Important Considerations for your Traditional Kitchen

By Matthew Kerridge

Many people prefer traditional kitchens because they are exactly that-traditional. They have all the things that pertain to time-honoured function and design. Usually meals are eaten right in the kitchen, so planning for proper seating is important. Some kitchens may have stools so that meals can be eaten at a counter. Others will have a small breakfast table and chairs off to the side of the main cooking area.

Using natural light is a good start in creating an energy conscious kitchen. Not only does it reduce the need for supplemental light during the day, but it can add a feeling of spaciousness to a room. Energy saving light bulbs and fixtures can be used to direct light just where it is needed at the sink, stove or other workstations. Small, efficient grow lights can turn a windowsill into an herb garden.

Proper food storage is essential for reducing spoilage. Traditional kitchens usually meet this need by using appliances such as refrigerators and freezers for foods that have specialized temperature and humidity requirements. A pantry cupboard for canned goods and dried foodstuffs can be fitted with racks and shelves so that the food can be organized and kept accessible for use before its expiration date.

Pots, pans, bake ware, mixing bowls, measuring cups and utensils all need to be stored in an orderly fashion so that they are easy to find and accessible when needed. Small items such as measuring spoons or pizza cutters are usually best kept in drawers. Large pots and pans can be stored in base cabinets. In some traditional kitchens, decorative colanders or skillets are hung from ceiling hooks where they are both attractive and accessible.

Food preparation areas need special attention because these are the areas that keep your food sanitary. Sinks can be either single or double basin, but they should be large enough to be able you wash and rinse your largest pot. It is also important that the drain be easy to clean. If it is equipped with a garbage disposal, it is important to not allow dried food particles to build up. Cutting boards need to be kept clean and sanitized regularly.

Countertops are the mainstay of traditional kitchens. They can be made of many different materials but they need to be durable, nonporous, and easy to clean. Plastic laminate, tile, artificial stone, natural stone and even concrete are all good materials for a counter. Most countertops are available in many colours. The countertop is usually one of the first things you notice in a kitchen, and is the part that is used the most.

At the heart of it all, a kitchen is all about the cooking. Traditional kitchens may offer a choice of gas or electric ovens and cook tops. Sometimes these will be one-piece units with the cooking surface on top of the oven, and sometimes they will be separate with a cook top installed on a countertop or an island and the oven installed into the wall. - 32406

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