Caroma Luna sinks buying guide
The Caroma Luna sinks here are stainless steel sinks in five layouts: a round bowl, a single bowl, a double bowl, a 1.75 bowl with a side drainer, and a 45 litre laundry sink. This guide explains what the Luna sinks are made of, how thick the steel is, how each layout works, how the sinks are fitted, and what to check before you order. One point first, because it affects the order of your research: the listings and the maker's product pages do not give outer dimensions for these sinks in text. The sizes are on the maker's line drawings. The installation instructions do give the benchtop cut-out sizes, and this guide quotes them, along with the standard sink sizes from a retailer guide. Facts are attributed to their source as they appear.
What the Luna sinks are made of
The maker's product page for the single bowl lists 304 grade stainless steel, 0.8mm thick, with a satin finish. Retailer pages for the round bowl and the 1.75 bowl give the same material line: 0.8mm Type 304 stainless steel, satin finish. The listings here state 304 grade for the double bowl and the laundry sink. A retailer guide explains the grade. It says 304 stainless contains about 18% chromium and 8% nickel and resists corrosion, though it is not completely rust-proof. It says 201 uses less nickel and more manganese, and that 316 adds molybdenum for chloride resistance, which suits sinks within about 1 to 2km of salt air according to another guide.
The thickness is the figure to weigh. Thin imports often use 0.8mm steel, which dents more easily and is noisier, according to one retailer guide, while a more substantial sink uses 1.2mm, about 18 gauge. Another guide says a thicker sheet, which means a lower gauge number, limits flex, noise and denting. The maker lists the single bowl at 0.8mm, and retailers give the same figure for the round and 1.75 bowls, so those sit at the thin end of that scale. The listings for the double bowl and the laundry sink state 304 grade and do not state a thickness, so check their specification sheets. The guide says to look for sound pads or undercoating on a thinner sink, and the Luna listings do not mention either, so check the sheet for that too. A guide states a grid protector sits just above the basin floor and prevents scratches.
The five layouts
The five sinks in this collection cover the common layouts:
- Round bowl: a single round basin. The listing says it suits smaller kitchens, bar areas and butler pantries, and a retailer page adds laundries and secondary prep areas. The waste is offset, which a retailer page says keeps the base of the bowl clear.
- Single bowl: one rectangular basin. The maker's page lists no overflow.
- Double bowl: two bowls, 304 grade stainless steel, with an integrated stainless steel basket waste.
- 1.75 bowl: a main bowl, a smaller second bowl and a side drainer, in a left-hand or right-hand configuration.
- 45 litre laundry sink: a 304 grade tub with a tap landing and one tap hole for a mixer, and a centre waste with a stainless steel basket waste.
The kitchen sinks come with an integrated stainless steel basket waste, according to the listings. The maker's page lists accessories as sold separately. The listings call the range Caroma Contemporary in places, so you may see that name on the box or the instructions.
Cut-out sizes from the installation instructions
The maker's installation instructions for the Luna sinks give the benchtop cut-out sizes as a template. These are the sizes of the opening to cut, and not the outer size of the sink. They are:
- Round bowl: a cut-out 434mm in diameter for overmount fitting and 406mm in diameter for undermount fitting.
- Single bowl: a cut-out of 438 x 410mm with a 60mm corner radius, for overmount or undermount.
- Double bowl: a cut-out of 888 x 410mm with a 60mm corner radius, for overmount or undermount.
- 45 litre laundry sink: a cut-out of 634 x 462mm with a 5mm corner radius.
The instructions for the 1.75 bowl are an image and give no text figures, so check the paper template that comes with that sink. The instructions for the laundry sink cover overmount fitting only, so treat that tub as an overmount sink. The round sink's carton holds the overmount fixing clips and a 90mm basket waste outlet, according to its instructions. The bowl depth and the tap hole count are on the maker's line drawings, so download the drawing for the sink you choose and give it to the cabinet maker. A retailer guide says to use the specification sheet's cut-out dimensions and not the overall dimensions, because the cut-out is what the benchtop is cut to.
Standard sink sizes in Australia
People who ask about standard sink sizes are usually asking whether a sink will fit their cabinet. A retailer sizes guide gives these bands, in millimetres:
- Small single bowl: 400 to 560 wide, with a minimum cabinet of 450.
- Large single bowl: 600 to 760 wide, with a minimum cabinet of 600, ideally 700 to 900 when there is a drainer.
- Equal double bowl: 760 to 900 wide, with a minimum cabinet of 800.
- 1.5 bowl: 800 to 900 wide, with a minimum cabinet of 800.
- Front to back: 400 to 500 for most sinks.
- Bowl depth: 180 to 200 as standard, and 220 to 250 as deep.
The same guide gives laundry troughs as 450 to 600mm wide and 200 to 250mm deep. A second guide says the sink should be at least 70 to 80mm narrower than the internal width of the base cabinet, to leave room for plumbing and hardware. These are retailer figures for the category, not Luna measurements. Compare them with the Luna line drawing for the layout you want.
How the Luna sinks are fitted
The maker's page says one product code covers both overmount and undermount fitting for the single bowl, and the listings say the same for the double bowl and the single bowl. Retailer pages say the same for the round bowl and the 1.75 bowl. An overmount sink rests its rim on the benchtop, which a retailer guide says suits almost all benchtops, including laminate, because the rim covers the cut edge. An undermount sink sits under the benchtop and is fixed from below. Engineered stone or granite suits it, says the guide, while laminate and timber are not recommended. The guide adds that crumbs sweep into an undermount bowl, that the join can collect grime, and that caulking on both types is replaced every three to five years.
The maker's instructions give the steps, and they are worth reading before the benchtop is cut. For overmount fitting you mark the cut-out with the template, double-check the marked size and cut the benchtop exactly, because the instructions say an exact cut is needed for the best fit. You lightly hammer the fixing clips onto the clip brackets at equal points along the rim, and the instructions say extension clips can be bought if the benchtop is thicker than the clips allow, and special clips are available for thin benchtops. The sealing tape has to seal evenly around the edge of the hole, a continuous bead of silicone goes between the tape and the sink edge, and the clips are tightened evenly on a low torque setting, because over-tightening may strip the thread. For undermount fitting the instructions say the sinks are designed for solid surface benchtops such as natural stone, engineered stone and acrylic solid surfaces, and that they are not recommended for laminate. They say to ask the benchtop supplier for a suitable adhesive and sealant, to mask the sink and the cut-out, to clamp the sink in place and to check the seal once the installation has cured. The instructions also say the maker bears no responsibility for faulty installation.
That gives a simple rule: on laminate or timber choose overmount, and on stone you can choose either from the same product. The two methods are covered in more detail on inset sinks and undermount kitchen sinks.
How many bowls
A single bowl is one uninterrupted basin with room for trays and large pots, and the plumbing is simpler. Single suits a household that runs a dishwasher and rarely hand-washes full loads, fills large pots or trays often, or has a benchtop run under 600mm, according to a retailer guide. A double gives a wash side and a rinse or prep side. The guide recommends one for frequent hand-washing, vegetable prep or children who need a separate bowl. The 1.75 bowl sits between the two: a main bowl and a smaller second bowl, with a drainer beside them. Drainers are usually left or right handed. A guide adds that a flat or shallow drainer pools water and recommends deep grooves and a slope. The Luna 1.75 comes in both hands, so check which side you want before you order. See double bowl kitchen sinks and 1.5 bowl kitchen sinks.
The laundry sink
The Luna 45 litre laundry sink has a tap landing and one tap hole, so the mixer sits on the sink and not on the benchtop. The listing says it is 304 grade stainless steel with a centre waste. A retailer sizes guide gives laundry troughs as 450 to 600mm wide, The listing describes the 45 litre capacity as suited to soaking. See laundry sinks for the full range.
Tap holes and taps
The Luna kitchen sinks listed here do not state a tap hole, so check the product page and the line drawing before you order. A sink with no tap hole takes a tap mounted on the benchtop. A retailer guide says to match the sink's size and depth with a mixer that has the right reach and swivel range. The Luna tapware has its own page, Caroma Luna mixers and tapware, and the kitchen taps collection covers other makers. Some people searching for a Luna sink want the sink mixer. This page holds the sinks, and the mixers are on the Luna tapware page.
Accessibility
The maker's product page for the single bowl says it is not listed as AS1428.1 accessible or Independent Living compliant. If you need an accessible sink, see assisted living kitchen sinks.
Replacing an existing sink
When a Luna sink replaces an old one, the old cut-out sets the limit. A retailer guide says to measure both the base cabinet and the existing benchtop cut-out before you order. Compare the old opening with the template sizes above. A sink with a larger cut-out than the old opening means the benchtop has to be cut, and a guide says a cutting error can mean replacing the benchtop. The maker's instructions say to inspect the sink for damage and dimensional compatibility before fitting, and not to install a damaged sink.
Plumbing and installation
A retailer's guide states connecting the water supply and the tapware needs a licensed plumber in every state and territory, and that preparing a drop-in cut-out can be done by the owner. The maker's instructions end with the same step: plumb up the tap and the waste fittings, after the sink is fixed. The waste outlet on the round bowl is 90mm, according to its instructions, and the other Luna sinks come with an integrated stainless steel basket waste, so check the waste size against the pipework before the plumber arrives.
Accessories
The maker's pages list accessories for the Luna sinks as sold separately. A retailer guide lists the usual choices: a grid protector that sits just above the basin floor, a clip-in colander, a portable drainboard and an over-sink chopping board. A drainboard or a rinse basket matters most on a single or round bowl, because there is no second bowl to rinse in. See kitchen accessories.
Cabinet and cut-out
Before ordering, measure what the sink has to fit. Retailer guides ask for the base cabinet's internal width, depth and height and the benchtop cut-out. One guide says to leave 50 to 100mm between the back of the sink and the wall if a splashback is going in, and another says a typical topmount cut-out in Australia is about 560 x 430mm, though sizes vary. When replacing a sink, measure both the cabinet and the existing benchtop cut-out before ordering, according to a retailer guide. a guide notes that stone masons often charge for re-cuts, and the plumber, cabinet maker and benchtop installer can all work from the same sink if it is chosen before the cabinet is built.
Cleaning
A retailer guide gives a short routine for stainless: rinse with warm water after use, wash with mild dish soap and a soft cloth following the grain, and dry with a microfibre cloth to stop water spots. Abrasive powders, bleach, ammonia cleaners and steel wool are on its avoid list, and it suggests checking under the sink monthly for leaks, moisture and mould. The guide also says satin or brushed stainless hides scratches and water marks better than a mirror polish, and the Luna sinks have a satin finish.
Where to go next
This page covers the Luna sinks only. Caroma's other kitchen sinks, including the Urbane II and the alfresco sink, sit at Caroma kitchen sinks. For other makers, the main kitchen sinks page is the place to start. stainless steel sinks compares the steel grades and thicknesses. According to one guide, a kitchen sink is used 20 to 30 times a day, so the size, the thickness and the layout are worth getting right before you order.
