Fireclay Farm Sinks: Is it Smart to Invest in One?

Our fireclay apron front farm sink was my favorite element in our former fixer upper’s kitchen so I knew I needed one in the new kitchen. Why all the fuss about it? It works so hard! After seven years of daily abuse, it continued to sparkle. So find my personal response to Fireclay Farm Sinks: Is it Smart to Invest in One? and sneak a peek at my new one which we recently installed.

Serene European country farmhouse kitchen with farm sink, Viatera Minuet counters, and marble subway tile backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio.
Fireclay Farm Sinks: Is it Smart to Invest in One (find my white ruffle bowl HERE)?

NOT ALL THAT INTERESTED IN FARM SINKS? I hear you. Visit MY ARCHIVES for GOODNESS.

There’s so much to love about a kitchen farm sink (find options here). It not only evokes a pleasing nostalgia, but many hands are required to craft each one.

Frasier fir wreath at kitchen sink window in Hello Lovely Studio's French Nordic kitchen with farm sink. #frenchnordic #nordicfrench #kitchendesign #scandinavianstyle #swedishdecor

It requires hours of molding, drying, enameling before the sink bakes in a fiery furnace to become a smooth to the touch vessel ready for daily chores.

Funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquote #humorquote #lifequote #quotes

Fireclay Farm Sinks: Is it Smart to Invest in One?

1. How durable are these farm sinks?

In a word, extremely. The whole reason the sink’s durable material is known as fireclay is because of the intense heat during production. This type of sink is not carved. The clay is first molded before it is covered with enamel and placed into the fire.

Classic white kitchen with fireclay farm sink - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #classickitchen #kitchendesign #fireclaysink

Feelin’ geeky curious about the process? Fireclay sinks get fired at over 2,000 degrees! No wonder the hard-working surface becomes so hardened and durable for years of use.

Find some smart sink options RIGHT HERE.

Minuet Viatera quartz countertop in our classic white kitchen with Shaker cabinets and stainless appliances. #hellolovelystudio #whitequartz #countertops #kitchendesign #minuet #viateraquartz #lgviatera

Is it chip-resistant? If you live with porcelain at home, it may remind you of a fireclay farm sink’s material, but in the case of fireclay, you don’t have to freak about chipping.

Apron front fireclay farm sink in our classic Shaker style kitchen with marble subway backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #fireclay #shakerkitchen #hellolovelystudio #serenekitchen #kitchendesign

Does it collect lots of scratches? While the sink’s finish may begin to show signs of wear with the years (I’m noticing subtle light signs of wear around the drain), it is highly scratch resistant.

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When I consider how much I throw at it, our sink truly did a remarkable job of resisting scratches.

Fireclay farm sinks: smart investment? Come learn from my experience on Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsinks #fireclayfarmsink #kitchendesign #kitchensinks

2. Is this sink style a passing trend?

I think one of the reasons farm sinks are fashionable at the moment is because QUALITY has become fashionable.

Serene European country farmhouse kitchen with farm sink, Viatera Minuet counters, and marble subway tile backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio.
Exact backsplash tile is HERE.

Farm sinks have been around for generations and have a sort of timeless appeal for me.

Shaker style white cabinets in simple serene kitchen with white oak floors and Viatera Minuet quartz countertops - Hello Lovely Studio.

While they are certainly popular for vintage, rustic, country, traditional and modern farmhouse kitchens at the moment, I attribute such popularity to their practicality for modern daily life.

There simply aren’t many design elements in our home that can boast the function and good looks this sink delivers.

Viatera Minuet quartz countertop in my classic white kitchen (with Modern French influence) paired with polished marble subway tile backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitequartz #quartzcountertops #minuet

3. What sort of base cabinet do I need?

This is an important consideration. You can’t throw a farm sink in just any sink base cabinet. If you’re planning a kitchen design with new cabinets, you need to know the type of sink you’ll incorporate.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
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Farm sinks are typically undermount models (which is AWESOME since you can brush crumbs and whatnot right on in there) that require custom or semi-custom bases.

Simple Frasier fir wreath above my farm sink in our white kitchen. #hellolovelystudio #christmasdecor #christmaskitchen

I know a little somethin’ somethin’ about retrofitting a new farm sink in an existing sink base since we just tackled this project at the new house:

Farm sink being installed in our kitchen renovation - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #fireclaysink

I partnered with Nantucket Sinks and happily chose their Hyannis 30″ model to replace an old undermount standard stainless sink. We can’t just replace the sink base’s doors since they’re no longer the right height for the apron front. Instead, we’ll install new properly-sized doors or use a flirty skirt!

Farm sink being installed in our kitchen renovation - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #fireclaysink

The base needs to be extra strong. A fireclay sink weighs a ton so it needs proper support. These sinks are also deep so bear in mind the vertical space inside your cabinet will shrink.

Shaker style white cabinets in simple serene kitchen with white oak floors and Viatera Minuet quartz countertops - Hello Lovely Studio.
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Classic white modern farmhouse interior design by Jaimee Rose Interiors. #interiordesign #modernfarmhouse #bathroomdesign

What if my cabinets are going to be stock cabinets? Even if you’re not remodeling a kitchen with custom or new cabinets, it can be possible to retrofit an existing sink base to accommodate the farm sink. But don’t consider this task as an easy DIY thing. Carpenters and kitchen designers can educate you about the details.

Classic white kitchen with fireclay farm sink - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #classickitchen #kitchendesign #fireclaysink

4. Can I install a farm sink myself, DIY style?

At our former home, it was installed professionally, but my husband installed our new one! These sinks are handmade, heavy as heck, and a force to be reckoned with. Let an experienced installer do the work just so you can prevent a major headache. Our cabinet installer was one of those OCD types who did a phenomenal job. (Highly recommend slightly neurotic with OCD, detail-oriented carpenters!)

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5. Are fireclay farm sinks high maintenance?

I’d rate them higher maintenance than stainless sinks. While our fireclay farm sink is relatively low maintenance, there are good daily habits to keep it beautiful and unstained.

Classic white kitchen with fireclay farm sink - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #classickitchen #kitchendesign #fireclaysink

One, wipe it down after using it. *Duh* You don’t want red wine, turmeric, marinara, and green smoothie remnants hanging out on its surface.

Secondly, keep it dry to prevent it from developing water stains.

Third, don’t use steel wool or abrasive products since the combination of them and your brute muscle strength could cause scratches.

Apron front fireclay farm sink in our classic Shaker style kitchen with marble subway backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #fireclay #shakerkitchen #hellolovelystudio #serenekitchen #kitchendesign

Lastly, and this is a biggie: DO NOT LEAVE METAL PANS AND UTENSILS LYING IN THE SINK. The resulting rust is a pain to scrub off. I make the mistake occasionally and get panicky even as a clean eraser does the work of erasing the rust.

Michele and niece - Hello Lovely Studio.
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If you live with kids, train them to never leave such items lying in the sink to keep your sink sparkling pretty.

Inspiring Fireclay Farm Sink Examples

Patina Farm kitchen with white oak cabinets, farm sink, and steel windows - Giannetti Home and Brooke Giannetti. #patinafarm #frenchfarmhouse #farmhousekitchen #whiteoakcabinets #farmsink #lanternpendant #brookegiannetti
Design: Giannetti Home/Photo: via OKL
Beautiful country kitchen with farm sink in Nora Murphy's Country House book.
Design: Amy Chalmers/Photo: Duanne Simon – in Nora Murphy’s Country House
Viatera Minuet quartz countertop in my classic white kitchen (with Modern French influence) paired with polished marble subway tile backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitequartz #quartzcountertops #minuet
Hello Lovely Studio
window detail + gray + subway tile + farmhouse sink | Sally Wheat Interiors. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Sally Wheat’s kitchen via Cote de Texas

Let’s Chat in the Kitchen

After a busy week of home improvement, I’m a little weary. DIY is different when you’re no longer 35! World events are also on my mind too often. The only way I honestly know how to move through uncertainty, problems, and discomfort is to stay awake, stay vulnerable and lean into daily transformation.

I don’t need to tell you that IT ALWAYS REQUIRES COURAGE because it is messy. Listen to my girl discuss it:

Daily transformation can be as simple as greeting each new morning as a gift stretched out with no mistakes in it, ready to become a blessing with our consent, our YES, and our whole heart.

Brené Brown inspirational quote about kindness, imperfection, vulnerability, authenticity, and self-care. #personalgrowth #brenebrownquotes #vulnerability #selfcarequotes

I always love hearing from you (even when life is less lovely and handing you lemons) to feel a little more connected. xox

If you’re in the mood to support a small business like mine, visit the inspiration on my kitchen Pinterest board and repin everything you admire so your friends can enjoy it too.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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13 Comments

  1. Joanna
    April 18, 2020 / 11:59 am

    I had a ceramic sink in a previous home. I loved it’s lovely whiteness & shine. It received loving care from myself, even putting a dish towel on the bottom before I put pots into it. But…then a house guest offered to do the dishes one night. Yikes! I almost cried when I saw the scratches the next morning. Does a Fireclay sink hold up better than a Ceramic?

    Who is the pretty girl with the amazing muscle power to hold you like a child?

    I’m doing fine in my little corner of the world. Beautiful BC!
    I miss friends and visitors!
    I miss lunches and coffee dates!
    I miss the gym!
    I miss hugs! I’m a hugger.
    But…I’m staying in a positive mindset by keeping busy in the house & garden.
    Enjoying the sunshine.
    Taking long walks.
    Being thankful for my family, my home, my community, my lifestyle.
    Hopeful for the day when I can venture out and feel comfortable being around others.

    • Michele
      Author
      April 18, 2020 / 2:40 pm

      Love this update, Joanna. Huggers are the best. Yes – fireclay is much different than ceramic or porcelain. The finish is super hard and scratch resistant so it’s a dream to live with. That young woman is my niece, and she is strong and athletic. All of MY aunties told me ‘just wait til you leave your 20s and your waist spreads!’ and we’re still waiting for that to happen since my weight remains in the 90s. 🙂

  2. Jane
    April 23, 2020 / 11:43 am

    As a long-time fan of your beautiful and inspiring posts, I’m concerned when I don’t see an update from you. I hope you are well, and are simply taking a break. You are missed!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 23, 2020 / 1:22 pm

      Thank you so much, Jane. I hope you have been seeing my posts – sometimes I give a little update in the middle of them, and I’ll try to devote a post to just personal reflections. The last month was rough, and I’m still very tired and weak. Not sure if I also had the virus with this Crohn’s flare – I did have days of asthma and a profound melancholy which felt different than the usual. I hope to get an antibody test when they are available. Hope you are well, and I am grateful for your loyal readership – peace to you.

  3. Sharon
    August 18, 2020 / 8:32 pm

    We just had a fireclay farmhouse sink put in our new kitchen. I’ve only been using it for almost 2 weeks and I absolutely love it. It came with a grate for the bottom and a bamboo cutting board that sits on top. I also invested in a metal dish drainer that also fit in the top. Well worth the investment.

    • Michele
      Author
      August 19, 2020 / 12:41 pm

      Sounds amazing – I have never had a grate as you describe. Thanks for reading and taking the time to add to the beauty.

  4. April 18, 2021 / 10:41 pm

    Love, love your kit. Where did you get the beautiful 5-taper candle holder on your kitchen windowsill? So warm and charming. Thx much

    Donna

    • Michele
      Author
      April 18, 2021 / 11:08 pm

      Thanks so much – my wooden candelabra is electric and was found at a Swedish shop near our home in Geneva, IL – and you can even find them along with battery operated ones on eBay: https://rstyle.me/+9wrG0-4FVCknHZzAcsbUYw

    • Dyana
      January 7, 2023 / 7:42 am

      Hi! I’ve read in several articles that fireclay sinks are resistant to rusting and staining? So how do the pots and pans that you leave in there end up staining the sink? Curious as I’d like to invest in one but I’m just not sure with the upkeep required!

      • Michele
        Author
        January 7, 2023 / 5:24 pm

        At least for my Signature Hardware Reinhard sink and the cast iron pans I cook with, it didn’t take long for rust to form. When it happened a couple times, it was enough for me to not ever take a chance. So if I need to soak a pan, I either set it on a non-metal surface in the sink or fill it with soapy water and let it soak on the cooktop. As long as everyone using the sink knows of this one preventive measure, it is no worries. My new sink is from Nantucket Sinks (Hyannis), and I haven’t done any tests with metal because I’m so used to what worked at the other house!

  5. Kate
    February 14, 2022 / 8:49 am

    Hi! Do you notice water damage from water dripping into and sitting on the top of the cabinet doors? I and redoing my kitchen and now I’m fearful of this happening again!

    • Michele
      Author
      February 14, 2022 / 1:58 pm

      No – none at all and can’t visualize how or why this would happen. Would love to hear more details in case it helps someone in the designing phase of the kitchen. 🙂

  6. Jim The Handyman
    April 19, 2022 / 12:54 pm

    Good and interesting information and also informative. Welcome to jimthehandyman, get home repair and renovation service, we have the best drywall repair, deck repair, kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, basement renovation and home renovation. Offer renovation services.

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SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
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Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing