Kitchen Essential

Sinks and Taps

Essentials like sinks and taps are such an integral part of the kitchen that it’s easy to forget what a variety there is to choose from.

Old-fashioned porcelain butler’s sinks (the deep rectangular tanks that have been turned into so many container gardens over the years!) are still very appealing for country-style kitchens. The disadvantage with traditional installations was that the join between sink and adjacent wooden draining board was difficult to seal, allowing water and waste to get into the gap. If you’re buying a new butler’s sink, look for a design with an edge that overlaps the worktop, to avoid this problem. Continue Reading »

Serving

As long as there is sufficient work surface beside the hob, the oven or the free-standing cooker on which to put plates and serving dishes, there should be few problems.

Within the serving area there should be convenient storage for oven gloves, serving spoons, plates and serving dishes.

Dishwashing

This is often a part of the preparation area. However, if the kitchen is large enough, it may be worth considering a separate dishwashing zone, close to the eating area. This zone will accommodate the waste disposal unit or a rubbish bin and, ideally, a dishwasher. Twin sinks should be large enough to hold a grill pan.

The hob should be linked by a worktop to the sink. It should also have ample work surfaces on both sides of it. Kettle, tea, coffee, cups and saucers are best kept close to the sink. Toasters should be on a work surface or shelf near to the bread. Deep drawers for bread storage are preferable to bins on the work surface. Continue Reading »

We conducted a qualitative survey amongst two hundred people, many of whom had installed new kitchens. The objective was to establish views about the design of equipment, and its suitability for use in the home.

This article summarises our main recommendations on worktops, sinks and taps, waste disposal units, kitchen units, ovens and hobs, fridges and freezers, dishwashers and washing machines. We also highlight some new, untested products which may meet specific user needs.

Worktops

There are no hard and fast rules for worktop heights, wall units and tall storage cupboards — simply because people come in different sizes — so don’t assume that you must have standard height work surfaces if that is not what you need. There are minimum storage facilities set down for local authority housing.

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