Where would you put the outlet(s) in this island?
According to my electrician I only have to use one outlet but can use more if I want to. Where would you put one or two outlets in this island? It is an 8 foot island with seating for 4 on the backside. The cabinet maker suggests one outlet on each end of the island centered at the top. The cabinet maker will provide stained outlet covers to match island. I wasn't sure if I would use an outlet at the end of the island by the prep sink because of the sink. Not sure if I would mind seeing the outlets on the ends or not but not sure if hiding them under the seating overhang is a good idea because it makes it difficult to use the outlet when prepping food if the outlet is needed. I'm thinking I would use an outlet at the island for an immersion blender, hand mixer (kitchen aid mixer will be on perimeter counter), occasional food processor and I could see family plugging in laptop on occasion at seating area. I am 8 months pregnant with #7 and the many kitchen decisions are overwhelming at this point. Thanks for your opinions.
Comments (14)
sjhockeyfan325
8 years agomommytofive
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
installing Miele Optima dishwasher - where to put electric outlet
Comments (2)I would definitely opt to have it under the sink. It is no easy task to pull these things out just to unplug them. It is a sign of good installation in my opinion when shut off (for water or power) is very easy to get to....See MoreWhere to Put outlets on Kitchen Island
Comments (19)Hi Laura: My island is dark cherry, and also has furniture ends that I did not want to damage with unsightly outlets. I have seating on one side, and put an outlet on each side of the seating "kneehole" space, up as high as possible. We used brown outlets and covers, and you do not see the outlets unless you bend down to look. I have not found this to be a problem with access, and prefer the small extra effort needed to access the outlet (occurs once in awhile) over the look of seeing the outlet on the cabinetry (would see it all the time). The location actually works quite well in terms of not having appliance cords trailing across the island top--especially if someone wants to sit at the island and use a laptop--which seems to be the primary use of island outlets at our house. I generally do food prep on the perimeter where I have immediately accessable outlets, so the island ones are not as key for usual kitchen chores, which might be a consideration--if you use your island more for food prep....See MoreWould you put in a 2 burner INDUCTION on your island?
Comments (1)Without any form of ventilation, no I would not put any form of cooktop on an island. It's not about the method of cooking, it's about the byproducts of cooking (heat, grease and especially steam) that need venting from your home. The method of producing those cooking byproducts is less important than the fact that if unvented, those byproducts will circulate through your home and attach themselves to the walls and furniture. Even if you never fry, you will still have oil particulates from the cooking plant matter that will become airborne. (Remember that vegetable oil comes from vegetables!) The steam is the worst. Moisture in all forms is the enemy of your home. It can create mold and mildew if not vented properly. Keeping that moisture and heat in the home means your AC will have to work harder in the summer and you will have poorer air quality in the winter. For all of those reasons, I would not put any cooktop in any island without some form of ventilation. Even a downdraft, as poorly as they work, is better than not venting. If you want additional cooking power, then perhaps go with a larger cooktop than you are currently planning, or plan on the induction in conjunction with your current cooktop in your current location and just upsize your planned vent....See MoreWhere would you put an outlet on this island?
Comments (13)The prep sink is a good location - especially if you are likely to use anything powered like a food processor when prepping. Where you can put outlets on the other cabinets depends on what is in them, whether they are framed or frameless. Your island might be large enough that outlets are required in two positions. I thought that one was required every 4'. We were initially told that an outlet under the seating overhang wouldn't satisfy the code requirement, but we asked them to check with the county whether one right at the edge of the overhang would because our understanding was that it had to be within 12" of the top of the counter and one there would be. At least our county accepted it. We put one on the false drawer front in front of the prep sink. That one gets used the most. Here is the one at the edge of the overhang (similar to if you slid the ? in your picture as far to the right as possible): If you have a drawer at the top of that cabinet, the side of the drawer might have to be lowered to clear the outlet. We have a cabinet with pull-outs there. We used shallow outlet boxes and there is a panel on the side of the cabinet so part of the depth of the outlet box sits in the panel:...See Moresjhockeyfan325
8 years agomommytofive
8 years agomathteachr
8 years agoWhen we did my mom's island, which is similar in proportion to yours, we did outlets on both ends of the island. I am surprised to find we use both, usually immersion blender or electric wok on one end, and the kids make popcorn on the other end, etc. Having them on both ends keeps two people out of each others space. We're using her kitchen in the basement a lot as we work on our kitchen. We did an angled plug strip, because the electrician couldn't fit the outlet box behind the deep drawers, though I would have saved the money and done outlets if I could have - the strips were pricey, as I recall, though I don't remember the exact amount.
mommytofive
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
sherri1058
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agonancyjwb
8 years agomommytofive
8 years ago
beth09
8 years agosjhockeyfan325
8 years agosomersetlass
8 years ago
beth09