Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) Fridge Reviews?
Christine Toh
2 years ago
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Comments (29)
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years agoChristine Toh
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Please review my kitchen layout!
Comments (23)OK, let's start with the basics. Note: This will be a multi-cook Kitchen Seating... Linear space (the amount of space you need for each seat) 24" minimum; if you plan to eat all meals at the island, then I recommend more like 30" Overhang - clear knee/leg space - after accounting for decorative doors/panels on the back of the island cabinets -- Counter-height: minimum of 15"; again, if you plan to eat most meals there, I would go for more like 18" Corner seats - you cannot have two seats sharing a corner b/c they each need knee/leg space So, with seating as you show and the 18" cabinet you show, your island needs to be at least: Width/Length: 8'10.5" -- 15" overhang for the seats on the short side + (3 seats * 24") + 18" cabinet + 1.5" counter overhang past the 18" cabinet = 106.5" = 8'10.5" -- For an 18" overhang, add 3" = 109.5" = 9'1.5" Depth: 2 seats * 24" = 48" = 4' As it stands, your island can only seat 4 people comfortably. Since you said that's your minimum, then you should be OK - please don't try to cram 5th seat in there! Why do you insist on eating all meals at the island? Island seating is really for short visits, snacks, quick meals - it's not particularly comfortable for long-term seating. It's also not really conducive to family bonding. When I think of island seating, I think of a diner counter seating - even with a couple of seats around the corner. Counter-height seating is also not the safest for young children... I strongly recommend you consider using your DR for meals and keep the island for visits and quick snacks/meals. . Aisles... Right now, your aisles are rather narrow. Recommendations: One-person Kitchen: minimum of 42" Two-person Kitchen: minimum of 48" Aisles are measured from the item on each side of the aisle that sticks out the farthest: counter edge (most common), appliance handle, cabinet knob (for tall cabinets with no counter), and walls. Assuming your aisles are measured counter edge-to-counter edge: The island/range wall aisle is 5" too narrow at 43". It should be at least 48". -- If, however, you are measuring cabinet-to-cabinet, the aisle is 8" too narrow b/c counter overhangs are around 1.5". Add the 1.5" from both sides, and that's 3" off the aisle. The island/sink wall aisle is not 40", it's probably more like 38" when counting the DW handle. (I'll address the refrigerator issues later.) So, this aisle is 8 to 10" too narrow - and this could be an issue b/c it's going to be one of the busiest aisles in the Kitchen - it leads to/from the Bedrooms and the public rooms (FR, Kitchen, DR, etc.) -- If you're measuring cabinet-to-cabinet, then you need another 1.5" The island/pantry aisle is also too narrow. It's only 41" and the minimum recommended aisle width when little or no traffic passes behind diners is 44" (to walk past). You have less than that. On a busy aisle like that, 48" is the minimum. Yes, you have that 18" cabinet on the end, but in reality the person sitting at the last seat will be sticking into the aisle b/w the pantry and island. So, you need another 7" on that aisle. The island/angled wall aisle is only 39" - need I say more? (You need another 9" on that aisle). Regarding that "alternate route through the kitchen" comment - you should be discouraging people from using the aisle b/w the cooktop and island, not encouraging it! . Refrigerator... There are two issues with the location of the refrigerator/freezer: The doors will not open fully on the wall side. With the exception of true built-in refrigerators, the doors of refrigerators need to stick out past adjacent walls/cabinets/counters so they can be opened fully. When placing a refrigerator/freezer near a wall or other item that is deeper than the refrigerator's carcass/box, you need 6" to 12" b/w the refrigerator and the item (in this case the wall). This is usually accomplished by placing a 9" or 12" wide tall cabinet b/w the wall and the refrigerator/freezer. This cabinet is only 25" deep (24" cabinet box + 1" for door). The second issue is the general location. As it stands, traffic to/from the refrigerator and FR, DR, or some island seats will go right through the main work aisle of the Kitchen - the aisle that should be the most protected against traffic! -- Move the refrigerator to the angled wall - it's then located so it's easily accessed from the outside (FR, DR) and the Prep & Cooking Zones (the two work zones you use the refrigerator the most from). Note: I would only move the refrigerator, not the freezer (it looks like they're an all-refrigerator/all-freezer pair - are they?) Why? Because I would not want the oven(s) to be in the busy doorway b/w the bedrooms and the rest of the house. I would put in a 9" cabinet, then the freezer, then the ovens. The ovens are still in a busy aisle, but at least they won't be in the doorway where someone running through the door might unsuspectingly run into an open oven door. . Trash pullout... This belongs in the Prep Zone. Far more trash & recyclables are generated while prepping and cooking than cleaning up - and for a longer period of time. I would put it on the other end of the island from the sink so it's accessible from the Primary Prep Zone (island), Secondary Prep Zone (next to the cleanup sink), and the Cleanup Zone. If you're thinking the Secondary Prep Zone will be b/w the cooktop and oven (or refrigerator), I don't think that will work b/c there's no water on that run. Yes, it's in the island, but that's the Primary Prep Zone and where someone else will already be working. If everyone "plays well together", you might be able to share the prep sink, but I doubt that will be the case as your children grow up....See MorePlease help in choosing column fridge/freezer for my kitchen reno
Comments (4)I have the Miele fully integrated 30" column freezer and fridge. I liked the lighting better, and had bad luck with the sub zero in my last house. I love them....See MoreExperience with SKS 48 inch range or other thoughts?
Comments (9)Like the original poster, I'm interested in learning more about SKS appliances, including their 48" range, but wary given the lack of user experiences online. I've had a new Wolf 36" DF in my prior home and now need to do complete kitchen over hall, to include replacing a 20 yr-old 48" Thermador Pro gas range that came with the home we bought 5 years ago. We haven't had any issues with this Thermador or the prior Wolf range. I've read up on the Wolf issues with blue enamel chipping and also know they are releasing new models with their VertiCross convection, and hopefully also addressing the prior issue. If I go with a 48" (not committed to that totally yet), I've narrowed it down to the SKS, Thermador and Miele given the similar features. I saw the Thermador and Miele in person but haven't seen the SKS. I only want/need 4 burners, like the steam or steam-assist (Miele), appreciate the warming drawers (Therm/Miele), like the induction and curious about sous vide (both SKS). Miele's Master Chef interface gets a lot of praise and both Therm/SKS have connectivity. We've already pushed our renovation out 9-10 months to account for product availability across the board. Given this high-stakes, appliance bingo, I'm stuck in analysis paralysis. And honestly my initial instinct was to replace the 48" tank (that's what it looks like to me!) with the more modern look of a smaller 36" DF - or even a range top or induction cooktop - paired with wall oven(s), especially the Miele CSO. In the long run though I think it would cost more to purchase and install separate pieces versus simply removing and replacing the 48", knowing I'd need the electrical upgrade to 240V regardless to support DF and/or wall oven(s). Deborah - how do you like your 36" Wolf paired with the Miele CSO? And is there anyone who has tried SKS and willing to share their experience? Or has been to their "Signature Kitchen Suite Experience & Design Center" in Napa, CA?...See MoreFridge/Freezer/Wine Fridge dilemma
Comments (2)yaaaaaa...Sub zero is quite a bit of a price jump. Why not a JA fan --- their reviews are highly positive?...See MoreVerbo
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Christine TohOriginal Author