What Is the Best Kitchen Sink Hole Cover? (2024 Review)

Last Updated On April 23, 2024

Updated on January 11, 2024

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best kitchen sink hole cover

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?
  • Best kitchen sink hole covers reviewed

ImageProduct
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OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink Strainer
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Stain-resistant
  • Easy to empty

 

  • Dishwasher safe
  • Stain-resistant
  • Easy to empty

 

View on Amazon
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Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket Drain Catcher (2-pack)

 

  • Versatile
  • 2-pack
  • Stainless steel

 

  • Versatile
  • 2-pack
  • Stainless steel
View on Amazon
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KONE Black Kitchen Sink Drain Matte Black Sink Strainer
  • Attractive 
  • Fits most kitchen sinks
  • Durable
  • Attractive 
  • Fits most kitchen sinks
  • Durable
View on Amazon
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2 PCS Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket Catcher (With Handle)
  • Strong
  • Rust-resistant
  • Convenient handle
  • Strong
  • Rust-resistant
  • Convenient handle
View on Amazon
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Garbage Disposal and Sink Strainer Guard – White Plastic
  • Reversible design
  • Cost-effective
  • Won’t damage garbage disposal
  • Reversible design
  • Cost-effective
  • Won’t damage garbage disposal
View on Amazon

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Updated On April 23, 2024

Our #1 Rated Pick: OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink Strainer

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. 

Our Top 5 Kitchen Sink Strainers

What's In This Guide?

      What Are The Best Kitchen Sink Hole Covers?

      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. 

      A sink strainer won’t prevent grease and fat from getting into your pipes and creating a deeper issue like a main line or sewer line clog. So always be sure to properly dispose of cooking fat and grease.

      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

      did you know best kitchen sink strainer and hole cover

      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.

      Our #1 Rated Pick: OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink Strainer

      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. 

      Pros

      • Dishwasher safe
      • Stain-resistant
      • Easy to empty

      Cons

      • Stopper not included
      • Large holes
      • No warranty

      Our #2 Rated Pick: Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket Drain Catcher (2-pack)

      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).

      Pros

      • Versatile
      • 2-pack
      • Stainless steel

      Cons

      • No handle
      • Must empty by hand 
      • No handle

      Our #3 Rated Pick: KONE Black Kitchen Sink Drain Matte Black Sink Strainer

      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. 

      Pros

      • Attractive 
      • Fits most kitchen sinks
      • Durable

      Cons

      • Hard to clean
      • Expensive
      • Not for use with garbage disposal

      Our #4 Rated Pick: 2 PCS Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket Catcher (With Handle)

      Made out of 304 stainless steel as opposed to 201 stainless steel, you will never have to worry about rust developing on this silver strainer. 

       

      Its wide rim fits in most drains, even larger ones, and the 1.5 mm honeycomb holes are specifically designed to help prevent clogs from developing. 

      Pros

      • Strong
      • Rust-resistant
      • Convenient handle

      Cons

      • Reports of handle breaking
      • Must empty yourself
      • No stopper

      Our #5 Rated Pick: Garbage Disposal and Sink Strainer Guard – White Plastic

      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.

      Do you also need a sink caddy? See our review of the best sink caddies here.

      FAQs For Best Kitchen Sink Hole Covers

      How do I cover a hole in my kitchen 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

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      We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.

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