Taking care of your sink bowls

We often receive questions regarding the maintenance of sink bowls. We use AISI304 stainless steel, according to industry standards, so we always give the general industry recommendations.

First, use them often. Although this might sound odd, one of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your sink bowls is to make sure you make a continous use of them. It is known in the industry that in some hotels and restaurants with a very long, extended off season period, the chances of rust might increase. A particle of rust from a nearby place (for example a pipe) or even salt (if the kitchen is close to the coast) might contaminate the sink bowl. This process is long, and quite exceptional, but it might pollute stainless steel equipment. A continous use of your sink bowl will decrease any chance of rust contamination; in our case, our sinkbowls are made in AISI 304 which contains an 18% of chrome and 8% of nickel, and therefore are ready for the continous use of water (for more information on the different types of stainless steel do not miss this previous POST).

It is also recommended to avoid strong chemicals like hydrochloric acid. If you have a strong stain, do not use products containing bleach as this will only make the stain worse. Also refrain from using abrasive tools like steel wool pads. Such chemicals and tools could damage the stainless steel’s chrome layer (which is precisely what makes the steel stainless). Usually industrial cleaners are safe, but we always recommend trying them on a small spot first. On the other hand, natural cleaners like baking soda can work well.

But the way to protect a sink bowl is to clean it daily. First, remove any waste of food, including any liquids. Then use a simple nylon brush with soap, and always rinse with plenty of water, specially if there are wastes of acidic food like citric juices, tomatoes or vinegar. Finally, do not forget to dry them, as this will protect the sinkbowl from marks or signs of limescale, and you will extend the lifespan of your sink bowls for many years to come.

Oriol Castells – Export Director