No Drip Basket Strainers for a 1 1/2 Inch Drain
Danco’s Bar Sink Basket Strainer Assembly leads, since a brass body and a proper rubber washer stop the leaks cheaper units cause. Want a simple like for like swap? The Keeney PlumbPak fits at lower cost. For a visible island sink, the Westbrass matches designer faucet finishes.
Three picks stand out. The Danco Bar Sink Basket Strainer Assembly earns the top spot because its brass body and moulded rubber washer address the two things that make a bar sink leak. Keeney’s PlumbPak covers a straightforward replacement at lower cost. Westbrass steps up when the strainer sits in a visible prep or island sink.
Sizing trips people up first. Kitchen sinks use a 3 1/2 inch opening, while bar, prep and utility sinks pair a smaller opening with 1 1/2 inch tailpiece threads. Fit the wrong one and nothing seals. We compared body metals, thread and opening dimensions, seal stacks, basket depth and finish, then weighed those against owner reports of corrosion, seized locknuts and how each held up after a year under a working sink.
How to pick the right one
How to measure before you buy One number decides everything: the drain opening diameter in the sink, not the pipe below. Kitchen sinks run around 3 1/2 inches, while bar, prep and many utility sinks use a smaller opening with 1 1/2 inch tailpiece threads. Run a tape across the hole edge to edge, then check the tailpiece diameter on the old drain. Buying by sink type alone is how people end up returning parts.
Which body metal lasts: brass, stainless or plated steel Brass holds thread accuracy under the torque a seal needs and resists corrosion in constant damp. A stainless basket beats a chrome plated one in any body, since plated baskets pit and stain. Thin plated steel bodies cost least and suit a sink used a few times a week, yet they deform when over tightened. That deformation is the most common cause of a repeat leak.
How the two seals actually work A strainer seals in two places. Up top, plumber’s putty or a rubber gasket seals the flange against the sink deck. Below, a washer, friction ring and locknut compress against the underside. Most leaks trace to missing putty, washers stacked out of order, or an uneven locknut. Snug the nut gradually while holding the basket square, then flood the bowl and watch for weeping.
What basket depth means for debris Deeper baskets catch more before you empty them, which counts in a prep sink full of vegetable trimmings. Shallow baskets clog fast and let debris slip into the trap. Confirm the basket seals when seated if you plan to fill the bowl, because some cheap strainers drain slowly even in the closed position.
The best picks, ranked
Danco Bar Sink Basket Strainer Assembly
A brass body keeps the threads true when you torque the locknut, which thin stamped steel cannot. The rubber washer and friction ring seat cleanly against the sink underside for a lasting seal. A stainless basket resists the staining that plagues plated ones. Replacement parts stay easy to find.
Pros
- Brass threads hold true under torque
- Full seal stack included in the box
- Replacement parts are widely stocked
Cons
- Costs more than stamped steel units
- Finish choices are limited
Keeney PlumbPak Bar Sink Basket Strainer
Keeney has supplied repair parts for decades, and this strainer reflects that focus on drop in compatibility. It matches the common bar sink opening and bundles the locknut, gaskets and washers for a complete install. Materials sit below the brass picks, a fair trade for a rarely used prep sink.
Pros
- Everything for the swap in one pack
- Dependable dimensional fit
- Low cost repair part
Cons
- Lighter build than brass bodies
- Chrome plating can pit over time
Westbrass Bar Sink Basket Strainer
Decorative plumbing is Westbrass’s focus, so this suits a strainer that shows in an island prep sink. Finishes run well past chrome into brushed and matte tones that match a faucet. Solid brass sits underneath, and the seal stack works like any quality strainer, so looks cost you no function.
Pros
- Finishes match designer faucets
- Solid brass construction underneath
- Consistent plating quality
Cons
- Premium finishes cost noticeably more
- Some finishes need gentle cleaners only
Everflow Bar Sink Basket Strainer
Everflow supplies the trade, pricing and building this where function outranks looks. A stainless basket shrugs off the debris a garage or laundry sink throws at it. The assembly tightens down without fuss. Expect plain chrome, not a decorative finish, which keeps the cost low for multi unit jobs.
Pros
- Trade pricing suits multi unit jobs
- Stainless basket resists rust in wet use
- Installs quickly and simply
Cons
- Plain, undecorated appearance
- Few finish choices
LASCO Bar Sink Basket Strainer
Older fixtures often defeat newer parts, and LASCO is a common source for those repairs. This strainer covers openings some current designs no longer fit. Match a LASCO part number to your measurement and an aging bar sink usually has a fix. Build quality is functional rather than premium.
Pros
- Fits older openings others miss
- Complete hardware set included
- Inexpensive repair option
Cons
- Basic materials and plating
- Basket fit tolerance varies slightly
Highcraft Bar Sink Basket Strainer
Highcraft sells complete kits at the market’s low end and includes the gaskets that cheaper listings skip. For a rarely used bar sink it gets the job done. Its metal runs thinner than brass bodied options, based on the listing, so tighten the locknut gently to avoid deforming the body.
Pros
- Lowest cost complete kit here
- All required gaskets supplied
- Fine for low use prep sinks
Cons
- Thin metal deforms if over tightened
- Shorter expected service life
Kingston Brass Bar Sink Basket Strainer
Kingston Brass makes coordinated kitchen and bath fittings, so this strainer completes a matched set. Brass construction and a broad finish range are the draw. It targets appearance conscious installs rather than heavy utility duty, which makes it best where the strainer is on show.
Pros
- Matches wider Kingston Brass fixtures
- Solid brass body
- Wide range of finish choices
Cons
- High cost for a utility part
- Delicate finishes mark with abrasive cleaners
Side by side
| # | Model | Body | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danco Bar Sink Basket Strainer Assembly | Brass | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Keeney PlumbPak Bar Sink Basket Strainer | 1 1/2 inch tailpiece | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Westbrass Bar Sink Basket Strainer | Brass | Best finish quality | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Everflow Bar Sink Basket Strainer | 1 1/2 inch tailpiece | Best for utility sinks | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | LASCO Bar Sink Basket Strainer | 1 1/2 inch tailpiece | Best for older sinks | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Highcraft Bar Sink Basket Strainer | 1 1/2 inch tailpiece | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Kingston Brass Bar Sink Basket Strainer | Brass | Best for matching fixtures | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
What is a 1 1/2 inch sink strainer?
It fits a drain with a 1 1/2 inch tailpiece, typically on bar, prep and utility sinks rather than main kitchen sinks. The sink opening runs smaller than the 3 1/2 inch kitchen standard, so the two types are not interchangeable.
How do I know which size strainer my sink takes?
Measure the drain opening edge to edge, then measure the outside diameter of the tailpiece below. Roughly 3 1/2 inches means a standard kitchen strainer, while a smaller opening with a 1 1/2 inch tailpiece means a bar sink strainer.
Do I need plumber’s putty to install one?
Usually yes, unless the strainer ships with a rubber gasket meant to replace it. Roll a rope of putty under the flange, seat the strainer, tighten from below, then wipe the squeeze out. Skip putty on natural stone or some composite sinks and use silicone sealant there instead.
Why is my sink strainer leaking?
Common culprits include missing putty at the flange, washers stacked in the wrong order, an uneven locknut, or a body warped by over tightening. Take it apart, inspect the rubber washer for cracks, and reassemble in the correct order rather than cranking the nut harder.
Can I install a sink strainer myself?
Most people can. You need plumber’s putty, channel lock pliers or a spud wrench, and a bucket. Holding the basket still from above while turning the locknut below is the awkward part. Allow about 30 minutes and swap the tailpiece washer while it is exposed.
Are stainless steel baskets better than chrome plated?
Yes, for durability. A chrome plated basket sits in standing water, pits, then stains. Stainless keeps its look far longer and resists the food acids common in a prep sink.
Will a bar sink strainer fit a standard kitchen sink?
No. The kitchen opening is much larger, so a bar strainer falls through or fails to seal. Kitchen sinks need a 3 1/2 inch strainer, often with a 1 1/2 inch tailpiece thread below, which is where the size confusion starts.
How long should a sink strainer last?
A brass body with a stainless basket often lasts a decade or more. Thin plated steel units may need replacing within a few years, especially in hard water. The rubber washer fails first and can be swapped on its own.
Which 1 1/2 inch strainer is best for a visible island sink?
The Westbrass and Kingston Brass options offer decorative finishes that match a faucet. Both use solid brass, so they seal as reliably as plainer picks while looking the part on a sink that stays on show.
The bottom line
For a bar or prep sink in regular use, the Danco Bar Sink Basket Strainer Assembly is the safe call, since brass threads and a proper seal stack prevent the repeat leaks cheap strainers cause. Keeney’s PlumbPak covers a simple like for like swap for less. When the strainer shows in an island sink, step up to the Westbrass for a finish that matches the faucet.
Dana Whitfield
Dana spent eight years buying and merchandising for a regional kitchenware retailer before moving into editorial work. She has handled thousands of SKUs across cookware, small appliances and kitchen organization, and focuses on the practical differences that matter once a product is actually in daily use.
