The answer in two lines
Stainless steel is cheaper and lighter and handles knocks, heat and very hot water, but it is noisy and shows scratches and limescale spots. Granite (quartz composite) looks more premium, is quieter and hides scratches, but it is heavier, costs more and shouldn't take hot pans straight on it. Either way: measure the base cabinet first, pick one large bowl if your kitchen is small, and two bowls if space allows.
"Should I get a stainless steel or a granite sink? One bowl or two? And what size?" These questions come up in every kitchen fit-out, and the decision stays with you for years, because changing the sink after the countertop is installed isn't easy. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical, finishing and sanitary ware store in Cairo and Giza, we compare the two materials and explain how to choose the size, the number of bowls, the installation type and the right mixer.
Stainless steel or granite sink: what's the difference?
What we call a "granite sink" in Egypt is usually a composite sink: ground quartz or granite particles bound with resin, which SCHOCK, for example, calls Quartz composite. A stainless sink is made of stainless steel sheet, and a good one is 18/10 chrome-nickel steel, as Franke explains.
| Comparison | Stainless steel | Granite / quartz composite |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Won't break or crack, and takes knocks | Very strong and resists normal impacts, but a very heavy object falling on it can damage it |
| Scratches | Scratches easily and they show; over time it gets a matte look | Scratches don't show in normal use |
| Stains and limescale | Water spots and limescale show; needs drying | Stain resistant, but dark colors can show white limescale marks |
| Heat | Handles hot, cold and sudden changes between them | Heat resistant (SCHOCK lists up to 180°C), but better not to put a pan straight from the hob on it |
| Noise | Louder with running water and dishes | Clearly quieter |
| Care | Easy: water, soap and drying | Easy: water and soap, no bleach or abrasive cleaners |
| Weight and price | Light and usually cheaper | Heavier and usually more expensive |
Who should choose which?
- ✔ Stainless steel: if you cook a lot with heavy pots, have a limited budget, or want a wide sink with a side drainer.
- ✔ Granite: if you want a modern look in a color that matches your countertop, a quieter sink, and scratches that don't show.
- ⚠ With stainless steel, ask about the grade and thickness: Franke explains that the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel. Very thin steel drums and dents.
Single bowl or double bowl sink?
| Type | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| One large bowl | Small kitchens, and washing large trays and pots | No space to soak while you wash at the same time |
| One bowl + drainer (drain board) | People who wash by hand and want a drying area | Needs more length on the countertop |
| Two bowls | Large families: one bowl for washing and one for rinsing or soaking | Each bowl is smaller, so a large tray may not fit |
| One and a half bowls | A middle ground: a large bowl and a small one for vegetables and rinsing | Make sure the large bowl fits your biggest pot |
How do you choose the sink size for your countertop and cabinet?
- ✔ Start with the base cabinet, not the sink: the sink must fit inside the cabinet's inner width. Catalogs from brands like SCHOCK and Blanco list the "minimum cabinet width" for each model; read it before you buy.
- ✔ Countertop depth in most kitchens is about 60 cm, so choose a sink whose depth (front to back) leaves enough room for the mixer behind it and a countertop edge in front.
- ✔ Width: sizes such as 80, 100 and 120 cm are available, and the longer ones usually include a drainer. Leave a work area next to the sink for chopping.
- ✔ Bowl depth: a deep bowl reduces splashing and holds bigger pots, but if someone is very tall or very short, test the height.
- ⚠ Corner sinks (such as 83×83 cm) need a dedicated corner cabinet; confirm it with your carpenter before buying.
Top-mount or undermount installation?
According to Franke: a top-mount (inset) sink has a rim that sits on top of the countertop, which is the easiest and cheapest to install and easier to replace later. An undermount sink is fixed from below, so the countertop looks continuous and you can wipe crumbs straight into the sink, but the countertop cut-out needs extra finishing and polishing, so it costs more.
- ✔ Undermount needs a stone or quartz countertop that can take an exposed edge; it isn't suitable for wood or laminate (Formica) surfaces.
- ✔ Top-mount suits all surfaces, and is better if you are replacing an old sink without changing the countertop.
- ⚠ In both cases, the silicone around the sink must be done properly so water doesn't leak onto the cabinet wood.
Which mixer suits your sink?
- ✔ Sink- or countertop-mounted mixer: check whether the sink has a ready tap hole, and that the number of holes matches the mixer.
- ✔ A high-neck mixer makes filling pots easier, but make sure it won't hit a shelf or window above the sink.
- ✔ A pull-out spray is useful with a double bowl sink so it reaches both bowls, and it needs reasonable water pressure.
- ✔ A wall-mounted mixer if the pipes come out of the wall and you don't want to drill the countertop.
- ⚠ An undermount sink usually has no tap hole, so the mixer is installed in the countertop itself, and the hole is made when the countertop is cut.
How do you clean and care for your sink?
- ✔ Stainless steel: warm water, soap and a sponge, then rinse and dry to avoid water spots. Franke warns against steel wool.
- ✔ Granite: water and soap after use, and dry it if your water is very hard so it doesn't leave white marks on dark colors.
- ⚠ Blanco warns against bleach, drain cleaners, solvents and abrasive cleaners on granite because they can damage the surface.
- ⚠ Don't put a very hot pan or tray straight from the hob or oven on granite; use a trivet underneath.
- ✔ In both cases, a drain strainer stops food scraps from clogging the drain.
Sinks available on Tawredaat
These models are available to buy now on the site:
- Granite / quartz: SCHOCK Gemo N-100 single bowl, black · SCHOCK Brooklyn N-100XL large bowl, black · SCHOCK Element N-200 double bowl, black · Franke Urban double bowl 86×50 cm, black
- Stainless steel: Plaza single bowl 80 cm · Plaza 120 cm with drainer · Asil Turkish single bowl 50×60 cm · Coni inset double bowl 90×50 cm · Asil double bowl corner sink 83×83 cm
- Kitchen mixers: Plaza Venus high-neck mixer with filter · Sarrdesign Nile with pull-out spray · Plaza Mega wall-mounted mixer
See every model in our kitchen sinks collection and kitchen mixers. And if you are renovating your kitchen and thinking about hot water too, see our water heater buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: a stainless steel or a granite sink?
Neither is better at everything. Stainless steel is cheaper and lighter and handles heat and knocks, while granite is quieter, looks more premium and hides scratches. Choose based on your budget and how you use your kitchen.
Do granite sinks break or crack?
Not in normal use, because they are impact resistant. But a very heavy object dropped from a height can damage one, and it's best not to put a very hot pan straight on it.
How do I know a stainless steel sink is good quality?
Ask about the grade (18/10 or 304) and the thickness; steel that drums when you press it with your hand is usually thin. And buy from a brand with a warranty.
One bowl or two for a small kitchen?
In a small kitchen, one large bowl is usually more practical because it holds large trays and pots.
Is an undermount sink worth it?
It's worth it if your countertop is stone or quartz and you want a seamless look and easier countertop cleaning. But it costs more to install and is harder to replace.
What should I clean a granite sink with?
Water, soap and a soft sponge after use. Avoid bleach, abrasive cleaners and drain cleaners.
Found the right sink for your kitchen?
Browse the kitchen sinks and mixers available on Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials and sanitary ware, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
