Built-In Kitchen Appliance Buying Guide
If you are planning on renovating your kitchen, chances are you will probably be updating at least one major appliance. With new kitchen appliances, you get an instant upgrade that is more stylish, innovative and will also add more value to your home. The kitchen is the heart of the home, it is a place where meals are created, conversations are started and memories are made.
Now when it comes to choosing new kitchen appliances, it is not only a large investment but it can also be a very daunting task if you don’t go in with a game plan. If you refer to these few simple suggestions, you will be in a better position to make well-informed decisions and be confident that you are ready to shop.
Make a List – Check It Twice
Let’s look at your current appliances, make a list of what you like and what you dislike about them. Think about all the features and options that you use, what you are missing that you truly would like and what you do currently have that you don’t want to be without.
If you are making the investment into new appliances, you want to make sure that you look for new appliances that will suit your needs and wants.
Functional Space
When you plan out your kitchen space, you want to make sure that there is a natural flow when you are performing the 3 primary functions: preparing, cooking, and cleaning. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends that you should draw an imaginary line from the centre of the sink to the centre of the cooktop, to the centre of the refrigerator and then finally back to the sink, this is known as the ‘work triangle’. The NKBA provides 3 important guidelines that you need to take into consideration when implementing a work triangle.
1. The sum of the work triangle’s three sides should not exceed 26 feet and each length should measure between 4 and 9 feet.
2. The work triangle should not cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.
3. If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed between or across from the cooking surface, preparation area or refrigerator.
Measure, Measure and Measure Again
The #1 reason why major appliances are returned to the store is simply because things weren’t measured properly and the appliances did not fit. To avoid this, make sure that you give the cut out dimensions for each appliance to your cabinet makers or make sure, if this is something you are doing yourself, that you measure not just the space where the appliance will go, but around the appliance.
For example, you need to make sure that you have enough clearance to open the oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator; nothing worse than not being able to open your appliance to a full 90 degrees.
Start Researching Appliances
Now is the time to start researching the built-in appliances that you want to fill your kitchen with. Built-in appliances, as opposed to freestanding appliances, are physically integrated into the cabinetry around them offering a seamless design with a flush installation. Built-in appliances are a great choice for any kitchen regardless of size.
A cooktop can free up space whether you install it on your countertop or a kitchen island. A wall oven can be installed at an ergonomic height for easy access. Plus, choosing an individual oven and cooktop allows you to choose your preferred fuel type for each.
However, before you start researching specific products, you first need to determine what colour appliances you want for your kitchen. Whether you go with the traditional white, black, classic stainless steel or the newest trend of black stainless steel, this will help guide you throughout this journey.
Once you have determined the colour you would like, here are some helpful hints to get you started in your hunt for your perfect built-in appliances.
Wall Oven
Featured : KitchenAid Wall Ovens
Choosing a wall oven is a nice alternative to the standard freestanding, all-in-one range. Installed high on a wall, these ovens make it easier to insert and remove heavy food dishes without having to continuously bend down. This ease-of-use is a strong selling feature but wall ovens also give a sophisticated look and feel to your kitchen. Here are a few things to get you started:
1. Choose the size of wall oven that you want; wall ovens come in 24”, 27”, 30” and 36”. Now, 30” is the most common size in households today and 27” tends to be for older replacements and 24” is traditionally a European size for smaller spaces; like condominiums.
2. 99% of the wall ovens available on the market today are electric; if you are looking for a gas wall oven, make sure to look at the 24” models available.
3. Next, you will need to figure out what configuration you would like to have in your kitchen, as there are a few options available in the appliance market.
a. Single Wall Oven
b. Double Wall Oven
c. Microwave/Wall Oven Combination
d. Steam Wall Oven
e. Speed Wall Oven
Cooktop
Featured: Samsung Gas Cooktop
Choosing a cooktop with a separate wall oven alleviates congestion in a busy kitchen. Adding a cooktop to an island lets you chat with your guests while you prep your meal and you also will gain cabinet space underneath the cooktop. Start your cooktop research by thinking about these 2 points:
1. Choose the fuel type that you want in a cooking surface. There are 4 fuel types to choose from, electric glass top, electric coils, gas, and induction.
2. Choose the size of cooktop that you want. They typically come in 3 sizes, 24”, 30” and 36”. If you are looking for a cooking surface that is larger than 36”, you will find that with premium brands that offer larger options.
Refrigerator
Featured: KitchenAid Refrigerator
Your refrigerator is probably the most important appliance that you invest in and it will be the most frequently used appliances in your home. If you haven’t shopped for a refrigerator in several years, things have changed. There are a lot more options available to you, depending on the needs of your family.
1. Size
a. Height
b. Depth
c. Width
2. Configuration
a. Built-In – Multiple Options
b. Top Freezer
c. Bottom Freezer
d. French Door Bottom Mount
e. 4 Door French Door Bottom Mount
f. All Refrigerator/All Freezer
3. Any special features that you may want
Since there are so many options available to you the best place to start to see what is available would be to visit the BrandSource website and filter based on your choice from the above list.
Dishwasher
Featured: GE Appliances Dishwashers
Today, choose a dishwasher that will save you time, money and effort. There are many different dishwashers available to you today that come with new and innovative features that you will need to choose from. Now, to get you started here are a few important aspects to consider:
1. Sound (Decibel Level)
2. Door Style
a. Handle
b. Controls
3. Special features that you may want
Check out this interactive video dishwasher buying guide from Consumer Reports, it will guide you to choosing the right dishwasher for you. Another good place to start would be to check out Reviewed.com for many different dishwasher product reviews.
Ideally, the best place to start when you are looking to renovate your kitchen it to discuss your needs with a BrandSource retailer. These retailers are independently owned with over 130 locations across Canada. They offer a wide variety of major appliance brands and products, so no matter what style you are looking for whether contemporary, traditional or transitional, they have it all. Click here to find a BrandSource retailer near you.
Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert