What is stainless steel?
A unique type of steel that will never stain? Not exactly. Like all iron-based materials, stainless steel can be marked by grease, discolour and rust. It’s not literally “stainless” - it’s simply more resilient than other common steel where it can withstand more abuse and time before showing signs of wear.
What is SUS304?
SUS stands for Steel Use Stainless and is generally referred to as the Japanese name for stainless steel SS304 or AISI 304. Similar to other stainless steel grades, SUS304 contains elemental iron and carbon composition. However, they also have an adequate amount of chromium which delivers its popular corrosion resistance trait.
Thus, they’re used to create various sanitary wares and fittings. Its durability makes it easy to clean hence ideal for creating sinks and other food applications (e.g., cutleries, pots & pans). Despite having impeccable resistance to the effect of various chemicals and oxidizing acids, they are susceptible to damage if exposed to chloride solutions or saline (salty) environments.
Image by: The Revisions
Ceramic vs stainless steel sinks
Ceramic or porcelain sinks are classy, beautiful and they even have fun colour options to choose from. But, their high maintenance can be exhausting to upkeep. Each ceramic sink has a shiny glaze that protects the ceramic but they require a reglaze every now and then, which adds another item to your to-do list. If the ceramic sink is not maintained periodically, it will begin to wear away and expose the porous layers underneath - resulting in easy stains formed on the upper layer. Also, the price of one ceramic sink is almost double the price of a stainless steel sink.
Advantages & disadvantages of using SUS304 stainless steel sinks
(i) The Cons:
Noise Inducing: If the sink does not have dampening pads placed underneath it, the noises made by dishes or items dropping can be unpleasant.
Vulnerable to scratches: While they are durable, they tend to scratch if (very) abrasive cleaning solutions or tools are used.
(ii) The Pros:
Durable & long-lasting: If you’re looking for a durable sink that will last you up to twenty to thirty years, opt for a SUS304 sink instead of stone-based sinks that crack and chip too easily.
Affordable: They are perfect for homeowners who want a cheap yet high-end sink. Builders would often buy these 304s in bulk to improve their profit margin.
Corrosion-resistant: Due to the sufficient Chromium dosage in SUS304 stainless steel, they have lower chances of rusting or deteriorating. They are also oxidation free, lead-free & fade-free.
Timeless design: They are one of the most commonly used sinks in the market due to their timeless design that can complement all kitchens nicely.
Reduces dishware breakage: Compared to ceramic sinks, they produce a much lower impact when you accidentally knock your dishes and glassware on them.
Easy to clean: (Non-radius) stainless steel sinks are smooth, and do not have corners or openings that allow bacteria to hide. For example, note our classic SLINE SUS304 single bowl sink below - the corners of the sink are smoothly curved making it easy to clean and polish.
For those who already using or wish to use a zero-radius sink (please see the image below), employ a Q-tip or a small brush to gently remove any remaining food or buildup from the corners of the sink.
And that concludes our blog post today! We hope you’ve learned a thing or two about SUS304 stainless steel sinks and what they bring to the table. So, are you team stainless steel sink or team ceramic sink? Let us know via email, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
About Us:
Here at Kiro Home DIY, we offer a huge collection of affordable home improvement goods, garden supplies, hardware tools and more. Be a Kiro Hero today and enjoy quality goods and look forward to more blog posts in the future!
Website:https://www.kirohomediy.com/
Email: [email protected]
Mobile Number: +60162119148
Written by:
Tracy Ng
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