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Choosing a kitchen drain is relatively easy due to the straightforward functionality of most drains and the lack of options. However, it is still important to understand how these types of kitchen sink drains work before purchasing new or attempting an installation.
Garbage Disposal Drains
When purchasing a drain to be used with a garbage disposer, look for a disposer flange with stopper. These drains do not have a basket, so food can easily be washed down the sink into the disposer. The stopper is used to block off the disposer and/or hold water in the sink.
Drains with disposer flanges are attached directly to the garbage disposer so it is important that the two are compatible. This information can usually be found in the Technical Information section of drain webpages.
Drains Without Garbage Disposal
When not connecting to a garbage disposal, you will need a drain with a strainer flange and basket. The basket is used to trap food waste and prevent clogs within the drain pipe while allowing water to pass through.
The basket can be removed for cleaning, or replaced with a stopper when you need to fill your sink with water. These drains attach to a p-trap beneath the sink, much like a lavatory drain. Double basin sinks often have a strainer flange with basket in one basin, and a disposer flange in the other.
These drains are often ideal for kitchens due to the inclusion of an easy to clean removable basket, perfect for catching food scraps. Many strainer baskets, such as our Strainer Basket with Lift Stopper include a stopper so you can fill the sink as needed.
These drains are simpler in their design as they are commonly a single large opening that is often paired with a rubber flange and a removable metal stopper. These drains, such as our Disposer Flange & Stopper, are usually combined with a garbage disposal unit to help remove larger food scraps.
Grid strainers, such as our 1-½" Grid Strainer, feature a metal drain cover and are similar to strainer baskets, that allow water to flow through while catching larger scraps of food. The main difference between this sink strainer and a basket strainer is that the grid usually isn’t easily removable.
Sink Thickness and Flange Length
It is important to look at the maximum sink thickness listed with each drain to prevent leaks and ensure a snug, watertight fit. Sinks that are made of natural stone, such as marble or fireclay, typically require drains with longer flanges for a proper fit.
Typically, flanges are not a separate piece in most kitchen sinks, and they are usually integrated with the main drain body. However, you can find extended flanges that attach to the sink’s existing hardware.
Sink drains are available in a variety of finishes, so they can be matched with other kitchen fixtures such as faucets or cabinet pulls. However, stainless steel and brass are traditional due to their natural resistance to corrosion and everyday wear and tear.
Kitchen Sink Drain Sizes
Whether you have a single or double basin sink, the standard, universal drain hole diameter is 3-½”, this size ensures compatibility with other drain assemblies or garbage disposals. Additionally, the drainpipe leading from the drain to the P-trap typically has a diameter of 1.5”, this size is standard as P-traps aren’t typically available in specific sizes. If you do have a double basin sink, or you’re considering installing one, a double bowl sink drain is necessary to control each drain opening separately.