A 16-Gauge Double Bowl Workhorse Built for Two-Station Kitchen Work
The Karran EL-88 is a heavy-duty stainless steel farmhouse sink designed for kitchens that demand a clear division between washing and rinsing. Its equal double-bowl layout and exposed apron front make it equally at home in a high-output cabinet shop breakroom, a designer kitchen remodel, or a contractor's new-build spec. This is a -PK1 kit, so the basket strainers, bottom grids, and Luster Pro oil ship with the sink.
Key Features
• 16-gauge stainless steel construction delivers noticeably thicker bowl walls than a standard 18-gauge sink, reducing flex and noise under heavy use.
• Equal 50/50 double-bowl configuration supports a dedicated wash side and rinse side without sacrificing working depth on either basin.
• Exposed apron front sits proud of the cabinet face, anchoring the farmhouse aesthetic that defines the design.
• 10-inch bowl depth accommodates large pots and deep cookware with room to spare.
• Kit includes bottom grids, basket strainers, and Luster Pro oil so the installation is ready to use without additional accessory orders.
• Standard farmhouse sink base installation fits a purpose-built or modified 36-inch farmhouse sink base cabinet.
Where the Double Bowl Makes the Difference
A single large bowl handles volume; a double bowl handles workflow. The EL-88's equal 50/50 split lets one side hold soapy wash water while the other stays clear for rinsing, draining, or staging prep work. That separation matters in kitchens where multiple people work at the sink at the same time, or where hand-washing dishes is the daily routine rather than the exception. The 10-inch depth means even a stockpot drops in without fighting the bowl walls. For contractors speccing a new kitchen build and for designers planning a high-use renovation, the two-station layout reduces the compromises that come with a single basin.
Stainless, Gauge, and What Ships in the Kit
The EL-88 belongs to Karran's Elite stainless series, built to 16-gauge thickness throughout. Sixteen-gauge steel is a meaningful step up in rigidity and sound dampening compared to 18-gauge — the bowl walls resist the flex that makes thinner sinks feel insubstantial under a running faucet or a dropped pot. The brushed satin stainless finish handles minor surface marks without showing them the way a polished finish would. As a -PK1 kit, the sink arrives with stainless steel basket strainers sized for the drain openings, bottom grids that protect the bowl floor, and Luster Pro oil for ongoing care. No separate accessory order is needed to get the sink fully operational.
Who This Sink Is For
Cabinet shops and contractors speccing kitchens will appreciate that the EL-88 ships as a complete kit — the grids and strainers are in the box, not on a follow-up order. Designers working with clients who want the farmhouse look in stainless rather than quartz or fireclay get the exposed apron without sacrificing the material's familiar durability. Homeowners planning a full kitchen remodel who are pouring a new countertop and building new cabinetry have the most flexibility here: a purpose-built 36-inch farmhouse sink base lets this sink install the way it was designed to, resting on level support strips with the apron exposed across the modified cabinet face. Because this is a standard farmhouse installation rather than a retrofit, it works best in new construction or a remodel where the cabinetry is being built to suit the sink. Have the actual sink on hand before the cabinetmaker begins — the apron dimensions drive the face-frame cut.
Is a cutout template included with the EL-88 kit?
No cutout template ships with this sink. The actual sink should be present before the cabinetmaker fabricates, since the apron dimensions determine the face-frame opening. A DXF file may be available for CNC work — check the product documentation.
What does the -PK1 kit include?
The kit includes stainless steel basket strainers, bottom grids, and Luster Pro oil. A drain assembly and faucet are not part of the kit and are sold separately.
Will this sink fit a standard 36-inch sink base cabinet without modification?
No. The EL-88 is a standard farmhouse installation that requires a purpose-built or modified farmhouse sink base with its front panel cut to the apron dimensions. It is not a retrofit design for an unmodified standard cabinet. If working with an existing standard base, look at Karran's QAR retrofit farmhouse models instead.
Why does gauge matter on a stainless sink?
Gauge measures steel thickness — lower numbers mean thicker steel. At 16 gauge, the EL-88's bowl walls are thicker than 18-gauge sinks, which reduces flex, deadens sound from running water and dropped items, and generally holds up better over years of daily use.
Does this sink work in a laminate countertop?
The EL-88 is an apron-front farmhouse sink that rests on support strips inside the cabinet rather than seating into the countertop. The countertop butts up to the sink on the sides and back. It is compatible with a range of countertop materials as part of a farmhouse installation.
Ready to Work from the Day It Installs
The EL-88 kit brings together a heavy-gauge stainless farmhouse sink and the accessories needed to put it to work immediately — grids, strainers, and care oil included. For kitchens where the sink sees daily volume and the two-basin workflow is non-negotiable, it is a durable, purpose-built answer.
