How to Research and Select Kitchen Appliances
Appliances must be selected before finalizing your cabinet order. Their exact dimensions determine cabinet cutouts, electrical requirements, and ventilation planning. Here's how to choose appliances that fit your cooking style, space, and budget.
Quick Summary
Typical cost
$5,000 - $30,000
Order lead time
4-12 weeks
% of remodel budget
15-20%
Why Appliance Selection Must Come Early
This isn't just about picking what looks nice. Appliance dimensions directly impact cabinet design, and getting this wrong is expensive. Your cabinet maker needs exact specifications before cutting a single board.
Critical timing: Select appliances and have model numbers confirmed before your cabinet order is finalized. Changes after cabinet production begins cost thousands in modifications.
What Cabinet Makers Need From You:
- • Exact model numbers for all built-in appliances
- • Specification sheets with cutout dimensions
- • Electrical and gas requirements
- • Ventilation CFM and duct size requirements
- • Door swing direction (refrigerator, dishwasher)
Range vs. Cooktop + Wall Ovens
This is your biggest cooking configuration decision. Both approaches work well—the choice depends on your cooking habits, budget, and kitchen layout.
Freestanding Range
30 or 36 inches standard
Combined cooktop and oven in one unit. Slides into a cabinet opening. Most common and economical choice.
Advantages:
- • Lower cost ($800-$4,000)
- • Simpler installation
- • Easy to replace later
- • One purchase decision
Considerations:
- • Bending to access oven
- • Usually single oven only
- • Less custom appearance
Cooktop + Wall Oven(s)
Separate components
Separate cooktop in counter with wall-mounted ovens elsewhere. More flexibility and ergonomic benefits.
Advantages:
- • No bending for oven access
- • Double oven option
- • More custom appearance
- • Flexible placement
Considerations:
- • Higher cost ($2,500-$10,000+)
- • More complex installation
- • Requires more cabinet space
Professional-Style Ranges
Professional-style ranges (Viking, Wolf, Thermador, BlueStar) offer higher BTU burners, better build quality, and commercial aesthetics. Price: $4,000-$15,000+.
- Best for: Serious home cooks, frequent entertainers, those who want a statement piece.
- Consider: Higher repair costs, often requires make-up air for ventilation, heavier weight.
Gas vs. Electric vs. Induction
Gas Cooktop/Range
Instant heat adjustment, visual flame control. Preferred by many serious cooks. Requires gas line (or propane conversion).
Key spec: BTU rating. Standard burners: 9,000-12,000 BTU. Power burners: 15,000-20,000+ BTU. Simmer burner: 500-5,000 BTU.
Electric Cooktop/Range
Smooth glass-ceramic surface. Easy to clean. Slower heat response than gas. No special fuel line needed—just 240V circuit.
Types: Radiant (glowing coils under glass) or coil elements (older style, still available). Radiant is standard for new construction.
Induction Cooktop
Magnetic fields heat cookware directly—not the surface. Fastest heat response, most energy efficient, safest (cool-to-touch surface). Requires induction-compatible cookware.
Growing in popularity: Induction is gaining market share rapidly. It's the choice for new construction in many areas and preferred by professional chefs for precision. Higher upfront cost but lower operating costs.
Refrigerator Options
The refrigerator is often the most visible appliance. Choose based on capacity needs, kitchen aesthetics, and budget.
Standard Depth
30-34" deep
Protrudes 6-8 inches past cabinets. Maximum storage capacity. Less expensive than counter-depth.
Best for: Larger families, budget-conscious, closed kitchens
Counter-Depth
24-27" deep
Sits flush with cabinet fronts. 20-25% less capacity but sleeker appearance. 20-30% price premium.
Best for: Open floor plans, design-focused remodels
Refrigerator Configurations
French Door (most popular)
Two doors open outward, freezer drawer below. Best visibility and organization. Most expensive configuration.
Side-by-Side
Freezer and fridge side by side, full height. Narrow shelves limit large items. Good for narrow spaces.
Top Freezer
Traditional configuration. Most economical. Freezer access requires reaching up.
Bottom Freezer
Fridge at eye level, freezer drawer below. Good ergonomics for daily fridge access.
Built-In Refrigerators
True built-in units ($5,000-$15,000+) are designed to integrate completely with cabinetry, often with cabinet panel fronts. They require custom cabinet surround and are essentially permanent installations. Consider only for high-end remodels where seamless aesthetics are the priority.
Other Essential Appliances
Dishwasher
Standard width is 24 inches. Premium features include third rack, quiet operation (44dB or less), and panel-ready fronts. Bosch, Miele, and KitchenAid rank highest for reliability.
Key spec: Noise level in decibels (dB). Under 45dB is excellent. Budget models are 50-55dB. Also consider: tub material (stainless preferred), number of wash cycles, dry performance.
Range Hood/Ventilation
Essential for removing cooking odors, grease, and moisture. Options include under-cabinet hoods, wall-mount chimneys, island hoods, and downdraft systems.
Important: CFM rating should match your cooktop. General rule: 100 CFM per 10,000 BTU of cooking power. Professional ranges may require 600-1,200+ CFM and make-up air systems (code requirement in many areas).
Microwave
Placement options: over-range (OTR), built-in cabinet, drawer, or countertop. OTR combines microwave and ventilation but has limitations for serious cooks.
Over-Range
Saves counter space. Adequate ventilation for moderate cooking. Reaching up with hot dishes is a safety concern.
Microwave Drawer
Opens like a drawer below counter. Ergonomic and safe. Premium option ($1,000-$1,500).
Critical Dimensions to Record
For each appliance you select, record these specifications from the manufacturer's spec sheet. Give this to your cabinet designer.
Range/Cooktop
- • Width, depth, height (including backguard if applicable)
- • Cutout dimensions (for cooktop)
- • Gas line location and size, or electrical requirements (240V circuit)
- • Minimum clearances to combustibles
Wall Oven
- • Cabinet cutout width, height, depth
- • Electrical requirements (usually 240V)
- • Door clearance when open
- • Recommended installation height
Refrigerator
- • Overall width, depth (with doors closed and handles)
- • Depth with doors open 90 degrees
- • Height including hinges
- • Door swing direction and clearance needed
- • Water line location for ice maker
Dishwasher
- • Width (standard 24", or compact 18")
- • Height (standard vs. ADA-compliant)
- • Depth when door open (for clearance)
- • Water supply and drain locations
- • Electrical requirements (120V circuit)
Common Appliance Selection Mistakes
Buying before cabinet design is finalized
Wait until you have exact dimensions from your cabinet design. Then select appliances that fit those specifications. Buying first and designing around appliances limits your layout options.
Ignoring depth for counter-depth claims
Marketing claims "counter-depth" loosely. Always check exact depth including doors and handles. Some "counter-depth" models still protrude 2-3 inches past cabinets.
Undersized ventilation for cooking power
That 400 CFM hood won't adequately ventilate a 60,000 BTU professional range. Match ventilation CFM to cooktop BTUs, and ensure ducting is properly sized and routed.
Not considering service and repair
That European brand may look beautiful, but if there are no authorized repair technicians in your area, you'll face long waits and high service costs. Check service availability before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a range or cooktop with wall oven?
A freestanding range (30 or 36 inches) is more economical and works for most households. A separate cooktop with wall ovens costs more but offers ergonomic benefits (no bending for the oven), double oven options, and a more custom look. Choose wall ovens if you bake frequently or have mobility concerns.
What is the difference between counter-depth and standard-depth refrigerators?
Standard-depth refrigerators are about 30-34 inches deep and protrude past cabinets, but offer 20-25% more storage. Counter-depth models (24-27 inches) sit flush with cabinets for a built-in look but cost 20-30% more and hold less. Choose counter-depth for aesthetics in open kitchens; standard depth for maximum storage.
Which appliance brands are most reliable?
According to repair data, the most reliable appliance brands include Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and LG for general appliances. For professional-style ranges, Bluestar and Thermador rank highly. European brands like Miele and Bosch offer quality but can have higher repair costs. Avoid brands with limited service networks in your area.
When should I select appliances during a kitchen remodel?
Select appliances early in the design phase—before finalizing cabinet layout. Appliance dimensions determine cabinet cutout sizes, electrical circuit needs, and ventilation requirements. Having exact model numbers allows your designer to plan precisely. Order appliances 4-8 weeks before installation to ensure availability.
Ready for the Next Step?
With appliances selected, you're ready to choose your countertop material. This decision is closely tied to your cabinet color and overall kitchen aesthetic, so it's the natural next step.