Kitchen Appliances | |
A cooktop and wall-mounted oven are a better choice than a floor-standing range for barrier-free living. If a wall-mounted oven is chosen, it should not be placed above the range. The oven can be mounted lower so the cook does not have to stoop or bend to inspect cooking food, or to remove hot pans from the oven. Choose a self-cleaning oven for easy maintenance. Most experts recommend using all electric appliances, for several reasons. First, there are no products of combustion such as carbon monoxide when using electrical appliances. This is increasingly important as we "tighten up" our houses for energy conservation. Next, people who have an impaired sense of smell will not be able to detect a gas leak. The cooktop should have its controls on the front or side rather than the top, so a seated person will not have to reach across a hot burner to adjust the controls. Also, the burners should be staggered, not in line where the user must reach over a hot front burner to get at a rear burner. By all means, barrier-free kitchens must have one or more microwave ovens. The microwave ovens produce no combustion gases, cook quickly, and are both safer and cheaper to operate for most cooking chores. To be accessible the microwave must be set on a countertop or installed in base cabinets, not positioned high on a wall or shelf. Keep in mind that appliance companies such as Whirlpool Corp. offer optional Braille controls and instruction on cooking and other appliances. REFRIGERATOR The side-by-side refrigerator is the hands-down winner for family accessibility. The lower shelves of both the refrigerator and the freezer can be stocked for the person who cannot reach the upper shelves. Refrigerators with through-the-door dispensers provide no-fuss access to ice cubes and water. Large door shelves can hold gallon-sized milk containers or other beverages, while crisper bins keep fruits and vegetables at hand. If you opt for a separate freezer, choose the upright type rather than the chest type. The upright freezer will take up less floor space, and the contents can readily be seen and reached by a wheelchair user. HOT WATER DISPENSERS Hot water dispensers are very useful in any busy household but can combine both convenience and safety for those who might burn themselves while heating water with a kettle or reaching hot water from a microwave oven. The hot water dispenser can run the full range in prices: from $130 for KitchenAid's Instant-Hot to around $200 for Broan's Model HWD-5D, which has a gooseneck spout. All models offer a hot water flow of 40 to 60 cups per hour, at a temperature of 190 degrees. The water dispensers permit the user to make instant coffee, tea, hot chocolate, instant soup, or breakfast food in a jiffy and with the utmost ease and safety. Hot water dispensers include a heating element plus thermostat, an electric cord which is plugged into a grounded under-sink receptacle, and a copper water supply tube with a saddle valve. They are easy to install yourself, with the major project installing the under-sink electrical receptacle. The saddle valve must be mounted on the cold water supply pipe. Just connect the saddle valve to the supply tube, then bolt the 2 halves of the saddle valve to the water supply pipe. Turn the self-piercing mechanism on the valve all the way in, to pierce the water pipe, then turn it back out so water can flow up to the heater. The spout can be located through the fourth hole in the sink or in a 1 3/8-in. hole drilled through the countertop. OTHER APPLIANCES There is no doubt that an in-sink garbage disposer is the cleanest, easiest, and quickest way to dispose of kitchen waste. If space permits, you might also consider adding a trash compactor. Certainly, with the emphasis on recycling, you will need at least 3 bins to hold plastic, glass, and aluminum or small appliances, often called "countertop appliances," can clutter the countertop and may have potential for burns or other injuries. Don't let appliance cords hang: fold the excess cord up neatly and secure the folded section with a twist-tie or rubber band. Fold-up appliance shelves to hold mixers or other appliances can provide ease of access plus keep countertops clear and accident-free. Clocks, knife sharpeners, and coffeemakers can be mounted under upper cabinets where they will be easily accessible but secured against accidents. If you like a TV in the kitchen, be sure to have remote control to avoid frequent tuning trips across the kitchen. Some small appliances that can substitute for major appliances include: --portable range: choose a tabletop 2-burner model with front controls and dials that are easy to turn --electric skillet: choose one with detachable control and a sturdy base --compact (bar-type) refrigerator --toaster oven --other countertop range Written by Gary Branson Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |