Copper sinks should be made of lead free copper. (pronounced /ˈkɒpɚ/) is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with excellent electrical conductivity and is rather supple in its pure state and has a pinkish luster which is (beside gold) unusual for metals which are normally silvery white. It finds use as a heat conductor, an electrical conductor, as a building material, and as a constituent of various metal alloys.
Antibacterial Properties of Copper
Buying a copper sink is not an easy task these days. Sinks arrive daily from third world countries using recycled copper from questionable sources. That being the case, how does one choose a copper sink that is safe? First, consider a copper sink that is made in the USA. Generally speaking, these sinks will be made of copper that is certified to be lead and mercury free.
Secondly, insist on something in writing indicating the copper sink you are considering is lead and mercury free. Lastly, look for a long warranty. Most quality sink manufacturers will stand behind their products for a minimum of 10 years. Never purchase anything on the internet with a check!
You have no recourse if there is a problem. Always use a credit card. Your credit card company will generally give ample protection if you have been defrauded.
Quality Issues
When considering a copper sink, look at the quality. The copper sink should be made of 99.9% pure copper of 16 gauge (48 ounce). The corners should be welded, not soldered. If you have the opportunity to view the sink prior to purchasing, bring a tape measure. The sink should be square and true. Measure the front to back dimension, side to side, and the apron dimensions (if necessary). All dimensions should be the same at all points. Too often, imported sinks are built out of square. Look at the corners. Are all corners the same radius? Often the radii of the corners are different, causing the countertop fabricator significant problems determining which radius to use when cutting out for the sink.
Design Issues
Drain location is key! Do you want a drain in the center of your sink? If so, make sure the sink is slanted to the drain. Many imports do not adequately slant to the drain, requiring the user to hand dry out the sink after each use. Some manufacturers offer right or left rear drains. This is a significant benefit for usability. The drain is not in the way when cleaning items and a rear corner drain allows for better storage under the sink.
Apron front sinks are most popular because they allow the user to get closer to the work area inside the sink. Under mount sinks generally have a large section of countertop in front of the sink making the user reach further to work. When looking for an apron front, or farmhouse sink, make sure the apron is not too thick as that will defeat the purpose. Most quality designs have an apron that is approximately 1 1/2" thick.
Finish Issues
The finish of a copper sink is vitally important. Some manufacturers offer a lacquered finish which will wear off in time. The best finish is a natural patina, which offers antibacterial properties and very low maintenance. Copper will naturally turn, in time to the color of an old penny. Copper will never age, in a kitchen sink, in a uniform pattern. An applied patina that does not look like the coloration of an old penny will eventually turn to the coloration of an old penny. Contrary to some concerns, copper will generally not turn green in a kitchen sink. It takes 7 years for a copper roof to begin to turn green.
A hammered copper sink is chosen when an old world look is required. Beware of so-called hand hammering that is done by machine. You can easily tell if a sink is hand hammered. There will be no pattern to the hammering on the copper.
Maintenance Issues
Copper sinks are actually easy to care for if there is no finish applied over the interior of the sink. Copper is constantly aging, therefore the occasional scratch will disappear in a matter of days. The scratch will weather to match the rest of the sink making it virtually undetectable. There is no need to scrub the sink or use harsh chemicals. If you leave a lemon or another acidic product inside your copper sink it will take the natural patina away leaving a pink mark. The pink mark will darken with time and will blend in with the interior of the sink making it virtually disappear.
Price Issue
The price issue is one that can baffle the most intelligent person. Pricing for copper sinks ranges from one end of the spectrum to another. Watch out for inexpensive copper sinks. We are all well aware, by listening to the news, that copper is very expensive. So how is it that some copper sinks seem to be so inexpensive? We have heard that at least two countries are using recycled copper from melting down discarded telephone wire. Yes, there is copper in telephone wire, but there are also other contaminants such as lead. If you consider the fact that these questionable sources are not paying for their raw materials, and the labor force works for pennies an hour, you can see why some copper sinks are so expensive. Copper sinks come in contact with food and with person. There should be NO lead in the copper used for manufacturing a sink.
A quality manufacturer should be able to provide some sort of written documentation indicating 99.9% purity. Consider warranty, length of time in business, get referrals, and if you think the price is too good to be true... it usually is!
