FAQs

All Carron Phoenix sinks are available with either a left-hand or right-hand drainer. Where a sink is supplied in a reversible design, allowing installation with the drainer on either side, this will be clearly stated on the product page and in our brochure. Please check the product details before ordering to ensure you select the option that best suits your kitchen layout.

In most cases, a separate plumbing kit will be required when installing your Carron Phoenix kitchen sink. These kits are usually purchased separately through your retailer, so we recommend checking what's included with your chosen sink and ordering any additional plumbing components required for installation.

Where a Waste Disposal Unit can be fitted to a kitchen sink that has a 3½” waste this is specified on the product page on our website, and also within our brochure.

Most Carron Phoenix kitchen sinks feature rigid overflow pipes, which can usually be cleaned by carefully pouring hot water through the overflow opening. For more thorough cleaning, we recommend using a suitable proprietary sink or drain cleaner. Regular cleaning helps maintain hygiene and keep your sink performing at its best.

Carron Phoenix inset kitchen sinks feature integrated fixing points that enable a strong mechanical connection between the sink and worktop. Using the designated clip rail fixing positions ensures a secure installation and long-lasting performance. For detailed inset sink installation guidance, please refer to the fitting instructions supplied with your product.

The installation method for an undermount kitchen sink will depend on the type and thickness of your worktop material. We recommend seeking professional advice from your kitchen supplier, worktop manufacturer or installer to ensure the sink is fitted correctly.A template and fixing clips are provided in the box.

Some circumstances may allow for fitting a bowl directly to the worktop. Alternatively a plywood template can be made to the size of the sink, which will effectively ‘sandwich’ the sink flange, when addressed to the underside of the material.

We would recommend the use of a sealant between the flange of the sink and the worktop to avoid any water ingress.

In all cases you are advised to consult your supplier.

As Carron Phoenix kitchen sinks are built to the highest manufacturing standards, we are proud to offer an extensive guarantee on all of our products against manufacturing defects:

• Lifetime guarantee for kitchen sinks
• Five year guarantee for kitchen taps
• Two year guarantee for accessories

For comprehensive information on our Guarantees please click here.

Normally at your local retailer, however if you have difficulty, kitchen sink swatches exist for colour matching. For this service contact our Consumer Care team at Carron Phoenix.

Granite is exceptionally durable, hardwearing and hygienic. It is resistant to impact, scratches, stains, most household chemicals, colour fading and high temperatures up to 280°c. Granite has a much higher resistance to scratching than any other composite kitchen sink material on the market. It is very easy to clean with normal detergents and water. Take a look at our Cleaning Information section for more information.

Your Granite kitchen sink is manufactured to the highest possible standards. To maintain its good looks, Carron Phoenix suggests you follow these guidelines.

Most deposits can be removed with washing up liquid and hot water followed by a clean water rinse. It is also good practice to then dry your kitchen sink with a soft cloth as otherwise limescale can build up on the surface.

Clean off heavy staining liquids such as dyes and vegetable juices as soon as possible. Then remove any remaining marks using Coloured Sink Cleaner which can be purchased here.

It is also good practice to then dry your kitchen sink with a soft cloth – such as a Microfiber Cloth – as otherwise limescale can build up on the surface. You can purchase a Microfiber Cloth here.

IMPORTANT – Prior to knocking out your tap hole, your kitchen sink should be placed in your worktop.

• Ensure the colour sticker on your sink is located centrally of the pre-drilled tap hole.
• Place your sink into your worktop.
• Take a centre punch and place the point in the centre of the coloured sticker.
• Strike the punch hard with a hammer. This will result in the core of the tap hole to be knocked out.
• Finish off the tap hole using a hammer and a round file.

No. When first in use your kitchen sink may appear to show up scratches easily. This is because the steel is protected during its manufacture by a layer of plastic film. However, rather like the bodywork of your car, stainless steel can scratch easily. Care must be taken therefore when cleaning or indeed during every day use.

• Never use a wire wool pad such as Brillo® to clean your sink for two reasons; it will create tiny scratches and it will also shed small pieces of mild steel that later rust and give the appearance that your sink is rusting (this is not the case but it can be very difficult to remove the small steel particles that have adhered to the surface).
• Instead clean regularly with normal detergent and warm water. Always make a habit of drying your kitchen sink afterwards and buffing with a soft cloth. Long-term this will help develop a lovely rich patina and it will also ensure that no build up of limescale or other mineral deposits can occur.
• If scouring is required, always use a Scotchbrite® pad and try to scour in the same direction as the natural grain on the kitchen sink’s surface.

Minor scratching of the kitchen sink’s surface is extremely difficult to avoid and is not something to be unduly concerned about. The drainer area in particular is likely to pick up scratches due to hard objects placed upon it. These marks are usually only superficial and can be removed with a proprietary stainless steel cleaner. A useful alternative is a car paint restorer such as ‘T-Cut.’.

Carron Phoenix are extremely stringent in the quality and standards required from the steel suppliers. The material used is a high quality chrome nickel steel which is metallurgically incapable of rusting or corroding in normal household conditions.

It is therefore unlikely that such rust marks will actually be rusting on the stainless steel sink itself. They are more likely to be the result of small particles of ‘ordinary steel’ which have become attached to the surface then subsequently rusted. Causes can be debris from steel wool (Brillo®) scouring pads, use of steel kitchen utensils, old water supply pipes or sometimes even new taps can pass pieces of steel after installation. Removal is usually possible with a damp cloth and a multi-purpose cream cleaner such as ‘Cif’ which is widely available in supermarkets.

The ‘Cif’ should be applied to the sink with a soft cloth and worked in a circular motion. We would point out that unless the particles are completely removed they will return. It is therefore very important that after cleaning the sink, it is dried thoroughly. This process needs to continue at least daily, and for several days after the problem has disappeared to ensure all particles have been removed. The problem is sometimes particularly obstinate to remove and it may take several attempts to restore the sink to its pristine condition.
How do I best clean my Stainless Steel sink?

The quality of your water can affect the good looks of your sink by giving the appearance of staining. This “staining” is generally a build-up of limescale or similar mineral deposit, particularly prevalent in hard water areas. Limescale readily absorbs staining agents such as tea, coffee, red wine, etc, spoiling the appearance of your sink. For this reason always rinse and dry your sink after each occasion you use it to avoid mineral deposits being left behind on the surface when the water evaporates.

For general day to day cleaning we would recommend the use of a proprietary product such as Shiny Sinks which can be used daily. Shiny Sinks is available from large supermarkets and hardware stores, and is also available to buy online from the manufacturer at www.homecareproducts.co.uk.

To remove any limescale that has built up on your sink, try using a proprietary limescale removing product such as Viakal® or Limelite®. Alternatively, soak in a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water. This will loosen the scale, making it possible to scrub it away with an abrasive pad and kitchen sink cleaner.

For more information on how to clean your stainless steel kitchen sink please click here.

Cut inside the overall frame dimension (by inverting the kitchen sink on the worktop) by 8mm all round and always use a 20mm (important!) radius at the corners. Cut out sizes are shown on the product page and specification sheet for each sink. If a template is provided, please use that.

Due to its unique coating, Synthetic kitchen sinks are resistant to all common liquids etc that are used in the kitchen (tomato sauce, vinegar, red wine etc.). The sink can be cleaned using any brand of cream cleaner eg Cif, and a sponge or cloth. You can find more information on how to clean your synthetic kitchen sink here. 

Your Synthetic kitchen sink can withstand temperatures of up to 300°C. Despite the fact that the Synthetic material is very heat resistant we always advise to use a coaster when putting a hot pan on your kitchen sink.

Not necessarily. You are advised to check with the boiler manufacturer.

Yes - please visit our Web Shop to find your kitchen tap model and available spares. 

Occasionally a heavy kitchen tap can ‘flex’ on some large stainless steel kitchen sinks. This can be rectified by your kitchen tap being braced, and it is not unusual for people to have this kind of problem with a stainless steel kitchen sink; it is not a problem emanating from the sink or tap being defective in any way.

Carron Phoenix has developed a kitchen tap immobilising system. Recommended for large or heavy kitchen taps, this system is designed to eliminate tap flexing and is installed under the kitchen sink, connecting the tap to the underside of the work surface.

Refer to the installation instruction sheet. Use only a soft cloth and soap and water; under no circumstance should any abrasive liquid, powder or scouring pad be used. You can purchase our specialist Kitchen Tap Cleaner from our Web Shop. 

Depending on the style and age of your house, you may require a specific style of kitchen tap, a model that is appropriate to the water pressure available in your kitchen. Specifically, many older properties will require a kitchen tap which has been designed to work best with lower water pressure or gravity fed systems.

For more information visit our Kitchen Tap Ratings page here.

Operationally ceramic discs can last for the life of a kitchen tap. However, mechanisms can be affected by water borne particles or hard water.

Please contact us should you require assistance or to obtain replacement valves.

Check the specification sheet for your particular kitchen tap. Generally they are 15mm.

Carron Phoenix kitchen taps are guaranteed for 5 years against manufacturing defect.
For comprehensive information on our Guarantees please click here

Visit our Web Shop where you can find your particular kitchen tap model, or look for kitchen sink accessories. 

Contact your nearest Carron Phoenix retailer, by going to the sink/tap section and using the Find a Retailer link. Before visiting however, please contact the retailer to check availability of the product.

Carron Phoenix kitchen taps are designed to complement Carron Phoenix kitchen sinks, and not necessarily match exactly. Decor Steel (previously called Brushed Nickel) kitchen taps will complement brushed finish appliances such as an oven and hob in your kitchen.

The makeup of water (including the levels of chlorine) varies from area to area and this will mean that the water may taste or smell slightly different from the water that you were used too. Another reason may be due to our having to alter the treatment process slightly depending on the weather, demand and time of year. These factors all affect the levels of chlorine that we must add to the water which in turn will slightly affect the taste and smell.

Incorrectly installed water softeners, fitted to washing machines for example, can cause salty tastes and contaminate the drinking water supply. Do not drink water from water softeners because it contains high levels of salt – you should always use a kitchen tap with unsoftened water for cooking and drinking.

There are several possible causes of unusual tastes or odours in water:

TCP tastes can occur when the internal stop tap has been operated to carry out any work, or if the tap is operated after many years of not being used. Washers can start can start to degrade over time and cause TCP taste and odour problems. However this applies more to properties where the internal stop tap is more than a few years old and is seldom or never used.

Since TCP like compounds are formed when the chlorine reacts with plastic or rubber, this sometimes means that the TCP taste is more noticeable when the Chlorine level is highest. Although Chlorine is added to water continually a demand for water can mean that it may sometimes have a higher level of chlorine in it, for example, in the morning or when you get home from work.

All Carron Phoenix kitchen taps require the industry standard taphole cut out size of 35mm diameter.

One of the advantages that the Carron Phoenix Carronade Permanent Magnet Motor disposers have over standard Induction Motor WDUs is the starting torque – Carron Phoenix Carronade WDUs are up to full speed within the first revolution.

Most jams occur at start-up because food waste will be stuffed into the disposer until it is full (this is not the correct way to use the disposer but is more reality).

The Carronade’s initial high starting torque gives it the advantage to break through the waste already put into the disposer. Under similar conditions an induction motor disposer can jam as it tries to push the waste around while it builds up speed. When the induction type motor cannot push any more and becomes jammed the “Auto Reverse” feature gives the ability for the unit to run in the opposite direction to break away from the jam condition

A Carron Phoenix Carronade Waste Disposal unit consumes roughly the same power in one month to lighting a 100 watt light bulb for one hour, therefore operating costs are relatively low. The high torque fast grinding Carronade units use very little water.

The Carronade air activated control switch button operates continuous feed waste disposal units from a point determined by the consumer, eg on the worktop or possibly even within the sink perimeter.

Air switches are safer than electric switches because they keep the electricity away from the users’ hands. The air switch control mechanism usually mounts under the sink (or is incorporated into the Waste Disposal Unit itself), where it remains dry. From the activated control switch button, an air tube connects with the switch controller, which in turn operates the unit.

The benefit is that the operational switch avoids the necessity to have a wall mounted toggle switch (which itself is electrical), and is therefore neater and safer to operate.

Wood is a natural product it is therefore subject to absorbing moisture, and if the quantities of moisture are not equal on both sides it can bow especially so when the product is first used.

However, this can be corrected by wetting the board on both sides and leaving it to dry overnight on a flat surface with the convex side uppermost. This is most conveniently done with the board placed over the bowl.This enables the warp to drop out and as the board gets more use it will eventually stop warping.

We also recommend occasional oiling of the board with a good quality vegetable oil, to make the surface more water-resistant

Do not put the board near a heat source and do not put it in direct sunlight to dry.

Please contact us by email kS-Sales-FGP.GB@carron.com or by telephone on 0161 436 6280.

You can view the latest Carron Phoenix brochure on our website here. Carron Phoenix Retailers should contact their Distributor to obtain brochures.

Visit our Web Shop where you can find your particular tap model, or look for accessories. 

Please contact us directly by using our Contact Form