable materials such as wood or granite.
Farmhouse bar sinks
Farmhouse sinks really expose the full sink; therefore, they are usually made from more expensive materials and are more costly than the other types. Usually, farmhouse sinks are larger than bar-sinks; however, some models are designed smaller. Farmhouse sinks are usually bought by people that want to include the sink well into their decor.
Freestanding bar sinks
Freestanding wet sinks are commonly found in restaurants because they can stand alone; therefore, they can be added to the already working layout. Freestanding sinks are nearly always made from stainless steel because they are mostly intended for commercial businesses.
Materials
Now that we know the installation methods, we need to check what materials are available for bar sinks.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the most common material because it is sanitary, easy to clean, durable, and cheap. These sinks are also resistant to corrosion, rust, and damage.
Fireclay
Fireclay is made as it sounds, constructed made from clay and heated hard in extremely high temperatures. Usually, fireclay sinks are coated with porcelain enamel, and the two together make a durable and beautiful sink that is smooth and pleasant to touch. Fireclay sinks
Ceramic
Ceramic sinks have that beautifully smooth and creamy feel in addition to their easy-to-maintain feature. Ceramic bar sinks are usually found only from home because they can chip or get damaged in other ways if not being careful.
Cast Iron
Cast iron sinks are really heavy and durable and usually coated with porcelain enamel, making them easy to clean and beautiful. There are many colors that porcelain enamel coating enables, so the sinks aren’t necessarily black like cast iron.
Copper
Copper sinks are stunning in addition to their durability and maintenance perks. An authentic copper sink is a pure copper that gives the sink a cool feature that kills harmful bacteria on its own.
Natural Stone
Natural stone bar sinks are often made from granite, quartz, or marble. They offer a great variety of colors, and they are arguably the most beautiful sinks out there. That kind of beauty doesn’t come without cost because you will need to use a stone sealer from time to time to keep the sink in good condition.
Lastly, bar sinks come in different shapes, which really don’t matter to the performance. It’s really more of a personal choice which one do you prefer the most. I have listed the 4 main shapes of bar sinks below.
- Round
- Square
- Rectangular
- Oval
Benefits of a bar sink
There are many benefits to bar sinks, so they are found in nearly every restaurant and even some homes. Let’s take a look at the benefits of prep sinks.
Bar sinks are small
Compared to a traditional commercial sink, bar sinks are considerably smaller, so you can place them somewhere fitting without the need to worry about the space.
Bar sinks really don’t limit your space, especially if you decide to invest in an under-mount sink which can often be covered with a specific cover or a cutting board.
They are a convenient
Bar sinks offer many convenient things that will aid in your tasks. You can quickly rinse cooking supplies or wash your hands. Also, you can effortlessly drain your pasta, wash ingredients, and get water for your cookings which is why they are called prep sinks.
Bar sinks are diverse
Bar sinks offer many choices that you can choose from specifically for your needs. For example, if you need a simple bar sink for convenience to a restaurant, then you can choose a freestanding stainless steel bar sink that will offer you just that.
On the other hand, you can enhance your home’s decor by selecting a marble bar sink to your kitchen island, which would be absolutely stunning.
As we can see, bar sinks really are made for many purposes so it can be beneficial for all.
What do you use a bar sink for
Bar sinks can be used for various things such as meal prepping, washing ingredients, rinsing dishes, or washing hands. In addition, bar sinks provide a water outlet where you can get water for cooking. Bar sinks are really convenient and diverse.
What size are bar sinks
On average, the bar sink’s bowl is between 10-14inches long, 8-12inches wide, and 5-10inches deep. However, the sizes can vary even further.
I examined 10 bar sinks from WebstaurantStore and got the averages from there, which are accurate compared to my personal experiences as a chef and restaurant worker.
How deep is a bar sink
In most cases, bar sinks are 5-10inches deep; however, the most common depth is 10 inches. 10inches is the optimal depth for a bar sink because it isn’t too shallow to get the maximum use from it, but at the same time, it isn’t too deep, so that working with it would be difficult.
Where should a bar sink be placed on a countertop
In short, a bar sink can be placed anywhere on the countertop. Before measuring your sink and cutting your countertop, be sure that your piping can be attached to the sink before doing anything irrevocable. Usually, bar sinks are located on the side of the countertop because it isn’t the main sink.
Can you use a bathroom sink for a bar sink
Using a bathroom sink as a bar sink is possible if done right. Be sure to check the piping, countertop space, and other compatible parts so you can make sure that it can be done.
Does a wet bar need a sink
By definition, wet bars have a sink, faucet, and plumbing because when you say ”wet bar”, it means a bar with a sink. However, you can do a bar just like a wet bar but without a sink.
How much space do you need for a wet bar sink
In short, you need space according to the bar sink’s dimensions. On average, a bar sink is around 12x10x8inches, so the required space on your countertop isn’t big. You need to check the space under the countertop and see how well the sink will fit with the plumbing and cabinet.
Conclusion
Bar sinks, prep sinks, wet bar sinks, or whatever you want to call them are a great and heplful addition to any kitchen due to their compact size and quick water outlet. Bar sinks are found both in homes and businesses because they really help the life at both.
I hope that this article gave you help and knowledge about bar sinks, and that you now know better about the installation methods, materials, shapes, and other factors considering these small and helpful sinks.