Sinkology: 2023

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

5 Budget-Friendly Tips to Freshen Up Your Kitchen Space

a woman spring cleaning her kitchen

If it feels like the opportunity to do a “spring” cleaning has come and gone in your home, Sinkology has you covered! With school years wrapping up and schedules getting busy, we’ve put together our five best tips for refreshing your kitchen without breaking the bank. Check out our ideas below on how to clean, update, and put a fresh new face on your kitchen this month.

Clear out the clutter:

It’s amazing how quickly little piles can form: school paperwork, kids artwork, unopened mail, those catalogs that you’re definitely going to read (one day)…they take up precious counter space. Clear out any items that don’t belong in the kitchen or need to be recycled. Donate or sell space-grabbing items that are in good condition, and say goodbye to other knick-knacks that no longer bring you joy.

Deep clean the appliances:

Take the time to deep clean all of your kitchen appliances, including the refrigerator, oven, stove, and dishwasher. This can involve wiping down the exteriors, cleaning the interiors, and descaling any parts that need it. If you’re able, take the often-overlooked step of pulling your appliances away from the wall to clean the floors underneath–trust us, it’s time.

spring cleaned kitchen drawers - no clutter

Clean the cabinets and drawers:

Remove all items from the cabinets and drawers and wipe them down thoroughly. Toss out expired spices and foods.Consider using a wood cleaner or polish if you have wooden cabinets. Once the cabinets and drawers are clean, we recommend putting down fresh drawer liners to create a super-clean, non-slip surface for all of your items. Be sure to include that elusive junk drawer–throw out the pens that no longer work, the broken pieces of toys that you’re saving “just in case,” and re-home the items that don’t belong in the kitchen.

Scrub the countertops and clean your sinks:

Use a non-abrasive cleaner to scrub your countertops thoroughly. Pay special attention to any stains or spots, and use a baking soda paste to remove tough stains. For your sink, follow the best cleaning and care instructions. Sinkology offers lots of resources to help guide you through how to clean a copper, fireclay, or stainless steel kitchen sink.

Freshen up your accessories:

Once everything is cleaned and organized, take the opportunity to freshen up the decor and accessories in your kitchen. Add some new dish towels and replace any outdated decor. Consider adding some potted plants or fresh flowers to bring a touch of nature indoors. A low-budget way to make a big impact is to swap out old accessories for new ones–like a new kitchen sink drain in a bold matte black or satin gold or adding a protective bottom grid for a new look.

As always, let us know what worked for you–or tag us on social media with your best hacks for a kitchen refresh! If you love what you’ve done, snap a pic of your space and your Sinkology sink and submit your entry to our Show Us Your Sink giveaway for the chance to win $1,000 gift card! Find the details here. Happy refreshing!

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If you have any additional questions during your search for the perfect copper, fireclay farmhouse sink or crafted stainless steel sink, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on Facebook, Houzz, Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok for more helpful tips and design ideas.

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Monday, April 3, 2023

Single Basin Vs Double Basin – Pros & Cons

Washing dishes is an essential part of keeping your kitchen clean and hygienic. However, choosing the right sink for your needs can impact the way you wash your dishes. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between washing dishes in a single basin sink versus a double basin sink.

Single Basin Sink
A single basin sink, as the name suggests, has one large basin for washing dishes. This type of sink is becoming increasingly popular due to its versatility and modern design. When it comes to washing dishes, a single basin sink has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:
-Large surface area for washing larger items, such as pots and pans
-More flexibility in terms of how you organize your dishes
-Can be easier to clean due to the lack of a divider

Cons:
-No separation between clean and dirty dishes
-Can be more difficult to wash multiple dishes simultaneously

Double Basin Sink
A double basin sink, on the other hand, has two basins, usually separated by a divider. This type of sink has been a popular choice for many years due to its functionality and versatility.

Pros:
-Separation of clean and dirty dishes
-Space for soaking dishes or rinsing vegetables
-Ability to wash multiple dishes at once

Cons:
-Limited space for larger items, such as pots and pans
-Can be more difficult to clean due to the presence of a divider
-Less flexibility in terms of how you organize your dishes

Which is Better?
Ultimately, the decision between a single basin sink and a double basin sink comes down to personal preference and the way you use your kitchen sink. If you frequently wash larger items, such as pots and pans, a single basin sink may be the better option. However, if you prefer to keep your dishes organized and separate, a double basin sink may be the better choice.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Short Ribs Bolognese

Sinkology is proud to present Emily Schuermann, our food-loving guest blogger who runs Food for a Year. Emily is here to share some recipes she has created exclusively for the Sinkology blog that reflect her view of a copper sink: simple, timeless, affordable, and beautifully rustic.

Short Ribs Bolognese is such a classic comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to make in your own kitchen. With the shift to Winter and longer spans of moody, chilled skies, I find myself looking for recipes that match the season and this recipe is certainly “Winter on a plate”.

At first glance, the words – ‘short ribs’ and ‘bolognese’ – compel thoughts that trick me into thinking that time and talent and even expense are prerequisites for success. But before we go any further, let me assure you that this meal:

can feed 6 people who are eating on a budget (less than $6 per person)
comes together with only about 30 minutes worth of your labor
cooks while you are occupied with unrelated festivities

With the shift to Winter and longer spans of moody, chilled skies, I find myself looking for recipes that match the season and Short Ribs Bolognese is certainly “Winter on a plate”.

— Emily, Food for a Year

How to Cook with Short Ribs

If you are unfamiliar with beef short ribs, you might be tempted to ignore them altogether. BUT, I encourage you to give them a chance! Short Ribs are ::

packed with flavor
simple to work with and
add a lot to your dish with minimal effort

1 — Start by preheating your oven to 425° and then brush all sides of each short rib with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.

2 — Once the short ribs are browned and some of the fat has rendered, add them to the simple tomato sauce that you’ve prepared during the short oven-cook of the short ribs.

Bolognese Made Simple

The word alone “BOLOGNESE” sounds slightly untouchable, but I believe you’ll be surprised at just how simple this sauce really is ::

combine all the veggies (carrots, celery, onions, garlic and parsley) in the bowl of a large food processor and pulse until everything is coarsely chopped.
sauté chopped veggies with olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium high flame
add tomatoes, red wine and additional herbs, plus S + P
simmer while the short ribs are oven-cooking

Hands-Free Short Ribs Bolognese

Once the bolognese sauce has simmered and the short ribs have finished their oven-cook, place the short ribs in the tomato herb sauce (be sure to pour the pan drippings into the sauce). Place the lid on the dutch oven and bake at 400° for one hour and then remove the lid and reduce the temperature to 350° for 90 additional minutes of cooking time.

When the cooking time is complete, shred the tender short ribs in the sauce and serve over your favorite cooked pasta, rice or fluffy cheese polenta (as pictured above). Of course, this warm pot of short ribs and bolognese is delicious on its own as a stew!

Deep well developed caramelized flavors of tomatoes mixed with just the perfect balance of herbs and wine and vegetables all partnered perfectly with the salty, peppery chunks of tender, roasted short ribs. It really is a meal for those long winter nights! Oh – and the leftovers are even more magical, trust me!

Short Ribs Bolognese

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless beef short ribs (3-4 short ribs)
1/4 cup olive oil and more for brushing the short ribs
6 cups coarsely chopped vegetables (roughly 2 cups each)
- carrots
- celery
- onions
2 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons of fresh Italian parsley
60 ounces whole (San Marzano if possible) or crushed tomatoes
1/2 liter red wine
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1-2 teaspoons Kitchen Bouquet Browning & Seasoning Sauce, optional
coarse kosher salt
freshly cracked pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 425°. Brush each side of the short ribs with olive oil and generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the short ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large 6-7 quart dutch oven. Once the oil is warm, add the coarsely chopped vegetable medley (carrots, celery, onions, garlic and parsley) to the oil. Sauté vegetables for 10 minutes over medium flame, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes, red wine, thyme, rosemary and seasoning sauce (optional) to the sautéd vegetables and simmer while short ribs continue cooking. Add 2 teaspoons salt and several twists of cracked pepper.

Once short ribs have finished cooking, place them and their pan drippings into the simmering tomato sauce.

Place the lid on the dutch oven (that now contains the short ribs and bolognese) and place bake in the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 400° and cook for 1 hour. After 1 hour, reduce the oven temperature to 350°, remove the lid and cook for an additional 90 minutes.

Once cooking time is complete, shred the short ribs with two forks, stir into the bolognese, (taste and adjust seasonings as needed) and serve over your favorite cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, creamy polenta or enjoy as a stew.

Serves 6-8

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