Kitchen Regrets
Discussion
Galsia said:
S11Steve said:
Also, consider an Insinkerator or other waste disposal system, especially if you have kids. Bigger bins means they are emptied less often, and with the amount of wasted food from fussy eaters, the smells soon start. Waste disposal keeps the bins cleaner.
I have an Insinkerator and it always stinks. It is horrendous.Not a whole lemon though - it just bounces around and shakes the seals loose under the sink... That would be a really stupid thing to do.
Edited by S11Steve on Wednesday 6th September 17:41
I was thinking pneumatic with a little hiss on each movementB17NNS said:
mcg_ said:
We wanted to keep stuff off the worktop, so have an integrated microwave and the toaster goes in a larder unit.
Appliance garages are becoming a thing 
Oh yeah, I went from gas to ceramic hob. I did this as limited on worktop, so it was recommended that I have a flat hob to allow for extra worktop as such when not in use.
Should have kept gas though!
Actually the hob thing has reminded me of something else we did overlook.
Our induction hob is raised slightly above the granite worktop, only 2-3mm or so, but there is no lip to retain any spillages from an over-boiling pan.
As our cutlery drawer is under the hob, when a pan of pasta boiled over a couple of weeks back, we ended up with a sticky, starchy mess on all of the stuff in the drawer.
I'm not sure any induction hobs come with a spill lip though.
Our induction hob is raised slightly above the granite worktop, only 2-3mm or so, but there is no lip to retain any spillages from an over-boiling pan.
As our cutlery drawer is under the hob, when a pan of pasta boiled over a couple of weeks back, we ended up with a sticky, starchy mess on all of the stuff in the drawer.
I'm not sure any induction hobs come with a spill lip though.
Definitely agree with the drawers
On the run where we have wall cupboards and an appliance garage I fitted an extra deep worktop with 700mm deep drawer cupboards underneath. This has a few advantages-
The wall cupbords can be mounted at the standard height so my wife can reach the shelf, but they are far enough back so I don't headbutt them after bending down to see the back of the worktop or plug something in.
The extra depth in front of the appliance garage means you can pull the mixer etc. out and use it without having to put it to one side.
Unlike shelves stuff at the back is just as accessible so the extra deep drawers can usefully hold even more stuff, two rows of cereal packets or a Makita kit box side on, for example.
On the run where we have wall cupboards and an appliance garage I fitted an extra deep worktop with 700mm deep drawer cupboards underneath. This has a few advantages-
The wall cupbords can be mounted at the standard height so my wife can reach the shelf, but they are far enough back so I don't headbutt them after bending down to see the back of the worktop or plug something in.
The extra depth in front of the appliance garage means you can pull the mixer etc. out and use it without having to put it to one side.
Unlike shelves stuff at the back is just as accessible so the extra deep drawers can usefully hold even more stuff, two rows of cereal packets or a Makita kit box side on, for example.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
S11Steve said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Interesting re waste disposal/insinkerator...
We're on a septic tank and I'm not sure how good these are for them?
Apparently it's not a problem, but I'm on mains waste so didn't ask much about that. It just turns all scraps into a soup that gets rinsed away with water down the same hole as the kitchen sink.We're on a septic tank and I'm not sure how good these are for them?
B17NNS said:
Appliance garages are becoming a thing
That is my favourite kitchen thing iv seen. No more bending down to get the pizza oven etc out the corner cuboard as its got its very own garage... Im in.On second thoughts, im deleting this thread from my history so the wife doesnt want this, then I can get a car instead. Ill suffer the back pains.
No regrets in my old kitchen except for the stupid electrician who could not line up the cooker spurs properly - and I should have hid them in a cupboard.
Just designed the new kitchen and this mistake will not be repeated.
Agree with earlier points about not putting wall cupboards up unless you need them. So new kitchen won't have any.
Also dedicated high level plugs for Sonos etc. Better value tha than ceiling speakers/amp, better sound.
I have never minded wooden worktops, but you have to be prepared to maintain them. I don't like the finish that varnish gives, preferring the deeper finish of oil. Which means you have to stay on top of it. We have specified oak in the new kitchen, but that is for budgetary reasons. Will replace the island one with granite once it starts looking tired.
Our old kitchen.
Kitchen by baconrashers, on Flickr
93 kitchen island by baconrashers, on Flickr
Kitchen by baconrashers, on Flickr
Just designed the new kitchen and this mistake will not be repeated.
Agree with earlier points about not putting wall cupboards up unless you need them. So new kitchen won't have any.
Also dedicated high level plugs for Sonos etc. Better value tha than ceiling speakers/amp, better sound.
I have never minded wooden worktops, but you have to be prepared to maintain them. I don't like the finish that varnish gives, preferring the deeper finish of oil. Which means you have to stay on top of it. We have specified oak in the new kitchen, but that is for budgetary reasons. Will replace the island one with granite once it starts looking tired.
Our old kitchen.
Kitchen by baconrashers, on Flickr93 kitchen island by baconrashers, on FlickrKitchen by baconrashers, on Flickr
S11Steve said:
Actually the hob thing has reminded me of something else we did overlook.
Our induction hob is raised slightly above the granite worktop, only 2-3mm or so, but there is no lip to retain any spillages from an over-boiling pan.
As our cutlery drawer is under the hob, when a pan of pasta boiled over a couple of weeks back, we ended up with a sticky, starchy mess on all of the stuff in the drawer.
I'm not sure any induction hobs come with a spill lip though.
Isn't it usual to run a bead of sealant around the perimeter of the hole before fitting the hob? Easy enough to do retrospectively if it's a recurring problem I imagine.Our induction hob is raised slightly above the granite worktop, only 2-3mm or so, but there is no lip to retain any spillages from an over-boiling pan.
As our cutlery drawer is under the hob, when a pan of pasta boiled over a couple of weeks back, we ended up with a sticky, starchy mess on all of the stuff in the drawer.
I'm not sure any induction hobs come with a spill lip though.
Insinkerators are great - saves A LOT of bin space and mess when clearing up dirty plates! They stink if you don't use them - ours gets used almost every meal time.
Make sure open cupboard doors do not clash - found this out a few months after ours got installed when I opened the oven into an open base unit door, planting a nasty ding in the oven...
Make sure open cupboard doors do not clash - found this out a few months after ours got installed when I opened the oven into an open base unit door, planting a nasty ding in the oven...
Harry Flashman said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
What's with the gaps on the far left tower unit Harry?
For housing chopping boards. Never quite finished the carpentry before selling the house!Exactly - a good quality heat-resistant sealant is what we used. No need for a drip catcher - many hobs are designed to sit flush with the worktop anyway, meaning that sealing is necessary.
Very excited about new kitchen. Same provider as the one above, but very different look. Very dark green (F&B Studio Green) with brass traditional knobs and cup handles on the drawers. It's going into a 3m high room in our new house, which has lots of Victorian detailing. So I designed something a bit more traditional this time...that should be ageless given the type of house, and repaintable when the current vogue for dark colours passes.
On regrets, I did a kitchen in my flat 9 years ago (pic below), and have a few regrets:
- Sleek kitchens aren't as timeless. I put one into my flat a few years back and whilst it still looks OK, it hasn't aged as well as a more traditional (but not overly twee) design would have. I also regret the vinyl wrapped doors. Something paintable is much easier to update with new paint and handles, without having to change the doors.
- Specifying chipboard cabinets. Over the years, even decent quality ones do see hinges etc coming loose. OK if you are willing to maintain/glue: but I don't fancy removing the cupboard doors for a refurb after gluing screws in etc. Wood cabs and doors are better, and can be had surprisingly cost effectively.
- Black granite Star Galaxy floor tiles. Impossible to clean and frankly, a bit naff these days.
- LED plinth lighting. Also a bit naff these days. Has been utterly trouble free, though.
- Choosing white vinyl wrapped cabinets. Yep, they're now, years later, a sort of dirty cream colour having yellowed.
- Fitting crap B&Q tap. Broke within a couple of years. Replaced it with a Grohe, which has never gone wrong.
- Integrated washing machine. It is bloody useless and every time it goes wrong, access to fix involves removing plinth and generally messing around. I didn't have much choice though - in an open plan flat, hiding the thing is key. Having a separate utility, or even a cupboard with drainage and water supply somewhere other than the kitchen is so, nice.
- Washing machine in open plan kitchen. The noise, oh God, the noise.
- Omitting a waste disposal. We have an Insinkerator in the house. It is amazing.
- Going budget on appliances. You WILL replace them. Buy cosmetically graded but warrantied stuff from proper manufacturers, seriously.
- Fitting crap ducting for the extractor. The white plastic accordion stuff is cheaper, but makes so much more noise, and is less efficient. Should have used rigid ducting.
- Funnily enough, I do not regret the Zebrano wood worktop at all. It just looks better with age as patina has developed. No water damage at all - a lovely thing.
- Fitting too many cupboards over drawers. Drawers are more expensive, but so much more useful.
- Having just one built-under double oven. Useless when entertaining, especially with an American wife and thus a big turkey or two being cooked at Thanksgiving, when we have a bunch of expat Americans over (22 last year) – two separate ovens are better. If you rarely use them, use the second as a plate warmer if you must.
- Integrated microwave. Never as good as the full sized versions, and double the cost.
- Not having an appliance garage/cupboard. Means the worktop was cluttered.
My subsequent two kitchens have avoided all of the above. You live, you learn. The "training kitchen", below, as it still looks.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Very excited about new kitchen. Same provider as the one above, but very different look. Very dark green (F&B Studio Green) with brass traditional knobs and cup handles on the drawers. It's going into a 3m high room in our new house, which has lots of Victorian detailing. So I designed something a bit more traditional this time...that should be ageless given the type of house, and repaintable when the current vogue for dark colours passes.
On regrets, I did a kitchen in my flat 9 years ago (pic below), and have a few regrets:
- Sleek kitchens aren't as timeless. I put one into my flat a few years back and whilst it still looks OK, it hasn't aged as well as a more traditional (but not overly twee) design would have. I also regret the vinyl wrapped doors. Something paintable is much easier to update with new paint and handles, without having to change the doors.
- Specifying chipboard cabinets. Over the years, even decent quality ones do see hinges etc coming loose. OK if you are willing to maintain/glue: but I don't fancy removing the cupboard doors for a refurb after gluing screws in etc. Wood cabs and doors are better, and can be had surprisingly cost effectively.
- Black granite Star Galaxy floor tiles. Impossible to clean and frankly, a bit naff these days.
- LED plinth lighting. Also a bit naff these days. Has been utterly trouble free, though.
- Choosing white vinyl wrapped cabinets. Yep, they're now, years later, a sort of dirty cream colour having yellowed.
- Fitting crap B&Q tap. Broke within a couple of years. Replaced it with a Grohe, which has never gone wrong.
- Integrated washing machine. It is bloody useless and every time it goes wrong, access to fix involves removing plinth and generally messing around. I didn't have much choice though - in an open plan flat, hiding the thing is key. Having a separate utility, or even a cupboard with drainage and water supply somewhere other than the kitchen is so, nice.
- Washing machine in open plan kitchen. The noise, oh God, the noise.
- Omitting a waste disposal. We have an Insinkerator in the house. It is amazing.
- Going budget on appliances. You WILL replace them. Buy cosmetically graded but warrantied stuff from proper manufacturers, seriously.
- Fitting crap ducting for the extractor. The white plastic accordion stuff is cheaper, but makes so much more noise, and is less efficient. Should have used rigid ducting.
- Funnily enough, I do not regret the Zebrano wood worktop at all. It just looks better with age as patina has developed. No water damage at all - a lovely thing.
- Fitting too many cupboards over drawers. Drawers are more expensive, but so much more useful.
- Having just one built-under double oven. Useless when entertaining, especially with an American wife and thus a big turkey or two being cooked at Thanksgiving, when we have a bunch of expat Americans over (22 last year) – two separate ovens are better. If you rarely use them, use the second as a plate warmer if you must.
- Integrated microwave. Never as good as the full sized versions, and double the cost.
- Not having an appliance garage/cupboard. Means the worktop was cluttered.
My subsequent two kitchens have avoided all of the above. You live, you learn. The "training kitchen", below, as it still looks.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickrturboteeth said:
Insinkerators are great - saves A LOT of bin space and mess when clearing up dirty plates! They stink if you don't use them - ours gets used almost every meal time.
Make sure open cupboard doors do not clash - found this out a few months after ours got installed when I opened the oven into an open base unit door, planting a nasty ding in the oven...
Never really seen the point of the sink macerators, peelings etc go into the compost and the rest of our food waste for the week does not even fill one of the small food recycling bags. Make sure open cupboard doors do not clash - found this out a few months after ours got installed when I opened the oven into an open base unit door, planting a nasty ding in the oven...
Risotto said:
Isn't it usual to run a bead of sealant around the perimeter of the hole before fitting the hob? Easy enough to do retrospectively if it's a recurring problem I imagine.
It is sealed onto the worktop, but the spillage flows off the hob, across the worktop and drips down onto the floor, or into a slightly open drawer underneath. Previously I've had hobs with a small lip all the way around the hob that stops, or at least reduces any spillages.I was looking last night at various induction hobs, and it seems very few do have this - virtually all are flush, or surface mounted.
Toltec said:
Never really seen the point of the sink macerators, peelings etc go into the compost and the rest of our food waste for the week does not even fill one of the small food recycling bags.
Because kids...! The amount of food waste our two can generate is soul destroying.We've also got into the habit of rinsing plates into the disposal before putting them in the dishwasher, so the usual remnants of sauces etc do not congeal in the filters or in the sink plug. We only need to clean the dishwasher every 6 months or so by doing this, rather than every 3-4 weeks
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