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ideal kitchen
we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what
we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, appliances, placement and details, Lee |
ideal kitchen
On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee"
> wrote: >we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what >we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, >appliances, placement and details, Try rec.food.equipment. -- Larry |
ideal kitchen
have been there also want opinions of the cooks here as i know many of them
from other groups and respect their opinions, Lee > wrote in message ... > On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee" > > wrote: > >>we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize >>what >>we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from >>design, >>appliances, placement and details, > > Try rec.food.equipment. > > -- Larry |
ideal kitchen
thanks, saved to the house file, Lee
"Andy" > wrote in message ... > "Storrmmee" > wrote: > >> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to >> finalize what we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all >> think, from design, appliances, placement and details, >> >> Lee > > > Lee, > > All I would offer is if you're considering a granite countertop surface, > you should at least know about quartz as a possible option, if you > didn't already. > > See: http://www.cambriausa.com and start at the heading "COLLECTION" and > work your way across. > > Great choices and ideas. > > Good luck! > > Andy |
ideal kitchen
Storrmmee > wrote:
>we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what >we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, >appliances, placement and details, I'd set a cost target, and also figure out whether you are making improvements for functional reasons, aesthetic reasons, a hoped-for improvement of market value of the house, or some combination. In the functional area, for me the most important thing is having enough room to move quickly between stove, working surface(s), refrigerator and sink. For this reason I do not like many designs that contain islands, perfering a design where everything is on the perimiter of the room. Also, lighting is of utmost importance. The equivalent of 500 watts of incandescent lighting (convert that into compact flourescents) is not excessive for any sizeabl kitchen. Steve |
ideal kitchen
Andy > wrote:
> "Storrmmee" > wrote: > >> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to >> finalize what we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all >> think, from design, appliances, placement and details, >> >> Lee > > > Lee, > > All I would offer is if you're considering a granite countertop surface, > you should at least know about quartz as a possible option, if you > didn't already. > > See: http://www.cambriausa.com and start at the heading "COLLECTION" and > work your way across. > > Great choices and ideas. > > Good luck! > > Andy I hate the microwave over the stove. Put a vent over it instead. Also without the microwave one can use larger pots and pans. However, if your here you probably already know this. -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
ideal kitchen
Storrmmee wrote:
> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to > finalize what we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you > all think, from design, appliances, placement and details, > > Lee Some random things: double sink with built-in soap dispenser and one big and one smaller bowl (I have one like this now, Elkay gourmet line stainless); granite countertops in a honed finish instead of high polish; 48" gas rangetop with a grill in the middle, or a professional dual-fuel gas stove with a grill and electric convection oven/broiler; stainless backsplash behind the cooktop/range and stainless hood with halogen lights and grease trap above it, paired with a *really* strong exterior-mounted exhaust fan; 2 separate full-size wall ovens, self-cleaning with external vent; lower cabinets with pull-out drawers or pull-out shelves; cabinet with vertical dividers near the oven for storing roasting pans and cooling racks, another elsewhere for storing trays (I have these now, and they are great); a cabinet with the kind of insert that rises up for the Kitchenaid mixer, which is too high to fit under cabinets; possibly the same thing for the Cuisinart; an appliance garage for the smaller stuff; either a french-door fridge with the freezer on the bottom, or--if space permits-- a full-sized subzero fridge paired with a completely separate freezer, which can be counter height; a cooking fireplace.; a tile floor; room for a nice big hanging pot rack; a walk-in pantry; a broom/mop closet; bookshelves for the cookbooks; a wallmounted flat screen tv that can be watched while cooking; a bulter's pantry between kitchen and dining room containing ample shelving for all of my china and glassware and a second dishwasher and sink, as well as counter space for setting stuff up and--what the heck--a bar set-up with an icemaker too. |
ideal kitchen
On Jan 24, 10:28*am, "Storrmmee" > wrote:
> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what > we want in the kitchen. *I am interested in what you all think, from design, > appliances, placement and details, > > Lee Another source I suggest is the Home Forums of Gardenweb. Almost too much discussion and information. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/. I renovated my kitchen 20 years ago and still adore it.Wouldn't leave the apartment for the kitchen although the apartment is too big for us. I thought A LOT about what was important to me and what wasn't so it works the way I like to. It even accommodates my husband now that he cooks as well. I love my pull out cutting board that has a hole in the middle to scrape scraps into the trash can below. I love my Thermador combination ovens where the top oven is a microwave- convection-radiant. This dual oven, electric, is no longer made and we are going to have to find something to replace it :-( Even 20 years ago I knew I wanted only drawers where ever that was possible, not cabinets with pull-out shelves. That's what I have and it still is great. If I had the money, and the space, I'd build more cabinet space, but that's a want, not a need. Bliss |
ideal kitchen
thanks, its functional, we currently do not have a kitchen, it having burnt
with the rest of the house, Lee "Steve Pope" > wrote in message ... > Storrmmee > wrote: > >>we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize >>what >>we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from >>design, >>appliances, placement and details, > > I'd set a cost target, and also figure out whether you are making > improvements for functional reasons, aesthetic reasons, a hoped-for > improvement of market value of the house, or some combination. > > In the functional area, for me the most important thing is having > enough room to move quickly between stove, working surface(s), > refrigerator and sink. For this reason I do not like many designs > that contain islands, perfering a design where everything is > on the perimiter of the room. > > Also, lighting is of utmost importance. The equivalent of 500 > watts of incandescent lighting (convert that into compact flourescents) > is not excessive for any sizeabl kitchen. > > Steve |
ideal kitchen
thanks haven't read here that much, mostly lurked on and off... there is a
nuker in the hotel we are in above the cooktop... as bad as no way to use a larger pot... it gets just plain nasty from using the stove, Lee "Nad R" > wrote in message ... > Andy > wrote: >> "Storrmmee" > wrote: >> >>> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to >>> finalize what we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all >>> think, from design, appliances, placement and details, >>> >>> Lee >> >> >> Lee, >> >> All I would offer is if you're considering a granite countertop surface, >> you should at least know about quartz as a possible option, if you >> didn't already. >> >> See: http://www.cambriausa.com and start at the heading "COLLECTION" and >> work your way across. >> >> Great choices and ideas. >> >> Good luck! >> >> Andy > > I hate the microwave over the stove. Put a vent over it instead. Also > without the microwave one can use larger pots and pans. However, if your > here you probably already know this. > > -- > Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
ideal kitchen
thanks, lee
"Janet" > wrote in message ... > Storrmmee wrote: >> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to >> finalize what we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you >> all think, from design, appliances, placement and details, >> >> Lee > > Some random things: double sink with built-in soap dispenser and one big > and one smaller bowl (I have one like this now, Elkay gourmet line > stainless); granite countertops in a honed finish instead of high polish; > 48" gas rangetop with a grill in the middle, or a professional dual-fuel > gas stove with a grill and electric convection oven/broiler; stainless > backsplash behind the cooktop/range and stainless hood with halogen lights > and grease trap above it, paired with a *really* strong exterior-mounted > exhaust fan; 2 separate full-size wall ovens, self-cleaning with external > vent; lower cabinets with pull-out drawers or pull-out shelves; cabinet > with vertical dividers near the oven for storing roasting pans and cooling > racks, another elsewhere for storing trays (I have these now, and they are > great); a cabinet with the kind of insert that rises up for the Kitchenaid > mixer, which is too high to fit under cabinets; possibly the same thing > for the Cuisinart; an appliance garage for the smaller stuff; either a > french-door fridge with the freezer on the bottom, or--if space permits-- > a full-sized subzero fridge paired with a completely separate freezer, > which can be counter height; a cooking fireplace.; a tile floor; room for > a nice big hanging pot rack; a walk-in pantry; a broom/mop closet; > bookshelves for the cookbooks; a wallmounted flat screen tv that can be > watched while cooking; a bulter's pantry between kitchen and dining room > containing ample shelving for all of my china and glassware and a second > dishwasher and sink, as well as counter space for setting stuff up > and--what the heck--a bar set-up with an icemaker too. > |
ideal kitchen
thanks, am really leaning to the drawsers, Lee
"timbrel" > wrote in message ... On Jan 24, 10:28 am, "Storrmmee" > wrote: > we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize > what > we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from > design, > appliances, placement and details, > > Lee Another source I suggest is the Home Forums of Gardenweb. Almost too much discussion and information. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/. I renovated my kitchen 20 years ago and still adore it.Wouldn't leave the apartment for the kitchen although the apartment is too big for us. I thought A LOT about what was important to me and what wasn't so it works the way I like to. It even accommodates my husband now that he cooks as well. I love my pull out cutting board that has a hole in the middle to scrape scraps into the trash can below. I love my Thermador combination ovens where the top oven is a microwave- convection-radiant. This dual oven, electric, is no longer made and we are going to have to find something to replace it :-( Even 20 years ago I knew I wanted only drawers where ever that was possible, not cabinets with pull-out shelves. That's what I have and it still is great. If I had the money, and the space, I'd build more cabinet space, but that's a want, not a need. Bliss |
ideal kitchen
Storrmmee wrote: > > we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what > we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, > appliances, placement and details, > > Lee - Full classic walk-in pantry with plenty of shelving - Wall mount double oven or oven / microwave combo *in addition* to the normal range oven. If using a cooktop only, double wall oven and separate microwave. - Give a lot of thought to spice storage, either in shallow drawers with tilt racks, or cabinets with swing or pull out racks. - Some folks like the trendy pot filler faucets by the range / cooktop, but consider a full small bar / prep sized sink next to the range / cooktop instead. This will allow you to both fill and *empty* pots without carrying them a long distance to the main sink, and given the overpriced nature of the pot filler faucets, will be a similar cost. - Ensure your lighting plan provides even light coverage without shadows in the work area. Also ensure that all light sources are the same color temperature i.e. don't mix fluorescent and halogen, etc. - If you are using gas appliances, ensure you have a combo gas and CO detector in the room, though not too close to the appliances to avoid false alarms. If nat gas, the detector mounts high, if LP gas it mounts low due to the different densities of the gasses. Smoke detectors are of course a must regardless of the heat source. - Be sure to provide a suitable place for a kitchen fire extinguisher. Having one readily available can make the difference between a minor cleanup and significant damage. - Consider mounting a tablet PC recessed into a cabinet door or otherwise conveniently located in the primary prep area so you can get with the times and refer to your electronic recipe database vs. fighting a self closing cookbook and getting it dirty in the process. The touch screens on the tablet PCs clean pretty easily. - If you have city water, or mediocre well water, install a reverse osmosis system and filtered water tap at the sink as well as connecting it to your ice maker. They aren't expensive these days and they make a *big* difference in water quality. - If you're looking at doing a work island and are not planning to have appliances or sinks in it, consider making it movable. There are dual swivel locking casters available that are easy to lock and unlock, yet do not wiggle around when locked. I helped some friends build such an island for their kitchen, based on an antique commercial work table we saw and they love the enhanced version we built for less than 1/3 the asking price of the antique. Antique: http://wpnet.us/island_table/1.jpg CAD model: http://wpnet.us/island_table/2.jpg Completed: http://wpnet.us/island_table/finished.jpg - Consider not falling into the fad of granite or similar counters. They are indeed durable, however that are also hard (stuff brakes easier on them), loud, and expensive. Consider doing one section of counter ~2'-3' wide in such a material, and using a "softer" material on the rest. I have a section of marble as my dough / pastry work surface, and laminate on the rest. - Some folks like having dual dishwashers so they can flip-flop between them and not have to unload the dishwasher and put stuff away after every load. Dishwashers are pretty inexpensive these days, so if you have sufficient space for two side by side, it's not a crazy idea. |
ideal kitchen
On Jan 24, 10:28*am, "Storrmmee" > wrote:
> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what > we want in the kitchen. *I am interested in what you all think, from design, > appliances, placement and details, > > Lee There's no such thing as ideal. That said, some of what I consider ideal directly contradicts others' opinions. Most of what I wash by hand is too big to to into the dishwasher. That makes it also too big to go into the bowl of a double sink. Give me a sink big enough to fit a half sheet pan (11x17") flat. Not too deep, either, I don't want to have to bend double to reach the bottom. My stand mixer is on the countertop. We made a custom cabinet to fit the microwave, resulting in more clearance for the stand mixer. No lifting, no sweat. I don't like an enclosed trash container. All of my dream kitchen plans have a couple of square feet near the back door for the trash can. I get a major squick factor thinking about garbage inside a cabinet. I want it out where I can monitor its status. My husband is short, so if I had the space, I'd minimize the wall cabinets, and have windows looking out on my backyard instead. Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. Anyplace that has a drain will need a vent stack. A sink or dishwasher in an island is a non-starter for me. No appliance garage for me. They're just a waste of counter space. Seldom-used small appliances go on a pull-out shelf in a lower cabinet. Sheet vinyl flooring. No, it's not fashionable. But it's seamless, easy-care, not cold in the winter, and easy on the feet. Cindy Hamilton |
ideal kitchen
In article >,
"Storrmmee" > wrote: > we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what > we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, > appliances, placement and details, > > Lee What have got? Presumably you've worked with a designer who asked questions about how you cook, how often, what type, etc. There are lots of articles online about what are good ideas and some not so good ideas. Store stuff close to where it will be used or handled. Keep your spices away from heat and light. Have plenty of light. If you have an island or a peninsula, make sure it has at least one set of electrical outlets on it. Roll out shelves are a must. I would not have a fridge without a bottom, roll-out freezer compartment. I wouldn't be caught dead (unless someone stuffed me in it upright) with a side-by-side freezer/chiller unit. -- Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ Holy Order of the Sacred Sisters of St. Pectina of Jella "Always in a jam, never in a stew; sometimes in a pickle." Pepparkakor particulars posted 11-29-2010; http://web.me.com/barbschaller |
ideal kitchen
In article >,
"Storrmmee" > wrote: > are going to have to find something to replace it :-( Even 20 years > ago I knew I wanted only drawers where ever that was possible, not > cabinets with pull-out shelves. That's what I have and it still is My niece has only drawers in her (amply-sized) kitchen ‹ only one hanging cabinet for glassware. It's awesome. -- Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ Holy Order of the Sacred Sisters of St. Pectina of Jella "Always in a jam, never in a stew; sometimes in a pickle." Pepparkakor particulars posted 11-29-2010; http://web.me.com/barbschaller |
ideal kitchen
Melba's Jammin' wrote: > > In article >, > "Storrmmee" > wrote: > > > we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what > > we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, > > appliances, placement and details, > > > > Lee > > What have got? Presumably you've worked with a designer who asked > questions about how you cook, how often, what type, etc. There are lots > of articles online about what are good ideas and some not so good ideas. > Store stuff close to where it will be used or handled. > Keep your spices away from heat and light. > Have plenty of light. > If you have an island or a peninsula, make sure it has at least one set > of electrical outlets on it. > Roll out shelves are a must. > I would not have a fridge without a bottom, roll-out freezer compartment. > I wouldn't be caught dead (unless someone stuffed me in it upright) with > a side-by-side freezer/chiller unit. What don't you like about a properly sized side-by-side? I prefer them, though I can tolerate a bottom freezer. The top freezer models on the other hand are the absolute worst and even if you stuffed my bloated corpse in one, I'd find a way to change it. |
ideal kitchen
Steve Pope wrote:
> Storrmmee > wrote: > >> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize what >> we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from design, >> appliances, placement and details, > > I'd set a cost target, and also figure out whether you are making > improvements for functional reasons, aesthetic reasons, a hoped-for > improvement of market value of the house, or some combination. > > In the functional area, for me the most important thing is having > enough room to move quickly between stove, working surface(s), > refrigerator and sink. For this reason I do not like many designs > that contain islands, perfering a design where everything is > on the perimiter of the room. > > Also, lighting is of utmost importance. The equivalent of 500 > watts of incandescent lighting (convert that into compact flourescents) > is not excessive for any sizeabl kitchen. > > Steve Ah. I, too, do not like the idea of an island. Random thoughts... My favorite things in the new kitchen are the granite counter tops and the cork flooring. Can lights, imo, are hideous. Be sure to get some under-counter lighting. Consider special ordering extra shelves and pull-outs for your cabinets after thinking about where (and if) such would make sense. Do put ovens at a logical height. I thought I was doing something really clever having seen it in a display kitchen, and it resulted in the oven being lower than I wanted it to be. I would not put a combo microwave and fan above the cooktop. In the old house, this resulted in condensation dripping down from the too-low unit. I had that redone. I hate stoves/ovens next to the refrigerator. If you are short, TRY not to get the French door refrigerators that seem to be the majority of those on display now. I finally got beaten into getting this and have now realize I need to be on a ladder to get to most of the upper shelves of the fridge. I don't find getting things out of the freezer drawer any more pleasant than I thought it would be. Note... My top of the line GE dishwasher has the tiniest scratch that is already a tiny bit rusty! I also hate the racks--esp. the hideous silver rack. My old Bosch still looks brand new and was a pleasure to stack. (I did not get another one, remembering service issues. [Check into the authorized service situation before you get any appliance! As about this on a local email list, if there is any such thing.]) I am now considering ripping the old Bosch out of the old house and putting it in the new house! -- Jean B. |
ideal kitchen
On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:11:43 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton
> wrote: > Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. Mine is on an interior wall and the vent goes straight up. -- Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. |
ideal kitchen
Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> Most of what I wash by hand is too big to to into the dishwasher. > That makes it also too big to go into the bowl of a double sink. > Give me a sink big enough to fit a half sheet pan (11x17") flat. > Not too deep, either, I don't want to have to bend double to > reach the bottom. Not all double sinks are created equal. The Elkay double sink I have is precisely what you want. I have a certified kitchen, and it was necessary to get a double sink with one bowl that was big emough to submerge a half sheet pan. > My stand mixer is on the countertop. We made a custom cabinet > to fit the microwave, resulting in more clearance for the stand > mixer. No lifting, no sweat. The cabinet insert I describe lifts up and locks in place--you don't have to heave the beast onto the countertop. I hear you, but all things being equal I'd rather it have in one of the special cabinets than sitting out, even with a good arrangement like yours. I'm getting sick of stuff sitting out on the countertop, even things like big gallon containers of flour and sugar and the kitchenaid. <G> > No appliance garage for me. They're just a waste of > counter space. Seldom-used small appliances > go on a pull-out shelf in a lower cabinet. Sounds like a good alternative. The appliances in my garage are frequently used, though, some more than once per day. The people who designed the kitchen also put an outlet strip along the wall next to it. Very handy. > Sheet vinyl flooring. No, it's not fashionable. But it's > seamless, easy-care, not cold in the winter, and > easy on the feet. Sheet vinyl wears out too quickly for me. I also don't like the way it looks. I currently have a sheet vinyl floor that looks like crap all the time, even when freshly cleaned. It has been that way ever since we moved into the house. Unless you want to replace the flooring every 10 years or so...pick something else. |
ideal kitchen
Janet > wrote:
>Sheet vinyl wears out too quickly for me. I also don't like the way it >looks. I currently have a sheet vinyl floor that looks like crap all the >time, even when freshly cleaned. It has been that way ever since we moved >into the house. Unless you want to replace the flooring every 10 years or >so...pick something else. It depends on the quality of the sheet vinyl. We replaced ours 15 years ago and it does not look notably worn, and predict another 10 years of use before it looks trashy. But the cheapest sheet vinyl has what amounts to a paper layer containins the decorative pattern, and wears out in a few years -- make sure you avoid that. If you're worried about lifetime, by all means go for linoleum. It requires more upkeep, but should last easily 100 years. Steve |
ideal kitchen
Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> I wouldn't be caught dead (unless someone stuffed me in > it upright) with a side-by-side freezer/chiller unit. LOL! Me too. I do have a bottom freezer fridge, but unfortunately not one where you pull the whole thing out like a drawer. Those are indeed superior. We were heavily constrained in anything we did in terms of replacing appliances by the fact that the entire kitchen was "built in" and has a rather complex, tightly-designed floor plan. So an additional piece of advice I would give is to try to design it so that you can replace the fridge without having to dismantle the cabinetry, and so forth. |
ideal kitchen
On Jan 24, 12:24*pm, "Janet" > wrote:
> Storrmmee wrote: > > we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to > > finalize what we want in the kitchen. *I am interested in what you > > all think, from design, appliances, placement and details, > > > Lee > > Some random things: double sink with built-in soap dispenser and one big and > one smaller bowl (I have one like this now, Elkay gourmet line stainless); > granite countertops in a honed finish instead of high polish; 48" gas > rangetop with a grill in the middle, or a professional dual-fuel gas stove > with a grill and electric convection oven/broiler; stainless backsplash > behind the cooktop/range and stainless hood with halogen lights and grease > trap above it, paired with a *really* strong exterior-mounted exhaust fan; 2 > separate full-size wall ovens, self-cleaning with external vent; lower > cabinets with pull-out drawers or pull-out shelves; cabinet with vertical > dividers near the oven for storing roasting pans and cooling racks, another > elsewhere for storing trays (I have these now, and they are great); a > cabinet with the kind of insert that rises up for the Kitchenaid mixer, > which is too high to fit under cabinets; possibly the same thing for the > Cuisinart; an appliance garage for the smaller stuff; either a french-door > fridge with the freezer on the bottom, or--if space permits-- a full-sized > subzero fridge paired with a completely separate freezer, which can be > counter height; a cooking fireplace.; a tile floor; room for a nice big > hanging pot rack; a walk-in pantry; a broom/mop closet; bookshelves for the > cookbooks; a wallmounted flat screen tv that can be watched while cooking; a > bulter's pantry between kitchen and dining room containing ample shelving > for all of my china and glassware and a second dishwasher and sink, as well > as counter space for setting stuff up and--what the heck--a bar set-up with > an icemaker too. Where's the robot and Spacely Sprockets? |
ideal kitchen
On Jan 24, 2:17*pm, sf > wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee" > Tighten up your work area because my work triangle is just a little > too big and it's a royal PITA, not to mention that drip line from the > sink to the stove. *Here is a list of things that I have or I wish I > had in no particular order. * Excellent thoughts...you have done your homework!! |
ideal kitchen
Storrmmee wrote:
> thanks, am really leaning to the drawsers, Lee I would not want drawers everywhere. I think there is more leeway with pull-out shelves, which you can configure and order more of as the need becomes apparent. If you get drawers, you are stuck with the depths you start out with. -- Jean B. |
ideal kitchen
sf wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:11:43 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton > > wrote: > >> Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. > > Mine is on an interior wall and the vent goes straight up. > Mine is on an interior wall but vents outside. BTW, the strongest exhaust fans I saw were the relatives of my old one, made by Zephyr. The big-name/prestigious brand ones did not begin to compare as far as cfm go. -- Jean B. |
ideal kitchen
Jean B. > wrote:
>sf wrote: >> On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:11:43 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton >>> Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. >> Mine is on an interior wall and the vent goes straight up. >Mine is on an interior wall but vents outside. BTW, the strongest >exhaust fans I saw were the relatives of my old one, made by >Zephyr. The big-name/prestigious brand ones did not begin to >compare as far as cfm go. Tangentially, is there any such thing as a really quiet kitchen exhaust fan that nonetheless is effective? I have two problems with fan noise. It interferes with listening to music. And it interferes with listening to what I'm cooking (i.e. I prefer to know how much something is sizzling from the sound it makes). Steve |
ideal kitchen
You want lots of cabinets with pullout shelving. Forget about having wasted space above the cabinets - nice for plants and knickknacks, but then that's one more thing to dust and clean. You want some kind of counter near the fridge so it's easy to put a lot of stuff back in. A true Holy Grail would be a foot pedal to open the fridge door when your hands are full. Any manufacturers listening? You want no big dance floor going to waste. That's why I miss my old galley style kitchen. I think someone else hear said this about his or her triangle and having too much walking space. Magnetic drawers are nice - they almost close themselves. I especially like one of those wall magnet strips for knives. Keeps them at hand but off the counter. I'm all in favor of a freezer on the bottom type of fridge. Think about where your pots and pans will be - try to avoid too much stooping, unless you have great knees. If possible, some kind of foot pump for the faucet so you can have the option of pumping only what you need, if water rates are high in your town. Axiom: There is no such thing as too much counter space. |
ideal kitchen
this is what the dh is wanting, Lee
"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message ... > In article >, > "Storrmmee" > wrote: > > >> are going to have to find something to replace it :-( Even 20 years >> ago I knew I wanted only drawers where ever that was possible, not >> cabinets with pull-out shelves. That's what I have and it still is > > My niece has only drawers in her (amply-sized) kitchen < only one > hanging cabinet for glassware. It's awesome. > > -- > Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ > Holy Order of the Sacred Sisters of St. Pectina of Jella > "Always in a jam, never in a stew; sometimes in a pickle." > Pepparkakor particulars posted 11-29-2010; > http://web.me.com/barbschaller |
ideal kitchen
definitely something to consider, Lee
"Jean B." > wrote in message ... > Storrmmee wrote: >> thanks, am really leaning to the drawsers, Lee > > I would not want drawers everywhere. I think there is more leeway with > pull-out shelves, which you can configure and order more of as the need > becomes apparent. If you get drawers, you are stuck with the depths you > start out with. > -- > Jean B. |
ideal kitchen
thanks, very interesting. pantry is five foot by ten foot, stainless on
either side of stove, have an island in center of kitchen but hadn't determined movable or stationary , won't have sink but maybe outlets, Lee "Pete C." > wrote in message ster.com... > > Storrmmee wrote: >> >> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize >> what >> we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from >> design, >> appliances, placement and details, >> >> Lee > > - Full classic walk-in pantry with plenty of shelving > > - Wall mount double oven or oven / microwave combo *in addition* to the > normal range oven. If using a cooktop only, double wall oven and > separate microwave. > > - Give a lot of thought to spice storage, either in shallow drawers with > tilt racks, or cabinets with swing or pull out racks. > > - Some folks like the trendy pot filler faucets by the range / cooktop, > but consider a full small bar / prep sized sink next to the range / > cooktop instead. This will allow you to both fill and *empty* pots > without carrying them a long distance to the main sink, and given the > overpriced nature of the pot filler faucets, will be a similar cost. > > - Ensure your lighting plan provides even light coverage without shadows > in the work area. Also ensure that all light sources are the same color > temperature i.e. don't mix fluorescent and halogen, etc. > > - If you are using gas appliances, ensure you have a combo gas and CO > detector in the room, though not too close to the appliances to avoid > false alarms. If nat gas, the detector mounts high, if LP gas it mounts > low due to the different densities of the gasses. Smoke detectors are of > course a must regardless of the heat source. > > - Be sure to provide a suitable place for a kitchen fire extinguisher. > Having one readily available can make the difference between a minor > cleanup and significant damage. > > - Consider mounting a tablet PC recessed into a cabinet door or > otherwise conveniently located in the primary prep area so you can get > with the times and refer to your electronic recipe database vs. fighting > a self closing cookbook and getting it dirty in the process. The touch > screens on the tablet PCs clean pretty easily. > > - If you have city water, or mediocre well water, install a reverse > osmosis system and filtered water tap at the sink as well as connecting > it to your ice maker. They aren't expensive these days and they make a > *big* difference in water quality. > > - If you're looking at doing a work island and are not planning to have > appliances or sinks in it, consider making it movable. There are dual > swivel locking casters available that are easy to lock and unlock, yet > do not wiggle around when locked. I helped some friends build such an > island for their kitchen, based on an antique commercial work table we > saw and they love the enhanced version we built for less than 1/3 the > asking price of the antique. > > Antique: http://wpnet.us/island_table/1.jpg > CAD model: http://wpnet.us/island_table/2.jpg > Completed: http://wpnet.us/island_table/finished.jpg > > - Consider not falling into the fad of granite or similar counters. They > are indeed durable, however that are also hard (stuff brakes easier on > them), loud, and expensive. Consider doing one section of counter ~2'-3' > wide in such a material, and using a "softer" material on the rest. I > have a section of marble as my dough / pastry work surface, and laminate > on the rest. > > - Some folks like having dual dishwashers so they can flip-flop between > them and not have to unload the dishwasher and put stuff away after > every load. Dishwashers are pretty inexpensive these days, so if you > have sufficient space for two side by side, it's not a crazy idea. |
ideal kitchen
thnks, i am shorter so have been thinking about just open shelves for the
above cab storage. I do want vynl because we have cats and i am very clumsy, Lee "Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message ... On Jan 24, 10:28 am, "Storrmmee" > wrote: > we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize > what > we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from > design, > appliances, placement and details, > > Lee There's no such thing as ideal. That said, some of what I consider ideal directly contradicts others' opinions. Most of what I wash by hand is too big to to into the dishwasher. That makes it also too big to go into the bowl of a double sink. Give me a sink big enough to fit a half sheet pan (11x17") flat. Not too deep, either, I don't want to have to bend double to reach the bottom. My stand mixer is on the countertop. We made a custom cabinet to fit the microwave, resulting in more clearance for the stand mixer. No lifting, no sweat. I don't like an enclosed trash container. All of my dream kitchen plans have a couple of square feet near the back door for the trash can. I get a major squick factor thinking about garbage inside a cabinet. I want it out where I can monitor its status. My husband is short, so if I had the space, I'd minimize the wall cabinets, and have windows looking out on my backyard instead. Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. Anyplace that has a drain will need a vent stack. A sink or dishwasher in an island is a non-starter for me. No appliance garage for me. They're just a waste of counter space. Seldom-used small appliances go on a pull-out shelf in a lower cabinet. Sheet vinyl flooring. No, it's not fashionable. But it's seamless, easy-care, not cold in the winter, and easy on the feet. Cindy Hamilton |
ideal kitchen
the basic plans we have will be straigh up as the kitchen is in the center
of the house, Lee "sf" > wrote in message ... > On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:11:43 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton > > wrote: > >> Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. > > Mine is on an interior wall and the vent goes straight up. > > -- > > Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. |
ideal kitchen
good to know, Lee
"Jean B." > wrote in message ... > sf wrote: >> On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:11:43 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton >> > wrote: >> >>> Stove on an outside wall so I can vent directly through the wall. >> >> Mine is on an interior wall and the vent goes straight up. >> > Mine is on an interior wall but vents outside. BTW, the strongest exhaust > fans I saw were the relatives of my old one, made by Zephyr. The > big-name/prestigious brand ones did not begin to compare as far as cfm go. > > -- > Jean B. |
ideal kitchen
On Jan 24, 2:36*pm, "Janet" > wrote:
> Cindy Hamilton wrote: > > Most of what I wash by hand is too big to to into the dishwasher. > > That makes it also too big to go into the bowl of a double sink. > > Give me a sink big enough to fit a half sheet pan (11x17") flat. > > Not too deep, either, I don't want to have to bend double to > > reach the bottom. > > Not all double sinks are created equal. The Elkay double sink I have is > precisely what you want. I have a certified kitchen, and it was necessary to > get a double sink with one bowl that was big emough to submerge a half sheet > pan. Sounds nice. <envy> > > My stand mixer is on the countertop. *We made a custom cabinet > > to fit the microwave, resulting in more clearance for the stand > > mixer. *No lifting, no sweat. > > The cabinet insert I describe lifts up and locks in place--you don't have to > heave the beast onto the countertop. I hear you, but all things being equal > I'd rather it have in one of the special cabinets than sitting out, even > with a good arrangement like yours. I'm getting sick of stuff sitting out on > the countertop, even things like big gallon containers of flour and sugar > and the kitchenaid. <G> Well, everybody's different. I keep my flour and sugar in the pantry; they probably come out less than once a month. > > No appliance garage for me. *They're just a waste of > > counter space. Seldom-used small appliances > > go on a pull-out shelf in a lower cabinet. > > Sounds like a good alternative. The appliances in my garage are frequently > used, though, some more than once per day. The people who designed the > kitchen also put an outlet strip along the wall next to it. Very handy. Fair enough. I don't use my small appliances very often. Probably the mini-food processor is the most frequent, and that less than once a week. Cooking, unplugged. (mimes air chopping) > > Sheet vinyl flooring. *No, it's not fashionable. *But it's > > seamless, easy-care, not cold in the winter, and > > easy on the feet. > > Sheet vinyl wears out too quickly for me. I also don't like the way it > looks. I currently have a sheet vinyl floor that looks like crap all the > time, even when freshly cleaned. It has been that way ever since we moved > into the house. Unless you want to replace the flooring every 10 years or > so...pick something else. I've got crappy vinyl tile now. Even the cheapest sheet vinyl would be an improvement. Someday... Cindy Hamilton |
ideal kitchen
we haven't been to the designer yet, did lots of research on line. bottom
freezer is out, i would end up freezing a cat... no side by side frig either, am leaning towards the seperate frig/freezer units. Lee "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message ... > In article >, > "Storrmmee" > wrote: > >> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize >> what >> we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, from >> design, >> appliances, placement and details, >> >> Lee > > What have got? Presumably you've worked with a designer who asked > questions about how you cook, how often, what type, etc. There are lots > of articles online about what are good ideas and some not so good ideas. > Store stuff close to where it will be used or handled. > Keep your spices away from heat and light. > Have plenty of light. > If you have an island or a peninsula, make sure it has at least one set > of electrical outlets on it. > Roll out shelves are a must. > I would not have a fridge without a bottom, roll-out freezer compartment. > I wouldn't be caught dead (unless someone stuffed me in it upright) with > a side-by-side freezer/chiller unit. > > -- > Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ > Holy Order of the Sacred Sisters of St. Pectina of Jella > "Always in a jam, never in a stew; sometimes in a pickle." > Pepparkakor particulars posted 11-29-2010; > http://web.me.com/barbschaller |
ideal kitchen
thanks, Lee
"Janet" > wrote in message ... > Melba's Jammin' wrote: > >> I wouldn't be caught dead (unless someone stuffed me in >> it upright) with a side-by-side freezer/chiller unit. > > LOL! Me too. I do have a bottom freezer fridge, but unfortunately not one > where you pull the whole thing out like a drawer. Those are indeed > superior. We were heavily constrained in anything we did in terms of > replacing appliances by the fact that the entire kitchen was "built in" > and has a rather complex, tightly-designed floor plan. So an additional > piece of advice I would give is to try to design it so that you can > replace the fridge without having to dismantle the cabinetry, and so > forth. > |
ideal kitchen
thanks, can you tell me about cork floors? i have never seen one, what is
the surface like? stains? drips? cats? Lee "Jean B." > wrote in message ... > Steve Pope wrote: >> Storrmmee > wrote: >> >>> we are at the point in the house design/rebuild that i have to finalize >>> what we want in the kitchen. I am interested in what you all think, >>> from design, appliances, placement and details, >> >> I'd set a cost target, and also figure out whether you are making >> improvements for functional reasons, aesthetic reasons, a hoped-for >> improvement of market value of the house, or some combination. >> >> In the functional area, for me the most important thing is having >> enough room to move quickly between stove, working surface(s), >> refrigerator and sink. For this reason I do not like many designs >> that contain islands, perfering a design where everything is >> on the perimiter of the room. >> >> Also, lighting is of utmost importance. The equivalent of 500 >> watts of incandescent lighting (convert that into compact flourescents) >> is not excessive for any sizeabl kitchen. >> >> Steve > > Ah. I, too, do not like the idea of an island. Random thoughts... > > My favorite things in the new kitchen are the granite counter tops and the > cork flooring. > > Can lights, imo, are hideous. Be sure to get some under-counter lighting. > > Consider special ordering extra shelves and pull-outs for your cabinets > after thinking about where (and if) such would make sense. > > Do put ovens at a logical height. I thought I was doing something really > clever having seen it in a display kitchen, and it resulted in the oven > being lower than I wanted it to be. > > I would not put a combo microwave and fan above the cooktop. In the old > house, this resulted in condensation dripping down from the too-low unit. > I had that redone. > > I hate stoves/ovens next to the refrigerator. > > If you are short, TRY not to get the French door refrigerators that seem > to be the majority of those on display now. I finally got beaten into > getting this and have now realize I need to be on a ladder to get to most > of the upper shelves of the fridge. I don't find getting things out of > the freezer drawer any more pleasant than I thought it would be. > > Note... My top of the line GE dishwasher has the tiniest scratch that is > already a tiny bit rusty! I also hate the racks--esp. the hideous silver > rack. My old Bosch still looks brand new and was a pleasure to stack. (I > did not get another one, remembering service issues. [Check into the > authorized service situation before you get any appliance! As about this > on a local email list, if there is any such thing.]) I am now considering > ripping the old Bosch out of the old house and putting it in the new > house! > > -- > Jean B. |
ideal kitchen
thanks, Lee
"Kalmia" > wrote in message ... > > You want lots of cabinets with pullout shelving. Forget about having > wasted space above the cabinets - nice for plants and knickknacks, but > then that's one more thing to dust and clean. > > You want some kind of counter near the fridge so it's easy to put a > lot of stuff back in. A true Holy Grail would be a foot pedal to open > the fridge door when your hands are full. Any manufacturers > listening? > > You want no big dance floor going to waste. That's why I miss my old > galley style kitchen. I think someone else hear said this about his > or her triangle and having too much walking space. > > Magnetic drawers are nice - they almost close themselves. > > I especially like one of those wall magnet strips for knives. Keeps > them at hand but off the counter. > > I'm all in favor of a freezer on the bottom type of fridge. > > Think about where your pots and pans will be - try to avoid too much > stooping, unless you have great knees. > > If possible, some kind of foot pump for the faucet so you can have the > option of pumping only what you need, if water rates are high in your > town. > > Axiom: There is no such thing as too much counter space. |
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