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The charts below are designed to help you make product and material selections for your kitchen. They are not exhaustive, and for every generality there is an exception. But because each selection help you make product and material selections for your entails choosing among several variables, you can simplify your shopping with some basic information. Ranges, Ovens, and Cooktops Your selection of cooking units will be vastly simplified by making a few initial decisions. First, decide whether you want gas or electric. Gas units heat and cool more quickly than electric ones and the flame is adjustable and visible, but gas ovens may have a tendency to dry out food a bit more than electric ovens, and the simmer heat setting on electric coils can be more stable. With most gas ranges you have a choice between a gas pilot light or electric ignition (which saves energy). Second, decide whether you prefer one or two ovens and a cooktop combined in a single range, or separate units. Third, determine which, it any, special cooking units might meet your needs, such as a microwave or commercial range. Fourth, decide whether you want freestanding, slide-in, or drop-in units. Most units come in stainless steel, enameled cast iron or steel, or glass fronted. Cooktops Type | Comments Gas or electric: Set into a counter top much like a sink (see installation instructions). Gas or electric connections are usually in the cabinet below. Venting can be through a hood above or through a downvent system below. Downvent cooktops may be more expensive but eliminate the need tor a hood. Range in size from 3 to 6” high by 29 to 36” wide by 19 to 22” deep. Features: grills, griddles, plate warmers, rotisseries, reversible and Interchangeable modules. Smoothtop: Electric cooktops without visible coils; heated areas turn light yellow. Can take up to an hour to cool with no visible sign of lingering heat; turning the unit oft requires special attention. Special pans and cleaning products prevent surface marring. Magnetic induction units: Electric units that look like ceramic squares. Units may be placed anywhere and do not become hot to the touch as coils or smoothtop units do. Operate by magnetic transference of heat, requiring iron or steel cookware. Relatively high in cost. Commercial gas: Made of heavy-duty cast iron with up to six burners in several styles. Usually 6 to 7” deep and with short legs for installing on a tile base. See example.
Ranges Type: Comments Residential: Come In both gas and electric, with one or two ovens, combining the features of cooktops and ovens. An electric range can have a coil, smooth-top, or magnetic-Induction cooktop and/or a convection oven. A double-oven range can include a microwave or warming oven as the second unit. Come in freestanding, slide-in, or drop-in styles. Commercial gas: Increasingly popular with active cooks. Made of heavy cast iron or stainless steel, have six burners but few of the special features of residential ranges. Relatively expensive. Hoods Ducted vent hoods remove grease, smoke, heat, and moisture, venting them to the outside, Ductless hoods filter out smoke and grease but return heat and moisture to the kitchen. The Home Ventilating Institute rates the power of a fan or blower (blowers are quieter) in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and the loudness of the unit in sones. Better hoods have a minimum capacity of 300 CFM and loudness of less than 8 sones. Hoods are hung on the wall or ceiling 22” above the cooking surface. Vent openings are either round or rectangular.
Refrigerators and Freezers Size is your first consideration when selecting a refrigerator. An 8- to 10-cubic-foot refrigerator is generally enough for two people; add one cubic foot for each additional person. Three cubic feet of freezer space is adequate for two, and again, add another cubic foot for each additional person. Refrigerators usually stand out from 24” counters—only one company offers a standard 24”-deep “built-in” refrigerator, which is relatively high priced. You’ll need to decide what type of unit you want—freezer above, freezer below, side by side, or under the counter (see below). Finishes are limited to enameled steel in a variety of colors and textured stain less steel. Some models have face frames in which you can insert a panel of your own choice, often a wood grain to match cabinetry. Consider the various features: seamless interior surfaces; number and adjustability of shelves in both cooling and freezing compartments, including the doors; location and range of temperature controls; self-defrost option; icemaker option; and energy efficiency factors (EEF’s)—high ratings mean greater efficiency. Also, be sure the door swings in the direction you need or that it can be altered, and consider a separate freezer in either an upright or chest model for more storage. Sinks Kitchen sinks are available with one, two, or three bowls in many different configurations. Sizes range from 12 to 48” long by 15 to 22” wide by 5 to 12” deep. Most sinks come with three or four predrilled holes for faucets, sprayers, or air gaps. Faucets are usually purchased separately. Special styles and designs are avail able. Sinks can be installed in one of three ways: recessed under the counter top, flush mounted with a metal rim, or hung by a built-in rim (called a self-rimming sink). Sink Materials: Comments
Dishwashers Dishwashers are either built-in or convertible. Their size has been standardized to 34” high by 24” wide by 24” deep. Finishes are much the same as those for refrigerators: enameled steel, brushed stainless, or special kits that allow you to select a finish of your choice, including wood grain. Portables often have a chopping-block top. Features vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but look for: energy-saving features that allow high water temperatures for the dishwasher but low water-heater temperatures; cycles suited to your needs, such as rinse and hold, scrub cycles (which use very hot water to remove dried-on food), light wash, and, no dry. Look carefully at rack configurations and styles to make sure they’ll meet your particular needs. Type: Comments
Garbage Disposals and Trash Compactors Disposals are of two types—batch-feed and continuous-feed. Less expensive models have ½ horsepower motors; heavy-duty units have ½ to 34 horsepower motors. Features: easy installation, sound insulation, and anti-jam mechanisms. Most compactors compress one standard grocery bag into a block or cylinder one-quarter of its original size. Several bags will weigh 20 to 25 pounds. Features: round or rectangular waste buckets, manual or automatic doors, drawers, or buckets. Finishes include black glass, brushed steel, and colored panels in an insert frame. Sizes are 15 to 18” wide, 18 to 24” deep, and 34 to 36” high. Type: Comments
Cabinets The three main types of cabinets are stock, special-order, and custom. Stock cabinets are mass produced and come in standard modular units starting at 9” wide and increasing by 3” increments to 48” wide. Special-order units are offered by some manufacturers of stock cabinets. They vary in shape but come in standard sizes and generally have more accessory options. Delivery may take longer for these units. Custom units are made to your specifications by a local cabinetmaker who can ensure quality and design the units to suit your kitchen space. While style will certainly be one of your first concerns, quality is of crucial importance. Shop around and compare construction techniques. Also look for special features that aid efficient storage and easy access: adjustable, turnaround. and slide-out shelves; tip-out drawers for the dead space in front of the sink or cooktop; inserts for knife and spice storage; bins; and so on. Cabinet Sizes Type – Size - Comments
Cabinet Materials
Surface Materials Selection of counter-top, wall, and flooring materials is directed primarily by function, design, and budget. Durability is essential on counter tops and floors, and walls around the sink and range should be easy to clean. If you do a lot of cooking, chopping blocks or smooth baking surfaces may be important to you. As you develop your design, certain colors, patterns, and textures will begin to suggest themselves, and you’ll want to go out and see for yourself what is available, Some basic characteristics of common surface materials are outlined below. Counter-Top Materials Type: Comments Plastic laminate: Pre-laminated counter tops are available with or without edging and backsplashes or they can be custom ordered through your dealer. Laminate is easy to maintain, comes in many colors, patterns, and textures. Thicker plastic denotes quality. Subject to scorch and cut marks, which can be repaired only by patching. Will last 7 to 10 years under normal use. Ceramic tiles: Glazed tiles are impervious to water, grease, and stains; unglazed tiles are not and are not recommended for kitchen counters. Can be tedious to Install, but are extremely durable, easy to maintain, and provide the widest range of counter-top colors and patterns. Available sizes include 1- to 6” squares as well as mosaic tiles on a backing. Some mosaics are pre-grouted. Colored grouts available. All grouts should be sealed to prevent mildew and soil buildup. Synthetic marble: Marble “look-alikes” include cultured marble—marble chips in a plastic resin—synthetic marble—made with methacrylate. Cultured marble is used more in bathrooms. Synthetic marble, known as Conan, is becoming increasingly popular. It is durable and resistant to moisture, stains, cracks, and heat. Scratches can be repaired by sanding. Comes In slabs, which can be worked like wood with carbide-tipped power tools. Can also be used on walls. Expensive. Marble: Used primarily for making pastries and candy because of its cool, smooth surface. Very heavy, scratches easily, can crack, but doesn’t burn. Must be waxed and polished. Expensive. Butcher block and wood: “Genuine” butcher block is made of thick, laminated pieces of hardwood end grain that are either untreated or oiled. Generally used on only a portion of a counter top or as a separate chopping block. The porous surface is easily marred and stained, although burn and scratch marks can be sanded away. Sealed with polyurethane, the surface is more durable but is no longer considered true butcher block. Wood counter tops with a polyurethane finish can be used for all counter-top surfaces. Will scratch and burn but are easily repaired. Relatively inexpensive. Wall Coverings Type: Comments
Flooring Materials Type: Comments
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Updated: Thursday, 2011-12-15 20:51