Pete Romfh > wrote:
> SINK: Three bowls. one deep on either side with a shallow on in the middle.
> Disposer is in the middle (we used a 1HP commercial disposer). The switch
> for the disposer is pneumatic so the button is right on the sink back, handy
> when you have wet or messy hands. A high rise faucet with pull-out spray is
> nice for rincing large pots etc.
Sounds good. Is this an integral or under-the counter sink, or
conventional mounting? Any opinions on those options?
> I also added a small bar sink right next to the stove. Handy for filling and
> draining large pots.
I'd like to do that but we're not plumbed on that side. And
with a slab foundation it's unlikely we'll ever be plumbed on
that side.
> At each sink there is a separate tap for filtered water. The filters are
> under the cabinets of course. On one of the units I came from the filtered
> cold water to a "hot shot" heater that keeps 1/2 gallon of filtered water at
> 190 degrees. We found a nice tap for the filtered water that dispenses hot &
> cold from the same tap. Instant coffee, soup, and tea are a snap to do with
> this arrangement.
I'm thinking of whole-house filtration for water, but then
again our water is not particularly hard to begin with. I
think a small system like that might be a better buy, parti-
cularly with the cold/hot option.
> BUILT-INs: Don't forget the microwave, it still has uses, as does a toaster
> oven / broiler / rotisserie. Mount them under cabinets to save counter
> space.
I think I may actually put the microwave on a cart in the
corner. As I said in another post I'm kind of space-limited.
The one thing I think I do NOT want to do is install an
integrated microwave / range hood system. Low CFM, and if
it breaks down you've got a lot of replacement cost to boot.
> While you're at it consider other under cabinet items i.e. blender,
> radio/CD/TV, knife block. Consider built-in under counter trash compactor,
> ice maker, wine cooler.
Woah! First of all: space. Second: budget. Third: utility.
I have an icemaker in my freezer, a blender (which I never use)
in a cabinet, and wine storage in a closet at the other end of
the house. And I keep my knives shoved into an old phone book.
> A small PC with access to your recipe database might
> be "over the top" but could be handy if you're as geeky as I am.
Less "over the top" than a trash compactor.
I've been thinking of that, actually. I have an old laptop I
could use for that, along with a wireless card to get to the
recipe program on the desktop.
> SEPARATE FREEZER: We selected equal size (27CF) refrigerator and freezer.
> Didn't put them side-by-side but probably should have.
There's a full-size freezer in my garage. Again: space.
> RANGE HOOD: We topped a 30 inch dual-fuel range with a 36 inch Broan
> Rangemaster hood. We selected the extra capacity 900 CFM blower which can
> quickly deal with life's little "oopsies". It also has halogen lighting,
> infra-red warming lights, and easy clean filters. We follwed the hood with a
> matching stainless steel backsplash down to the stovetop. Looks great and is
> very functional.
That sounds like something that would work very well for us.
We frequently make a chinese dish that involves blackening
dry hot peppers, and have been pining for a way to efficiently
vent to the outside for some time. [1] I think we may go a bit
overboard on this item and the range....
> MAGNETS: are your friend. I added strip magnets along the bottom of the hood
> on both sides and across the backsplash. Many of the frequently used
> implements are held up on the magnets ready for a quick grab when needed.
> Similarly magnetic clips keep other items on the backsplash. A pair of
> Polder thermometers and large timer came with magnets on the back and are
> stuck in convenient spots.
Good idea. Thanks.
> DEEP DRAWERS: Our kitchen designer suggested these and they are great. All
> the pots/ pans, etc. go in them and they are easy to access. We also added a
> lazy susan (rotating shelves) for the cornor cabinet. It eliminates those
> deep - dark spaces that things get lost in.
Another great idea, but I don't have a corner hence won't really
need a lazy susan, I think.
> DOUBLE DEPTH PANTRY: We added two floor-to-ceiling pantry cupboards. One is
> double depth and has swing-out front shelves to the back us easy to reach. I
> almost wish we had gone even deeper (we had the space) as we manage to fill
> the unit all too often.
I've seen these on display in the home centers. Definitely
something I'm considering.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Question about initial design and such: did you use a profes-
sional designer, with plans to sign off on? Or did you just
pick out cabinetry and appliances, and let the contractor go
to work? Home Depot Expo seems to have a good deal on profes-
sional design, but you're limited to their contractors....
[1] If you've never been exposed to hot-pepper smoke, well,
it's pretty much the same stuff some law-enforcement depart-
ments use to dispell riots.
--
Mark Shaw moc TOD liamg TA wahsnm
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"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny....'" - Isaac Asimov