A kitchen sink strainer keeps food particles, soap scum, and other items from falling down your drain and creating an unappealing and potentially expensive clog. If your kitchen sink hole cover is old or went missing, it’s time to replace it.
Are you in the market for a new kitchen sink strainer? We looked at the options available to find the very best kitchen sink hole covers for every residential need.
In this PlumbingNav guide, we will cover:
What are the best kitchen sink hole covers?
What are the different types of kitchen sink strainers?
How does a kitchen sink drain strainer work?
What do you look for in the best kitchen sink hole cover?
This strainer has a stainless steel ring and a silicone insert that empties easily and won’t damage your sink. It effectively keeps kitchen debris from falling down your drain, and it’s compatible with your garbage disposal.
Oxo also donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental causes.
The best kitchen sink strainers effectively keep food debris out of your kitchen sink drain by fitting the drain perfectly, and the best ones are also easy to use and easy to clean.
Disposing of certain food waste down your kitchen sink drain, such as egg shells, can result in a stubborn sink drain clog. The kitchen strainer catches these items before they fall down the drain.
What Are The Different Types Of Kitchen Sink Strainers?
Double Cup Strainer
One cup fits into the drain and acts as a strainer. A second strainer fits into the first cup and works as a stopper. When the strainer isn’t in use, you can keep it on a rack on your counter.
Flange Strainer
A flange rubber stopper is made out of rubber and creates a tight seal so that water can’t go down the kitchen sink drain, while also collecting food waste. It’s malleable and easy to clean.
Stopper Strainer
A stopper strainer has a switch on the handle that changes it from a strainer to a stopper without having to remove the strainer.
Basket Strainer
Deep strainers are made to prevent food waste for people who cook a lot. The basket provides more room for debris.
How Does A Kitchen Sink Strainer Work?
Kitchen sink strainers work by fitting into your sink drain and allowing water through the small holes but keeping larger food scraps from getting through.
Typically, a kitchen sink hole cover includes a pressure cup that creates a tight seal with the additional help of a rubber washer and lock nut. Then, a basket strainer with drain holes fits into the pressure cup.
Strainers can only prevent large items from getting through, or they can also work as a drain stopper.
To clean your kitchen sink basket strainer, empty the tiny holes of any clogging and wash with warm, soapy water.
How to Install Your Basket Strainer
If you get a permanent strainer, you may decide to install it yourself.
Use these steps to replace your old basket strainer with a new one:
Step One: Loosen the nut on the old strainer.
Step Two: Remove old strainer
Step Three: Disassemble new strainer
Step Four: Apply sealant to the threads of your strainer
Step Five: Press strainer in place
Step Six: Thread gasket(s) and nut
Step Seven: Test that you don’t have a leak
What Do You Look For In The Best Kitchen Sink Hole Cover?
Correct SIze
Since sink hole covers aren’t one typical size, you need to be sure to get the appropriate size based on your setup. In most cases, the inner diameter of the strainer will be anywhere from 3.5” – 4.5”. Typically, older houses will have larger drains than modern houses.
Most strainers today fit into multiple drains, including the bathroom sink. If you’re choosing a new sink, take note while measuring and select a cover at the same time.
High-Quality Material
Most homeowners prefer stainless steel material, potentially with an attractive polished chrome finish. Stainless steel holds up for a long time, and it doesn’t promote mold growth.
However, durable stainless steel can potentially damage the blades of a garbage disposal, so some people opt for rubber or plastic in that drain.
Best Kitchen Sink Hole Covers Reviewed
Now let’s explore our favorite units so you can decide on the perfect choice for your situation.
This strainer has a stainless steel ring and a silicone insert that empties easily and won’t damage your sink. It effectively keeps kitchen debris from falling down your drain, and it’s compatible with your garbage disposal.
Oxo also donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental causes.
This 100% stainless steel strainer with a polished finish looks shiny and attractive. The 22 mm holes block most items, including rice, and the universal size can fit in your bathroom drain or floor drain (perfect use for the second strainer if you don’t want to hold onto it).
Every component of this sleek, black strainer is made out of long-lasting steel, including the stopper and lock nut. You won’t need any putty during the installation, and the t-shaped knob is easy to use.
The matte black finish is aesthetically preferable to stainless steel, so it also simply elevates the design of your kitchen sink.
Don’t allow utensils to fall down your sink with the help from this white plastic sink guard. It has extra-large holes that will allow rice and other small items to pass through but not large items.
While the plastic material won’t succumb to rust, it also won’t last as long as a stainless steel model. It works great for your garbage disposal or any other drain with a 3 1/16” fitting.
Pros
Reversible design
Cost-effective
Won’t damage garbage disposal
Cons
Blades can damage plastic
Inexpensive appearance
No stopper included
Final Thoughts On Kitchen Sink Strainers
All kitchen sinks should have a mesh basket kitchen gizmo to prevent a clogged drain. Whether you want a strainer with stainless steel construction, or something more temporary, we hope our top 5 reviews helped you choose the perfect strainer for your sink.
To cover your kitchen sink drain, you should use a sink hole cover (sink stopper).
How do you plug a hole in a sink?
A kitchen sink stopper and strainer can prevent water from draining and stop debris from going down the drain.
How do you install a sink hole cap?
To install a sink hole cap, you need to remove the current strainer connected to the drain pipe and remove the strainer piece by piece. Next, you will install the new strainer and use putty around the threads to prevent leaks.
How do you measure a sinkhole cover?
The average size for modern sink drains is 3.5”, with older sink drains having a 4” drain.
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About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
