Janine,

There, there; it'll be OK and will be a good investment in family harmony because someone else won't be the unlucky creature that makes the first ding. It will save wear and tear on your Big Girl Face to not have to be gracious when you really want to smack the offending party.

For me that would be a huge relief since sometimes I'm not as successful being a Big Girl as I wish I could be.

Shelf paper works, too, as does paint.

Will the lights heat up other parts of the cabs once installed? That's something that worries me - when I'm not at a mirror practing my B.G.F., that is.

L.

I feel your pain! At least it isn't visible and you've got that first one out of the way. Bummer.

Aww - that stinks. I agree with liriodendron - it'll be a lot easier to punish myself for the first oops than to get mad at someone else and pretend it didn't bother me.

Sounds like it is in a decent spot, at least. Shelf paper is a good idea. If you don't want to do that, maybe you could get a thin piece of plywood in the same color to lay inside and hide it?

Stinks, but thank goodness they weren't installed, burning the outside of your cabs!

Are they always so hot? I admit, that's why I'm going LEDs, but I really had no idea. Janine, what is the inside of your cabinets made of? To singe that fast is very worrisome to me. Being installed under your cabs, heat rises. What if you leave these lights on when you leave the house? Sorry. I'm not a worry-wart, but this doesn't sound good At All.

I'm glad it's only a small round spot. With any luck it's in the same place in each cabinet. Symmetry is everything, 'ya know!?

Don't kick yourself too much. At least you did it, rather than being distraught at someone else, who would feel even worse.

I know I'm PollyAnna-ing, but now the 1st "ding" is out of the way.

Christine

Puck lights get very hot. If you're going to install them, be sure not
to store chocolate, herbs or teas in the cabinet just above. They
will deteriorate the herbs and teas, and melt the chocolate.

LEDs or fluorescents are better alternatives, as they do not emit
heat.

I've had under cab fluorescents for 27 years. They are wonderful
for that purpose, and very economical. I'll be installing them in the
kitchen of my new build, too.

Thanks everyone~

yes, puck lights run hot and there are all kinds of warnings to make sure the box is at least 12X12, not to install in a ceiling, within 2" of a wall, etc. I just learned all of this last night. The metal frame of the light doesn't get hot..just the glass in front of the bulb. We can't do flourescent (hubby gets physically ill with flourescent lights) and we're doing LED everywhere else....I don't know if we can switch them out for LEDs. I'll check with the builder.

My cabs are paint grade (acacia flower white), the shelving is melamine and I do have an extra shelf I can rest on top of the base of the cabinet that wouldn't be seen through the glass...that might work. Besides, the display cabs will have pretty things in them to cover up my mess anyway, right?

They really aren't big spots at all....and you all are right, it's a very good thing that it was I who did the damage rather than my hubby or kids. I'm kicking myself but I honestly didn't know they ran that hot. I am SO thankful they weren't resting on the outside of the cabs!

Janine

I would be so bummed out! Maybe the damage can be sanded and stained.
Glad I am going LED - they do have some heat but not quite as much. I will definitely keep the chocolate and herbs off the bottom shelf... Would hate to come home to a fondue of dark chocolate and cayenne pepper (Although chile chocolate is quite interesting)

Investigate getting a cabinet "skin", color matched to you color, to go over the cabinet side and hide your sins.

You might be able to minimize the scorched areas with a scrub of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Jodi-

I'm so sorry. But you've got that first ding out of the way and can really enjoy your kitchen now. Is it something shelf liner would cover if it really bugs you?

I'm happy to report that the cabinet guy is back today and, after we shared a chuckle about my mishap (yes, I'm laughing about it now)....he went to work disguising it. He has touchup paint that should do the job. (crossing fingers)

But, in the end, it's just a kitchen and is meant to be used. I already have a backup plan...when my pristine white cabinets get *worn* I could always switch to a Shabby Chic look! lol!!

I have to ask again, though, why you'd put something so hot in your kitchen. You have kids. Someone's bound to touch them!

LED strips aren't that expensive at Lowe's, and they can be direct wired. Much nicer look, IMHO, and they don't get hot!.

But I'm glad you can laugh with your guy. I'm sure he was glad you caught it, too!

I talked at length with both my contractor and the electrician today about the puck lights. They actually are LED lights but aren't meant to sit face down in a cabinet. Set correctly, heat doesn't get trapped and it is a non-issue. They installed them today and they look fantastic and are not in a spot where they will get touched anyway.

Thanks for the concern. I was concerned at first too!

update on my singed cabinets~

the installers came back to do some touch up and they brought their air compressor, paint, catalyst and air brush thingy and completely fixed it for me! I'm shocked as it was MY giant mess up...I didn't think they'd offer to fix my issue! Love these cabinet guys!

;-). Glad they could fix them. LEDs do get warm also but. Not as hot as xenon.
Pictures of repairs?

Glad you had a happy ending!

I'll try to get some pics taken soon!

Get rid of the pucks. I did. I hated them. They cooked everything inside the cabinet over them. Sorry about your scorches.

I'm sorry about my scorches too but I love my puck lights! They shine a gorgeous spotlight! They will also be on dimmers so not to worry about cooking stuff. Mostly glass will be in the cabinets anyway.

Thanks for the concern~