How practical are draining grooves on quartz worktop

5 months ago

Advice please!. We are in middle of large kitchen extension. Completely new kitchen etc. Kitchen is planned, we proposing to have quartz worktop with undermount 1 and 1/2 sink and grooves cut for drainage. Like most people, we use dishwasher most of the time, but always have some handwashed items sitting drying on the side. I am not too worried about staining, but am more concerned about whether these grooves are effective enough to stop the water running over edge of worktop onto floor or down front of the brand new forest green kitchen unit doors!!. Would I be better to have no grooves and buy a drainage mat which overhangs the sink?.

Featured Answer

Daisy England

5 months ago

Hubby and l both had different opinions on this when ours was fitted a couple of years ago. He didn’t want them but I wanted them to define the area. Are they effective … not really. If I was going ahead now would I still have them … probably not.

We use the dishwasher for most items but occasionally l do hand wash but find myself placing the wet items anywhere because it doesn’t matter and that’s now the reason why l wouldn’t have them again. It’s not laminate so you can place wet items wherever you want. Park them and then just wipe over with a dishcloth.

The modern way is NOT to have drainer grooves.

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Comments (13)

Isla Cherry
5 months ago
We have always had drainage grooves in our quartz but then we either use the dishwasher or wash up and dry items immediately.Go for the grooves as it is more modern and as you are having quartz you won't want to cover it up with a drainage mat. For handwashed items just shake them a bit more to get rid of most of the water but a tea towel for absorption usually works. You do need to take a bit more care with standing water too as it can leave marks depending on what colour quartz you are having. White is no problem.
macbroom
5 months ago
I have just had new kitchen installed and have grooves cut in quartz for drainage, excess water does not spill off worktop but does stayed pooled on the grooves until it is wiped up. i wouldn’t get a drainage mat as it would take away from the look of the quartz. You could go for a recessed drainer with grooves cut into the quartz which would give you extra security from water spilling but I prefer the stramlined look of the grooves without the recess. This shows you pics of both: https://www.affordablegranite.co.uk/granite-worktops-draining-grooves/
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I wouldn't personally. Water and crumbs just sits in the grooves and it's hard to balance things like glasses. It also looks a bit dated IMO. I've obviously inherited one but when you do wash up I'd just put a tea towel down
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Jonathan
5 months ago
Personally I think drainer grooves don’t work and look old fashioned. I say consider a recessed drainer or go without and put a tea towel down for the odd time you hand wash your best glasses
minnie101
5 months ago
Another option?

i inherited grooves and don’t like them aesthetically or practically. They don’t drain and every crumb gets stuck even though i don’t use that part of the worktop for prep etc?!
minnie101
5 months ago
Oops, I was posting at the time as Jonathan!!
PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
5 months ago
How practical? they're not, just a waste of time/money as they don't have the fall in the grooves to drain water away. The only practical reason for the grooves is when you stand glasses on it to drain they wont vacuum to the worktop, you're better off using a tea towel on the worktop to drain your washing up and having more worktop prep space. They also collect limescale in hard water areas.

Agree with Daisy, the modern way is not to have them, can't remeber the last time a customer insisted on having them and any customers who has wanted them once i've shown them my pros/cons drainer grooves brochure they've agreed that they're not worth it, haven't missed them and appreciated the extra usable work top they have.

If you're worried about water running over the side of the worktop than as Jonathan has shown a recessed drainer is the best option.
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Isla Cherry
5 months ago
I have had drainage grooves on three different worksurfaces in three different houses and they all had a fall in the grooves to drain water away. It was visible. They are an added expense though and if you use a dishwasher then its probably not necessary. They (drainage grooves) were meant for the odd handwashed item not a full sink load.
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HU-602493774
Original Author
5 months ago
Thank you to you all for comments. There are obviously several different views. I think that I will prob go for the grooves - if they are not effective, then I can get a draining board. I am not keen on the look of a slope cut into the quartz. It's all personal taste but useful to get peoples 1st hand experience. Now all I have to do is decide on colour!!. Our units will prob be jpull handleless in a lovely dark forest green from Benchmarx. L shaped kitchen . High vaulted ceilings, 2m long island. Any ideas for colour. ?
tamp75
5 months ago
White.
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PRO
Pearlosa
5 months ago
I'd consider going for something like a 'porcelain' colour. I think this will go quite well with the forest green. But then again, it also depends on what you're having on the splashback and the floors.
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macbroom
5 months ago
I would choose white, but make sure the shade suits the cabinets, floor etc. It’s worth while visiting the stone factory/manufacturers with your chosen colours if possible to view the large slabs of quartz as sometimes a small sample does not give the full picture, eg it could have a lot of veining which may not be on the sample.
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Isla Cherry
4 months ago
White or white with a grey vein to emulate carrara marble. If you use brass accents it will look stunning. The white quarz is classic, easy to maintain and no drama.
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How practical are draining grooves on quartz worktop

Daisy England

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Isla Cherry

macbroom

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How practical are draining grooves on quartz worktop

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