For an outdoor kitchen, pick a T-316 stainless drop-in sink: the Kraus KWT311-15-316 or Ruvati RVQ5215 for an 18-inch cabinet, or the Ruvati RVQ5221 for more room in a 24-inch cabinet. Plan where the drain goes and how you will shut off and drain the supply before winter, since that matters more than the sink itself.
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This guide covers plumbed outdoor kitchen and bar sinks.
Outdoor sinks compared
| Sink | Outside size and bowl depth | Minimum cabinet |
|---|---|---|
| Kraus KWT311-15-316 | 15 × 22 in.; 9 in. bowl | 18 in. |
| Ruvati RVQ5215 | 15 × 15 in.; 9 in. bowl | 18 in. |
| Ruvati RVQ5221 | 21 × 20 in.; 9-1/2 in. bowl | 24 in. |
An outdoor kitchen sink lives in sun, rain and sometimes salt air, so material matters more than it does indoors. All three picks here are drop-in (top mount) workstation sinks made from T-316 stainless steel, which both Kraus and Ruvati describe as marine grade for corrosion resistance outdoors. Drop-in sinks work with any countertop, including the tile, concrete and stone common on grill islands.
The sink is the easy part. The plumbing behind it, especially the drain and freeze protection, decides whether an outdoor sink works for years or cracks after the first winter.
Kraus KWT311-15-316: compact with a long bowl
Choose the Kraus KWT311-15-316 for a narrow grill island. Kraus lists (kraususa.com) a 15 × 22 × 9-3/8-inch outdoor drop-in workstation sink with a 13 × 16 × 9-inch bowl for an 18-inch minimum cabinet, marine-grade T-316 stainless in Kraus’s TRU16 16-gauge steel, an integrated ledge, one pre-drilled faucet hole, a rear centerset drain, sound-dampening pads and anti-condensation undercoating, a bamboo cutting board, a stainless drain assembly with strainer and cover, and a cutout template and hardware. Kraus lists cUPC certification and a 1-year limited warranty, and suggests storing the bamboo board in a dry place.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed eight left with model KWT311-15-316.
Check Kraus KWT311-15-316 outdoor workstation sink on Amazon →
Ruvati RVQ5215: small square bar sink
Choose the Ruvati RVQ5215 for a bar or beverage station. Ruvati lists (ruvati.com) a 15 × 15-inch top-mount workstation sink in 16-gauge T-316 stainless with an 11-5/8 × 11-inch bowl, 9 inches deep, for an 18-inch minimum cabinet, a brushed finish, rubber sound and condensation padding, front and back ledges, a polymer cutting board Ruvati says resists water and UV, a colander, a bottom grid and a basket strainer, plus cutout template and mounting clips. Ruvati lists a 3.5-inch drain opening that fits a standard disposal.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Ruvati showed stock with model RVQ5215.
Check Ruvati RVQ5215 outdoor workstation sink on Amazon →
Ruvati RVQ5221: room for prep and cleanup
Choose the Ruvati RVQ5221 if you will rinse grill grates and big trays. Ruvati lists (ruvati.com) a 21 × 20-inch top-mount workstation sink in 16-gauge T-316 stainless with a 19 × 14-5/8-inch bowl, 9-1/2 inches deep, for a 24-inch minimum cabinet, with the same brushed finish, padding, ledges, cutting board, colander, bottom grid and basket strainer as the RVQ5215, and a 3.5-inch drain opening.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Ruvati showed stock with model RVQ5221.
Check Ruvati RVQ5221 outdoor workstation sink on Amazon →
Where does the water go?
The drain is the first thing to plan. An outdoor sink that connects to the house drain or sewer is normally trapped and vented like an indoor sink; your inspector will confirm what is required. Some outdoor sinks drain to a dry well or the yard, but rules on where sink water may go differ by location, so check with your local building department before you dig.
Run the drain line with enough slope and protect it from freezing where it leaves the cabinet. Both makers use a 3.5-inch drain opening, the standard kitchen size, so a regular basket strainer or a disposal fits. Our basket strainer guide covers strainers if you need a replacement.
Water supply and freeze protection
Outdoor sinks need their own supply lines from the house, and in cold climates those lines and the trap must be drained before freezing weather. Put a shutoff and drain valve inside the heated space so you can shut the line off and drain it each fall; a stop-and-waste valve does exactly this. Our stop-and-waste valve guide explains how they work.
Open the outdoor faucet after draining so trapped water can escape, and empty the trap or use a method your inspector approves for the winter. Our winterizing checklist and outdoor faucet winterizing guide walk through the steps.
Many outdoor sinks are cold water only. If you want hot water, plan a hot line and its winter drain too.
Plan the island cabinet around the plumbing. Kraus and Ruvati list an 18-inch minimum base for the 15-inch sinks, and Ruvati lists 24 inches for the RVQ5221. Leave a door or removable panel so you can reach the trap, supply lines and any shutoff without taking the island apart.
Route the supply and drain lines into the island before the countertop goes on, and keep them away from the grill’s burners. Mark where each line enters on your plans so the next person working on the island knows what is behind the panels.
Choosing a faucet
The Kraus has one pre-drilled faucet hole. Choose a faucet made for outdoor use or one in stainless steel, since outdoor sun and moisture are hard on finishes. A high-arc pull-down helps when you rinse large trays. Our bar sink faucet guide covers compact faucets for small bowls.
Do not connect a sink faucet to a garden hose as the only supply without checking local rules; a hose connection raises backflow questions your inspector can answer.
Caring for stainless outdoors
Even T-316 stainless can show surface spots from salt air, grill grease or iron particles. Rinse the sink and wipe it dry after use, clean along the brushed grain with mild soap, and avoid steel wool, which can leave iron particles that rust on the surface. Cover the sink or the island when it will sit unused for a long time.
Store wood or polymer cutting boards dry; Kraus specifically suggests keeping its bamboo board in a dry, climate-controlled space.
Indoor bar and prep sinks
For an indoor bar or prep station, an undermount sink in standard stainless is usually enough; see our bar sink guide and workstation sink guide. If you plan a disposal on an outdoor sink, our disposal guide covers mounting, and Ruvati notes the disposal flange is not included with its sinks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stainless steel for an outdoor sink?
Kraus and Ruvati both use T-316 stainless for their outdoor sinks and describe it as marine grade for corrosion resistance.
Where does an outdoor sink drain?
Usually into the house drain with a trap and vent, or sometimes a dry well. Rules differ by location, so check with your building department.
How do I keep an outdoor sink from freezing?
Shut off and drain the supply from inside the house, open the faucet, and empty the trap before freezing weather.
Can I put a garbage disposal in an outdoor sink?
Ruvati lists a 3.5-inch drain opening that fits a standard disposal; the disposal flange is not included.
What size cabinet do outdoor sinks need?
Kraus and Ruvati list an 18-inch minimum for the 15-inch sinks and Ruvati lists 24 inches for the RVQ5221.
How we chose
This document-based guide makes no hands-on testing claim. We read the Kraus KWT311-15-316 product page and Ruvati’s RVQ5215 and RVQ5221 product pages. On October 15, 2026, the Kraus offer was sold by Amazon.com and the two Ruvati offers were sold by Ruvati; all showed stock. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Kraus KWT311-15-316 outdoor workstation sink (kraususa.com): dimensions, cabinet, T-316 16-gauge, kit contents, cUPC, warranty, board storage.
- Ruvati RVQ5215 outdoor workstation sink (ruvati.com): dimensions, cabinet, T-316 16-gauge, accessories, 3.5 in. drain.
- Ruvati RVQ5221 outdoor workstation sink (ruvati.com): dimensions, cabinet, accessories, 3.5 in. drain, disposal flange note.