Frequently Asked Questions -
This is a long page, likely the most
important. Read on if you dare! Quick
Reference Guide Just click on the blue text to go to that section of this very long page.
According to the E.P.A. no
copper sink company can claim their sinks kill bacteria, or are
antimicrobial unless they are certified by the E.P.A.
The Rachiele E.P.A. registration number is
087953-FL001.
By law, only EPA registered companies purchasing
copper in the USA, from certified suppliers can claim their sinks are
antimicrobial. In order to become certified by the E.P.A. each company
must purchase through E.P.A. certified sources. For example, we buy copper
through a distributor who buys from a larger supplier. Each company down the
line must be certified. At this time (October 5, 2010) there are only 6
certified suppliers and a seventh to be certified soon. - all U.S.
companies. Our has always originated from these top tier suppliers. We have been told that NO imported copper
sink company can, nor will be able to claim that their sinks kill bacteria
or are antimicrobial. If you see those claims on other imported copper sink
sites, we have been told it is illegal to make those claims.
Antimicrobial Copper is the only solid surface
material registered by the U.S. EPA to continuously kill bacteria that pose
a threat to human health. No other touch surface, including
silver-containing coatings, has this kind of registration. *Testing
demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against: Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter
aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7.
The first recorded observation of copper's role in
the immune system in modern times was published in 1867 when it was reported
that, during the cholera epidemics in Paris of 1832, 1849 and 1852, copper
workers were immune to cholera.
Frequently asked Questions 1.
There are so many claims made by copper sink
companies, how can I determine which is the best for me? Do you want to dry your copper sink after each use? (No need with
ours) Do you want to wax your copper sink regularly? (Never wax our sink) Do
you want to find out your copper sink does not drain properly after it is
permanently installed in your kitchen? (Ours are guaranteed to drain
properly) Do you want to find that blemishes inside your sink are permanent?
(Can not happen with ours) Do you want to find out, after the fact, that
Clorox can permanently damage your sink? (Clorox will not harm our sink) Do
you want to find out after a year that you have no warranty on your sink?
(Our warranty is for life)
These are just some of the risks you take when you buy a copper sink based
on price without doing research.
The answer is simple. Just look at the warranties,
use and care and return policies. The warranty on a copper sink should
tell you if you are dealing with a company that stands behind its products.
Our warranty: Lifetime Transferable Warranty.
Our use and care:
Wash with dish soap - that's all you do! (No drying after each use like most
imports require)
Our Return Policy: Money back plus $100 if you are not thrilled with the quality of our sink!
No other copper sink company on this planet offers any of these benefits!
(Read an in-depth comparison)
I humbly ask... Do
you want to buy a sink online where the company is embarrassed to indicate
where the sinks are manufactured?
First, we use only cold rolled pure 14 gauge American
antimicrobial copper.
Most use a much softer 16 gauge annealed, recycled copper. Others
using 14 gauge copper are using recycled annealed copper which is
significantly softer and nowhere near as strong as our 14 gauge copper. The
material we use is very expensive and has a yield strength of over 7 times
as strong as annealed recycled copper. Secondly, our sinks are made right here
in Orlando, Florida. They are not imported. . Thirdly, our sinks are pre-engineered, one at a
time, to fit the specific user. Mass produced sinks have a price advantage
due to the production cost savings. Some sinks imported from Mexico and
India and China are made from melted down telephone wire and discarded plumbing pipe
and are mass produced. Don't let them fool you. These import companies make
more sinks in a month than we make in three years.
There is very little cost of material because they use scrap metal. These imported sinks are made by
workers making significantly less a in a week than our workers make an hour. Our
craftsmen are among the finest in the world. We do not claim to make
inexpensive copper sinks. We do claim to manufacture the finest copper sink
on the market. Not everyone can afford a Rachiele sink. When you purchase a lower priced
sink you give up quality. A Rachiele sink is
a lifetime sink. Think about how difficult it is to build a sink with a
right rear drain, where the bottom is pitched 1/2" to the right rear -
compared to building a sink with a relatively flat bottom with a drain in
the center. No comparison at all...
A Rachiele sink will not look at all like the sinks found in the Home
Centers. It will not look like a cheap import. It will always look like a custom luxury sink.
Would you ever mistake a Rolls Royce for a Chevy? Photos do not tell the
entire story. Once you see one of our sinks in person, the difference is
quite evident. Our designs are not
trendy, they are distinctive. I believe the dark, hammered copper look will be a trendy fad - so will
the curved front apron sinks. Curved front sinks are an ergonomic nightmare. Think of this... Whenever products hit the home
centers, the middle and high end buyers look for something else, something
that stands out from the crowd.
Most imports have radius corners and hammered finishes. When you pay a bit
more for a Rachiele sink, you are getting several benefits you will not
receive anywhere else: -
Lifetime Transferable Warranty WOW, I just Googled Copper sinks and went to a
dozen websites. NOT ONEhad a link to their warranty on their home page. You
have to hunt and hunt - and some I just could not find any warranty
information. Look to the left of every page on our site, you will see a link
to our warranty. Makes you wonder why they hide their warranty and use and
care info. (By the way, the only ones I found had a one year warranty) Hmmm
- no moving parts, why only a one year warranty? Could it be that it takes
about a year for the lacquer or the unnatural sink interior patina to wear
through? Sure makes me wonder. -
Rachiele Copper sinks with NO disclaimers (use the sink like a sink, not
like a piece of furniture) -
Money back plus $100 if you are not thrilled! -
Custom fitted sink with rear corner drain - it just makes sense! -
Self healing copper interiors -
8" deep sinks, 10" deep sinks are too deep with a rear corner
drain (however we will build any depth)
-
Exclusive Apron Front designs and patinas - Optional
Patented apron front sink design allowing for installation in existing sink
cabinet with no modification to the cabinet. -
Corner rear drain allows for full size double trash pull-out under sink.
See the process of building a custom sink by Rachiele in this video.
2. What makes your copper sinks different from
the rest?
(Read what other copper sink companies say about their
sinks)
See how our sink stacks up Let's start with precision. You might read that many sink
manufacturers say that their sinks may vary as much as 1/2" from the ordered
size. They say that this is because the sinks are hand made. That just makes
me wonder if they think most people really fall for that line. Come on, look
at the fine "hand made" products that are exact to within a 1/16". If hand
made furniture was I have measured
several imported sinks and have found them up to 3/8" out of square. I grew
up in the hand made furniture business and "hand-made" was never an excuse
for size variations. Our sinks are square, true and the size you order. If
we build a sink that is more than 1/16" from any measurement, we rebuild it
and the sink ends up on our
clearance page.
We copper weld our sinks and our welding is the finest you will see. A few
years ago a gentleman, who was quite familiar with welding, looked at the
welds on our sinks and was impressed that we had a computer welder. I told
him we did all of our welding by hand. He was so insistent that it was
impossible to weld so well by hand that I had to take him to watch our
craftsmen weld before he would believe me.
Drain location: Center drains dates back to ancient Egyptian times when the
technology available would only allow a vessel to drain fully if the drain
were in the center. Folks, the United States sent a man to the moon! I think
we can move a drain to the rear corner (where it belongs) and fully evacuate
a sink. Moving the drain out of the way allows the user to place pots, pans,
trays, etc. inside the sink without covering up the drain. This is the most
important difference between our sinks and others on the market.
Overall design of our apron front sinks: Our sinks are designed to fit
cabinetry. That might sound obvious, but most are not easily installed in a
cabinet. The rear of our apron is designed to partially overlay the cabinet
face. This means that the cabinet cut-out does not have to be accurate at
all. The sink covers the cut-out. I have seen so many apron front sinks (by
others) installed with gaps between the sink and the cabinet. Here is a
photo of one actually made in the USA! The
apron is way out of square. That will not
be the case with a Rachiele apron front sink. Our sinks are true and square.
FAUX is a NO: Putting a faux finish inside a copper kitchen sink is a
NO-NO! Sadly, many of our fellow copper sink manufacturers do not understand
the basic properties of copper. Copper will always turn the color of
an old penny when in use in a home (a rich caramel color). Only when copper
is outside (for over 7 years) will it begin to turn green. So, if you see a
copper sink with an interior that does not look like the color of an old
penny, watch out! Our interiors are never a uniform patina. A uniform finish
is destined to look blemished in a short amount of time. We never lacquer or
wax the interior of our sinks. Laboratory testing shows that, when
cleaned regularly, Antimicrobial Copper™ kills greater than 99.9% of the
following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcus
faecalis (VRE),Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter
aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli
O157:H7. That is not the case if there is a lacquer, wax or any other
coating on the sink according to the E.P.A.
Lastly... American Pride. We have a vested interest in our products and our
country (Hey... my name is on the sinks!). We build our sinks here because
there is no where else on earth that can build a sink of this quality.
(Click on images to see full size view)
Just look at the bottom of our apron front sink: (Click on images) Notice
that the apron is closed on the bottom. That adds significant strength to
the apron front portion of the sink. Take a look at a competitors sink, yes
one made right in the US.
The bottom is open and warped. The sink did not drain properly. This photo
was sent in by one of our customers. She returned this sink and ordered one
of ours. This is the photo she took of the interior of the sink showing how
the water pooled.
This is a photo showing a common construction technique of
an imported sink. The bottom of the apron is attached by a couple of flimsy
copper strips. It would be easy to bend this sink out of shape with a
whisper. It's what they don't show that is what you need to see. We show it
all! We are proud of every inch of our sinks.
This
is the phone message I received after she took delivery of the sink we made
for her. She kindly gave permission for me to put this on our site.
Now look at the back side of our apron:
You will see that also is enclosed and welded to the sink body. Our apron is
designed to overlap the face frame of the cabinet. This allows for a perfect
fit every time.
Here is a typical installation using a Franke stainless
steel apron front sink. Notice that there is no easy way to install this
sink and have it line up with the doors below or line up with the edge of
the cabinet. It certainly does not look custom. This is how most other apron
sinks have to be installed - not ours! By the way, notice the horrible
vertical weld on the Franke sink. We would not even sell that as a "second".
The photo has not been retouched, that quality is what Franke is selling!
Beyond that issue, the distance from the front of the farm sink to the bowl
is approximately 3". That defeats the purpose of a farm or apron sink. The
extra 1 1/2" you have to reach to get to the bowl is a back ache in the
making. I spoke to a surgeon today and he totally understood this premise.
He says heavy people cause him to reach further in surgery causing more
strain on his back.
Here is our finished product:
Our apron is 1 1/2" thick, with a right rear
drain. Don't settle for outdated sink designs. There is no way to defend
outdated designs, they just don't make any sense! (Update 10-15-09: I
finally found an intelligent reason for having a drain in the center of a
sink. If you use the sink regularly to wash your dog, a center drain will
not get in the way of the four dog paws!) There you have it - a reason for a
center drain!
Now look at the bottom of what many other imported copper apron front sinks
on the market look like: This particular sink is made of 16 gauge copper.
All of our copper sinks are made of heavy 14 gauge cold rolled hard virgin
US copper. Most
imports use thinner annealed softer copper. Our copper is at least 8 times
stronger.
The bottom of the apron is mostly open and the back side of the apron is
open. This is a fragile apron that can be pushed in with your hand. The back
side of the apron is also open. Notice that you never see the bottom of most
sinks online - now you know why!
This
is the hammering you will see on sinks by Manhattan Interior Designs who
give the illusion their sinks come from Mexico, but they truly are imported
from China. This is the bottom of their sink.
Below is one imported from Mexico by one of the largest copper sink
manufacturers online. Buy one of these and you need a caulk bazooka.
In either case, you could easily push the apron inward. By the way, 99.6%
pure copper is not pure enough! Ours is 99.9% - and the ONLY copper sink
sold for residential use that can claim they are antimicrobial. Visit the
Copper Development Association web site to verify.
www.copper.org
This is a photo of the underneath of one of their sinks.
This is a photo of a typical Mexican sink.
Please
click on the image.
As you can see, the finish is very dark. This is a very unnatural coloration
for copper. As soon as you cut through the finish (and you absolutely will)
you will expose the "recycled copper". Initially the exposed area will be a
"new penny" pinkish color. In short order, it should turn a caramel brown -
nothing like the coloration of the rest of the sink. The sellers of these
sinks often say "don't worry, the copper will blend in with time". That is
an out and out lie folks. Copper NEVER turns that color, and I mean never!
So, if you want to take a chance with a semi-permanently installed fixture -
go for it. If you do, all I can say is, you are likely going to remember my
warning. Hey folks, I tell it like it is.
No sugar coating. I have never been known for my diplomacy. As a side note -
a friend just told me the definition of a diplomat is someone that can tell
you to "go to hell" in such a way that you anticipate the trip! I think that
is brilliant. Anyway, I am quite serious about copper sinks and hope you
will be serious about learning as much as you can from my site and others. A
well informed buyer will not be disappointed.
We
are in a different league, just as Rolls Royce is in a different league
from Chevrolet. We understand that it is difficult to tell from photos
online why one sink is more expensive than another. We are regularly asked
to justify our higher prices. These photos should help in identifying some
significant differences. Our sinks are built to last. We back that up with a
limited lifetime transferable warranty. No other copper sink on the market
has such a warranty.
The below video illustrates a patented design that is used
when you have existing cabinetry and would like an apron front sink. This is
a perfect design if you are just replacing countertops and are keeping your
cabinetry.
3. Why is it important to make sure there is no
lead or mercury in a copper sink?
Small amounts of lead are poisonous. Lead affects the nervous system and the
damage is irreversible. Mercury is even more dangerous. Years ago, in
California, prior to the use of unleaded gas, there were tests done in yards
nearby the highways - looking for lead content. Often the homeowners were
told that their grass and dirt had to be removed due to unsafe levels of
lead. Sadly, the FDA, nor the Consumer Protection Agency has paid attention
to the lead content in copper sinks imported from other countries.
Eventually, they will. We have documentation showing 99.9% purity of our
copper with NO lead, NO mercury and NO arsenic. We keep documentation from
our copper supplier on hand that indicates the copper is 99.9% pure, with no
lead, mercury or arsenic and has been kept in a mercury free environment for
storage. We are in the process of becoming certified with the EPA. Our
registered company number with the E.P.A. is 087953-FL001. Specifically, our copper
has an ASTM code of B370, which is 99.9% purity. We use a 122 alloy with an RB harness of 50. The yield strength is 51,800 psi compared to 6,700 psi of
annealed copper. Our material is also RoHS compliant. RoHS restricts the use
of mercury, lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and a range of other
hazardous materials. Take a look at an email I received about an imported
copper sink company:
"Just so you know
what happened, their website discusses that they have the natural finish,
plus 3 finishes that will never tarnish. They do not mention a film or build up
finish
– which it is. In speaking with them, they are using a catalyzed lacquer on
the inside and out to protect the black
nickel
(which is electroplated I believe). The film finish lacquer started failing
the first day it was installed
– not little chips, but big sheets."
(Email from contractor about a copper sink purchased from Thompson Traders)
4. You mention that double bowl sinks are obsolete
and 10" deep sinks are not functional, why is that so?
First of all, the most ridiculous sink design, which still prevails in our
industry, is the center drain. The center drain dates back to ancient
Egyptian times, when the technology did not exist to fully evacuate a bowl
without a center drain. Today, we have the technology to completely drain a
sink no matter where the drain is located. So... why do sink manufacturers
still place drains in the center of a bowl? The answer is simple. The cost
of retooling is expensive and the general public has not demanded the change
yet. A center drain ruins the storage under the sink and also ruins the work
space inside the sink. It is impossible to lay a large pan or platter inside
the sink without covering the drain. So, what are the benefits to a rear
corner drain? First, the work surface inside the sink is uninterrupted. You
can place flat items inside the sink without covering the drain. Secondly,
and equally as important, the inside of the sink cabinet is not cluttered
with plumbing. With a single bowl sink and a right rear drain, you can place
a double full size pull out trash cabinet on the left side. If you think of
it, you will realize that most of the trash generated in the kitchen is
generated at or around the kitchen sink. Why spend hundreds of dollars for a
designated "trash cabinet" which takes up valuable space in your kitchen?
Professional kitchen designers find this revolutionary design opportunity
quite appealing.
Now, let's talk about double bowl sinks. Double bowl sinks were designed
prior to the invention of the dishwasher. We washed in one side and rinsed
in the other. Let me outline the most popular concern I have heard about
making the change from a double bowl sink to a single bowl sink. Most
Americans use their dishwashers for dishes, cutlery and glasses. Some, like
myself, like to wash a few dishes here and there without running the
dishwasher. The old fashioned way was to place a grid drain in the left bowl
so that dishes could be washed in the right bowl and set to dry in the left
bowl. That divider kept dirty water from getting on the cleaned items. If
you have a double bowl sink I guarantee that you have to take your large
pans, platters, cookie sheets, etc. and place them vertically inside the
right bowl. You have to spin them around to wash them and you have to spin
them around again to rinse them. It is impossible to lay them down inside
the sink. The new way, using a single bowl sink with a right rear drain, is
similar. Merely place a drying rack in the left side of the sink and wash on
the right. The sink is sloped to the right rear so the dirty water never
touches the clean dishes. Since the drain is in the right rear, there is
little chance for a misplaced dish to cover the drain and begin the
maddening unintentional filling of the sink with dirty water.
You say you occasionally fill one bowl with soapy water to soak an item and
need the second sink for other things. No problem! Tupperware to the rescue!
Just get a large Tupperware container and place it in the left side of the
sink, fill it with soapy water and you have accomplished the same thing
without a PERMANENT divider that causes more problems than it solves.
Lastly, the right rear drain allows you to work differently at your sink.
With your current double bowl sink, most of the washing and scrubbing is
done near the mid level of the sink - rarely at the bottom. This has to be
done because you can not lay your items flat in the bottom of the sink (they
don't fit!!!). With our right rear drain, large items will easily fit flat
in the bottom of your sink - allowing you to scrub pots, pans, cookie
sheets, etc, with more ease. Since the items are flat in the bottom of the
sink, you have more leverage and rinsing them is less treacherous. Think
about it... Now that we are working in the bottom of the sinks, sinks need
to be shallower. Most of our sinks are installed under 1 1/4" granite. Think
of a 10" deep sink under a 1 1/4" slab. Now you have an 11 1/4" deep sink.
If you are working in the bottom of the sink, that is too deep! We recommend
8" deep sinks for ultimate comfort. If you have a sink other than ours,
it really needs to be deeper. So... you diehard double bowl fans
- please reconsider. We have converted thousands of you and we hear back
from them regularly. They say they could never go back! Just in case this
epistle was not convincing enough - yes we build custom double bowl sinks
too!
This is an unsolicited email from one of our customers. I hear this all the
time, but in writing - Ann makes my point:
Dino,
I must have been your most difficult
customer. I fought you all the way. Both my husband and I were hell bent on
getting a double bowl sink, I am a bit embarrassed to say - you were right.
After all the fussing, we are now one of your loyal followers. Yes Dino... a
single bowl sink with a right rear drain makes so much sense! OK, I said it.
Thank you, thank you, for being so insistent. (and for taking my countless
phone calls) We could never have believed how wonderful your design is. We
both wish you much success. You deserve it.
One more thing, please feel free to
put this note on your web site. Also I want to tell your potential customers
that Dino does really answer the phones on the weekends. Our plumber had a
question about the disposer thingy and Dino called us back in less than 5
minutes on a Saturday afternoon.
Thank you for all of your help and the
photos of our gorgeous sink before it shipped. We will send photos back once
we finish the remodel project. Thinks are still hectic around here.
Your friend "Out West",
Ann Return to top 5. Is a copper sink suitable for food preparation?
In short, the answer is yes! It
is the most hygienic surface you could possibly have for food preparation.
Keep in mind, many homes have copper pipes for drinking water. What was not
known years ago, these pipes were actively killing bacteria in the water
lines! The following is a statement from the Copper development Association
in conjunction with the EPA. "Users must continue to follow all current
infection control and cleaning practices. Routine cleaning to remove dirt
and grime is necessary for good sanitation and to assure the effective
performance of the Antimicrobial Copper Alloy surface.
Also, Antimicrobial Copper Alloys must not be coated in any way (i.e. with
waxes, paints, lacquers, etc.) in order to be effective. The natural
tarnishing of copper alloys does not compromise their antimicrobial
property."
Denting is unlikely in our copper sinks, very likely in others'. We use a heavy 14 gauge cold rolled
copper for our sinks. Cold rolled copper is significantly harder than
annealed copper (which can dent and bend easily). Annealing occurs by the
diffusion of atoms within a solid material, so that the material progresses
towards its equilibrium state. Heat is needed to increase the rate of
diffusion by providing the energy needed to break bonds. The movement of
atoms has the effect of redistributing and destroying the dislocations in
metals and (to a lesser extent) in ceramics. This alteration in dislocations
allows metals to deform more easily, so increases their ductility. That is
precisely why we do not use annealed copper. Our cold rolled virgin copper
is up to 8 times as strong as annealed copper. Our copper is just about as
hard to dent as a 16 gauge stainless steel sink. As an example, if I were to
send you a 6" square of our material, you would likely be unable to flex it
if you tried your hardest. If I were to send you the same size of annealed
copper, a child would be able to fold it in half. Both would be 99.9% pure
copper - the difference is that the annealed copper has been super-heated
and that changes the molecular structure of the copper and makes it much
softer. I recently discovered (watching a television show on the History
Channel) that recycled copper is rarely used for copper wiring - as it is
too expensive to purify to the standard required for copper wire. Virgin
copper is pure enough for copper wire. We use ONLY virgin copper for your
sinks. There is a massive supply of virgin copper in the US. Watch this
demonstration illustrating the strength of our copper.
7.
I am a bit nervous investing in a sink that I
have not seen. Can you assure me I will be pleased?
Well, no. We can not assure that you will be pleased, however, we do
guarantee you will be more than pleased - you will be thrilled. We have been
manufacturing copper sinks since January of 1999 and have offered a guarantee
that states: "If you are not thrilled with the quality of our sink, we will
buy it back, pay all shipping costs and send you a check for $100 in
consideration of your inconvenience." In the years we have been offering
this guarantee, we have never been asked for a refund! I am also positive
that all of our customers are thrilled. Don't believe me? Google Rachiele
sink complaints. You won't find any. Lastly, we recommend
you make any purchase with a credit card. Credit cards protect your
investment. If you have a grievance with any company where you use a credit
card, simply call the credit card company and they will begin a dispute.
Often, they will refund your money immediately until the issue is resolved.
We have never had a credit card dispute.
Return to top
8. What kind of warranty do you offer on your
copper sinks?
We offer a transferable lifetime warranty with NO disclaimers regarding the
use of acidic products or bleaches, etc. We have looked at some of the other
so-called lifetime warranties. They do not pay for shipping costs and there
is generally a long list of items that can not be used inside the sink. Most
actually indicate that their sinks must be dried out after each use! We
firmly believe that any quality product with no moving parts should have a
lifetime transferable warranty! We could not offer this type of a warranty
on a copper sink if we did not use 14 gauge cold rolled hard copper.
Return to top
Simply call us from 8am to 6pm EST Mon-Sat. We will discuss your needs and
develop a sink perfect for your situation. We have designed very complex
sinks by phone, confirming with detailed drawings. Once we agree on a design
and a price, we will email you with detailed drawings and a purchase
agreement. We will give you an expected ship date as well. We have been
building custom sinks for about 10 years now with a 100% track record of
thrilling our customers. See
"The Process Page"Many
of our sinks are priced on this page.Return to top
10. You mention a self healing interior. What
exactly does that mean?
We only offer a naturally weathered patina on the interior of our copper
sinks. We do not artificially color the copper with heat, chemicals or
colored waxes. That allows the copper to heal back to it's original
coloration no matter what you do to it. That is why we are the only company
that offers copper sinks with a lifetime transferable warranty with NO
disclaimers regarding what you can and can't do inside the sink. Just to
prove that our sinks heal by themselves, I did an experiment and recorded it
with a camera for you to see for yourselves. The sink bottom shown is the
one we use in our office kitchen. It does not get nearly as much use as a
household kitchen sink, therefore the patination process will be slower in
our office than would be expected in an average home. To begin the process,
I took sandpaper and sanded through the patina on the sink. Then, I took a
very sharp knife and made as deep a scratch as I was able to make. I did
this to prove that even the deepest scratches become invisible over time and
that the patina that we apply before the sink ships to you is the same
coloration that copper will naturally weather to. Click on the images to see
the close up detail. The second photo is between two and three weeks old.
The last photo is 5 weeks old. There is no sign of the missing patina nor
the scratch.
As you can see, there really is no way to ruin the interior of our sinks
unless you try very hard! By the way, if you visit us, I have a challenge.
If you can find the scratch in our sink, I will give you a free one! Yep, I
have offered that to quite a few visitors. Nobody can find the deep scratch.
You have one minute to find it.
Return to top
11. What about stainless sinks? How do yours
compare?
Those who know me, are fully aware that I am a straight shooter and "tell it
like it is" no matter how politically correct it is, without much regard to
the "marketability" of my comments. I have to say that we do not build the
finest stainless sinks in the world. We simply do not have the million
dollar machinery required to make a microscopic weld as done with a computer
and laser. That being said, I have seen sinks built by these other companies
with better welding equipment that have ripples in their stainless due to
careless quality control. So... why buy a Rachiele stainless steel sink?
First, the right or left rear drain is THE most important reason. Investing
in any sink with a center or rear center drain is simply ridiculous. There
is no logical reason for the drains to be in either location. With our
design, you can place large items in the sink without covering the drain.
You can also use our sink like a double bowl sink. Just wash on the right,
set off on the left. No crazy divider in the way. Secondly, our Millennia stainless is exclusive and helps to hide scratches
and water spots. Thirdly, we offer a rustic matte stainless that looks just
like zinc. This, to my knowledge, is unavailable elsewhere. But, if you find a
right rear drain stainless sink that is made by one of the few quality
stainless steel sink manufacturers, and it is less expensive than ours - buy
it. Really!!! Julian, in Canada builds a great quality stainless steel sink.
They are about the only ones I would recommend. A note about stainless sinks
made in China. I have heard, second hand, that quite a few sinks made in
China have rusted. I have a photo of a Kohler sink made in China that has
rusted.
12. What is the difference between wrought iron and
cast iron?
Wrought iron is traditionally smelted at a relatively low temperature in the
solid state to produce a spongy mass of metal called a bloom from which the
impurities were driven off as liquid slag by hammering, hence the term
"wrought" ie "worked" iron. Wrought iron is very pure, with a carbon content
of less than 1%, which makes it resistant to corrosion, strong in tension
and malleable.
By comparison, cast iron, is smelted at much higher temperatures in the
liquid state, and so becomes saturated with carbon from the furnace fuel, up
to about 5%. It is then poured out (ie cast) into a mould to produce blocks
traditionally known as pigs hence the name "pig iron". The high carbon
content makes cast iron very rigid in compression, but weak and brittle in
tension, even when red hot, so it cannot be forged or rolled. Wrought iron
is a much safer material for holding the weight of a countertop than is cast
iron. Return
to top
First off, do you really want your sink to look like
something you would find in Home Depot? Our sinks, hammered or not, look
nothing like the cheap imports.
I strongly feel that hammered sinks became popular due to the fact that that
was the only way the original imported copper sinks would be
tolerated in the U.S. market. If the sinks were not hammered, the sides,
fronts and bottoms would be wavy and would not look like a quality sink.
The darker finishes and the hammering hide poor quality workmanship quite
well. Now, hammered copper sinks are seen in the home centers for a fraction of
what our sinks cost. Mark my words, hammered imported copper sinks will become dated
with regard to high end fashion very soon.
Secondly, and most importantly, the hand hammered sinks (like you see with
the imports) must be hammered
using a soft annealed copper. It is impossible to hand hammer our hard
copper and achieve the look you see on most copper sinks. Our cold rolled
copper is much stronger and will hold its shape even with the constant use
of a heavy garbage disposer.
Lastly, when you hammer a sink like the imports, you create little ponds inside the sink
which make it difficult for the water to evacuate properly. That is one
reason the imported sinks have to be dried after each use. Our sinks have a
significant slope to the drain, so this is not an issue with our sinks. We
offer hammered aprons including the bowl, or just hammered aprons. Hammering
must be done prior to fabrication, therefore our stocked sinks can not be
hammered.
Typical imported
hammered copper sink.
A Rachiele hammered copper sink
By the way... have you ever seen a penny that is that dark? When something
cuts through the lacquer on the sink above, the copper will turn the color
of our sink below. Don't you think it will look like a blemish? The penny in
the photo is a real copper penny from 1957. As you can see, our sink is a
match for naturally aged copper.
Will your copper sink pass the penny test? See the video below. (Yes, I
should have used an actor - I really need a makeover)
14.
Why are most of your sinks showing zero radius
corner construction instead of radius corners?
We are able to produce either square or radius corners. We have found a
strong preference for the square corner sink. Here is some of the feedback
we have received from designers and architects as well as homeowners. A) The
square corner sink looks more like a custom sink than a radius sink. B) The
cutout in the granite looks more pleasing. C) The interior usable space at
the bottom of the sink is significantly larger with a zero radius corner
construction.
15. Isn't it difficult to clean a square corner
sink?
First of all, the transition from the bottom of our sink to the sides is not
perfectly square on the vast majority of our sinks. There is a slight
radius. Even if it was square, a sponge gets in the corners quite easily.
Dear Dino:
I just wanted to write and tell you how much I LOVE my copper
sinks. We purchased 2 sinks for our kitchen- one farmhouse style
sink and one bar sink. First of all- they are absolutely gorgeous -
the first thing many people notice when they come into my house.
Moreover, the drain placement is genius! In my larger sink the
drain is on the side rather than the middle. This makes perfect
sense so that the drain is not blocked when washing pots.
Furthermore, your sinks are custom made. Most farmhouse sinks are
10 inches deep. If you are taller than average, cleaning a dish in a
10 inch deep sink is hard on one's back. I was able to order an 8
inch deep sink which makes all the difference! Most importantly, I
love your sinks because they are EASY to take care of (yes- I am lazy). I used to have a stainless steel sink in my kitchen and the smudge marks
used to drive me crazy.
I really don't do much to keep my sinks looking beautiful now- I simply
rinse them out with
soap and water while washing my dishes. Nothing else!!!!
16. Strength: This video speaks for itself.
There is no way you can do this in a 16 gauge sink, especially if it is made
of annealed copper.
I was standing inside a customer's sink without any concern about damaging
it. Let's face it, I needed to go on a diet. Since that video, I have
actually done so! The second video I am standing on the apron of one of our
sinks. There is no comparison between the strength of our sinks and any
other on the market. We use 14 gauge cold rolled virgin US copper. The vast
majority use recycled annealed copper. The copper we use can be up to 12
times stronger. That is why we are the ONLY copper sink manufacturer with a
lifetime transferable warranty and a buy back guarantee if you are not
thrilled with the quality of our sink.
The best analogy I can give to illustrate the difference between a right
rear drain and a center drain is as follows. Imagine all the shoes you own
are uncomfortable. At the end of the day, your feet ache. As soon as you put
them on, there is a bit of discomfort. You, however, have never owned a pair
of really comfortable shoes. You go on day after day and the discomfort
becomes natural, it is a part of your day. The shoes, however, are in style
and they are not so uncomfortable that the pain is unbearable. One day, you
try on a new pair of shoes. Not only is there no pain, but they actually
make your feet feel so much better than they ever have. From that day
forward, you could not go back to the old shoes. Suddenly, the comparison
makes the old ones feel so much more painful.
The above analogy describes how I and countless others have felt about the
drain location difference in our sinks. I have so many emails and phone
calls from past
customers telling me that my description did not come close to the reality.
They tell me they could never go back to a center drain sink. The best part
for me is that these folks will be customers for life. We have been in
business almost 10 years now and we are already getting quite a bit of
repeat business. In short, you can't imagine the difference - but once you
experience it, you will be a strong advocate. Return
to top
There is absolutely no logical reason to have a drain in the center or
rear center of a sink. The reason everyone else does that is because it is
simple. Oddly enough, most of the copper sink manufacturers can't even get
their sinks to drain properly when the drain is in the center. Imagine
trying to put the drain in the rear corner. The sink would come with a
siphon.
The major manufacturers have started to see the light. Several have begun
copying my idea. I am thrilled. I know my sinks can not be afforded by most
folks. Having a less expensive option is nothing short of wonderful in my
book!
18.
Can I have an apron front sink if I am only
replacing my countertops?
Only with Rachiele! We own the patent. Take a look at our video that shows
how simple it is done. We offer it in copper and stainless. We also have a
patent on a situation where you are keeping your existing countertops and
want an apron. Call us for more information. Return to top
19.
When during my building or remodeling process
should I order my sink? Your
countertop fabricator is likely going to want your sink in hand before they
start any fabrication. Our custom sinks can take from 3 weeks to 6 weeks to
produce, depending on our workload. Make sure you speak with your countertop
supplier to firm up a date.
Return to top
20. What if I live in
a different time zone or a foreign country and your hours of operation are not convenient? I ask
that you call any time. One of two things will happen. I usually answer the
phone, whether it is early in the morning or in the evening. The phones are
forwarded to my cell phone 24/7. If I do not answer, please leave a message.
I will call you back as quickly as possible. That being said, I generally go
to bed around 9 because I am up before 5am. Calls after 9pm (Eastern) will
likely be returned the following day. By the way, I do answer calls on the
weekends. Return to
top
21. You show different finishes on your apron front
sinks. Can I have a custom finish. and how can I make sure I will like it
before I get it? We always speak with you to get a good
feel for what you would like your sink to look like. Secondly, we send a
photo of the apron prior to our final process to go over any adjustments you
might like. Lastly, we can also send a final photo for your approval prior
to shipping if you feel that is necessary. We are here to make sure you are
thrilled! Return to
top
Oxidation: Oxidation refers to the chemical changes that a substance
undergoes when it is exposed to the elements. Iron, for example, forms rust
when it is oxidized. When copper is oxidized, however, it forms a unique
patina layer that, in addition to the color change you can see, provides a
protective barrier that you cannot see. While oxidation leads to the
corrosion and corruption of some materials, it does not affect the stability
of copper. Return to
top
24. How are your sinks shipped to us?
Click on the images for details
Our shipping costs might seem a bit high until you see what costs are
involved. Every sink is packaged in a custom made plywood box. ($60) The
packing material we use costs $100 per 4X8 Sheet and we get 4 sinks per
sheet. ($25) The box has a monitor on it to indicate rough handling. ($7).
Depending on where you live, the UPS ground charge will be approximately
($100 to $130), including insurance - plus a ($10) additional UPS surcharge
for packing in plywood.
The average COST is $215 on a 30" apron sink.
Note that I pack every sink (1/2 hour minimum) and I do not show a cost
for my time - it is my pleasure to do so. We claim to build the finest
copper sink in the world, and I try to offer the finest customer service in
the world as well. My eyes are always the last ones on your sink - and I am
picky - my name is on the sink! As you can see, what we charge for shipping,
includes much more than you might expect.
Since we have packaged in this manor, ZERO damage!
Please note that all of our shipments are monitored by
Each
box we ship has a device which will indicate if the box has been mishandled.
Studies show that shippers take better care of products shipped with
monitoring devices clearly labeled on the box.
This system has been shown to significantly reduce shipping damage. Your
sink will be shipped with one or two impact monitors. If your box arrives
and the indicator shows red (meaning the box has been mishandled) accept the
delivery and note this fact in writing with the UPS driver. It is unlikely
that the sink will be damaged, but this is an indicator that alerts you that
you should check the sink carefully. This is just
one of the many things we do for you to insure you get the very best!
Click on each image please! Return to top
I personally inspect every sink before it is shipped. Your sink will be
signed by me (on the bottom) showing you that I have inspected your sink. All sinks are checked for squareness,
proper drainage and finish if applicable.
Take a look at the photo of the bottom of this fireclay
sink. Click on the image to the right for a detailed view. This cracking can
happen on day one! All you have to do is pour hot water in a cold sink. This
can not happen with a copper or stainless steel sink.
If you would like some unbiased comments about fireclay sinks, there are
quite a few on the
Garden Web forum.
27 Antimicrobial copper in the medical
industry. Did you know Rachiele has been making product for the medical industry out
of our antimicrobial copper? Indeed. We have been working closely with the
Copper Development Association for some time now. This is a video from their
site - well worthwhile listening. Did you know 1 in 20 that enter a hospital
in the US will likely acquire a disease just from being in the hospital? The
odds are not so good! What you can do, and what you should know... Return to top
28. Why are some faucets cheap and others expensive. Listen to this short
video for answers.
29. Why do some sites talk about a
finish or seal on their copper sinks?
Many sites do indeed refer to finishes or sealant
products on their sinks. A finish or a sealant is only appropriate on
the apron portion of a copper sink. There is NO finish, nor sealant, that
will withstand the use of the inside of a copper sink. You will never find
one of these companies with a warranty longer than a year. We only
accelerate the natural aging process of the copper on the inside of the sink
using household vinegar. The patina will always grow back to the color we
originally aged it to. That is why we are the only copper sink
company with a lifetime warranty with NO disclaimers. Return to top
30. I have heard of copper sinks
plated in nickel, are they ok?
This, in my humble opinion, is the biggest fraud perpetrated on the public.
I know of NO plating that will last on a sink - period!
The simple answer should be noted by looking at the warranty. I can't
imagine anyone giving a long warranty. The nickel WILL wear off eventually.
If anyone tells you that will not happen, they are flat out lying or are
ignorant. We regularly speak to the folks that plate the imported sinks and
they tell me the plating will not last! Return to top
31.
Do you ship sinks overseas? We ship overseas all the time. We have
shipped to many parts of the globe with no issues at all. Shipping takes one
week or less. We have shipped to Australia, Israel, the United Kingdom, the
Saudi Arabia, Guam, Mexico and Canada. Canadian customers pay NO
DUTY. We can supply NAFTA papers. We have recently negotiated
very low UPS rates for overseas shipments. In almost every case,
shipping and crating is $450 or less! For example; the published UPS rate
for a 36" copper apron front sink we shipped to Australia was $1005.98. We
charged our customer $450 - and our fee includes a custom plywood box, a "ShockWatch"
monitor, all the packing material and insurance. No one can ship a sink
overseas as inexpensively as we can. Duties, GST, VAT, etc. are charged to
you locally. That customer paid about AU$400 in customs (a bit lower than
she expected) on a $3,000 sink. Return to top
32. Have you ever had a problem
with one of your sinks?
Absolutely! We are not perfect. I do have to say that there have only been
three problems in the 13 years we have been in business. For me, the way in
which a problem is addressed characterizes the company. Let's start with the
first problem. It was back in 2003. We had a customer that insisted on a
special patina on the INSIDE of the bowl. I tried to explain that it was not
a good idea, as the finish would wear off at some point and I could not
guarantee the finish. They kept insisting, so the artist that worked for us
did some research and found a clear top-coat manufactured by DuPont that
claimed it was virtually indestructible. We contacted the customer,
indicated what we had found and again mentioned there could be no warranty
on the finish. They were fine with that. Four months later, they said the
finish was flaking off in the bottom of the sink. I asked if they had
somehow cut through the topcoat. They indicated they had not. The call was
two weeks prior to Thanksgiving. I hopped on a plane to Atlanta and rented a
car, drove to the house and looked at the problem. Upon my inspection, it
was clear that there were cuts in the top coat, however I did not mention it
to the homeowners. I suggested we take the top coat off and go back to our
standard weathered self-healing patina. They agreed. I flew my artist up to
hand sand off the top coat (on two sinks) and apply the natural patina. That
project took the better part of a day. All of this was accomplished a week
prior to Thanksgiving. We sent a generous gift basket as an acknowledgement
of the inconvenience. I also noticed, while I was there, that they needed a
cover for a floor vent. I measured it and had a custom one made as a gift.
The fourth sink down on
this page
is a photo sent in by that customer of their sink.
The second problem was a minor one, but costly. We had a customer that did
not want a lacquer on the weathered patina apron portion of her sink. This
was the first request in years of its type. Our artist lacquered the apron
by mistake (out of habit) and I packed it not noticing the lacquer. The sink
was going to California. After it shipped we realized the error. We had UPS
overnight the sink back to us. We fixed the problem the same day and
overnighted it back to California the same day. She had her sink within 48
hours of the original expected time.
The third problem was a scratch on the apron of an oil rubbed bronze patina.
I found the premier furniture repair specialist in Chicago and sent him to
the home to repair the scratch. Normally, this would be a do-it-yourself
fix. Our old oil rubbed bronze patina was not something easily reparable. We
have since discontinued that particular variety of oil rubbed bronze on our
apron sinks. The customer insisted it was not caused by abuse. The
professional that went to the home said "In my professional opinion, what I
saw was abuse". No matter to me. I just wanted to have a happy customer.
Lastly, we have had many false alarms. The most recent was a complaint that
our sink did not drain fully. I asked them to check to see if the sink was
installed properly and the countertop was level. We went through all the
possibilities I could think of. I am pretty certain our sinks will drain
well when they leave here, so getting a call like that is puzzling. I asked
the customer to send me a photo of the drain area showing where the water
was pooling. During that conversation, I offered to build them a new sink.
Thankfully, the photo was clear. I noticed something odd about the drain. It
turned out, the husband installed the drain and put the washer on top of the
sink instead of under the sink - causing the drain to sit very high and not
allowing the water to drain. They fixed their mistake and all is well.
That being said, I get calls almost daily with problems with "other
manufacturers'" copper sinks. I am asked often how to fix the problem. In
most cases, there is no fix.
33. IAPMO ICG 194 Certification Sadly, this certification is difficult to understand. Once copper
sink company contacted me irritated with the fact that I was putting
information on my site that he felt was untrue. He was unable to site
anything specific, but I removed what seemed to bother him. It was factual,
but I can see why it bothered him. He then stated
"Well I hate to tell you this my friend but my IAPMO ICG 194 trumps your EPA
certificate because it has nothing to do with a plumbing product only the
metal it is made with." Believe it or not, you, as a consumer, have
to PAY $69.95 to read the IAPMO ICG 194 certification. I did so, and since
it is copywrited, I will give you the gist of the portion that involves
copper sinks. The only reference to copper was that copper alloys shall
contain at least 58% copper. There is a minimal corrosion test and a load
test to see if there is evidence of cracks or other forms of failure. Unless
I am missing something, that is the bulk of what the certification indicates
with regard to a copper sink. So you can do your own homework, here is a
link where you can purchase the 3
page document for $69.95. As you can see to the left, I made the purchase.
The bottom line... do your homework.
As I have stated on other pages, don't take my word for anything unless it
makes sense to you and you have done some research yourself. The same should
apply elsewhere. I spend a great deal of time on research,
Now a
message to those of you who feel like you (competitors) should threaten me
with your attorneys for printing false information like the above person
did. I suggest you do YOUR homework first. Secondly, as I told the person
above, I am a friendly guy and I never want to mislead or misrepresent. If
anyone finds anything on my site that is misleading or false, bring it to my
attention and I will verify it, and if it is wrong I will not only remove
it, but will put a statement indicating that I unintentionally mislead. I am
easy to contact, so feel free to do so, but don't go off on a rant unless
you have done as much research as I have.
33. You
made it to the end! If you have read this far down on the
page, you deserve a medal or something like that. Whew, I sure can get
carried away with words. Anyhow... If you made it this far, I would like to
offer you a free bottle of either the copper conditioner or the stainless
steel cleaner along with an order of a sink. All you have to say when you
order is the phrase "Dino talks too much" and you will get your prize! You
can also order online and put that phrase in the comment section for your
free bottle.
74 West 2nd Street Apopka, Florida 32703 1-800-881-9044 (321-775-5844)
Fax: 1-407-386-3434 E-Mail