Defense Against the Dark Spots: The Sink Protector

Buying a new sink? The first piece of advice you’re likely to hear from seasoned homeowners upon glimpsing your shiny new piece is, “you need to get a sink protector in there!”

And they’re right. Here’s why:

What is a sink grid?

A sink protector, also known as a sink grid, sink rack, or sink grate, is a gridded insert that fits into the bottom of a kitchen sink to protect the bottom of the sink from damage. Kitchen sink grates are available in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and even designs to fit every sink.

Sink grids are placed directly into the bottom of the sink and are entirely freestanding, so no installation required.

Why do you need a sink grid?

Kitchen sink grids are important for many reasons.

• They protect the bottom of the sink from scratches, dings, and dents
• They keep pots, pans, dishes, and cookware off of the bottom of the sink, allowing water and food particles to run freely along the sink bottom rather than gathering on dishes
• They reduce the sound of dishes and cutlery clattering against the sink bottom
• They can serve as an in-sink drainer for washed items
• They prevent dishes from slipping on the sink’s surface
• Many are dishwasher safe, making sink cleaning a snap

What are the downsides of a sink grid?

Every great thing has a couple of downsides, and a sink grid is no exception (though those downsides are quite minor). Some don’t like the appearance and prefer an unadorned sink; others find that dirt and food (like peels) get stuck. Some prefer not to have another thing to clean (though it’s fairly low-maintenance).

Another factor that discourages people from purchasing a high-quality sink grid is the cost. Grids that are shaped to fit specific sinks can be costlier than the standard sizes found in big-box stores, but they provide truly superior protection for your investment as well as better ease of use.

Does my sink need a sink protector?

Sink grids are a matter of preference, but they’re essential if you want to prevent damage to the bottom of your sink. Some materials are more prone to scratching and denting than others, like stainless steel, marble, quartz (darker colors tend to show damage more than light colors), soapstone, and solid surface.

Other materials, like light-colored quartz and granite composite, fireclay, and porcelain, benefit from the free water flow that a sink grid provides; these materials can develop stains from wet or dirty cookware resting directly on the bottom of the sink.

What kind of grid should I get for my sink?

Many high-quality sinks, especially stainless steel sinks, include an optional custom-fit stainless steel sink grid that fits the sink perfectly. Standard sink sizes can be fitted with standard sink protectors in a variety of materials, though stainless steel is the most popular.

Consider these factors when choosing a sink protector:

• Sink size and shape (the grid should fit well, not slide around, and be easy to maneuver in and out of the sink)
• Sink depth (for a shallow sink, choose a grid that does not raise dishes to an uncomfortable height)
• Drain placement (center or side)
• Cleanability (a tightly woven grid will trap more food particles than one with better spacing)
• Quality (a stainless steel sink protector should be the same quality as a stainless steel sink)
• Smoothness (rough intersections or corners will trap germs and grime)
• Feet (for best results, choose a sink grid with rubber feet or, at the very least, closed loops instead of feet to prevent scratching)

Always choose a sink grid over a rubber mat, which can cause staining, and stainless steel over rubber or plastic, which are less durable.