Teka is fine, stainless steel as long as minimum 18/10 it will resist corrosion from usage.. if buy cheapo ones from CN the SS may not be even 3xx series.. 304/316 (aka 18/8, 18/10) will be alright..

2xx series SS is very cheap cos they skimp on the nickel inside to save cost so it will form "surface rust" effect very easily

there is also quartz composite sink, in addition to granite.
the ikea black sinks cost around 1k-1.1k only. very easy to clean, i just lather dishwashing soap over it and rinse it off.

Composite sinks’ structure is 70 percent to 80 percent rock and 20 percent to 30 percent resin, and the combination makes a resilient choice. As an engineered product, quartz composite is durable and affordable. It is nonporous, resisting stains, scratches and chips, and it is impervious to harsh liquid cleansers. A dropped plate or heavy casserole dish won't dent a quartz composite sink. All of these benefits come with a reasonable price tag, starting at about $250 at the time of publication. A wide variety of solid colors, which are fade-proof due to the product’s inherent structure, remain true and stable throughout the sink’s lifetime.

Good taps should have that soft-filter attachment at the tap head so it won't splash everywhere/

316 is better. Sink generally cannot go too wrong, but do be aware of no name cheapo so called SS 304 that is actually made from cheapo grade that still rusts just by looking at it.

Undermount or top mount, the former is harder to do maintain as the silicone can and will grow mildew over time. Top mount easier to maintain and install in comparison, but aesthetic wise lose to undermount.

The choice of tap is important. I went and bought ikea tap instead of reusing a dismantled teka mixer, technically new from developer that my friend was remodelling and donated to me. that one keep on leaking and dripping into the cabinet. Ikea one super easy to install and come with very long metal flexi hose for the water inlet, properly gasketed and doesn't leak at all.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Nov 16 2020, 10:52 PM

316 usually harder to get, mostly the common one is 304 (18/8) same as those used in Zebra pots (which hold up pretty well). If its true 304 18/8 (from proper mfg like Smeg/Hafele/Teka/Blanco types) of mfg it will last well. Some Smeg or Teka ones are 18/10 - these have more chromium for corrosion resistance
1.0 mm 304, 18/10 gauge stainless steel
The other thing is also on thickness. Standard is 1.0mm, better is 1.2 mm. Nowadays mfg tend to make things cheaper and cost cutting so it may be harder to find 1.2mm sinks.

Those sub RM30 sinks are made of 2xx grade (not even 304) that rusts by itself just by looking at it in a brand new unit, only fit for prison use I guess. Coz even those throwaway sinks have better ones (I have one "sub RM50 worth" sink exposed to the rain and sun in the balcony used as makeshift wind barrier) still holds up well, never rust.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Dec 2 2020, 01:34 AM

Sis actually

PVC also like titanic class ticket.. 3rd class to first class
PVC grey pipe class 0 is thin and cheap
For few bucks more get the best class 7 PVC. This Shorty lengths about 1m u can buy at CSM hardware. Should be more than enough but it is recommended to let it cool off coz whilst the pipe may be able to withstand, the joints are the weakest part of any pipe link.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Jan 4 2021, 08:57 PM

Yes just connect both inlets to cold pipe using a T joint and a L joint (so what happens in the end it will look like a letter F and = these are your two inlet pipes). The reason for the T+L is so it looks like F and it doesn't put unnecessary strain on the inlet hoses as compared to stuffing them into the T joint direct .. one at 12 o clock and another at 3 o clock strains the hoses)..the F joint there makes for a neater connection.

When you buy the tap also check the length of the hoses. Some brand like teka give short hose which is a bit tricky to install given that the sink blocks 20cm of length already. Ikea tap give 80cm long hoses so anyhow very easy to install.

Not all expensive tap are worth it.
I have retired a (brand new donated to me) Teka tap as it was leaking from the center spout (non user serviceable area) and replaced with a 229 bucks ikea tap. No more leaks!

Drop in doesn't have support issue as its well supported on the outline of the sink.
Undermount for sink seems like using glue and some small pieces like small post-it or ruler sized plates as additional support to hold it in place (based on the undermount sink I got donated from "wrongly ordered" case) by a well-known kitchen cabinet installation firm. The trouble to remove it was quite worthwhile as it was a teka double bowl model

This post has been edited by ceo684: Jan 6 2021, 09:34 PM

Me me me!


I'm using the (now discontinued) previous model Hallviken 1 1/2 Ikea sink, pretty much easy to install as it's a drop in (not undermount), just cut a hole and mount it in.

MFG SPECS BLURB
Stone powder 80 % and acrylic 20 %
25 year guarantee. Read about the terms in the guarantee brochure.Very hygienic because the surface is dense and completely non-porous and dirt and bacteria simply run off it.
Can take tough everyday use as it is both stain- and scratch-resistant and even red wine, coffee and heavy pans leave no marks.You’re free to install the sink with the drainer to the left or right because there are 2 semi-drilled tap holes under the sink, one on each side.

REAL LIFE USAGE
This one is pretty easy to keep clean from oil/watermarks, just clean with some mild dishwash soap and rinse off after usage. It dries pretty easily.

Can't afford fancy fancy sink and not a fan of SS sink coz of the lab feels
(although I got a free Teka 2 bowl SS sink) that I'm gonna use that for secondary washing area.

ABNORMAL USE CONSIDERATIONS
Granted, this is not a Blanco or SS sink so don't pour steaming boiling water into it to avoid cracking it.
Other than that I use the egg tray-wannabe plastic sink pad so accidentally dropping plates or pots will not be direct impact.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Feb 5 2021, 01:12 AM

Almost two years.


Actually..the only thing that justify the price difference is the stone is replaced with granite and mfg blurb that it can tahan up to 280C. Blanco made of 80% granite content only wor..does this mean its actually atypical and not a typical granite sink?

It does bring the price double of what the equivalent (1 1/2 bowl with drainer) Ikea one costs - RM 2240 https://www.lazada.com.my/products/blanco-m...1061734041.html? as compared to the ikea one which costed RM11xx.



That being said, maybe the resin/acrylic is differently mixed or more homogenous (maybe shaken and rotated) during mfg processes.. for concrete pouring all the stones being heavy like to settle at the bottom and the top part has much lesser stones (physics problem). No doubt, Made in Germany stuff is good but I only splurge for certain things like Manduka yoga mats coz their material tech is really different vs any cheaper mats from China or even Lulu mats.

For hot temps to sustain 280C is quite hot.. I had a "burn pot" for few years before it cracked due to repeated usage of confidential docs burning inside the flower pot (thermal stress).
Paper burns around 218° C- 246° C. or so - per http://www.tcforensic.com.au/docs/article10.html

That source also state acrylics' melting point at around 91°-125°C

I have yet to see someone post a youtube video pouring hot boiling water into a blanco sink though, whilst I see general advise not to do that:

- https://mealprepify.com/pros-and-cons-of-gr...omposite-sinks/

Most who do, usually run the cold water to drop the effective temperature down when pouring hot water into the sink. - https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2671213/s...d-boiling-water
Which is something to be careful when using composite sinks, whilst SS sinks just pour only, as the weak point will not be the SS sink - but the weak point shifts towards the rubber gaskets connecting the sink to drain trap/drain pipe.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Feb 5 2021, 12:51 PM

Generally HCE better, coz of 1.2mm thickness and noise reduction pads on the underside.
2 in 1 meaning tap and sink or "double bowl sink"?

From practical experience washing 28cm pans - a long single bowl sink (something like Ikea BOHOLMEN/NORRSJÖN 73x44 cm) might be more useful than a double bowl if you need to wash a wok/frypan.

I think for RM500-600 there are better choices. 0.8mm material for a RM500 sink is not worth.
The problem with buying no name sink.. after a while even without using - it rust by itself just by looking at it.


This will be nice, 18/10 and 1.2mm thick - https://www.lazada.com.my/products/teka-arq...2875204518.html

This is 1.5mm 18/8 https://www.lazada.com.my/products/bareno-s...1889130726.html

This is 1.2mm 18/8 for RM499 https://www.lazada.com.my/products/mocha-mk...s972448479.html

18/8 =~ 304
18/10 =~ 316

This post has been edited by ceo684: Mar 28 2021, 12:10 AM

That will identify whether it is austenitic, usually austenitic family grades are non magnetic but not all are non magnetic. Many grades of SS out there.

https://www.unifiedalloys.com/blog/stainles...%20321%20grades.

This one per datasheet only 1mm thickness material though.
Bowl thickness (mm): 1

https://www.weirdbydesign.com/differences-c...-kitchen-sinks/
Recommend thicker material 1.2-1.5mm for durability and sound reduction. Thin SS sink can be noisy.
If seldom use 1.0mm still OK lah.
Those FOC developer rm50-type sink are thin material, easily dented.

Conversion of gauge to mm
https://www.protocase.com/products/material...nless-steel.php

Actually that is a pretty good budget for a decent SS sink already (one that doesn't rust).

Beyond the shape and size,
Thickness and sink depth (in relation to your countertop height) is also important consideration (too deep and you might have to bend over, too shallow may not allow enough clearance).

Can look see here for an idea what you can get for ~600.
https://buildershardware.com.my/product/cks7307/

After you have a rough idea (shortlist) of what you want, ask @zheilwane kasi recommendation also

This post has been edited by ceo684: Jun 7 2021, 10:55 PM

Note the lack of mentioning "stainless steel".
It may rust just by looking at it.

Can but subject to conditions, ie the piping underneath esp for drain hole should be enough clearance, and the mounting for tap got enough space for it..dep on whether tap hole is on the sink or on the countertop.

Can contact @zheilwane for recommendations