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Appliance pulls vs. Regular Pulls - Difference?

15 years ago

Anyone with experience or advice on appliance pulls versus long "regular" cabinet pulls for appliances? I need pulls for my fridge and dw and I'm not sure what the difference is between the two? I really like some of the RH pulls (and they're having yet another 20% off sale next week!) but...... can you use a 12" regular cabinet pull on appliances or do I need a "real" appliance pull?

Anyone with advice? Thanks in advance.

Alida

Featured Answer

rmkitchen

15 years ago

My understanding when I was looking for heavy-duty appliance pulls (for fridge and freezer, NOT for dishwasher / fridge drawers) is that you really need a pull indicated for appliances because they'll have the strength to not just pull right out of the panel.

I was also looking at an RH 12" pull and, this is purely anecdotal, my cabinetmaker said "No." He's the one who first told me that regular pulls aren't strong enough to (repeatedly) pull open a heavy fridge door. Someone else, I think it was at an appliance store, anyway, they told me to make sure to have heavy-duty pulls and long, strong screws to withstand the weight (of the panels and loaded door).

Luckily I found an appliance pull I loved (but it took soooo long!). And I have to say, now that I've been pulling open our (heavy) fridge and freezer doors I can understand why the RH pull I liked would have been a total dud (for my panels and appliances).

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Comments (7)

Jean Farrell
15 years ago
Appliance pulls are much heftier. At first, I didn't really like my appliance pulls, they seemed to bulky, but you really need the heft to pull open those heavy doors.
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alida_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
Appliance pulls it is then. Thanks for the advice. Anyone have a good source for appliance pulls in polished nickel?

Thanks,
Alida
rmkitchen
15 years ago
That was my rub, too -- finding attractive appliance pulls in polished nickel. I got these, Studio by Belwith / Hickory Hardware -- you can look at my finished kitchen to see them in situ. Love them.
maydl
15 years ago
I used 18" long appliance pulls on my side-by-side fridge, and they were perfect.

But I'd bought an 8" appliance pull for my DW, and it was way too thick and clunky looking and it stuck out too far. I ended up using a 4" drawer pull that matched the others in the kitchen. By the time I decided not to install the appliance pull, I could no longer return it. [Luckily, it turned out to be just the right handle for my pantry door, but we didn't know that until months later.]

Appliance pulls are expensive, so if you can mock up the appliance pull (matching the length, thickness, and extension) you intend to use for your DW before committing to purchase it, that might help make the final decision.
rmkitchen
15 years ago
I'm so glad maydl posted because I hadn't clearly read your original post. For your dishwasher you absolutely only need a "regular" pull; on ours we have the same 4" bin pull we have throughout the kitchen. Merely for the large, heavy appliances (fridge and freezer, but NOT fridge / freezer drawers) do you need the appliance pulls.

Ours are the 13" pulls, and we've a 30" fridge and a 30" freezer.
alida_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the help. Appliance pulls for fridge, regular pulls for DW!

Thanks,
Alida

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