How to Choose the Best Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket?
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Top Best Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket?
The purpose of a great kitchen sink strainer is to be able to efficiently filter germs and solid debris while keeping the drain pipes from clogging. Many people downplay their role in the household, but they fail to realize one super important thing about their kitchen sink strainer basket. The kitchen sink strainer plays an essential role in protecting their health, as well as others in their family.
That’s one of the many reasons why not to opt for buying a low-quality kitchen sink strainer basket.
Here is our mini-guide on how to properly search and choose the best possible sink strainer basket.
Top 11 Factors to Consider When a Buying Sink Strainer Basket
1. Mesh Basket or Porous Basket
The mesh type baskets come with more holes than the porous types. Furthermore, the mesh type of baskets features smaller holes compared to the porous types. Both of them do the job as they supposed to do, and both can be equally durable.
If you are looking for a sink strainer basket that doesn’t allow thin and small food parts to pass, then the mesh type should be your choice. We are talking small pieces of food such as seeds and thin noodles.
The only real downside to this is that sometimes food gets stuck in the mesh. And when that happens, it is a real nuance to clean the food from the mesh. You will be able to clean the mesh, but it will take some time and effort. Sometimes a bottle brush or a toothbrush is needed to clean the holes thoroughly.
On the other hand, a porous basket comes with bigger holes that are much easier to clean and don’t get clogged that often. To clean a porous basket, all you need is some vinegar and baking soda.
2. Consider the Free Open Area Ratio
The open area ratio takes into account the strainer basket and the cross-sectional pipe area. For a basket strainer to be considered well designed, the open ratio area needs to be minimum 4:1. Less than that and the pressure drop will be way too immoderate.
To calculate this area, the basket needs to be completely clean. As the basket gets clogged more and more, the ratio tends to drop.
That will happen unless there is a wide safety margin – the dirt may cause the area through the basket to become smaller and smaller. Soon, that area can become even smaller than the area around the pipe.
As a direct result, the flow through the strainer will be significantly reduced, which will require frequent cleaning. This is why the open area ratio is super important, and the capacity of the basket can make all the difference in the world – at least when it comes to how often you need to clean the strainer basket.
This is even more important if you are regularly cooking and preparing meals for a large group of people or your family.
3. Stopper Function
Most of the time, the sink strainer basket needs to allow the free flow of water so that the sink doesn’t turn into a dirty swamp. However, sometimes, you want the opposite to happen, to fill the sink with water so that the dishes can soak.
For those occasions, some sink strainer baskets include a stopper function. Thanks to that, you can stop the water from draining. Typically, these stoppers have a post or a stopper knob that needs to be twisted, turned, or closed to stop the water from draining.
4. Choose the Best Material
Typically, kitchen sink strainer baskets are made of stainless steel, brass, silver, plastic, or silicone. Each of these materials is rust-resistant, and that’s the single most crucial feature for every sink strainer basket.
The ones made from stainless steel are the most popular. The plastic types come second, and there are zero risks of rust. When buying a plastic one, make sure that it is a durable and not flimsy plastic that breaks down easily. One advantage plastic sink strainer baskets have over the ones made from stainless steel is they are super easy to clean.
Then, there is the issue with the kitchen sinks made of porcelain. If that’s the case, a metal strainer may accidentally scratch the sink when removed for cleaning or when it is returned to its spot. Again, plastic kitchen sink strainers seem a better fit because they can’t scratch the porcelain.
5. Consider a Strainer Basket Featuring a Built-in Sink Protector
The built-in sink protector can be found at the underside of the strainer basket. Simply flip the sink strainer basket, and you will notice whether it has a protector or not. Typically, the sink protector is made of silicone, and it’s designed so it doesn’t scratch the sink’s surface. This is especially important if you have a sink made of porcelain, and you want to combine it with a sink strainer made of stainless steel rather than with a plastic one.
The truth is, stainless steel is a way better match with porcelain than plastic, from an aesthetic point of view. If the sink strainer basket comes with a protector, then there is no danger of scratching the porcelain.
6. Size Matters
It is a common misconception that all kitchen sink strainer baskets come in one size. Well, the truth is that they come in different sizes, and one can easily end up with one that is the wrong size.
That’s why it is essential to know the measurement of the drain before making a purchase. You need to measure the outlet’s diameter. This diameter needs to match the diameter of the kitchen sink’s hole.
7. Basket Sink Strainer Components
When buying a basket sink strainer, make sure that it includes all the essential elements. Typically, every basket sink strainer comes with a locknut, rubber washer, strainer body, basket, and a strainer cover. Make sure that all are included in the package and that they don’t charge you for any of it separately.
The basket strainer screw is one of those components that can be a source of plenty of frustrations. It can come in various diameters, lengths, bores, and treads. Some can be interchangeable, while others are not.
If you need to buy a new screw, then make sure that it is from the same manufacturer as the strainer. Purchasing a single screw only increases the cost, but sometimes there is no way around it.
8. Ease of Use
Adding or removing a strainer basket is relatively straightforward, in most cases. However, some low-quality models tend to get stuck after a while. Reaching down and removing them can be quite frustrating even though there isn’t much to it.
One of the best ways to make sure that doesn’t happen is to buy a strainer that has handles. That way, it is super easy and fast to remove the sink strainer basket.
9. Durability
Always look for a strainer basket made from a sturdy material that can withstand “daily torture” and can last for many years. If it is made of stainless steel, make sure that it isn’t as thin as a piece of paper. If you are looking at one made from plastic, make sure that it is not made from second-hand, recycled nylon plastic that will break after a while.
10. Consider Whether Your Basket Strainer Waste Need an Overflow Attachment
A basket strainer with an overflow is often fitted to a double sink or a half bowl. However, if you don’t need one, all you need to use is a blanking plug.
In case you buy a basket strainer without one, and yet it turns out you needed, you can always purchase an adapter that can be screwed to the outlet. On the downside, this can cause some issues with the piping that might require fixing afterward. The problem will most likely occur if it is a half sink or a bowl. This is because the outlet will be moved out of position from the trap.
11. Consider Functionality
Most kitchen sink strainer baskets are nothing but traps for food leftovers and other types of kitchen waste that can lead to clogging. What differentiates most basket strainers is the size of their holes, as well as the number of holes.
In addition to that, you may consider other special basket strainers that can batch feed disposal, as well as other stuff.
In Conclusion
Same as a top kitchen sink strainer basket filters out the scraps and bits of food, we believe we have made it easier for you to filter out the lower quality products available on the market and directed your focus towards the best ones. Armed with our knowledge, while minding your requirements and preferences, it is the best time to find and purchase the best possible kitchen sink strainer basket.
Once you do that, you can erase your plumber’s number from your phone and simply relax because a top strainer basket will make sure that there aren’t any clogs up your sink again.
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