Best Porcelain Kitchen Sink With Drainboard (8 Picks for 2026)

A porcelain sink with a drainboard gives you a place to wash and a place to dry in one piece. Water from wet dishes runs straight back into the bowl, not across the counter.

These sinks are rarer than plain farmhouse sinks, so the choice is smaller. This guide covers the best built-in drainboard models, plus porcelain sinks that work with an add-on drainboard.

The short version: The Nantucket Sinks FCFS36-DB is the best porcelain-style sink with a drainboard. It is a 36-inch Italian fireclay farmhouse sink with a built-in drainboard. The Highpoint Collection Fireclay Farmsink with Built-In Drainboard is the value pick with a similar layout. For the most colors, choose the Whitehaus WHQD540 Quatro Alcove.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best overall: Nantucket Sinks FCFS36-DB Fireclay Farmhouse Sink With DrainboardJump to review ↓
• Best value built-in drainboard: Highpoint Collection Fireclay Farmsink With Built-In DrainboardJump to review ↓
• Best for color choice: Whitehaus WHQD540 Quatro Alcove Reversible Fireclay SinkJump to review ↓
• Best workstation sink: BOCCHI Baveno 27-Inch Fireclay Workstation SinkJump to review ↓
• Best budget fireclay sink: DeerValley DV-1K505 36-Inch Fireclay Farmhouse SinkJump to review ↓
• Best porcelain enamel steel sink: Houzer Porcela PCG-3600 Undermount SinkJump to review ↓
• Best add-on drainboard: Surpahs Over-the-Sink Roll-Up Dish Drying RackJump to review ↓
• Best dark finish: Whitehaus WHQD540 in Matte BlackJump to review ↓

Nantucket, Highpoint Collection and DeerValley listed these sinks as in stock on their own sites when we checked. Whitehaus showed limited stock, and some Bocchi colors were sold out at retailers. Prices and stock change often, so check the Amazon listing before you plan an install.

Pick	Material	Overall Size	Bowl Depth	Drainboard	Maker or Retail Price
Nantucket FCFS36-DB	Italian fireclay	36 x 20 x 10 in	9 in	Built in	$1,269.99
Highpoint Collection	Italian fireclay	36 x 20 x 10 in	9 in	Built in	$789.99
Whitehaus WHQD540	Fireclay	36 x 20 x 10 in	9 in	Built in, 10 x 20 in	$1,264.20
BOCCHI Baveno 27	Fireclay	27 x 19 x 10 in	9 in	Roller mat on ledge	$1,789 list (matte brown)
DeerValley DV-1K505	Fireclay	35.6 x 18 x 10 in	9 in	None; add a rack	$368 (sale)
Houzer PCG-3600	Porcelain enamel steel	30.9 x 17.3 in	9 in	None; add a rack	About $466 at one retailer
Surpahs roll-up rack	Silicone-wrapped steel	20.5 x 13 in	Not applicable	Over the sink	See listing

1. Nantucket Sinks FCFS36-DB: Best Overall

The Nantucket FCFS36-DB is the sink most people picture when they think of a drainboard farmhouse sink. One end is a deep, single bowl. The other end is a ribbed drainboard molded into the same piece of fireclay.

Nantucket says the sink is designed and made in Italy and fired at high temperatures. The company also says the glazed surface inhibits bacterial growth more than stainless steel.

The 24-inch bowl is wide enough for a sheet pan, and 9 inches of depth hides a stack of plates. The drainboard holds a rack of glasses or a cutting board while it drips dry.

It is reversible, with a decorative lip on every side. You can set the drainboard on the left or the right to suit your kitchen.

Plan for the install. Nantucket says the sink needs a custom cabinet base. A thick fireclay wall may also need an extended drain flange.

Who should buy it: Anyone building a farmhouse kitchen who wants a classic drainboard sink.

2. Highpoint Collection Fireclay Farmsink With Built-In Drainboard: Best Value Built-In Drainboard

The Highpoint Collection sink has nearly the same size and layout as the Nantucket. It costs several hundred dollars less on the maker’s site.

Highpoint says it is made by artisans in Italy and fired for 20 hours at over 2,000°F. The glazed surface is smooth and scratch resistant, per the maker.

The bowl is slightly wider than the Nantucket, at 24.5 inches. It is also 9 inches deep.

It is reversible. One side has a double-line decorative detail, and the other has a single protruding edge. That gives you two looks from one sink.

Highpoint notes that firing shrinks fireclay, so each piece varies slightly. Measure the sink you receive before the cabinet maker cuts the opening.

Who should buy it: Cooks who want a drainboard farmhouse sink at a fairer price.

3. Whitehaus WHQD540 Quatro Alcove: Best for Color Choice

The Whitehaus Quatro Alcove is the drainboard sink to buy if you want something other than white. Whitehaus lists eight finishes, from glossy Sapphire Blue to matte cement.

It has a 2.5-inch decorative lip on both sides, so it is reversible. It is also finished on all four sides.

The 10 x 20-inch drainboard is an honest size for a rack of glasses or a few plates. The bowl is 9 inches deep with a center drain.

Whitehaus backs the glaze with a 10-year warranty against fading and staining. Each sink is handmade, so sizes vary slightly.

White is linked above. The matte black version suits a dark or modern kitchen.

Who should buy it: Anyone who wants a colored or matte drainboard sink.

4. BOCCHI Baveno 27-Inch Workstation Sink: Best Workstation Sink

The Bocchi Baveno takes a different approach. It has no molded drainboard. Instead, it has a ledge inside the bowl that holds a roller mat, colander and cutting board.

Roll the mat across the bowl and it becomes a drying rack. Dishes drip straight into the sink, just like a drainboard. When you need the whole basin, roll the mat up and put it away.

It fits a 30-inch cabinet, which suits smaller kitchens where a 36-inch drainboard sink will not fit. It can be undermounted or dropped in, so it works with most counters.

Bocchi says the glaze resists chips, discoloration, scratches and cracks. The sink weighs 49 pounds, far less than a cast iron sink.

Who should buy it: Smaller kitchens that need a drying area without a long sink.

5. DeerValley DV-1K505 36-Inch Fireclay Farmhouse Sink: Best Budget Fireclay Sink

The DeerValley DV-1K505 has no drainboard. It earns its place because it is the cheapest way into a full-size fireclay sink. Add a roll-up rack and you have a drying area for far less money.

Its bowl is huge, at more than 34 inches long. A roll-up rack sits across one end, and you still have room to wash a roasting pan in the other.

DeerValley includes a grid and a basket strainer, which most fireclay makers sell separately. The bottom slopes toward the drain so water clears quickly.

The warranty is only one year, much shorter than the others. That is the trade-off for the low price.

Who should buy it: Budget renovators who will pair it with a roll-up drainboard.

6. Houzer Porcela PCG-3600 Undermount Sink: Best Porcelain Enamel Steel Sink

The Houzer Porcela is true porcelain enamel, fused over steel. It is much lighter than cast iron or fireclay, so it is easier to undermount.

Houzer fires the enamel twice at 1,500°F. Retailer listings describe the surface as stain, chip and scratch resistant.

It has no drainboard, but it pairs well with a countertop drainboard or a roll-up rack. The 28-inch bowl is long enough to take a rack across one end.

Colors include white, navy blue and espresso. The Porcela comes with a sound-absorbing pad, which helps, since steel sinks can be noisy.

Who should buy it: Anyone who wants a classic porcelain look in a standard undermount sink.

7. Surpahs Over-the-Sink Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack: Best Add-On Drainboard

If your porcelain sink has no drainboard, this is the simplest fix. A roll-up rack lies across the sink and lets dishes drip straight into the bowl.

The silicone coating protects the glaze on a porcelain or fireclay sink. Bare steel racks can leave gray marks on a white glaze.

It also works as a trivet for hot pans and a stand for a colander. When you are done, roll it up and store it in a drawer.

Measure your sink opening first. This size fits openings up to 19.5 inches. Surpahs sells a smaller size and a wider version too.

Who should buy it: Anyone with a porcelain sink and no built-in drainboard.

8. Whitehaus WHQD540 in Matte Black: Best Dark Finish

This is the same Quatro Alcove sink as pick 3, in a matte black glaze. It earns its own spot because so few drainboard sinks come in a dark color.

A matte black sink hides water spots better than glossy black. It still shows hard-water scale, so wipe it dry after use.

It pairs well with brass or stainless faucets and wood counters. All specs and the 10-year glaze warranty match the white version.

Who should buy it: Modern or dark kitchens that still want a drainboard.

Fireclay vs Porcelain Enamel vs Cast Iron

People use “porcelain sink” for three different things.

Fireclay is clay glazed and fired at very high heat for many hours. It is dense, heavy and resists chips and stains. Most built-in drainboard sinks today are fireclay.

Porcelain enamel over cast iron is a glass coating fused onto an iron sink. It is very heavy and very quiet. Kohler and American Standard are the best-known makers. Whatever the sink, a low-flow faucet aerator cuts hot water use, one easy way to reduce kitchen energy use.

Porcelain enamel over steel, like the Houzer, is a glass coating on a steel shell. It is lighter and cheaper, but the steel can flex and chip the enamel if hit hard.

All three clean the same way and look similar. Fireclay is the best choice for a drainboard, because the drainboard can be molded into the sink.

If you are weighing other materials, our guide to what gauge stainless steel sink is best covers steel. The best white undermount kitchen sinks covers more white sinks without drainboards.

Built-In Drainboard vs Add-On Drainboard

A built-in drainboard is part of the sink. It slopes toward the bowl and never moves. It also takes up 10 to 12 inches of counter beside the bowl.

An add-on drainboard sits over the sink or on the counter. It costs much less and stores away. But it covers part of the bowl, or part of the counter, while you use it.

In a small kitchen, counter space matters most. A workstation sink like the Bocchi, or a roll-up rack over any sink, keeps the counter clear. Our ideas for countertop organization in a small kitchen show how to free up more room.

If you have a long run of counter, a built-in drainboard looks better and works better. It also means one less thing to store.

What to Consider Before You Buy

Cabinet size. A 36-inch drainboard sink needs a 36-inch or wider base. Apron-front models need a special farmhouse base cabinet.

Bowl depth. Nine inches is standard and hides dishes well. Deeper bowls are harder on your back.

Drainboard side. Reversible sinks let you put the drainboard on either side. Place it on the side away from the dishwasher, so you can load from the bowl.

Weight. Fireclay sinks weigh 60 to over 100 pounds. The cabinet needs extra support, and installation is a two-person job.

Drain size. Most use a 3.5-inch drain. Thick fireclay may need an extended flange for a garbage disposal.

Accessories. Grids protect the bowl floor from pots. Most makers sell them separately. Budget for a grid, strainer and drain.

Installing a Fireclay Drainboard Sink

These sinks are heavy and must sit level, so most people hire a pro.

1. Order the sink first. Fireclay shrinks when fired, so each sink varies. Build or cut the cabinet to the sink you receive.
2. Reinforce the cabinet. Add a frame or cleats inside the base to carry the weight.
3. Set it level. Shim until the sink is level front to back. The drainboard needs its slope to drain toward the bowl.
4. Seal it. Run a bead of silicone where the sink meets the counter.
5. Fit the drain. Check whether you need an extended flange for the sink’s thickness.

For a drop-in or undermount porcelain sink, the install is closer to a standard sink swap.

Cleaning and Caring for a Porcelain Sink

Porcelain and fireclay glazes are tough but can dull with harsh cleaners.

• Daily: Rinse and wipe with a soft sponge and dish soap. Dry it to avoid water spots.
• Weekly: Scrub with a paste of baking soda and water. It lifts stains without scratching.
• Metal marks: Gray marks from pans rub off with a mild cream cleanser.
• Avoid: Steel wool, bleach left sitting, and abrasive powders.

A bottom grid stops heavy pans from marking or chipping the bowl. Be careful with cast iron. See our Lodge cast iron skillet review and Le Creuset cast iron skillet guide for how heavy those pans are.

Pots clean faster when you treat them right. Our guides on how to clean stainless steel pans, how to clean a ceramic pan and how to clean hard-anodized cookware cover the common types.

Making the Most of a Drainboard

A drainboard is not just for drying dishes.

• Prep station: Rinse vegetables on the drainboard so water runs into the sink. An over-the-sink cutting board adds more prep space.
• Thawing: Set frozen food on the drainboard so meltwater drains away.
• Plant care: Water houseplants on it and let them drip.
• Knife care: Dry knives here, then hang them on a magnetic knife strip. Touch up the edge first with a good knife sharpener.
• Meal prep: Wash and drain a week of produce at once. Our easy meal prep ideas for one person show how to batch it.

If you run a dishwasher too, keep it clean so it does its share. See how to clean a dishwasher. A clean, dry sink area also helps keep pests out of a small kitchen.

Organizing Around the Sink

The area under and beside a sink fills up fast. Our ideas for small kitchen cabinet organization and vertical storage in small kitchens help you use that space.

A pots and pans rack keeps cookware off the drainboard once it is dry. If you are short on drawers, see how to organize kitchen drawers in a small kitchen.

Which Porcelain Sink With Drainboard Should You Buy?

Buy the Nantucket FCFS36-DB for a classic Italian fireclay sink with a built-in drainboard.

Pick the Highpoint Collection sink for the same layout at a lower price.

Choose the Whitehaus WHQD540 if you want a color or matte finish, including the matte black version.

Get the Bocchi Baveno 27 if your kitchen fits only a 30-inch cabinet.

Go with the DeerValley DV-1K505 plus a Surpahs roll-up rack for the lowest total cost.

Choose the Houzer Porcela for true porcelain enamel in a standard undermount.

Related Guides

• How to Organize a Small Kitchen With No Pantry
• Best Under-Cabinet Range Hood
• Most Energy-Efficient Small Kitchen Appliances
• Best Compact Energy Star Appliances for Small Kitchens
• How to Organize Pot Lids in a Small Kitchen
• Store Pots and Pans in a Small Kitchen
• How to Bake in a Small Kitchen Without Extra Counter Space

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best porcelain kitchen sink with a drainboard?

The Nantucket Sinks FCFS36-DB is the best pick in this guide. It is a 36-inch Italian fireclay farmhouse sink with a built-in drainboard and a 9-inch-deep bowl. For a lower price, the Highpoint Collection Fireclay Farmsink with Built-In Drainboard has a very similar layout and lists at $789.99 on the maker's site.

Is fireclay the same as porcelain?

Not exactly, but they are close. Both are ceramic sinks with a glossy glaze. Fireclay is fired at higher heat for longer, which makes it denser and tougher. Porcelain enamel sinks are a glass coating fused over cast iron or steel. All three are often sold as porcelain sinks.

Do porcelain sinks chip easily?

Modern fireclay and enameled sinks resist chips well, but a heavy cast iron pan dropped on the edge can still chip the glaze. A bottom grid protects the basin floor. Small chips can be fixed with a porcelain repair kit.

Can you put a drainboard on any sink?

Yes. If your sink has no built-in drainboard, an over-the-sink roll-up rack or a workstation sink's ledge accessories give you a drying area. A countertop drainboard tray that slopes toward the sink also works.

How do you clean a porcelain sink without scratching it?

Use a soft sponge with dish soap or a paste of baking soda and water. Avoid steel wool and harsh scouring powders, which dull the glaze. Rinse and dry the sink after use to prevent water spots.