What is a necessity in your kitchen?

[Rosalie]

We are renovating our 10 yr old kitchen. Antiquing the cabinets, new appliances, granite counters, moenstone sink, new faucets, paint etc (you get the picture). This is a big overhaul and while staying in budgt is important, I am willing to go over budget some in the appliance dept.

What would you want that you don't presently have and what appliances (brands) do you love/hate?

I am considering a warming oven and a seperate boiling water tap in the sink area. These are things I don't need, but would like. I an definitely getting a double oven!!

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Rose

[HealthyinMN]

I would love to have a double oven - thats one thing I could really use! A warming drawer would be nice as well. Built in cookbook shelves too!

[birdyone]

Just had my kitchen finished this week - had the 'hot tap' removed - useless IMHO - it does not come to the boil temperature (Kitchen Aid and years old) - but that was absolutely a no-no for me.

The one thing I did get and love so far is a black Blanco Silgranit sink - all of my appliances are black and this is fantastic and..........sure doesn't get stained like stainless.

[Beth]

I think double ovens are more important than a warming drawer -- and the second oven can probably fill the role of warmer in most cases anyway.

Focus on the things you use most and put priority on them. Having a really good cooktop is probably the biggest impact on your cooking success and pleasure. For me, that means gas with flat grates and large burners for large pots as well as low power. We're planning on getting a Dacor cooktop -- probably the new Preference 5 burner with the 18,000 BTU burner. DH like the look of the Epicure, but agrees that the performance of the new Preference beats it.

For most folks, a quiet dishwasher probably comes in a close second. Bosch and Asko are known for being quiet, but I think the Kitchenaid top of the line is pretty close. I had one before and I loved the tall tub, the way the racking fit so much in, the way the flatware baskets worked. We're planning on getting another one here soon.

Ovens are probably next on my list, but I think it starts to break down after the first two depending on how you use your kitchen. I'm leaning towards Thermador, but have also been looking at DCS and a couple of others. Things have changed since we first looked, so I need to get updated on them.

I'm not going to get a warming drawer. I don't want to give up the space -- can't see using it that often and would rather have double ovens and a microwave. I figure the second oven and micro will keep everything warm and do more.

I think we are going to add a small wine cooler (half the horizontal space of a warming drawer), in part because it would be expected in a house this size with a fully redone kitchen. We have wine chiller outside of the kitchen that doesn't show. It will be nice to have one that keeps bottles handy both for everyday and entertaining.

I've had a hot water tap before and really liked it. We were planning on putting one in here, but may not -- in part because our espresso maker has a hot water tap. Only thing is that it is not always on.

Any of that help?

[karen w]

I have one of those instant hot water dispensers, and absolutely love it! I don't use it to get water at a rolling boil; that's what the stove top is for IMHO. It is super convenient for the nightly cup of tea, instant cocoa for the kids and I, instant oatmeal for the kids, rehydrating tomatoes or mushrooms, dissolving bouillion, etc... I'd put one in again without hesitation. I also have a double wall oven, and it comes in quite handy especially at holiday times. If you have a big kitchen(I do) you might consider putting in a second sink if it is possible. We have a second smaller "bar sink which is nice, but again not absolutely necessary. Other things in my kitchen I would do again are my cabinet for spices and a cabinet for things like cookie sheets.

Good luck and enjoy your new kitchen,
Karen

[LivingLowfat]

Great thread!!

I live in NYC, so kitchen space is a total luxury. I just moved into a place that recently had the kitchen re-done. You're all going to think I'm from the stone age or something, but I have a dishwasher now (for the first time!) and I'm the envy of all my friends!

In my dream kitchen, I'd have an island with the stovetop (a nice, big, spacious one!) on it. Lots of granite counter space so I could have my rotissiree out in the open. I'd have a double oven. I'd also love a fridge that has the bottom drawer freezer. And an ice cube maker.

Sigh....

[Miss Giggles]

I am in an apartment and am dying for counter space and an actual pantry.

Double oven would be nice

I would want the open cabinets like Ina's where you can just grab the sugar, flour, etc.

[Sami]

The only thing I do not like in my kitchen is my Thermidor gas cooktop. The grates are hard to clean and they very often need to be. I think black grates would be much better (mine are gray).

I have 2 ovens and although the 2nd one is rarely used, when I need it, it is a godsend. I founf that I could use my slow cooker to keep stuff warm.

Biggest plus in the kitchen is the granite because I can put hot pans from the oven right onto the surface, and I can cut on it, although it will dull the knives.

Oh, and I love my hot water dispenser for tea and veggie blancing, and also to double rinse my knives.

Sami

[acginkc]

I would want everything everyone else has mentioned and the one other thing I would absolutely love to have is one of those fridge drawers (that is built into the cabinets) that you can keep fresh produce and such in. I had a friend who put one in and it was right by where her cutting board was so she didn't have to carry all the veggies/fruits across the kitchen when she was chopping a lot. Someday I will get a new kitchen (hopefully I will still be yound enough to enjoy it by the time I can afford my dream one). :)

[KGL]

When I renovated my kitchen a few years ago, I put in a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Thermador (with black grates) dual energy range (convection/gas). I've been very pleased with all of them. Also, after doing lots of research, I learned that Goldstar actually manufactures most of the name brand microwaves but is substantially less expensive (about 1/3 of the price). The appliance salesman was so surprised when he found out I knew this information and told me I had made a wise choice. In 4 years, I've only needed one minor repair on the microwave and 2 minor repairs on the dishwasher. I would highly recommend all of these brands and would also suggest Silestone for the countertops.
As for special features, I love having my pantry and broom closet next to the kitchen, custom made special cabinets to fit all of my baking pans, lots of outlets on the island, separate receptacle compartments under my sink for sorting recyclables and hanging shelves on the inside of the doors to both my food closet and dish closet. In one, I had shelves made in various heights to fit my spices and assorted bottles like vinegars, extracts and oils and in the other, I had the shelves made in various heights to fit my cups and glassware. Best of luck to you!

[Rosalie]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I appreciate it. It sounds like some of you have amazing kitchens.

My budget is not going to allow for the Sub zero or Thermador appliances (although the Thermador cook top is not significantly more that the hi end GE appliances), so I'll just have to see what we decide. I definitely want an Asko dishwasher. I like the idea of the hot water tap for tea, kids oatmeal etc. I do alot of bread prooding and warming and liked the idea of the warmer. I do have the space for it...so I'll need to decide on that.

Keep the thoughts coming. This is a agreat help.

Rose

[Beth]

If you were thinking of using the warming drawer for proofing bread dough, be careful and check it out thouroughly. The temps needed to safely keep food warm would be too warm for proofing bread. At safe food temps, you would kill the yeast. Maybe you could turn it on for a minute, turn it off and then put the dough in there, but I like having my dough where I can see it. I also think that a warming drawer would be rather limiting in terms of the bowls or such that you could put in there. I use my KA mixer bowl and a large ceramic bowl a lot, and I'm not sure either of them would fit in a warmer.

[wallycat]

I am in the midst of thinking about all of this as well.
My head is spinning :(

I think if I had to pick ONE luxury item that costs a lot but I think would be a godsend, it would be the new Kohler heating sink. It doubles as a second sink but it also has a pot/steamer insert and the thing heats. I know many people rave about the plumbing over their stoving claiming they don't have to lug the water over, but ...ummm...you STILL have to lug it to the sink to dump it out ;)
With this Kohler sink, you simply push a button and it drains (it is, after all, a sink :D ). This would give me an extra sink, an extra burner when all I need to do is boil pasta or steam veggies, AND I wouldn't have to lug water to or FROM the spot I used it :p

OK, now I am crossing my fingers to win the lottery so I could actually get one :eek:

[PattiA]

An appliance that I don't see in many kitchens but that I love is a trash compactor. There was one in this house when we bought it. It's not something I would have thought of, but it has become one of our must-have appliances.

Lighting is also important to me. Most kitchens have crappy lighting. Not enough light on the work surfaces.

Appliance "garages". One of my friends has a storage area built in behind the counter to store her appliances. It has a roll-top covering. She has the full depth of her counters available as workspace and all the small appliances are stored behind the roll-top. There are plugs inside the appliance garage. I'd love to have all the appliances out of the way, but ready to use in a moment.

I'd love to have a huge bookshelf for all my cookbooks.

[Vanessa]

We just moved and I am very very happy with our kitchen. I am glad DH insisted on granite & I like the convinience of the stove/oven and a second oven in wall. I love our fridge KA Superba? stainless steel. I like the convinience the ice bucket is removable for parties. The only thing we just discovered (yes I called the dealer) was the drawers hit the door at times. I have learned to push the door (is a cabinet deep side by side) with one arm while reaching in drawers. BUt veggies etc last longer and is a nice fridge it was worth the expense specially because its cabinet deepth gives kitchen clean lines. I think I would pick same cabinetry and layout love my bar area and absolutelly love my pantry.
Now if I had to redo I would think of those u line drawers maybe or a wine cellar.