Meet the Astini Curved Stainless Steel Belfast Sink

The stainless steel Belfast sink takes one of the most recognisable kitchen sink designs and gives it a contemporary update. While Belfast sinks are traditionally associated with white ceramic, farmhouse kitchens and Shaker units, the new Astini curved range uses stainless steel to create a very different finish.

Available in 600 mm and 800 mm 1.0 bowl sizes, the Astini range also gives you a choice of brushed steel, brass/gold and copper finishes. Add its curved exposed front, deep bowl and sit-on installation, and you have a Belfast-style sink that can work in kitchens ranging from modern industrial to modern-traditional.

A traditional Belfast sink usually features a large, deep ceramic bowl with the front of the sink left exposed rather than hidden completely behind the kitchen cabinet.

The Astini stainless steel Belfast sink follows this general approach but replaces ceramic with stainless steel. Unlike a conventional stainless steel inset sink, which drops into a cut-out and leaves only the rim visible, the Astini Belfast uses a sit-on cabinet installation with its curved front forming part of the kitchen design.

There are also no tap holes in the sink itself. Your kitchen tap therefore needs to be mounted separately behind the sink, usually through the worktop. This gives you more freedom when choosing and positioning your tap, but it also means tap location needs to be considered when planning the worktop and cabinet layout.

Ceramic remains a popular Belfast sink material, but stainless steel offers a different set of characteristics.

One of the most obvious differences is appearance. A white ceramic Belfast sink naturally lends itself to country and traditional kitchens. A stainless steel Belfast sink creates a more contemporary effect and can coordinate with appliances, cabinet handles, taps and other metal details around the kitchen.

Stainless steel is also a practical material for a working kitchen. It can cope well with everyday washing, food preparation and regular use without the concerns around chipping that you may have with a ceramic surface.

It is worth remembering that stainless steel will develop fine marks and signs of use over time. Regular cleaning helps maintain its appearance, but you shouldn't expect a working stainless steel sink to remain completely mark-free.

Astini also applies sound-deadening spray to these sinks to help reduce some of the noise generated by running water and items placed inside the bowl.

The curved front is one of the features that sets this Astini range apart.

Many Belfast and Butler sinks use a square or rectangular exposed front. Astini softens this with a curved profile, giving the sink a less box-like appearance.

This matters because the front isn't hidden inside the cabinet. It becomes a visible feature in much the same way as a traditional ceramic Belfast sink.

The effect becomes particularly noticeable with the brass/gold and copper options. Rather than choosing a coloured sink only to hide most of it beneath the worktop, the curved exposed front allows the finish to become part of the wider kitchen colour scheme.

It also makes the design easier to combine with contemporary cabinetry while retaining some of the character associated with a Belfast sink.

The Astini curved stainless steel Belfast sink comes in two sizes. Both are single-bowl sinks, but the extra 200 mm of overall length can make a considerable difference to the working area.

The 600 mm model is the more compact choice. It provides a main bowl measuring approximately 530 × 395 × 229 mm, giving you a deep working area without taking up as much width.

The 800 mm model increases the overall sink length to 800 mm and provides a large 730 × 365 × 230 mm main bowl. This makes it worth considering for larger kitchens, busy households or anyone who regularly washes roasting trays, large pans and oversized cookware.

If you have the cabinet space, the 800 mm version also gives the curved front more visual presence.

Size isn't the only decision. Each stainless steel Belfast sink is available in three finishes, allowing the sink to play either a subtle or much stronger role in your kitchen design.

Astini includes several components that you would otherwise need to source separately.

Your sink comes with:

• Stainless steel Belfast sink
• 90 mm basket strainer waste
• Removable basket strainer
• Square overflow waste kit

The 90 mm basket waste also means the sink is compatible with a food waste disposal unit if you want to add one. Both models are designed for use with a standard 1.0 bowl plumbing kit.

A kitchen mixer tap, trap and plumbing kit aren't included, so these need to be considered separately.

It's worth planning the complete sink area before installation rather than treating the stainless steel Belfast sink as an isolated purchase.

A 1.0 bowl plumbing kit will be needed to connect the sink waste to your household drainage. If your dishwasher or washing machine connects beneath the sink, check that the plumbing kit provides the appliance connections you require.

You could also consider:

• Food waste disposal unit
• Soap dispenser
• Sink drainer or drainer tray
• Chopping board
• Sink basket
• Suitable stainless steel cleaning products

Because there is no tap hole in the sink, you should also decide which tap you're using before your worktop is prepared. Check the tap's required mounting hole, base diameter and clearance behind the sink.

Choosing the right tap is one of the easiest ways to get more from a large Belfast bowl.

For a modern-traditional kitchen, a bridge kitchen tap can retain some of the character normally associated with a Belfast sink while the stainless steel construction keeps the overall design from feeling too traditional.

You could also use a new kitchen project as an opportunity to move to a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 boiling water tap. These combine normal hot and cold water with near-boiling water, while selected 4-in-1 systems can provide filtered cold water too.

For the brass/gold and copper sinks, matching or coordinating the tap finish is another option. The exposed sink front means the metal finish already plays a significant role in the room, so coordinating your tap can create a more consistent sink area.

The Astini Belfast range uses a sit-on cabinet installation, so don't plan for it in the same way as a standard inset or undermount stainless steel sink.

Before ordering, check:

• Cabinet width and construction
• Overall sink dimensions
• Required support
• Worktop position
• Tap clearance behind the sink
• Existing hot and cold pipework
• Waste pipe position

Ideally, have the physical sink on site before making final cabinet alterations or cutting expensive worktops.

This allows your fitter to work from the actual product and position the exposed curved front correctly against the surrounding cabinetry.

Regular cleaning is the best way to maintain a stainless steel Belfast sink.

For the brushed steel finish, wash the bowl regularly using washing-up liquid, rinse it afterwards and wipe it dry to reduce water and limescale marks. Avoid leaving items such as tea bags or staining food waste sitting in the bowl for long periods.

Don't use steel wool or highly abrasive pads, as these can leave noticeable scratches.

Take additional care with the brass/gold and copper finishes. Use a soft cloth with warm water and mild soap and avoid abrasive, acidic or caustic cleaning products that could affect the decorative surface.

Using the right cleaning products can help maintain your sink's finish and reduce the risk of damage caused by harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Read our guide to learn why specialist sink and tap cleaners are worth considering and how the wrong products can affect your kitchen fittings.

The Astini range offers something different if you like the proportions and exposed front of a Belfast sink but don't necessarily want traditional white ceramic.

A stainless steel Belfast sink can work particularly well if you want a deep single bowl, contemporary materials and a choice of metal finishes. The 600 mm option provides a more compact setup, while the 800 mm model gives you considerably more washing space.

If your kitchen is deliberately traditional and you want an authentic farmhouse appearance, ceramic may still be the better choice. For contemporary and modern-traditional kitchens, however, Astini's curved stainless steel design gives the Belfast format a very different character.

You no longer need to choose white ceramic to get the deep bowl and exposed front associated with a Belfast-style kitchen sink.

The Astini curved stainless steel Belfast sink combines that familiar format with a choice of 600 mm or 800 mm sizes and brushed steel, brass/gold or copper finishes. Pair yours with a suitable kitchen tap, plumbing kit and accessories to create a sink area designed around how you use your kitchen.