Kitchen Sink Strainers

Kitchen sink strainers sit in the drain opening to catch food scraps while letting water through, and the right one depends on your sink's drain opening, whether you have a waste disposer, and the finish you want to see from above. This page brings together strainers and strainer baskets from brands such as Franke, Mountain Plumbing, Kindred and ROHL, with examples such as the Manual Basket Strainer, the Colorline Sink Strainer 900-CHA and the Strainer Basket - 906SN.

Finish is worth a moment of thought, since the strainer is one of the few drain parts you look at every day. Finishes offered include Polished Chrome, Brushed Stainless Steel, Matte Black and Champagne Bronze, so you can match the tap, match the sink, or choose a deliberate contrast. If you have a waste disposer, look for a disposer trim such as the Complete Stopper & Strainer Unit Waste Disposer Trim, which dresses the flange and stopper at the top of the unit rather than a plain drain. Before you order, measure the drain opening in your sink and think about how you like the stopper to work, since a basket with a built-in stopper and a simple removable strainer suit different kitchens and habits.

What to check before you buy

• Measure the drain opening first. Check the diameter of the hole in your sink and the thickness of the sink deck, as strainers are made for particular openings. If you are replacing an existing strainer, measuring the old one is the easiest route.
• Disposer or standard drain. A waste disposer uses its own flange, so you will want a disposer trim or stopper made for that setup rather than a standard basket strainer. Confirm which you have before choosing.
• Stopper style and daily use. Some strainers include a stopper you twist or lift to hold water in the sink, while others are simple removable baskets. Think about whether you fill the sink often or mainly want to catch scraps.
• Match the finish to the tap. The strainer is visible from above, so pick a finish that works with your faucet and sink colour. Finishes offered here include Polished Chrome, Brushed Stainless Steel, Matte Black, Polished Nickel and English Bronze.
• Tailpiece and plumbing connection. Look at how the strainer connects underneath to the tailpiece and trap, and whether you need a new gasket or locknut. A plumber can confirm what your existing drain assembly accepts.

Related pages and guides

• Kitchen Sink Accessories
• Kitchen Sink Accessories: Grids, Boards and Racks Guide
• Franke Sink Accessories: A Canadian Buyer's Guide
• Matching Drain Finish to Your Faucet: A Cheat Sheet

Frequently asked questions

Are kitchen sink strainers a standard size?

Not always, so measure the drain opening in your sink before buying. Replacing an existing strainer is simplest when you measure the one you are removing.

Do I need a different strainer if I have a garbage disposer?

Yes. A disposer has its own flange at the top of the unit, so you would choose a disposer trim or stopper, such as the Complete Stopper & Strainer Unit Waste Disposer Trim, rather than a standard basket strainer.

Can I get a strainer in a finish other than chrome or stainless?

Yes. Finishes offered on this page include Matte Black, Polished Nickel, Champagne Bronze, Antique Copper and Unlacquered Brass, which helps when matching a coloured sink or a specialty faucet finish.