Brass kitchen sinks buying guide
The brass sinks in this collection are stainless steel sinks with a brass-coloured PVD finish, not solid brass. That distinction decides how they behave: a coated steel sink keeps a steady colour and does not need the polishing that a solid brass sink needs, and it has the strength and hygiene of stainless steel underneath. This page explains what a brass-coloured sink is, how it differs from solid brass, how brushed brass wears, how to keep it clean, and how to choose a size, fitting, tap and benchtop to go with it. For most kitchens, the practical call is a brushed brass or bronze gold PVD sink of 1.2mm or thicker 304 stainless steel, matched to tapware in the same finish.
What a brass sink here actually is
Every sink in this collection is stainless steel. They are 304 grade stainless steel with a PVD finish, and the finish names are Brushed Brass, Brushed Bronze Gold, Tiger Bronze and Rugged Brass. The colour comes from a tumbling process with PVD colouring over a high grade steel body. If you are searching for a solid brass sink, there is none here, and the next section explains how the two differ.
Solid brass or brass-coloured stainless steel
The two are different materials with different habits. Copper and brass develop a patina and are naturally antimicrobial, and acidic foods, harsh cleaners and fingerprints can tarnish them. They are softer, so they dent more easily and suit low-impact use. A hammered finish hides stains better than a smooth one, and hot pans and acids should be kept off the surface. A solid brass sink is a high-maintenance choice that ages visibly.
A brass-coloured stainless steel sink behaves differently. The steel body is hard and does not dent as easily, and the colour is a coating. PVD colour is bonded to the steel, so a PVD sink stays one colour and does not develop a patina the way a solid brass sink does. If you want the patina, choose solid brass elsewhere. If you want a consistent warm metal tone with the strength of steel, a PVD sink suits.
Is a brass sink a good idea
Yes, when you want a warm metal sink and accept a little upkeep. It is a focal point more than a neutral, so it looks most deliberate when the tap and other metals in the room match or complement it. As with any coloured steel sink, keep abrasive cleaners away, protect the finish with a grid, and expect the bowl to show some wear over years. A brushed finish is the practical choice, because it is matte, reduces glare and helps hide fingerprints and watermarks.
Coastal and outdoor use
For salt air, grade matters more than colour. A marine-grade 316 stainless steel sink is the recommendation for high-salt areas, because 316 suits exposure to salt and chlorides. The Caroma Compass Alfresco is 316 marine grade stainless steel for outdoor kitchens, in a plain stainless finish. The PVD brass sinks here are 304, so if the sink is for an outdoor or coastal kitchen, ask us about the grade first. See stainless steel sinks.
Keeping a brass sink clean
A short routine does it. Clean weekly with warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth, wiping in the direction of the grain. Dry the bowl after each use to reduce watermarks. Keep scourers, rough brushes, bleach, harsh chemicals and steel wool away, along with highly acidic cleaners such as alcohol and mineral-based solvents. If the sink contacts any of them, rinse it promptly with warm soapy water. A brushed finish hides fingerprints and watermarks better than a polished one, so it needs less wiping than a mirror-polished brass or steel sink. If a stain does set, a soft sponge with a little baking soda on a damp cloth is a gentle option, and the maker's care note for the specific coating is the one to follow.
Grade and thickness
The two numbers that matter under a coloured finish are the steel grade and its thickness. Grade 304 is one of the most commonly used for kitchens, with good corrosion resistance, and 316 adds molybdenum for salt and chloride exposure. A thickness of 1.2mm is the quality benchmark. The Meir PVD sinks are 1.5mm thick 304 stainless steel, ahead of the industry standard of 1.2mm, and the Fienza Hana sinks are hand made from 1.2mm 304 stainless steel. The Caroma Urbane II sinks are 304 grade. Sound matters under a thin bowl too, and the Fienza Hana has sound and vibration dampening panels and an anti-condensation coating underneath that prevents mildew. For more on grade, thickness and finish, see stainless steel sinks.
Sizes and layouts
The collection spans compact to large.
- Compact: the Meir Kitchen Mini is 272 x 382mm and 150mm deep, in Tiger Bronze, for a bar, a butler's pantry or a small kitchen.
- Single bowls: the Meir single bowls are 440 x 380 x 200mm and 450 x 450 x 200mm, and the Meir single large bowl is 760mm. The Fienza Hana single is 450 x 450 x 200mm with a 32 litre bowl, and the Caroma Urbane II is available as a single.
- One and a half and double bowls: the Meir 1.5 bowl is 670 x 440 x 200mm, and the Meir doubles are 760, 860 and 1160mm in Brushed Bronze Gold. The Fienza Hana double is 760 x 450 x 200mm with two 27 litre bowls, and the Caroma Urbane II double has two 26 litre bowls.
- With a drainer: the Meir single bowl with a drainer is 840mm and the Meir double with a drainer is 1160mm.
For the layouts in general, see single bowl kitchen sinks, double bowl kitchen sinks, 1.5 bowl kitchen sinks and small sinks. For the guide to cabinet and cut-out sizes, see kitchen sinks.
How the Fienza Hana brass sinks are built
The Fienza Hana in Rugged Brass is hand made from 1.2mm 304 stainless steel, and the double bowl sink measures 760 x 450 x 200mm outside, with two inner bowls of 340 x 400 x 200mm and a capacity of 27 litres each. It has no tap hole, a bowl depth of 200mm and a PVD finish. Fienza sinks are Watermark certified, which is the Australian certification for plumbing products. Underneath, the sink carries sound and vibration dampening panels to reduce the acoustic impact of water and equipment, and an anti-condensation coating that prevents mildew. It can be fitted topmount or undermount, mounting brackets and screws are included, and two matching basket wastes and two sink protectors come in the box on PVD models. The Hana is also available as a single bowl and in other sizes.
How the Caroma Urbane II brass sinks are built
The Caroma Urbane II in Brushed Brass is premium 304 grade stainless steel with a PVD finish, designed for everyday use. It is flexible for undermount or overmount installation, and the single and double both arrive with colour-matched sink protectors and basket wastes, so the bowl is protected from the first day. The single includes one protector and one basket waste, and the double includes two of each. Caroma supplies templates with the Urbane II, and the cut-out should be marked only from those for accurate sizes.
Fitting and tap holes
The brass sinks can be fitted several ways. The Meir sinks can be installed as undermount, top-mount or flush-mount. The Fienza Hana suits topmount or undermount, with mounting brackets and screws included, and the Caroma Urbane II suits undermount or overmount. Undermount suits a solid benchtop such as stone and a top-mount sink works with any benchtop. The Fienza Hana has no tap hole, so the tap mounts on the benchtop or the wall. See undermount kitchen sinks, inset sinks and drop in kitchen sinks.
Matching the tap and the hardware
A brass sink asks for a considered metal scheme. Pair PVD sinks with a matching PVD mixer, and pair by finish and not only by colour name, because the same name can mean different coatings on different products. Meir sinks pair naturally with Meir's Tiger Bronze tapware. See brushed brass taps, kitchen taps, sink mixers and pull out sink mixers. For neighbouring finishes, see bronze and gold kitchen sinks, gunmetal kitchen sinks and brushed nickel kitchen sinks.
Wastes and what is in the box
The Meir sinks include a matching coloured waste, so the waste matches the sink. The Fienza Hana double includes two matching basket wastes and, with PVD models, two sink protectors. The Caroma Urbane II double includes two colour-matched sink protectors, two basket wastes and a fixing kit. If you need a different waste, see sink wastes, and for accessories sink mats and grids and chopping boards.
Brass sinks and the laundry
The Meir PVD sink is not recommended for a laundry installation, because of the chemicals that may be present there. If the sink is for a laundry, choose a plain stainless steel or ceramic sink; see laundry sinks.
Installing a brass sink
Connecting the water supply and tapware needs a licensed plumber in every Australian state and territory. Choose the sink before the plumber, cabinet maker and benchtop installer start, so all three work to the same dimensions. Caulking along the join needs replacing every three to five years, and a monthly look under the sink for leaks, moisture or mould catches a problem early.
Shop brass sinks by maker
Brand collections hold each maker's sinks: Meir kitchen sinks, Fienza kitchen sinks and Caroma kitchen sinks. For other coloured finishes, see coloured kitchen sinks and black kitchen sinks.
Putting it together
- Warm metal scheme with brass tapware: brushed brass or bronze gold, with the tap in the same finish.
- Heavy daily use: the thicker 1.5mm steel, with sink protectors in the bowl.
- Compact kitchen or pantry: the Meir mini or a 440 to 450mm single bowl.
- Want a patina: solid brass from another source, knowing its upkeep.
- Laundry: a plain stainless steel or ceramic sink, not a PVD one.
Whatever you choose, read the material line, finish process, thickness, tap hole count and box contents on the product page before you order.
