Built-in appliances are a great way to make use of every inch of your kitchen space. As the appliances and cables are hidden inside kitchen cabinets, there is less chance of accidentally touching the cables or tripping over them. However, if you are not familiar with the installation of built-in appliances, this could lead to problems in both ordering and placement. If you want to make your purchase and installation of built-in appliances go smoothly, read the following tips.

Built-in Appliance Shopping Tips

1. Size

We would recommend purchasing the appliance first and designing the kitchen cabinet later. You need to allow space for the appliance, heat dissipation, wiring, etc. Once you know the size of the appliance you need, get the kitchen cabinet company to recommend or customise a suitable cabinet design. On the other hand, if you buy a kitchen cabinet first, you will be limited by the choice of electrical appliances.

2. Kitchen cabinet design

• Inlets: The inlet of the appliance needs to fit the exact size of the kitchen appliance to be installed. The size of the front of common household appliances such as ovens, steamers, dishwashers and microwave ovens is generally 60cm, which is basically European size. However, other brands may vary, so it is important to refer to the product description when purchasing to avoid any errors or disappointments.
• Ventilation: As built-in appliances are surrounded by partitions, the space is more enclosed than freestanding appliances. Attention needs to be paid to the ventilation. Special vents are required to ensure functionality and safety.
• Materials: The material of the cabinets should be adapted to fit the appliance. Generally speaking, ovens and cooking hobs require high-temperature materials. Those containing aluminium oxide and magnesium oxide are more suitable.

3. Electrical connections

Kitchens are full of wires, tubes, pipes, valves and plugs for water, electricity and gas. So it’s advisable to ask a professional to check the electrical connections.

4. Usage habits

If you’ve chosen a massager that’s difficult to stow away, you need to consider the shape and design. A massage chair, for example, is usually left in the same location and rarely moved around due to its size. If you are design conscious, choose one that matches your home décor and integrates well with other home furnishings.