Appliance lift

15 years ago

I know I have seen a picture of an appliance lift, but for the life of me, I can't find it. If anyone has a picture of how this looks and can post it, I would really appreciate it. I would appreciate your opinion, pros or cons, too. I am trying to figure out a good place to store and use my KA mixer. I have a bad back and pulling it out of a cupboard and moving it to a counter can sometimes be hard. So, I was thinking a lift would be a good idea. Any thoughts? Don't want to mess up the look of what I hope is a beautiful kitchen. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

bellsrus
15 years ago
I am getting 2 lifts, one for my mixer and one for my food processor. They aren't installed yet, so I don't have any photos. Here is a link to a site where they sell the lifts and it has photos.

Patti

Here is a link that might be useful: appliance lift
ccoombs1
15 years ago
I was going to get a mixer lift, but after talking to my cabinet guy, I changed my mind. He said he has installed five of them for people, and un-installed four of them. People aren't happy with them because it means dedicating an entire cabinet to one appliance. If I used my mixer every couple of days it might be worth it, but I really only use it around holidays so it will have a nice storage shelf in the pantry.
Related Discussions
Crazy idea for blind corner base?
Q
Comments (4)
Thank you for the replies. Desert Steph, I saw those in a magazine, as a stack of drawers. Very clever use of the space. Eliz, I looked into all of those fancy pull outs (Haelfe and Knape/Voit,) but they are not really big enough for using with a 48" cabinet. They appear to be created for a 36" cabinet. I hadn't thought about the head banging, but I would be down on my knees anyway to access the pull outs I have. I really liked how much usable space that there was with arlosmom's pull outs from the blind corner. I would use that space for crock pot, vases, etc. I wish that I could swing the mixer out of the way (I do use it once a week, and it would be ok where it is, but countertop space is premium in my small kitchen. By the way, thanks for the compliment, Arlosmom, but I wouldn't have thought about this if I hadn't seen your drawers first! I just had another idea, but not sure if it is better - I don't love my microwave, because it takes up way too much counter space - much more than the mixer. It would just fit into the opening, and there is an outlet directly behind that cabinet on the back splash. It is 33 pounds, and the Rev-A-Shelf appliance lift has an adjustment for 30-60 pounds. I would Love to put it on the appliance lift, but am not sure if I would want to be under something so heavy while I accessed my crock pot/etc. We would use the microwave at least 6 times a day, and this would probably be crazy to do. Has anyone mounted a heavy small appliance (30+ pounds) onto an appliance lift? Thank you! Hestia_Flames
...See More
Appliance lift for Kitchen Aid mixer
Q
Comments (15)
Okay, so I've done a search. I'm pretty well versed with Google and how to find things on this site. As to the appliance lift, some love them, some not so much. I know the "disadvantages" of them and I'm fine with it. So here's the thing, I don't WANT it sitting out on the counter top and I didn't like when I had it in a cabinet where I needed to lift it out and up...I just don't use it then. I'm running out of options unless I can figure out a magic spell to have it just appear when I need it and go away when I don't. ;-) As to stability issues, I don't intend to keep it on the the shelf when using it, but instead use it to lift to close to counter height in my island and then place it on the counter, so it's relative stability during use isn't an issue. With or without the lift, I'm going to wind up devoting most of a cabinet to it anyway because of it's size. That's how it's been in it's current lift-less state, so I'm fine with devoting space to it as opposed to it sitting out on the counter. I can have a small roll out beneath the mechanism for some things and I'm cool with that. I'd like to know if anyone has compared the three different makers and what thoughts they had with each. Or if someone has another option of something to do with it that doesn't involve it residing on my countertop but being more easily accessible, I'm open to hearing it.
...See More
Appliance Lifts - Are they worth it & lots of other questions
Q
Comments (12)
My cabinet is 18" wide, but the lift mechanism is only about 12.5" wide, so my cabinet is extra wide. It is also deeper than a normal cabinet; ignore the empty space in back. (The extra space was to get my island the right size.) There are almost 10 inches below the lift, where I store my hand mixer and extra mixer pieces. (Like my mess?! :)) I suppose you could have a pullout here, but I don't mind it as is. Appliance lift in up/locked position: The tabs you pull on to release the lift from the up position back to storage: Appliance lift, on its way to storage (assisted by my stool, for the sake of a photo :)) : Appliance lift in the storage position: Where my mixer is positioned, it just clears the countertop on the way down. If I had a larger mixer, I would have to pull it forward on the lift to account for extra height. My mixer is about 14" high. I have my mixer as far back as possible because it feels better balanced on the wood when in use. If you do get a mixer lift/cabinet, make sure the door opens away from where you plan to stand. I am not a big cook.... so I can't answer all your questions. We have room to spare in our kitchen, so the mixer/lift cabinet didn't take away from anything else. I don't like anything on the counters, and I don't like lifting this hefty mixer. Thus, this cabinet works for us. It makes it more likely that I will bake for my DH because it's convenient. ;) Your other questions.... Yes, it feels sturdy.... but I don't do any crazy cooking.... no dough here. Also, it doesn't feel weird to me to use standing next to it...
...See More
Rev-A-Shelf Appliance Lift Shelf Size
Q
Comments (0)
I am looking into using one of these in an island and was curious if anyone knew if the suggested length of 20-1/2" could be shortened. Also, if there is a maximum width for the shelf, or if it is simply a weight limit. I have read over the manufacturer's product info and seem to have missed these items. The set-up I want is to put the lift in the far side of an island and have it come out with the 2 appliances on it facing opposite lengths of the island. This will make the shelf 27-3/4" (2' 3-3/4").
...See More
zoenipp
15 years ago
I have one of these for my Cuisinart and love it but agree that I wouldn't suggest it unless you've got an over-abundance of cabinet space. I have a pullout below the lift that holds my processor bowls/lids/attachments.
mominthedubc
Original Author
15 years ago
Bellsrus, thanks for the link. CCoombs1 and zoenipp, does appliance lift take up much more space than the mixer would in a regular cab?
ci_lantro
15 years ago
With an appliance lift, you can't have a top drawer in that cab, i.e., a drawer over the mixer storage.

Also, IIRC, there have been some clearance issues so, before you commit to getting one, make double sure that it will work with your model of KA.
boxiebabe
15 years ago
I considered it, but the KD nixed the idea in saying that it takes up the room of one entire cabinet. We have a large kitchen, but I really wanted to maximize cabinets because I have a lot of stuff! In hindsight though, I think I wish that I'd have stuck with my original idea and had one put in. I use my Kitchen Aid mixer 1-2 times a week, and it's a P.I.T.A. to drag it out. I currently have mine in a regular bank of cabinets. In the cabinet are 2 full extension roll-out shelves. I keep my KA on the bottom shelf, along with cannisters of flour, sugar, chocolate chips and various other baking staples. It's really good that it's on a roll-out, but I still have to lug it up to the counter and plug it in. I have a bad back so this is nothing easy.
ssjm
15 years ago
I have one for my KA mixer and it is in an 18" cabinet.
mainecoonkitty
15 years ago
I agree...I wanted one too, but after seeing one installed, I couldn't justify giving up an entire cabinet for it.
ccoombs1
15 years ago
mominthedubc, yep...it takes up the entire cabinet. You can't put anything else in there at all. If it's something you use a lot, have you considered getting an applaince garage added to your kitchen plans? that way, the mixer would be available all the time, but also be hidden from view. I don't like lugging my heavy mixer around too much, but I just could not see giving it a cabinet all of it's own either.
lowspark
15 years ago
I highly recommend seeing one "in person" before buying one. I was considering getting one but when I tried it out at the showroom, I was immediately turned off. I found it hard to use. You have to bend over and release the latch, which I couldn't do after several tries. And if you have a bad back, bending over might not work for you. Bottom line, try before you buy.

Appliance lift

Comments (10)

bellsrus

ccoombs1

Related Discussions

zoenipp

mominthedubc
Original Author

ci_lantro

boxiebabe

ssjm

mainecoonkitty

ccoombs1

lowspark

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Appliance lift

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

mominthedubcOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

mominthedubc
Original Author