How To Decide If A Fireclay Sink Is Right For You

Fireclay sinks are one of the most coveted kitchen items available today. In spite of their overall popularity, there can still be some drawbacks. If you are considering installing a fireclay sink, you are going to want to know all of the Pros and Cons of owning one of these beauties.

Pros of a Fireclay Sink

Timeless style.

Fireclay sinks are classic. They have been around for hundreds of years and will be around for hundreds more.

Some people worry about fireclay going out of style. But while fireclay sinks have risen in popularity along with the modern farmhouse trend, we do not believe that having a classic white farmhouse sink installed is going to date your kitchen.

Other finishes and kitchen decor choices are far more likely to look dated than your fireclay sink.

Resistant to heat.

Fireclay sinks have a reputation for being very durable.

Fireclay sinks can handle hot pans and boiling water. So yes, you can still drain pasta in your new fireclay sink.

Some folks suggest running cold water as you pour hot water into a fireclay sink, though, for a variety of reasons.

The first reason, of course, is to temper the potential effects of pouring boiling water on the sink itself, which may minimize the potential for cracking or crazing.

Additionally, running cool water from the tap should cut down on the amount of steam in your face. Cool water will also help to moderate the water’s temperature as it drains.

A third reason to turn on the cold tap is to reduce the amount of boiling water that you pour down your drain, lessening the impact on your PVC drain pipes.

PVC is not rated for boiling water and any PVC piping you have will degrade over time with repeated exposure to water of high temperatures. 

Resistant to stains.

If you are looking for a stain-proof sink, fireclay is probably about as close as you are going to get.

However, it is important to not allow water to stand in your sink for long periods of time. This is especially important if that water has a staining material in it, such as coffee, wine, or spaghetti sauce.

Resistant to scratches and chips.

It is pretty difficult (though not impossible) to scratch or chip a fireclay sink.

Sometimes, pots, pans, or silverware can leave streaks that look like scratches but are actually just metal deposits.

A little elbow grease along with a bit of metal polish or even some baking soda should easily remove the marks left behind.

If you do throw or drop something that creates a chip in your sink, however, the area will likely be difficult to see. The clay that the sink is made of is light in color, like the finish.

Quieter.

The thickness of the molded fireclay naturally reduces sound, meaning that you may notice less sink clatter.

So many choices.

The options available have increased as fireclay sinks continue surging in popularity.

Fireclay sinks are available in a wide variety of:

• Colors (everything from candy apple red to sapphire blue, in addition to the more traditional white, gray, and black)

• Sizes (16-40″)

• Mounting styles (under-mount, flush-mount, farmhouse apron front, and drop-in)

Some of the most popular fireclay sink brands are even available on Amazon.

Easy to clean.

Fireclay sinks are simple to care for and keep clean. The best way to keep your fireclay sink in great condition is to regularly scrub it down with dish soap. Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth and rinse well.

Baking soda can be used to help clean any food particles that get crusted on. Rinsing and drying with a soft dry cloth will prevent soap scum build-up.

Also, consider using a sink wax, like carnauba, once a month or so. Waxing your sink will help liquids find their way down the drain and also help to prevent gunk build-up.

Garbage-Disposal Ready.

Yes, you can install a garbage disposal in your fireclay sink.

Some manufacturers of fireclay sinks, like Sinkology, have adapted their fireclay designs to be compatible with regular garbage disposals.

If your fireclay sink does not come “disposal ready” though, you can still purchase materials that will allow your disposal to be fitted into the sink.

The thickness of a fireclay sink bottom may not be “standard” like the bottoms of other sinks. Because of this, a fireclay sink may require a garbage disposal fitted with an extended flange in order to accommodate the difference in depth.

This is definitely something to investigate before having your sink installed.

Cons of a Fireclay Sink

Fireclay sinks are not invincible.

While fireclay sinks are “chip resistant” they are not indestructible.

If you drop something heavy in your fireclay sink, you could chip or crack the surface.

Additionally, fireclay sinks are susceptible to damage if harsh, abrasive cleaners or metal cleaning pads are used. So, please take care. Any abrasive products can create scratches and/or dull the glazed finish of a fireclay sink.

Water draining issues.

Many fireclay farmhouse sinks have flat, unsloped bottoms. An unsloped fireclay sink with one center drain hole usually does not drain as easily as a sloped stainless steel sink. 

It is helpful to have a spray nozzle on your faucet in order to be able to wash out the sink’s corners. You can also use the spray to encourage little bits of debris down the drain.  

Regular cleaning and DRYING of the sink are recommended.

To avoid soap residue build-up, water deposits, or other unpleasant blemishes, it is important to clean your sink at least once daily. Yes, daily.

Your regular dish soap and dishcloth are all you will need to take care of this job, though. Just a little scrub down of the bottom and sides and a quick rinse is all you need to do.

Because fireclay sinks are more prone to showing water spots than porcelain or enameled cast iron sinks are, drying your sink is another important daily task.

Drying your sink will also help to avoid soap or mineral build-up.

Wiping your sink off with a soft towel is as important as cleaning it.

Installing a garbage disposal in a fireclay sink may have some additional steps.

Unless you are purchasing a fireclay sink that has been crafted specifically with attaching a garbage disposal in mind, you will likely need to purchase different attachments (like an extended flange) that can accommodate the fireclay sink’s depth.

This may not be necessary, though, since fireclay sink manufacturers are realizing that their customers want sinks that don’t require special attachments. In response, there are more fireclay sinks being produced that are garbage-disposal-ready.

Size variations.

Fireclay sinks are handcrafted, so small variations in size and shape are common (perhaps as much as one-quarter of an inch or more, even with the same model).

Do not expect a fireclay sink to be perfectly symmetrical. This does not have to be a negative, but it certainly means that fitting a new sink in place can be more complex since you cannot rely on exact measurements ahead of time.

In fact, it may be wisest to make all adjustments to your cabinets on-site as the sink is being installed.  

You may need a pro.

Fireclay sinks are heavy, prone to small variances, and need to be installed with care.

It is important to make sure that you have a cabinet that is large enough and fortified enough to accommodate your new sink. It will likely be necessary to build a frame within your base cabinet in order to support a typical undermount fireclay sink.

Additionally, it is important not to over-tighten the garbage disposal flange during installation because doing so could cause your fireclay sink to crack. A professional will have experience with flange tightening making the risk of damage to your beautiful new sink much less.

All of these reasons add up to a compelling argument to hire a pro, unless you happen to be a very experienced and capable DIY-er.

Conclusion: Yes, a fireclay sink is worth it!

When you consider all of the benefits associated with fireclay sinks, it seems quite obvious that they are worth the investment, especially if you are in love with the look. Fireclay sinks have proven that they are just as beautiful as porcelain or enameled cast iron sinks in addition to being more durable and of higher quality. While they may require regular cleaning and a little extra care, we believe this is a small sacrifice to make for such a beautiful kitchen centerpiece.

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