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.

Special notice: January 2011

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 ONE had 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.

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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)

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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
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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."

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6. Will pots and pans dent my sink?

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

9. How do I order a custom product from you?

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.

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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

13. Why are so few of your copper sinks hammered?

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)

 
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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.

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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!!!!

Thank you!!

Jessie Return to top

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.

 


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17. Right rear drain?

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.
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 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.
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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

23. What is a patina on copper?

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

 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

25. Are your sinks inspected before shipping?   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.

26.  What are the advantages over a fireclay sink?

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...
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28. Why are some faucets cheap and others expensive. Listen to this short video for answers.

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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.