Marble Kitchen Sink: Living with Natural Stone in the Kitchen
In Mediterranean and Anatolian kitchens, carved stone troughs were for generations the center of dishwashing, vegetable washing and daily chores. A marble kitchen sink carries this tradition into today's kitchen. The models in our selection are carved from a single block; unlike bathroom basins, they have a deeper basin and a thicker body. This way you can comfortably wash bulky items such as pots and pans and add the warmth of craftsmanship to your kitchen.
Marble in the kitchen: what you need to know
Marble is as living a material as it is beautiful, and the kitchen is a far more demanding environment than the bathroom. Marble is composed of calcium carbonate; when acidic substances such as lemon juice, vinegar, tomato sauce, wine and carbonated drinks come into contact with the surface, they start a chemical etching. This effect appears as dull marks, especially on polished surfaces. Olive oil and other oils, on the other hand, can penetrate the pores and leave dark rings. Knowing this matters not in order to give up on marble, but to use it correctly.
Honed or polished for the kitchen?
For the kitchen, we generally recommend a honed finish. A matte surface makes the marks left by acid and the natural wear of daily use far less noticeable; over time it gives the stone an aged, lived-in look. A polished surface, on the other hand, shines flawlessly on day one, but every contact with acid can leave a noticeable mark on the gloss. If you prefer the patina the stone gains over time to a flawless shine, a marble kitchen sink is the choice for you.
Sealing: the first and most important step
A stone sink to be used in the kitchen needs to be protected with a quality sealer before or immediately after installation. The sealer fills the pores and delays grease and colored liquids from penetrating the stone; however, it does not completely prevent acid from reacting with the surface. For this reason, it is a good habit to renew the protective layer regularly and to check whether water dripped onto the surface still beads up.
Daily use tips
- Do not leave acidic foods such as lemon, vinegar and tomato in the sink; if they come into contact, rinse with plenty of water.
- After washing greasy pots, rinse the basin with warm water and a neutral soap.
- Use stone-specific cleaners instead of limescale removers, bleach and abrasive powders.
- Be careful when placing heavy cast-iron pots into the basin; a silicone dish mat laid on the bottom prevents impact marks.
- Drying the sink at the end of the day prevents water and limescale marks from forming.
Mounting and faucet
A stone sink with a deep basin can be positioned in the kitchen on the countertop or semi-recessed into the countertop. Since it will carry a heavy body, the base cabinet and countertop must have a sturdy frame; we recommend planning the installation together with a specialist. In the kitchen, a faucet with a long, curved body, if possible with a pull-out head, allows you to rinse the basin comfortably. Checking the silicone applied to the stone's edge joints from time to time also prevents water from leaking into the cabinet.
Which stone, which kitchen?
Light-toned marbles brighten small kitchens and blend easily with wooden cabinets; for similar tones, white marble sink options. Dark-toned and honed stones show grease stains less; in heavily used kitchens, black marble sink tones are a practical alternative. Those who want a more rustic and warm texture, keeping in mind that it is sensitive to acids like marble, travertine sink models can be considered.
For all marble models used outside the kitchen marble sink collection, and for other stone types, natural stone sink page can be visited.
