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Cook in perfect ambience
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Kitchen should be planned in such a way that there is minimum distance between preparation, cooking and washing
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Expert tips: Orientation is the most important factor in planning the kitchen.
Cooking is a hobby to some and a duty to others. A handy and tidy kitchen makes cooking easy. The principal activities in a kitchen can be classified as preparation, cooking and washing. The kitchen should be planned so as to minimise the distance between these three areas.
Orientation is the most important factor in planning the kitchen. It should be oriented in such a way that the smoke and smell emanating out does not reach other rooms. They should directly flow out of the home with the natural breeze. Assess the general wind pattern in your locality and ensure that the wind is blowing ‘out’ and not ‘into’ the kitchen.
Do not ignore the need for a ‘good’ (if not scenic) view from your kitchen. How would you feel if you see a stinking road-side dustbin through the window while preparing food? If you have a garden, consider placing your kitchen adjacent to it. On one hand it provides an exhilarating view and on the other, you can use the kitchen-sullage to water your garden.
Ventilation
The window in a kitchen should be wisely placed. If it is very near to the stove, it may disturb the flame at times when the breeze is heavy. If it is far away, the smoke will take long time to exit the kitchen. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant. You can keep your kitchen fresh and free from foul smell simply by allowing Sunlight inside the kitchen through the window. For homes which cannot afford an extractor hood, an exhaust fan will serve the purpose.
The proximity of the faucet, oven, storage and the work-area should be kept in mind while planning. Convenience can be incorporated into your kitchen by minimising the distance between them. Try different layouts for their relative positioning and choose the one that fits your kitchen.
There are no absolute measurements for the height and width of the worktop. Try and decide the measurements so that it’s convenient for you to cook. Plan for all the appliances you are going to place in your kitchen and see if your worktop is spacious enough to accommodate them.
A kitchen has to provide separate storage spaces for items like utensils, ingredients (dry & wet), vegetables etc.
Accessibility is the key factor in designing the storage spaces in a kitchen. Prioritise and plan for enough storage space in your kitchen so that your worktop is not cluttered with loose packets.
The kitchen is one among those areas in your home which demands regular maintenance.
The kitchen sink gets frequently clogged. So provide easy access to reach and clean the drain pipe at periodical intervals. It is better to have the walls tiled to a height of at least three feet above the stove. There is no better alternative to a stone (marble or granite) worktop. Apart from being strong and elegant, they are also easy to clean.
A modular kitchen is a practical option if you can afford it. It is made of durable material and can be maintained easily. Optimisation of space, contemporary look and ease of installation are the other advantages.
CHANDRASEKHAR YADAVILLI
(chandrasekhar.yadav illi@yahoo.co.in)
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