3-Compartment Sink w/ 18" Left/Right Drainboards, Bowl Size 18"x18"x12"
Three-Compartment Commercial Sink with Dual 18-Inch Drainboards (90-Inch Overall, Three 18x18x12 Bowls, Galvanized Legs)
This three-compartment commercial sink pairs three 18 by 18 by 12 inch bowls with two 18 inch drainboards in a 90 inch overall footprint, giving back-of-house teams a true wash, rinse, and sanitize line plus integrated landing zones on both ends. Overall dimensions are 90 inches wide by 23-1/2 inches deep, and 43-3/4 inches tall to the top of the rear backsplash. Each bowl is sized for general pan, utensil, and small hotel pan washing in a compact 23-1/2 inch front-to-back footprint that fits tighter buildouts where a deeper 30 inch sink will not. The bowls, deck, drainboards, and rear backsplash are formed from a single sheet of 18-gauge stainless steel, fused and polished into a one-piece sanitary unit.
The drainboards are creased and angled toward the bowls so rinse water and pre-wash residue drain directly into the wash bay rather than pooling on the deck. Large radius corners both vertically and horizontally make each bowl easy to wipe down, and all exposed welds are ground smooth and polished to blend into the satin finish on the deck. Each bowl ships with a 3.5 inch drain basket included. Galvanized legs with adjustable ABS bullet feet keep the sink stable on uneven kitchen floors. The unit is NSF listed for commercial foodservice use and carries a 90-day workmanship warranty. Two faucets are required for this sink and are sold separately.
Will call pickup only. Available at 11 US warehouse locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orlando, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Boston, Newark, Atlanta, Houston, and Cleveland. Need this sink shipped anywhere in the US instead? Order the equivalent BK Resources three-compartment sink with 18x18x12 bowls and dual 18-inch drainboards (BKS-3-18-12-18T), which is built for nationwide LTL freight and includes BKDR-4 drains.
Best Use Cases for a Three-Compartment Sink with 18x18x12 Bowls
- Three-bay warewashing lines that run a true wash, rinse, and sanitize cycle on smaller pans, utensils, and bar glassware
- Cafes, bars, coffee shops, and ice cream shops with limited back-of-house wall space
- Bakeries and pizzerias washing half-size sheet pans, utensils, mixing bowls, and small prep containers
- Quick service kitchens that need a compliant three-bay sink without taking up 30 inches of floor depth
- Concession stands, sports facilities, and stadium kitchens that need a code-compliant ware wash line
- Health code zones that require a dedicated three-compartment sink separate from prep and handwash sinks
- Buildouts with at least 90 inches of wall length but only 24 inches of depth available
- Schools, healthcare kitchens, and institutional foodservice running standardized three-bay protocols
Why Choose 18x18x12 Bowls for a Three-Bay Sink
The 18 by 18 by 12 inch bowl is the most space-efficient option in the three-compartment family. The 18 inch front-to-back depth keeps overall sink depth to 23-1/2 inches, which fits buildouts where a 30 inch deep sink would block walkways or push into adjacent equipment. The 12 inch bowl depth handles standard pans, mixing bowls, utensils, and bar glassware comfortably, and the 18 inch left-to-right width keeps the sink at a compact 90 inch overall length.
The trade-off versus the deeper 18 by 24 by 14 bowl is that a full-size 18 by 26 inch sheet pan will not sit flat in an 18 by 18 bowl. Staff who wash full-size sheet pans should either step up to the SS1824F31D18 with 24 inch front-to-back bowls, angle the sheet pan diagonally during the wash cycle, or stick with half-size 13 by 18 inch sheet pans that fit the 18 by 18 footprint cleanly. For operations that wash mostly utensils, small pans, glassware, and half-size sheet pans, the 18 by 18 by 12 size is the right choice.
Bowl Capacity and What Fits in 18x18x12
Each 18 by 18 by 12 inch bowl holds approximately 14 gallons of water at the rim, or about 117 pounds of water at full capacity. With three bowls in line, total water capacity is roughly 42 gallons split into three independent bays for wash, rinse, and sanitize. In practical terms each bowl will accept a half-size 13 by 18 inch sheet pan flat, a 1/2 size 12 by 10 hotel pan flat, standard mixing bowls and utensils, bar glassware racks up to 16 by 16 inches, and stockpots up to roughly 14 inches in diameter. Full-size 18 by 26 inch sheet pans will need to be angled diagonally or upgraded to the SS1824F31D18 sink.
One-Piece 18-Gauge Stainless Construction
The three bowls, the deck between them, both 18 inch drainboards, and the rear backsplash are drawn from a single sheet of 18-gauge stainless steel. The 18-gauge body is the standard stock for compact three-compartment sinks in this size class. There are no welded seams along the bowl-to-deck or deck-to-drainboard transitions, so there is no joint for grease, soap residue, or food particles to collect in. All exposed welds at the legs and corners are ground smooth and polished to match the satin finish on the deck. Vertical and horizontal corners are formed with a 3/4 inch radius, which makes each bowl interior easier to wipe down and meets the radius-corner requirements common in NSF and local health code reviews.
Drainboard Design and Slope
Both drainboards measure 18 inches and are creased and angled toward the bowls so water drains back into the wash bay rather than pooling on the deck. The crease pattern keeps rinse water on a controlled path even when staff stage rinsed pans and utensils across the full drainboard surface. The drainboards are part of the same one-piece body as the bowls, which means there is no welded seam along the bowl-to-drainboard transition for grease and soap to collect in.
The left drainboard is generally used as the soiled landing zone for items entering the wash sequence, and the right drainboard is used as the clean landing zone for items exiting the sanitize bay. This left-soiled-to-right-clean flow is the standard three-bay protocol in most health code training programs.
Galvanized Legs, ABS Feet, and Working Height
Legs are galvanized with adjustable ABS bullet feet that thread up and down for floor leveling. Galvanized legs are the standard leg material on this series and keep the sink at a competitive price point versus stainless-leg alternatives. Galvanized leg finish handles standard kitchen floor conditions and is widely accepted in commercial foodservice installs.
The 22-1/2 inch leg standard puts the deck working height at approximately 31 to 32 inches off the floor with the 12 inch bowl, which is the comfortable working height for a standard-depth wash setup. Plan adjacent worktable, drainboard table, and dish landing table heights to match.
Faucet Holes, Drain Baskets, and Plumbing Hardware
The rear backsplash is pre-punched for deck-mount faucets on 8 inch centers behind the bowls. Two faucets are required for this sink and are sold separately. Most operators run one deck-mount commercial faucet behind the wash bay and a second behind the rinse bay, leaving the sanitize bay to fill from the rinse bay or from a separate sanitizer dispensing line. Faucet selection depends on preferred spout length, swing radius, and pre-rinse style. A 10 to 12 inch swing spout long enough to swing across two adjacent 18 inch bowls is a common starting point.
Each bowl ships with a 3.5 inch drain basket included, which is the standard drain size for an 18 by 18 bowl. This is a notable inclusion at this price point and saves operators the cost of buying drains separately. Lever-handle waste valves or rotary-handle drains can be added if the local plumbing code or the operator's preference requires them, but the included basket strainers will satisfy most standard installs.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | SS1818D31D18 |
| Configuration | 3 compartments, dual 18-inch drainboards |
| Overall Length | 90 inches |
| Overall Depth | 23-1/2 inches |
| Overall Height | 43-3/4 inches (to top of backsplash) |
| Bowl Size | 18 inches W x 18 inches front-to-back x 12 inches D (each) |
| Number of Bowls | 3 |
| Drainboards | Dual 18 inches, creased and angled toward bowls |
| Working Deck Height | Approximately 31 to 32 inches |
| Material | One-piece 18-gauge 304 stainless steel |
| Corner Radius | 3/4 inch radius vertical and horizontal |
| Welds | Ground smooth, polished to satin finish |
| Legs | Galvanized |
| Feet | Adjustable ABS bullet feet |
| Faucet Holes | Pre-punched, 8-inch centers |
| Faucets | Two faucets required, sold separately |
| Drain Basket | 3.5 inch drain basket included per bowl |
| Net Weight | 50.92 lbs |
| Gross Weight | 62.78 lbs |
| Certifications | NSF |
| Warranty | 90 days workmanship |
Installation and Plumbing Notes
This is a freestanding floor-mounted three-compartment sink, not a wall-hung unit. Position the sink with at least 6 inches of clearance behind the backsplash and adjacent to a floor sink or floor drain so the waste lines can air-gap to the floor sink rather than drain directly into the building waste line. An air gap is required by most local plumbing codes for any sink used to wash food contact surfaces or food product.
Plumbing Rough-In Checklist
- Hot and cold supply lines stubbed within reach of the 8 inch faucet centers behind the bowls
- Two faucet rough-ins planned, one each behind the wash and rinse bays
- Floor sink or hub drain located within the discharge throw of the 1-1/2 or 2 inch waste tailpieces
- Air gap maintained between each waste tailpiece and the floor sink rim
- Backflow prevention on the supply side per local plumbing code
- Shutoff valves at each supply line for service access
Floor and Clearance Requirements
- Floor must be level enough that adjustable bullet-foot adjustment can compensate for variation
- Allow side clearance for a worker to swing a pan or rack from the soiled drainboard into the wash bay
- Allow front clearance for a worker to stand and lean into each of the three bowls without hitting another fixture
- Plan rear clearance for plumbing service and to keep the backsplash off finished wall surfaces
- Adjacent worktable, dish landing table, or wall shelf to extend the integrated drainboards if the workflow requires more staging
Three-Bay Wash, Rinse, Sanitize Setup
- Left drainboard staged as the soiled landing zone for incoming pans, racks, and utensils
- Wash bay filled with hot water and detergent to manufacturer-specified concentration
- Rinse bay filled with clean hot water and refilled as it gets soapy
- Sanitize bay filled with sanitizer solution at the concentration specified on the sanitizer label
- Right drainboard staged as the clean landing zone for items exiting the sanitize bay to air dry
- Test strips on hand to verify sanitizer concentration during shift
Will Call Pickup Locations
This sink is sold as will call pickup only. Standard freight carriers tend to bend or dent the backsplash, drainboards, and bowl rims on a 90 inch three-bay unit, so we limit fulfillment to local pickup at 11 US warehouse locations. Buyers within reasonable driving distance of any of these warehouses can pick up directly. Buyers outside that radius should order the BK Resources nationwide-shipped equivalent linked above.
11 Warehouse Pickup Cities
- Los Angeles, California
- San Francisco, California
- Orlando, Florida
- Chicago, Illinois
- Denver, Colorado
- Dallas, Texas
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Newark, New Jersey
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Houston, Texas
- Cleveland, Ohio
Need It Shipped Anywhere in the US? Order This Instead
The BK Resources BKS-3-18-12-18T three-compartment sink with 18x18x12 bowls and dual 18-inch drainboards is the closest direct equivalent built for nationwide LTL freight delivery. It uses the same three-bay layout with 18 by 18 by 12 inch bowls and dual 18 inch drainboards, and lands at a similar 90 inch overall footprint. The BK version is engineered with reinforced backsplash for freight handling and includes BKDR-4 drain hardware. If you need this sink shipped to a job site, a buildout, or a city outside our 11 pickup locations, that is the one to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the D31D18 in SS1818D31D18 mean?
D31 indicates a three-compartment configuration with the compact bowl depth in this series. D18 indicates dual 18 inch drainboards, one on each end of the sink. The leading SS1818 indicates an 18 inch wide by 18 inch front-to-back bowl size.
How is this different from the 18x24 SS1824F31D18?
SS1824F31D18 keeps the same 90 inch overall length and dual 18 inch drainboards but steps up to deeper 18 by 24 by 14 inch bowls. The 24 inch front-to-back depth lets staff wash full-size 18 by 26 inch sheet pans flat without diagonal angling. Choose SS1824F31D18 if you need to fit full-size sheet pans or 12 by 20 hotel pans flat in the bowl. Choose this SS1818D31D18 if wall depth is tight at 23-1/2 inches and your workflow centers on utensils, glassware, half-size pans, and small hotel pans.
How is this different from the 24x24 SS2424F31D24?
SS2424F31D24 has three 24 by 24 by 14 inch bowls with dual 24 inch drainboards in a 120 inch overall length. SS1818D31D18 is the most compact three-compartment option with 18 by 18 by 12 bowls in a 90 inch overall length. Choose this 1818 model when wall space is tight, the workflow does not include full-size sheet pans, and budget favors the entry tier of the three-compartment series.
Will a full-size 18 by 26 inch sheet pan fit in this bowl?
Not flat. The 18 inch front-to-back bowl is shorter than a full-size 18 by 26 sheet pan, so a full-size pan must be angled diagonally during the wash cycle. Operations that wash full-size sheet pans regularly should step up to the SS1824F31D18 with 24 inch front-to-back bowls. Half-size 13 by 18 sheet pans fit flat in this bowl.
Why two faucets and not one or three?
Most three-bay protocols run a wash bay and a rinse bay that both need running water. The sanitize bay is usually filled from the rinse bay or from a separate sanitizer dispensing line and does not need its own deck-mount faucet. Two faucets is the standard configuration for a three-compartment commercial sink.
Are the drains included?
Yes. Each bowl ships with a 3.5 inch drain basket included. This is a notable inclusion at this price point. Faucets remain sold separately.
Why is this sink will call only?
A 90 inch three-bay sink with two drainboards is prone to bending and denting along the backsplash, drainboards, and bowl rims during standard LTL freight handling. Rather than ship a unit that may arrive damaged, we limit this product to local pickup at 11 US warehouses. The BK Resources equivalent is engineered for freight.
Can I drive to a pickup location from out of state?
Yes. Buyers regularly drive to the closest warehouse, especially for sink and worktable orders where freight risk is high. Confirm pickup hours and bring a vehicle long enough to accept a 90 inch by 23-1/2 inch crated unit.
What is the working deck height?
Approximately 31 to 32 inches off the floor with the 22-1/2 inch galvanized legs and standard adjustable ABS bullet feet. Adjust the bullet feet to fine tune for floor variation.
Is this sink NSF certified?
Yes. The unit is NSF listed for commercial foodservice use and meets radius-corner and one-piece sanitary construction requirements common in health code reviews.
What size faucet should I order?
The backsplash is pre-punched on 8 inch centers behind the bowls. Order deck-mount commercial faucets with 8 inch centers and a spout long enough to swing across two adjacent 18 inch bowls. A 10 to 12 inch swing spout is a common starting point.
What gauge is the stainless steel?
18 gauge 304 stainless across the entire one-piece body, including all three bowls, the deck, both drainboards, and the rear backsplash.
What is the difference between galvanized legs and stainless legs?
Galvanized legs are coated steel and are the standard leg material on this series. Stainless legs are an upgrade option on other series and resist rust streaks better in heavily wet floor environments. Galvanized legs are widely accepted in commercial foodservice installs and keep this sink at a competitive price point.
How much does the sink weigh?
Net weight is 50.92 pounds and gross crated weight is 62.78 pounds. Two-person handling is recommended for plumbing connection and final positioning.
What is the warranty?
90 days on workmanship. Faucets and other separately purchased components carry their own manufacturer warranties.
Can I use this sink as a prep sink?
A three-compartment commercial sink is designed for ware washing. Most health codes require a separate dedicated prep sink for food preparation and a separate dedicated handwash sink for hand washing.