Kitchen Appliances Advice Canberra
Appliances have a major bearing on kitchen design, as there are so many types and sizes to choose from.
With appliances there are two ways of tackling this with respect to a new kitchen:
Option 1: Go out and narrow down the appliances that you like – Not necessarily specific makes and models (at this stage), rather the types of appliances. For example; a single or double oven; a electric or gas oven; a drop-in sink or an under mounted sink; a canopy hood or a slide-out range hood
OR
Option 2: Ignore the appliances at this stage and focus on a design layout which will lead to the Designer choosing / suggesting appliance sizes for you.
Tip: We suggest Option 1 – Go and investigate the types of appliances that you would like, then present this list to the Designer. The Designer will then design the kitchen around these and your remaining budget. That way you will have a better chance of getting not only the kitchen that you want, but also the types of appliances that you want.
Tip: Don’t buy the appliances immediately as sometime due to layout constraints the Designer may not be able to fit every one of your appliance choices in –There may have to be compromises and if you haven’t bought the appliances yet then the design changes are easy to do.
Review your Current Appliances
Firstly you need to evaluate which existing appliances you will be re-using in the kitchen and add these to your design brief list.
Here is a list of the Appliances that are ‘Typically’ replaced:
- Oven
- Cook Top
- Up-Right Stove
- Sink
- Tap
- Extraction Fan/Range hood
Over the years cooking units have evolved from an upright combined stove, grill and burners to individual units that are either cut into the bench top or have the cabinetry built around them. The modern trend is to install single or double ovens at waist height or higher to ease the strain in removing heavy baked dishes.
Below is a list of appliances that are a more ‘universal size’ and typically only require standard openings. These appliances can be changed over at a later stage and often the kitchen does not have to be modified. So if the appliances break down and can not be repaired you will be able to swap them over effortlessly.
Here is a list of the Appliances that are ‘Typically’ re-used:
- Fridge/Freezer
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
Here is a list of Optional Items to consider:
- Wine Fridge
- Coffee Machine
- Steam Oven
- T.V
- Water Purifier / Boiling Water Taps
- Waste Disposal
- I-Pod Recharging Cradle / Media Centre etc
NOTE: This is intended as a guide only from Aneka Kitchens & Joinery in Canberra and your individual circumstances could well be different.
Specific Appliance Questions
Once you have established which of your appliances need replacing, you then have to consider the following:
- Cook top: Gas or Electric? Large or Small?
- Extractor Fan: Canopy? or Slide-out Rangehood? Downdraft?
- Oven: Under bench? Wall mounted? or Up-Right Stove?
- Sink: Do you wash up left to right or the other way?
Finally
This is only a small sample selection of some of the questions that you need to think about.
Sound difficult? It’s not really. Talk to a reputable appliance retailer and they will match you up with the appliances that best suit the way you cook, clean etc.
Note: The information provided here is to assist your Kitchen Design ideas – Aneka Kitchens & Joinery of Canberra does not typically quote supply of appliances (only installation) – we have just supplied information on appliances to help with the whole design concept.
