Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Kitchens for dummies

20 replies

WetAugust · 12/08/2013 22:19

I'm trying to plan my kitchen replacement. I've never had a built in oven before so can you please tell me - if I have an under the counter built in oven will it have a grill in it?

Are there any drawbacks to going built-in as I've always had freestanding cookers before

Thank you

OP posts:
NotGoodNotBad · 12/08/2013 23:25

Ours does! (have a grill that is) We have a multi-function one with grill, normal oven, fan, grill+fan, and defrost or something that we never use. Check the spec of what you're buying.

I prefer built-in. At my mum's house I'm always dropping chips etc. down the gaps at the side of the freestanding cooker, impossible to retrieve them... (though maybe that's just me)

timidviper · 13/08/2013 00:01

I have a range cooker, so not built in, but there are no gaps at the sides of mine, it fits tight inbetween the units. I don't know if it is true but I was told that built in products don't last as well as freestanding, maybe Piglet John will be around and know?

Original poster
WetAugust · 13/08/2013 00:14

Thank you. My current slot in has no gaps between it and the units. Interesting that the built in may have shorter life. (Current slot in is 21 years old Shock)

OP posts:
ChippingInHopHopHop · 13/08/2013 00:26

Unless it's a range - they just look so much nicer 'built in' don't they!

ChippingInHopHopHop · 13/08/2013 00:27

I wouldn't expect anything you buy now (except an Aga) to last 20 odd years - irrespective of the design. They don't make stuff like they used to self confessed old gimmer

Original poster
WetAugust · 13/08/2013 00:33

Well this old gimmer agrees with you Chipping.

Am quite horrified at the build quality of the slot-ins available nowadays. The hob burners are so lightweight - tinny. Plus the fact that it would have to be 50cm wide and finding one with a lid is almost impossible. I can't find anyone who could recondition it so I'm having to bite the bullet and go for built in at last [sad[

OP posts:
ChippingInHopHopHop · 13/08/2013 01:45

Well, we could make a date to take our zimmer's out Grin

I have a very old oven too. I am trying to do up the kitchen cheaply (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha) so it would be nice to not have to replace it until it dies, but sadly due to its shape it's not practical to fit it in (it has an over the top of the hobs grill it is that old!!! Grin). However, this isn't my biggest problem - unfortunately!

TheWookiesWife · 13/08/2013 19:05

It might be tricky to find a build under oven that's only 50cm wide ?!?! Most are 60cm ?!?!

Betty5313 · 13/08/2013 21:20

pros - no gaps to get grubby!

cons - you can't take s built in one with you when you move, or charge for leaving it. (sobs at leaving her lovely bosch behind)

Original poster
WetAugust · 14/08/2013 00:06

Have a few more ideas now having spoken to kitchen designers. 50cm cooker and 30cm cabinet could be replaced with 60 cooker (either built in or freestanding) plus 15cm cabinet which, as it will need supports will actually be 18cm cabinet. That gives me a 2 extra cms to play with if I need to replace fridge freezer - which is also a rarity as it's so narrow.

So the question is - can I do without the extra work surface that my freestanding cooker provides when the lid is down?

I don't think I can

OP posts:
TheWookiesWife · 14/08/2013 07:41

what kind of hob were you considering - as induction is an alternative to gas - that looks like ceramic - so easy to clean - sort of useable as extra worktop ( you can put stuff down on it - but can't really use it as a prep area ) it's confusing to some as they treat it like an electric hob -but if you treat it when cooking exactly the same as gas - you will get on much better with it !! that's what I would recommend for you ! ( I'm an independent / freelance kitchen designer )

Original poster
WetAugust · 15/08/2013 18:30

Thanks WW. I have looked at induction hobs and they would give me a flat surface, but I like to cook with gas - too old to change now Smile

So you're a kitchen designer - that must be very interesting work. I am getting no enjoyment out of designing mine - I just what the whole process over - have even considered moving house to avoid having to renovate the kitchen Blush

OP posts:
TheWookiesWife · 16/08/2013 15:42

hahahaha that's a bit drastic ! I love planning things so they work better to suit the individuals using them ! re design entire houses for people sometimes ! Made a career out of it over the last 28 years !! there's not many of us Freelancers/ independent's over here in UK - but it's quite normal in America ! where are you planning on buying from ?! somewhere with decent designers to help you ? or more of a DIY route ?!

Original poster
WetAugust · 16/08/2013 20:14

I've really only just started. Have had a quotation from Homebase which was roughly in line with what I expected it would be but had hoped it would be cheaper. (£234 for 18 cabinet handles!) Am now waiting for quote from independent store which should be cheaper. If not I shall pick and mix from all the DIY stores available - i.e. handles at £6 a pair.

Last time I did it myself - built units, fixed them in place etc and only called in plumber and electrician as required. This time I want someone else to do the installation although I'm resigned to the fact that I shall need to do some i.e. painting ceiling and walls, removing old wall tiles and re-tiling myself - just to keep costs down.

OP posts:
TheWookiesWife · 16/08/2013 20:32

Well it's good to get involved ! In an ideal world we'd go on holiday and come back to a brand new kitchen with all the cupboards filled with scrumptious yummy's ... But back in the real world ..... !!
if you look online at Hafele.co.uk there's loads of gadgets and handles and bits and bobs to think about too ! Larks and Larks have some unique handles too ! I have bought some cracking handles from them before ! Have fun shopping around ! ;-)

ChippingInHopHopHop · 17/08/2013 01:47

TWW - if you wanted a sturdy set of cabinets to put into a kitchen where you are living, but will probably be renting out in a years time - and wanted to do it as cheaply as you could, but with reasonable quality stuff - where would you buy from (both if you could and if you couldn't buy trade)?? TIA :)

I'm looking at having a go at doing the kitchen myself and only getting an electrician in if I need to - I'm willing to give the rest a go.

TheWookiesWife · 17/08/2013 08:09

first off - all electrics need to be part P safe - so you must budget for a proper electrician. this is never something to cut back on as an innocent mistake by an amatuer can kill someone . Any gas needs certifying too - and will require yearly checks if you rent the property out.
Renters tend to not look after things in the same way as home owners do, so you can go one of two ways IMO ...

  1. put in Granite worktops, Stainless steel sinks , the strongest cabinetry you can afford ( generally that's German as thier carcase's are denser ) with electric solid plate hob and cheap electric oven ( the theroy being if the hob and oven are trashed you can replace them easily enough - and the quality furniture and granite can withstand pretty much most harsh treatment .
  2. you put in a cheap and cheerful kitchen with cheap worktops and cheap appliances - and in the future you buy a new set of doors as and when needed and maybe new worktops if they get scratched / water damaged etc so initially outlay is lower - but renual is required sooner . possibly more than once - therefore - over time it might end up costing more than option 1

option 1 - Hacker and Nolte both do very strong cabinetry and hacker classic range is a fair price - Nolte do lower prices on some ranges - Miele is more expensive but not really any stronger IMO (also consider local cabinet makers, who may offer an ongoing service to make good )

  1. ikea, wicks, Moores (T), Howdens (T), check local in dependants too - Ex displays - EBay bargains - freecyle for furniture - but always buy your appliances new for a rental !

I hope that helps ! the Brands i've mentioned are just the companies I have had experience of - there are plenty of others out there - the key is to shop around with one layout to truly compare like for like if going for best prices - always look at what you are considering - not just Internet buy ... if it sounds too good to be true it probably is !

NEVER compromise on safety !!!

:-)

MummytoMog · 17/08/2013 10:45

I would put in the Ikea cheap wood work surfaces too - once a year, you sand them down and re-oil, which takes an hour or two and then they look immaculate again. I think they're the Norden ones. Had them in our last kitchen and they were great.

Original poster
WetAugust · 17/08/2013 18:57

Interested to hear about Ikea real wood work surfaces MtoM

I've always been a bit wary of using real wood.

I have oak thresholds That I have given a few coats of Danish oil to and this had made them 'waterproof' - I think.

Is Danish oil what you have to apply to real wood surfaces?

What about hot stuff coming out of the oven - do you need trivet?

Doesn't it go all discoloured around the sink?

How easily does it dent or get scratched?

Sorry for quizzing you but am intrigued as to how practical this could be for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
WetAugust · 17/08/2013 18:59

Last quessie - you spoke about replacing them after a few years. Isn't that a problem when you have wall tiles - don't the tiles have to come off so the surface can be replaced - or do you do with tiles and have uplift thingies instead

Thank you

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page