Thread: ideal kitchen

On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee"
<[email protected]> 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

On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee" <[email protected]>
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
>

Go for an island with the trash container and dishwasher built in, this allows
for more cupboards under the countertop. As for the countertops, buffed
concrete is nice and quite affordable, and can be tinted any color you want.


--

Stu

So much more than just a recipe website

Recipe of the week "SPICY GARLIC PEPPER MEATBALLS"
http://foodforu.ca/recipeofweek.html

have been there also want opinions of the cooks here as i know many of them
from other groups and respect their opinions, Lee
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee"
> <[email protected]> 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

thanks, Lee
"Stu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee" <[email protected]>
> 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
>>
>
> Go for an island with the trash container and dishwasher built in, this
> allows
> for more cupboards under the countertop. As for the countertops, buffed
> concrete is nice and quite affordable, and can be tinted any color you
> want.
>
>
> --
>
> Stu
>
> So much more than just a recipe website
>
> Recipe of the week "SPICY GARLIC PEPPER MEATBALLS"
> http://foodforu.ca/recipeofweek.html
>

"Storrmmee" <[email protected]> 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

thanks, saved to the house file, Lee
"Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]..
> "Storrmmee" <[email protected]> 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

Storrmmee <[email protected]> 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

Andy <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Storrmmee" <[email protected]> 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)

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.

On Jan 24, 10:28*am, "Storrmmee" <rgr...@consolidated.net> 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

thanks, its functional, we currently do not have a kitchen, it having burnt
with the rest of the house, Lee
"Steve Pope" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ihkftb$psa$[email protected]..
> Storrmmee <[email protected]> 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

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" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ihkg3c$ucg$[email protected]..
> Andy <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "Storrmmee" <[email protected]> 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)

thanks, lee
"Janet" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> 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.
>

thanks, am really leaning to the drawsers, Lee
"timbrel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Jan 24, 10:28 am, "Storrmmee" <rgr...@consolidated.net> 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

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.

On Jan 24, 10:28*am, "Storrmmee" <rgr...@consolidated.net> 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

In article <[email protected]>,
"Storrmmee" <[email protected]> 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

On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:19 -0600, "Storrmmee"
<[email protected]> 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,

Have you seen this website? http://kitchenideas1.blogspot.com
>

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.

-Pull out shelves on all bottom cabinets
-divided vertical tray/cookie sheet/cooling rack etc storage
-Drawer dishwasher
-Adjustable overhead lighting to focus on your favorite work areas
-Under counter lighting everywhere
-Electrical outlets up to code and convenient, so small appliances
don't have to be moved to be used and double up to 4 when necessary
-An island or peninsula at least a 36 inches wide
-Seamless or nearly-seamless work surfaces
-I've heard mixed reviews about French Door refrigerators, but I'd
like one if I had the room
-Prep sink with garbage disposal near the cooktop
-Make the panel in front of the sink a tilt out to keep the sponge etc
-A knife storage drawer (two levels would be even nicer)
-Corner lazy susans
-Upper cabinets with at least a 12 inch *interior*
-A pull out unit for can and bottle storage
-Upper storage cabinets that "unfold" for easy access to grocery items
-a pantry of any size
-a place to store the broom, vacuum and swiffer
-I have 3 drawers behind a lower cabinet door that I've always liked.
That's where I keep bags of beans, pasta, potatoes... etc.
-Laundry facility off kitchen
-European design cabinets where doors meet without a huge gap and
hinges are hidden or maybe lift up overhead doors
-Something like this might come in handy someday
http://www.acessinc.com/Pull_down_shelf_mechanism.htm
-I'd love a real fireplace in the kitchen
-We're changing the large window behind the sink to an awning style
-Install the deepest, largest single hole sink you can find... at the
very least, find one where you can place your largest pan/cookie sheet
in and have extra room on all sides

I won't get into suggesting surface details because it's so personal.
I have granite now after suffering through years of tile countertops.
I *love* my granite, but you might prefer something else. I have a
stainless steel backsplash that is one piece and extends on both sides
beyond the back of the cooktop. It is everything I wanted visually,
but it's a PITA to clean because I'm a little too short. Didn't think
about that until I had to clean it the first time. I also have a
wooden floor, which is beautiful. Unfortunately, wood darkens with
age so area rugs are not a good idea unless we want a patchwork floor
in terms of shades, but I need rugs to catch all the drips. You have
no idea how messy you really are until you have a surface that shows
every little spot.

I also have an indoor grill and a vent that can suck the fillings out
of your teeth. Take a good look at both and think seriously about how
easy they will be to keep clean. I like the idea of vent filters that
go in the dishwasher; unfortunately my vent doesn't have that feature.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

In article <[email protected]>,
"Storrmmee" <[email protected]> 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