Pot Wash Sink vs Catering Sink

When it comes to choosing a sink for food service establishments, you’ve got a few options at your disposal. It is important to use these to your advantage to get the best results for your commercial kitchen.  Here we compare options: Pot Wash Sink vs Catering Sink

Assuming you already have hand wash sinks taken care of and that you’re prioritising hygiene in your commercial kitchen. There are two main types of commercial catering sinks – pot wash vs standard catering sinks.  Which is best?  Is one going to be a better fit than the other?  Let’s see if we can work it out.

The Pot Wash Sink

So, a typical pot wash sink is used predominantly for cleaning kitchen utensils, pots, pans, trays and equipment.  Pot wash sinks tend to have a greater capacity than standard catering sinks. This allows you to clean either a large single item or multiple number of kitchen utensils at once.

 

Pot wash sinks are usually wider and deeper than regular catering sink units.  For example, our midi pot wash sink unit measures 750mm right to left with a bowl size of 600mm x 400mm, and crucially, 400mm deep which is around 150mm deeper than a standard catering sink and 200mm wider. This extra depth and width makes it easier to wash large trays, pots and pans which otherwise would be difficult in a ‘normal’ industrial sink and likely take longer.

Made from catering grade stainless steel commercial pot wash sinks are designed for frequent use and maximising washing space.  Known for it’s low maintenance and durability which is naturally resistant to rust, this is the perfect material for your pot wash sink.

Catering Sinks

The other option widely available is the standard catering sink otherwise known as a commercial sink or industrial sink.  This is typically used in food preparation because it is helpful for cleaning vegetables and washing used appliances.  It’s a lot like the preparing, cleaning and washing up that you do in your home, just on an industrial or commercial basis.  These catering sinks range from a single bowl with or without drainers measuring from just 600mm x 600mm like our entry sized PD600 sink all the way up to a double bowl and double drainer such as our 1800mm commercial sink

Whilst a typical catering sink often has a similar overall footprint, they usually have slightly smaller bowls than a pot wash sink and often incorporate one or more draining boards.  Pot wash sinks do not usually include a draining board.

 

There are plenty of different models, indeed often a wider variation of configurations to choose from starting from just 600mm up to 1800mm with single bowl or double bowl sinks with or without draining boards.  This makes a good solution for smaller kitchens where you don’t have the space for two individual sinks and don’t frequently have the requirement to wash large kitchen utensils or equipment.

 

Pot Wash vs Catering Sink Cost

Whilst functionality should be high on the list of considerations, inevitably price will be too.  Here we compare the cost of buying both.

Generally speaking, pot wash sinks can be approximately 20% more than a standard catering sink due to the sheer size of the sink bowls which are more costly to construct and ship.  To minimise expense, consider a midi pot wash sink unit which offers the best of both options – wider and deeper than standard sink bowl with a lower cost than a full sized pot wash sink.

Which is Best?

It’s difficult to say that one sink is better than the other because it is mostly down your situational requirements.  Some will prefer using a double bowl catering sink because it offers washing facilities with a drainer.

A pot wash sink is bigger and more heavy-duty. You see it in big industrial kitchens because it works for cleaning large amounts of dishes, pots, pans and trays all at once. However, that doesn’t make it automatically the best choice.

Ultimately, the biggest factor in choosing a sink is what will be best for your kitchen. Some establishments may require both types of sinks, which is an acceptable option. However, smaller kitchens may want to go for one or the other.

Final Thoughts

Taking time to choose the right kind of commercial sink can be difficult but worth it. You need to pick the model that is best for your kitchen layout, which is obviously easier said than done. However, taking the time to analyse the space available in your kitchen, day-to-day needs, and budget will help you. The most suitable catering sink and offers excellent value for money with years of great service.