Why do the English have "buckets" in their sinks?

Question

I have noticed in a lot of English shows, that there are tubs/buckets in the kitchen sinks. Why is this?

Answer 1

yes I regularly use a washing up bowl (but then, I'm English) ... being plastic and reasonably soft it doesn't chip the dishes so much (this was especially true in the old days when we had porcelain sinks but the newer stainless steel ones aren't quite so bad) ... yes it means you use less hot water so it's cheaper ... after you've washed the dish in the soapy water, you can also rinse the soap suds off by running it under the tap which you aim at the gap between the washing up bowl and the sink ... but my main reason for loving my washing up bowl is that, as I go through the pile of dishes, inevitably there's someone who hasn't finished their drink and has left a half full cup amongst the dishes to be washed, and when you're using a washing up bowl it's an easy matter to empty this down the gap into the sink

Answer 2

They are not "buckets" they are called "basins" and by using them you don't use as much water as putting plug in the sink and filling that up. I don't think most people water the plants with the waste water just pour it down the sink.

Answer 3

It's custom I suppose.  I personally don't use one, neither do a lot of my friends.  I think it is an old fashioned idea really but everybody has their preference.  The answer that said you can put waste water down the side of the bowl is right, but most kitchen sinks now have two bowls or one and a half.  It's a harmless characteristic we British have.

Answer 4

I wonder the same thing.... I have relatives in Germany and they do the same thing. I am sure its to do with water saving but dont they just have plugs to use. I guess with a tub in the sink they just need to lift it out and pour over the plants.

Answer 5

i call them washing up bowls, they are used while washing up dishes in the sink and are handy for many reasons...

they are easier to clean and any food that comes off whatever you are washing up doesnt get stuck in the plughole. it makes washing up more hygenic as i imagine the kitchen sink is quite dirty and so using a washing up bowl means that you are washing up in a cleaner environment?

they are the only reasons i can think of. also i dont know about anyone else but my kitchen sink is quite big so i use a washing up bowl so i can find cutlery that has fell to the bottom of the sink more easily, as the bowl is smaller than my sink