16-Gauge Stainless Steel Farmhouse Sink for a Working Kitchen
The Karran EL-86 is a 16-gauge stainless steel apron-front kitchen sink built around a 60/40 double-bowl configuration, sized at 33 by 22-1/4 by 10 inches. Ordered as the -PK1 kit, it ships complete with bottom grids, basket strainers, and Luster Pro sink oil, so the install can move forward without a separate accessory run.
Key Features
• 16-gauge stainless steel construction delivers measurably thicker walls than standard 18-gauge sinks, reducing flex and deadening sound at the bowl.
• 60/40 double-bowl layout pairs a larger wash basin with a smaller prep or disposal bowl for organized, two-station workflow.
• Exposed apron front gives the sink the farmhouse presence that works in both traditional and transitional kitchens.
• 10-inch bowl depth provides clearance for large pots, sheet pans, and tall items that shallower bowls cannot handle.
• -PK1 kit includes bottom grids, basket strainers, and Luster Pro oil so the accessories needed to put the sink into daily use are already in the box.
• Karran Elite Series stainless quality with a brushed satin interior finish that minimizes the appearance of water spots and light scratches over time.
Where the 60/40 Layout Earns Its Place
A 60/40 double-bowl farmhouse sink is a practical choice when one side of the sink does more work than the other. The larger bowl takes on the heavy lifting: soaking a stockpot, washing a full sheet pan, or bathing a large cutting board. The smaller bowl covers prep rinsing, thawing, or holds a colander while the other side is in use. For households that hand-wash regularly or kitchens that stage and plate without a dishwasher nearby, that division keeps the workspace organized without requiring the cook to rearrange tasks. The 10-inch depth in both bowls means neither side feels cramped, even when dealing with oversized cookware.
Construction and Finish
The EL-86 belongs to Karran's Elite stainless series, which specifies 16-gauge steel throughout. At 16 gauge, the bowl walls are thick enough to resist the flexing and drumming that plague thinner sinks, and the extra mass helps absorb impact from dropped cookware. The interior carries a brushed satin finish: low-sheen, directional, and forgiving of the micro-abrasions that accumulate in any actively used kitchen sink. The exposed apron face finishes to match the bowl interior, so the transition from counter to front looks intentional rather than assembled. Bottom grids and basket strainers ship with the kit, matching in finish and protecting the bowl floor from contact scratches during daily use.
Who Specifies This Sink
Cabinet shops planning a kitchen remodel around a farmhouse aesthetic often reach for the EL-86 when the client wants stainless but not the single-bowl-only options that dominate the apron-front market. The 60/40 split satisfies clients who cook seriously and need separation, while the apron front keeps the visual story intact. Designers specifying for a transitional or industrial-leaning kitchen will find the 16-gauge brushed finish reads as refined rather than utilitarian. Contractors sourcing for a new construction project can resolve the accessory order in a single line item because the kit format covers grids and strainers without a follow-up purchase.
What kind of cabinet does the EL-86 require?
This is an apron-front sink and needs a farmhouse sink base cabinet with the face frame cut to the apron dimensions. It does not drop into an unmodified standard sink base. The cabinet should be built or modified with the actual sink present before any cuts are made.
How does the sink rest in the cabinet?
The sink rests on level support strips screwed into the cabinet side walls, not on the countertop. Horizontal strips carry the weight, with vertical supports beneath for added stability. The countertop sits alongside the sink rather than bearing it.
Is a cutout template included?
No cutout template ships with this sink. Karran's guidance for Elite apron-front models is to have the actual sink on hand before cutting the countertop or fabricating the cabinet opening.
What is the bowl split on the 60/40 configuration?
The 60/40 layout gives the larger bowl the majority of the interior width, with the smaller bowl taking roughly 40 percent. Specific per-bowl dimensions are listed in the structured spec block on this page.
Does the kit include a faucet?
No. The -PK1 kit includes bottom grids, basket strainers, and Luster Pro oil. A faucet is sold separately. Because the EL-86 has no integrated faucet deck, the faucet mounts through the countertop.
A Farmhouse Sink That Works as Hard as the Kitchen Does
The EL-86 kit puts a heavy-gauge, double-bowl apron-front sink into a project without the usual gap between sink and accessories. The 16-gauge build, 10-inch depth, and 60/40 split address the practical demands of a kitchen that gets real use, and the included grids and strainers mean everything needed to go live is already in the box.
