2023 Buyer’s Guide: Best Outdoor Kitchen Sink Reviews
- by Dino Paccino
- Last Updated: July 13, 2023
Having an outdoor kitchen on your patio or entertainment area may just be all you need to have a fantastic get-together with your friends and family.
This guide will show you the 5 best outdoor kitchen sinks we tried out and the factors to consider when choosing one.
Our Top Outdoor Kitchen Sink Picks
- 1. Editor's Choice - Kraus KBU11
- 2. Best Value - Houzer E-100
- 3. Best Budget - Houzer A1722-7BS-1
- 4. Best Stainless Steel - Ruvati BBQ Workstation
- 5. Best Dent Resistant - Kraus Pax Single Bowl
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The 5 Best Outdoor Kitchen Sinks in 2023
1. Kraus KBU11 20-inch Undermount Single Bowl 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
One of the first things we love about the Kraus KBU11 outdoor kitchen sink that we tested is its beauty.
Being an undermount kitchen sink forged from stainless steel, it’s got a satin finish that catches the eye and will complement your outdoor bar. And the rounded corners make it easy to clean and maintain, making your kitchen plumbing easier!
And being an undermount sink, water can easily flow from the outdoor kitchen counter into the sink without any resistance.
And this outdoor sink stylishly pairs design with functionality in that you can bank on the 16-gauge T304 stainless steel rust and corrosion resistance. Plus it’s got a thickness of 1.5mm to resist dent from heavy items placed on it.
This stainless steel model was also built to withstand harsh weather conditions.
The bottom of the Kraus KBU11 was also constructed in a way that makes water slope down the sink instead of standing. Despite the slope, your wines and wine glasses won’t fall over when placed in the sink.
Just perfect for outdoor cabinets!
In addition, the Kraus KBU11 outdoor sink is easy to install. And the size of the deep basin means there’s enough space for large dishes to fit in. This outdoor sink also comes with a Kraus kitchen towel, sink bottom grid, basket strainer drain, and a cutout temple.
And finally, the Kraus KBU11 single bowl sink is sound-absorbent. It uses sound-absorbing pads and NoiseDefend technology to minimize noise resulting from using the sink. While the Kraus KBU11 20-inch Undermount Single Bowl 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink features a soundproofing system to reduce noise during use and a corrosion-resistant finish, the Houzer E-100 Midnite Quartztone Outdoor Kitchen Sink is a 22-inch sink made of a quartz composite material.
2. Houzer E-100 Midnite Quartztone Outdoor Kitchen Sink
Some of the finest qualities of the best outdoor sinks are their durability, ability to resist dirt and ease of maintenance.
And the Houzer E-100 possesses all of these qualities and more. Made from quality quartz stone granite, this outdoor kitchen sink is only appealing to the eyes.
Another unique feature of this kitchen sink is its dual-mount design. That means you can either install the Houzer E-100 as an undermount sink or a drop-in one; depending on your preference and the amount of work you’re ready to put into cleaning.
Caring for outdoor kitchens in the backyard is quite difficult, really. So the manufacturer of this outdoor sink with a modern look crafted it with a sealant to help prevent the growth of bacteria.
And since the quartz tone outdoor sink isn’t made of metal, so you don’t have to bother your beautiful head about it rusting. Plus it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Some other cool features of the Houzer E-100 are that it’s resistant to heat, chipping, fading, and UV light; making it perfect for outdoor kitchens. So unlike many other outdoor sinks, you can place hot items like hot pots and pans on it without damaging it.
So, unlike other products we tested like the Kraus KBU11, which is a 20-inch undermount single bowl kitchen sink made of 16-gauge stainless steel, the Houzer E-100 Midnite Quartztone Outdoor Kitchen Sink is resistant to stains, chips, and scratches, and features a glossy finish.
3. Houzer A1722-7BS-1 ADA Glowtone Top mount Stainless Steel Outdoor Sink
There are lots of outdoor sink products but the Houzer Glowtones stands out as one of the best.
This is another quality Houzer sink that’s durable, scratch-proof, easy to maintain, and hygienic.
This ADA-compliant outdoor sink comes with a quality satin 304 stainless steel finish that is resistant to rust and corrosion. This makes it suitable for a variety of purposes and weather conditions in the backyard.
This bar sink can also be used in a utility room and other indoor spaces. And the StoneGuard coating makes it noise-absorbent. This makes cooking and cleaning the dishes more fun. It’s indeed one of the very versatile outdoor sinks that can fit your lifestyle and last a lifetime.
The bowl also comes with two holes for mounting your outdoor faucets. And when you consider the price of this kitchen sink, you’ll be amazed that the quality far outweighs the price. So, in short, the Houzer A1722-7BS-1 ADA Glowtone Top mount Stainless Steel Outdoor Sink is a sink made of durable stainless steel and features a hygienic surface and a sleek, modern design unlike the Kraus KBU11 which is known for its soundproofing system instead.
4. Ruvati BBQ Workstation
This is a special type of stainless steel outdoor sink.
First, it’s made with T-316 steel and it comes with a cutting board that acts as a cover for food prep. In addition, this commercial-grade finish product is easy to install and clean. And it’s also noise-absorbent.
Plus like the other outdoor sinks on this list that we tested, it’s got a limited lifetime warranty. And it’s got a size that’s larger than a bar sink.
The Ruvati BBQ Workstation is a 45-inch sink that features a large workspace, a built-in cutting board, and a removable drain cover. Meanwhile, the Kraus Pax Single Bowl Outdoor Sink is a 24-inch sink made of durable stainless steel with a protective finish that resists scratches and corrosion.
5. Kraus Pax Single Bowl Outdoor Sink
More than being a healthy outdoor sink, the Kraus Pax is crafted with wear and dent-resistant 16-gauge stainless steel. It’s designed to drain water easily which makes cooking outside more enjoyable while keeping your kitchen cabinets completely dry hence avoiding any water damage to your kitchen cabinets.
And being a drop-in sink, it’s easy to install the rectangular bowl in a kitchen cabinet.
When you get the Kraus Pax, you’ll also get a removable drain cap, the Kraus Mitt and Trivet, a drain assembly, a cutout template, and mounting hardware.
The Kraus Pax Single Bowl Outdoor Sink tested product is a 20-inch undermount single bowl kitchen sink made of 16-gauge stainless steel, with a soundproofing system, and a corrosion-resistant finish and comparable to the Houzer A1722-7BS-1 ADA Glowtone Top mount Stainless Steel Outdoor Sink, a 17-inch sink made of durable stainless steel with a hygienic surface and a modern design.
The Buyer’s Guide to Choosing Outdoor Sinks
Whether your outdoor sink will serve the cooking functionality or keep your hands clean after gardening, here are some considerations to make the right choice and what we used to evaluate the best outdoor kitchen sinks of this year.
Our experts have talked about the best material for sinks if that’s something you’re interested in learning about too!
Undermount or Drop-in Sinks
If want to improve your home decor with an outdoor kitchen sink of aesthetic value, then an undermount sink will suit you best.
These sinks have their rims hidden underneath the countertop. So only the bowl and faucet are exposed.
Drop-in sinks, on the other hand, tend to have wider rims that are exposed and extend beyond the countertop.
While a drop-in sink is easier to install, you might need professional help to install your undermount kitchen sink. Secondly, drop-in sinks are cheaper than their undermount counterparts. And finally, cleaning a drop-in kitchen sink is quite easier than an undermount sink which is why it might be the best outdoor kitchen sink.
Single-bowl or Double-bowl
The functionality of the bowl and the size of your countertop plays a part in determining the number of bowls you’ll have on your outdoor kitchen sink.
If you need a larger space on your countertop, you can go for a single-bowl outdoor sink; as this will create more room for dishes on the outdoor kitchen counter. However, get a basin that’s bigger than a bar sink.
And if you’re more concerned about preparing foods quicker, a double-sink apparatus will be the best option as it’ll allow you to multitask.
You can use one of the sinks to prepare your meal and use the other to wash the dishes.
Material
The best kitchen sinks come in different styles, materials, and designs. And outdoor sinks mostly come in either of these two materials; stainless steel or ceramic.
Stainless steel is by far the most popular choice. This is because the 304 and 316 stainless steel materials are very durable; resistant to stain, rust, and corrosion; and a beauty to behold.
In contrast, ceramic is not as durable as stainless steel. They’re also not resistant to stains, abrasive powders, and bleach
Durability and Stability
Keep in mind that outdoor sinks made from porcelain can be shattered when forceful pressure is applied. They’re not also resistant to rust and corrosion.
When compared with the 304-grade stainless steel, porcelain sinks will be better off lounging around the bathroom.
It’s also worthy of note that stainless steel sinks with thick gauges are more durable and wear-resistant to heavy objects than sinks with thinner gauge steel.
Faucet
Most kitchen sinks either don’t come with a faucet or they have outdoor faucets of inferior quality.
So when buying your outdoor sink, also get a 304 steel faucet that has a mixing valve and hot and cold water hookups.
| Outdoor Kitchen Sink | Undermount/Drop-in | Single/Double Bowl | Material | Durability and Stability | Faucet Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraus KBU11 | Undermount | Single | Stainless Steel | 5/5 | Not included |
| Houzer E-100 | Drop-in | Single | Quartz Composite | 4/5 | Not included |
| Houzer A1722-7BS-1 | Top-mount | Single | Stainless Steel | 4/5 | Not included |
| Ruvati BBQ Workstation | Drop-in | Single | Stainless Steel | 5/5 | Included |
| Kraus Pax | Undermount | Single | Stainless Steel | 5/5 | Not included |
In Conclusion
Whether your outdoor kitchen sink will be stationed in your entertainment area, garden, or utility room certain standards need to be met (especially as regard durability). Just a small tip from us: waterproof your under-sink kitchen cabinets to avoid any sort of damage.
When you adhere to the factors in this article and choose any of the outdoor sinks we tested listed above, you’ll have a great time hosting your friends and family on your patio.
Why Trust Kitchen Infinity?
Our writers and reviewers thoroughly research every aspect of kitchen appliances or home improvement products so you can make a well-informed decision when investing in these products. We evaluate top quality products from several brands within budget friendly price ranges and contrast consumer reviews, surveys, satisfaction forms, brand performance, and annual appliance rankings. We go to great lengths to ensure that your next buy is worth every penny!
Dino Paccino
Dino is a lifelong writer and home improvement specialist. He enjoys bringing cutting-edge information on home renovation and remodeling to Kitchen Infinity.
