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Reviews > Personal Hygiene > Sinks > Sea to Summit The Kitchen Sink > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my wife Jenn or brother-in-law Dave. The Product
Manufacturer: Sea to Summit USA Web site: www.seatosummit.com Product: The Kitchen Sink Year manufactured: 2004 MSRP: N/A Weight listed: 4.4 oz (125 g) Actual weight: 4.5 oz (128 g) Capacity listed: 2.6 gallons (10 liters) Also available in 1.3 gallons (5 liters) and 5.2 gallons (20 liters) Height measured: 6 in (152 mm) Diameter of rim measured: 12 in (305 mm) Stuffed size: 4 x 4 x 2 in (102 x 102 x 51 mm) Product Description
Sea to Summit's The Kitchen Sink (hereafter called the sink) is a lightweight portable sink aimed at backpackers and campers. Field Data The Kitchen Sink has been used in Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Sequoia - Kings Canyon National Park, Mt San Jacinto State Park, and the San Gorgonio Wilderness to name a few. It has been used in temps from freezing to over 100 F (38 F) at campsites from sea level to over 10000 ft (3050 m) elevation. Observations
I originally bought the Kitchen Sink in 2004 to use mainly as a water collection container as I have gotten tired of trying to hold my filter's input end out of the dirt, or moss, or pond scum. Or trying to hold it in place in running water while also holding my container and pumping the filter. But I soon used it as a sink also. The only thing that I did not care for was the fact that the sink must be carried from the water source with two hands. Many times getting water involves a climb down to a creek or river in conditions that call for at least one hand to negotiate. I had some tricky trips to camp a few times. But alas, in my pursuit of lower weight and smaller volume I switched over to a smaller collapsible bucket (see review) that had a single handle and have let the Kitchen Sink languish in the gear room. It sat next to the 2-liter pots and my spoon collection watching as all the little gear went on the trips with me. Then in July of 2007 I started backpacking with the woman that would become my wife. When Jenn heard about the sink she asked me to bring it on a three-day hike in Grand Teton NP and fell in love with it. Nice easy warm baths every afternoon. It now goes on every trip that we take together and even on most camping trips as she likes the way that the water will warm up while sitting on a dark picnic table. So everybody is happy. The sink gets to go on trips again, Jenn gets her baths and I get a clean woman to snuggle up to in the tent. Yippee! (I now get the cold bath at the river, oh well.) I just got back from a trip with my kids that the sink was a life-saver. I knew we were going to be next to the lake as all backpacking sites are permited for a set location to camp. What I did not know was that the lake was very muddy and weedy. By wading out to deeper water a few times with my bucket I filled the sink which the kids used to clean up with. They love the way the water does not spill out which they noticed right after I filled it up. They kept poking the sides. (Then they got bored and went to play in the muddy, weedy lake..) I have noticed (well Jenn did actually) that the sink has a few leaks now. They are not bad, just very slow seeps. I may try sealing the seams with tent sealer to see if it will stop them. Otherwise it has held up well. The wire rim has never become kinked from all the twisting to stuff it. The handles are still very secure and the nylon has not faded from the sun. We really like the sink and expect to be taking it on many trips to come. This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Read more reviews of Sea to Summit gear Read more gear reviews by Ray Estrella Reviews > Personal Hygiene > Sinks > Sea to Summit The Kitchen Sink > Owner Review by Ray Estrella |