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Design Dilemma Kitchens

What is your feedback on pop up electrical outlets in Cambrian quartz

last year

In our kitchen design, we are thinking of using pop up electrical outlets in our cambria quartz countertop instead of cutting into our tile backsplash. We also have a black panel next to our fridge with the island coming off of it and are thinking of a pop up outlet in it so we do not cut into black panel. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Plugmold. No cutting, no pop-ups.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
So many better options than pop ups. They are an expensive last resort.
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When I had the island removed from my kitchen to restore the original heartpine floor I also had my floor guy leave the wiring and he installed a heavy duty brass 2 gang outlet with heavy covers. He found it at an electrical store for industrial stuff. I have had it in use for about 6-7 years...even before my kitchen redo 4 1/2 yrs ago. I have a movable work table and I keep my Cuisinart plugged into the one side with the appliance sitting on the lower shelf 24/7. I do mop the floor ( John I can come and do yours too if you like :) ) but have never used so much water that it was a concern, would have to really flood it and then worse problems would ensue. I got down and looked inside the closed door on the 2nd outlet side and there is not even any dust....door fits flat and tight. There was a small amount of crumbs in the other when I removed the plug and I used a slightly damp cloth to dust them out. All done and clean and safe. There was no mention of code violation when the new kitchen was inspected and the guy was looking at every little thing. Due to the distance form the sink/water supply it isn't a GFCI . I am glad I have it and there is no risk at all of tripping since it is slightly under the work table and if the table is out of the kitchen the doors are completely flush to the floor. John you will love it...go for it. see it at the far left of pic near bottom: in use , you can see where the sink is in relation to the table/processor:
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Thanks everyone for your responses. I‘ve just gotten a few more photos sent to me. This time from more of a distance. They are duplicates. One with the overhead light in the kitchen tuned on = light above sink, under cabinet and ones without that light on. From what he was telling me, they tend to use that particular light in their kitchen more than the light from the proper light switch. I think that may be enhancing the “flaws” that they see. @joseph_corlett do you advise that they contact the installer to fill the hole, or should/can they do this themselves? I think its been about 16 days from initial install. @Sammie J Just got photos taken a bit further away. @Kelly Zamonski @Celadon They were under the impression that a tile backsplash would further accentuate the uneven wall on that side. Luckily none of us noticed it until they moved the large item they have in that corner. The choice of GC is a bit iffy. Thats what I told them. Do you recommend simply leaving it alone at this point or finding another GC? It may just cause more time, money, and stress. I’m of the school of thought that it is what it is at this point. No further aggravation is needed for them Especially because of the potential cost. Like I said, most of these photos have the under cabinet light on and then off to show the contrast. They mainly use the under cabinet light which highlights the issues they see - well, we all saw. We all know nothing about remodels/updates or what to expect from them.
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@greenhouze The full covers (and there may be more, these are just the ones I've saved) were Safety 1st OutSmart Outlet Shield for the full covers, and the half (which may not cover the center of a GFI) are just titled "Electrical Outlet Covers Baby Proofing - Bigger Size Prevents Choking Hazard, 12" in the Sure Basics store on Amazon. For the vinyls, I haven't chosen a company yet (my backsplash is still on my living room floor), but there are plenty of custom vinyl/sticker printers out there. If you'd rather spend less, you can just print a color photo of them and decoupage them on (might want to seal it with some kind of spray first to keep the ink from running, but it depends on how particular you are about a perfect match). Either way, I'm going oversized so that I can match up the pattern. You'll also want to make sure the white balance on your camera is right before you do this.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I see no benefit from pop ups and the idea of water getting in there always would make me nervouse there are codes as to what can and can't be done so check that out I really dislike plugmolds not one bit mre attractive than proper plugs in the wall where they belong BTW you can get plugs and plates in colors to blens with many backsplashes Lutron make some really nice ones.
M Miller
last year
last modified: last year
@tarheeldesign - what @Verbo was brusquely referring to was as these photos below - outlets installed horizontally, and closer to the counter. Typically they are installed horizontally at a distance of about 4" on center from the counter. Note that if too low, you might not be able to plug in thicker plugs, and in some jurisdictions there are Building Code requirements about how low a backsplash receptacle can be installed. But you are safe with 4" on center from the counter.

If you install your backsplash receptacles this way, and color match them as close as possible to your backsplash, they will not be very visible. Lutron and Leviton sell a myriad of colors. They can also be hidden by coffee maker, toaster, paper towel holder and similar. This is a much more practical, easier, and cheaper solution than pop-up grommets. Some people also install plugmold to satisfy the number of outlets required by their local Building Code, but it is unsightly to have the cords dangling from them.
PRO
Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.
last year
I have used all three...outlets in backsplashes, plugmolds and pop-up outlets. I use plugmolds primarily when I'm using the countertop material as a backsplash. Seen here.

On the adjacent wall, notice we put the outlets in the splash. To @Verbo's valid point, we knew that small appliances would not remain plugged in on this wall. I also think the cords are unsightly with a plugmold. I only use pop-up outlets when one is required per code and there are no other options, like in this island.

I would not recommend them for daily use. A standard outlet that blends in with a backsplash tile is definitely preferable to seams from multiple pop-up outlets across your countertop.

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