What works best for you and your clients, when doing a high wallcab over the refrigerator? What is in the cab to make it function best?
Typical counter-depth fridges need an opening height of 68 to 70 inches, meaning the floor of the cab is well up there. You will either be tall or on a stool to get stuff in and out.
The cab will be 24 deep overall, so its front is out in the vicinity of the fridge door, below it. Client is getting a 36-wide over-under fridge, so that is the cab width.
We can load this one up with vertical dividers, so all the big pans and trays can go up there, but who has got 34 storage-inches worth of trays?
Replies
Most of the time those end up being left as an open box. (Speaking for myself here) I think you're right . . . theres only so many cookie sheets in any 1 kitchen. But it doesn't take much in the way of a bread machine, cake pan, 8qt stockpot - it gets full, and its stuff that people dont use all the time anyway, so having it little harder to reach isnt much of an issue. As for the sheets, sometimes you end up with that almost worthless 9" base unit - perfect place.
"A bore is a man who, when you ask him how he is, tells you." -Bert Taylor
I thought the booze always went above the frig. LOL!
My booze is in the cabinet over the stove. After I boxed in the hood exhaust line, there were two small spaces that hold those square Jim Beam bottles perfectly. Of course, I designed and built those cabinets so I may have been influenced - lol.
Is it the height of the cabinet over the frig, or that the frig sticks out so far as to make the space difficult for general use, and thus prompting the question?
The 24" deep cabinet over my frig is pretty much worthless because of the frig and how far is standa out from the wall. But, I've been looking as resolving that by looking at cabinet-depth refrigerators.
A counter-depth refrigerator has its door proud of the 25-inch counter.
Edited 3/15/2006 8:19 am ET by Gene_Davis
You are correct. The doors do add to the depth. In fact, the units I was looking at Lowes are 1-3/4" proud. I guess I'll be removing those cabinets and nailing up some 2x4's and reinstalling the cabinets. :)
Here we go: http://www.subzero.com/subzero/subzeropdfs/700TC-PS.pdf
24" depth, including the doors.
Edited 3/15/2006 8:32 am ET by Nuke
We are on the same page here. Counter-depth units, like those in the GE Profile line, have their boxes at counter depth, with the doors pooching out beyond.
Built-in fridges, like Sub-Zeroes and GE Monograms, have their doors proud, also, but not as much.
The counter-depth units have heights in the range of 68 to 70 inches, which makes a cab over top something that a tall person can access. OTOH, the built-ins go more like 81 inches, due to the compressor standing over or under, and a cab over top of these is one you'll need a stool to access.
On the job for which we've just ordered the kitchen cabs, the fridge is a counter-depth model, so we'll do the cab, the top of which will reach up to 97-1/2" above floor.
Not very accessible in its topmost area, but hey, the customer is always right, and she specified this. There will be rows of wallcabs at 12" depth adjacent, up to that height, and they'll wrap the corner and march down the rangeside wall, too.
She's a mountaineer, so climbing on a stool for her is just like going to lunch, a no-brainer.
I'm even considering moving toward integrated drawer-style refrigeration like the 700BR.
"A counter-depth refrigerator has its door proud of the 25-inch counter. "
I opted to avoid the counter depth refrigerator; instead am proud of the "projection" via standard height and saved almost $1000 plus have greater cubic feet usable space. More space...less money; hopefully, the counter depths will be more reasonable in price whenever replacement time comes. They truly do look better!
Other great uses for a divided space are paper grocery/wine bottle/gift bag storage, pizza stone & peel (it's got a long handle), serving trays. My dividers are spaced ~6" - seems to be 'bout right.
No cabinet.
Some people keep their bread up there.
"Citius, Altius, Fortius"
Not a good idea, I heard it goes moldy that way..................[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Make it a couple inches higher than you think....I have one thats 71 1/2" high and the reefer I want to buy is 72" grrrrr. it has a whole bunch of trim stuff on one side and is gonna be a pita to change...
Also if you are gonna want to slip it in deeper make the opening 37 1/2" or so wide....I made the opening 28" deep so I could use what they call "counter depth" (which is a 27"deep) reefer. even though a counter is 24" Measure the reefer and where the doors go(how wide) upon opening before you build it
Bud
Hey Stinger:
I honestly don't know what my clients do with the space, but I only know what I do with it. Small kitchen appliances that don't get used often (or ever, really). I'm not gonna go look, but I can tell you for pretty sure there's a waffle maker in there that hasn't seen the light of day for three+ years. Also an electric knife I've never used (what the heck would someone need an electric knife for anyway?). Let's see, what else, little ice-pop trays to make ice-pops for the kids (we don't have any kids so up in that cabinette it goes) . . . etc. Anyway, everybody has got stuff like that -- wedding/b'day/Christmas gifts -- or stuff you buy and end up not using. If they don't, the should go get some.
PS: thanks for reminding me to ask my better half to make me waffles more often ;-)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
"what the heck would someone need an electric knife for anyway?"You mean the "electric foamboard cutter"...never use that thing in the kitchen, but they can come in handy on the jobsite.
Eureka!!! Now I know what to do with that thing. ;-)
Thanks.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
SWMBO keeps lots of stuff over the 'fridge....... some of the more elaborate pieces from her Tupperware collection, an electric sandwich grill thingy, the kids old sippy cups (they're in their 30's now - lol), and some old cake decorating stuff.
That cabinet was last emptied a couple of years ago when we had a serious invasion of ants. She got really annoyed when I suggested a trip to Goodwill - lol.
There you go!
Makes me realize that cab over fridge should be a code requirement. How could we survive without it? ;-)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
I climbed up and clean out some of the stuff in that cabinet recently. I found my 22 year old daughter's original Social Security Card in there! It really is a space to store stuff that should go in the garage sale or to Goodwill, but much better used for a TV. I love that idea! I vote TV.
No way on the TV!!!!
Our kitchen adjoins the family room and SWMBO is addicted to HGTV, old movies, Oprah, and cooking shows. I ain't putting up with that nonsense while I'm clicking between The History Channel, The Military Channel, Spike TV, and football (when in season) - lol
Phil,
That old electric knife is hands-down absolutely THE best tool for scaling and fileting fish ! ! If you've never seen it done, ask around. Folks around here have been cleaning fish with them for years. If you fish AT ALL, you need to get a lesson.
Greg
>>"That old electric knife is hands-down absolutely THE best tool for scaling and fileting fish ! ! "
Thanks, I'll give it a try. I use one of those inexpensive "Martini Finland" fillet knives, and you could easily shave with it. Not much for scaling though. Next time I'm out on the water, I'll see if someone would show me how to do it with the 'lectric.
Just wish I had time to fish anymore. It's been far too long.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
With the electric knife, you don't really scale the fish, you skin them. Lay the fish on the table, start at the head with the electric knife, and run the blade deep, along the bones, from from the head to the tail. You don't complete your cut as you reach the tail, leave the skin intact. Flip the fish over, and run the knife along the table, just cutting the skin and scales from the filet. With practice, there's very little waste.
After the filet is loose from the bones, it lays flat on the table for you to remove the skin and scales.
Give it a try.
Greg
Edited 3/14/2006 10:16 am ET by GregGibson
You make it sound easy enough. I'll give it a try.
Thanks again.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
Greg
I had never seen that done until I moved to Tulsa OK back in the early 80's.
A buddy and I went out fishing and when we got back to the docks with our catch we had a guy filet the fish for us, took him about 15- 20 seconds to do a fish, a damn work of art it was.
Must be a southern thing!
Doug
Electric knives are great for foam, the thick type used in upholstry, not spray in.
'lectric knife good for rigid foam, upholstery foam and fish!!! You guys are killing me ... yesterday I was all happy thinking the stupid thing is useless. Now I'm going to have to run out and get at least one more so I have two. More stuff for that already crammed over the fridge cab. Where does it all end? ;-)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
We have a 70" Amana w/ freezer drawer under. Above the refrigerator are the cereal boxes and empty 2 qt. plastic pitchers. It reachable for me (5-8"), and the wife is 5'-10"; but not the nephews (on occasional weekends).
We put our baking trays & pans down low. BTW, we had our countertops set at 37" and find it just right.
usually a big open box ...
I call it the "wedding gift" cabinet ...
that's where all the crappy wedding gifts go to live in disgrace.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I am thinking, since it is a 24d cab, of doing a single susan tray, a 20" diameter D-shaped one in it. Might make it a little more useful.
View Image
Gene,
Poke around a bit.
I seem to remember seeing pantry type shelf units that slide/rotate forward as the door opens. In this case you only need a single shelf maybe.
I think Buck's got it.
Hey, come up with and original and patent it.
Eric[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Good idea - can I steal it?Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
Isn't that the cab that is full of liquor?
"full" of liquor. Why would it be full?
that's funny ... because we got no "over the fridge cab" ...
but the top of the fridge is where we keep all the bottle of booze!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Maybe this?
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=48678&cat=3,43722,43759&ap=1
Wouldn't that hit the top of the fridge before you got it down all the way?
Not if the cabinet is flush with the front of the fridge. If it is set back then yes.
Hey Stinger,
It is a great place to store the super-sized bags of potatoe chips.
DAVE
P.S.
If the customers are short just put in a false front of doors.
We came up with a great solution for that one. Cabinet doesn't get much use anyway so we stuck a set of pocket doors on the cabinet and put a small flat screen TV up there. It is the balls and now one of the most used cabinets in the kitchen! Need to plan ahead and run cable and a plug up there of course. Good view from the bar and great for not missing the ball game when making dinner or getting a beer.
We had a really low ceiling so had a tough time finding one small enough. I had to take the stand off it and build my own to get it to fit but that wouldn't be the case in most houses these days. TV is a 15" Sanyo Aquos. Other than that we just throw a small cooler some paper plates and bags of chips up there. Pictures aren't great showing the TV but you can see it up there in the Frig2 pic.
30-year-old bottles of booze.
happy?
Best solution I ever saw was a light weight bin on wheels that you could pull forward until the wheels hit a stop, and then you would allow it to tilt down to have easy access. It was used to store light weight items like tupperware containers and cereal boxes. A friend made it. I don't know where he got the bin on wheels.
We had ours made to hold a TV. It goes all the way up to the 8' ceiling, is 24" deep and has one shelf which could hold a dvd player, etc. if wanted.
Couldn't be more pleased with it.
Sub-Zero. Frankly, putting the compressor there is my first choice.
Currently with 8 foot ceilings I toss cookie sheets, pizza pans, etc. Need chair for access if any ever get pushed too far back into area.
New home with 9 foot ceilings on the horizon & have been wondering "what in the world will I place there?" Good topic! For now, I plan to store picnic stuff - paper plates, cups, large Tupperware plastic stuff, etc. which are not used daily. And yes, I will still need stool/chair for access.
The lazy susan idea was great. New cabinets installed but may be something I could p/u via Rev-a-Shelv, etc? Cabinet mfg should look more closely to improve this area!
> And yes, I will still need stool/chair for access.Of course, you then need a place to store the stool, so you end up with a net loss of storage space.
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Most all the susan makers sell a D-shaped 20-incher. You will need a post short enough, or one that can be cut, to go in the cab.
In our current case, a remodel with ceilings at 105", we are topping the wallcabs at 97.5". The box over the fridge will be 25.5" h x 36" w.
We will outfit the cab with the 20-inch D-shaped susan, one bottom rotary tray only, and place a couple of slim vertical dividers to each side, so that some large flatware or pans can go in the flanking space.
I would never recommend running wallcabs higher than about 7'6", but this client wanted things so.
For a kitchen with 9/0 ceilings, I would box down soffits at the entire perimeter, to the 7-6 height, make 'em come clear out to counter face (about 25") where over counter runs, and put can lights in them for task lighting.
My wallcabs would then run up to the 7/6 soffit and trim with some kind of crown.
All this, unless you are building for a houseful of NBA players, all over 6/8.
A bookshelf for all those pretty cookbooks that nobody uses anyway.
pretty cookbooks that nobody uses anyway
Well, that's true enough, "pretty" equals "unused" rather generally.
Easy to spot the one I use, they're dog-eared, scuffed, creased spines, postit notes hanging out, etc. . . .
Next set of cabinets that goes in my kitche will have sheet-metal panels on the uppers--the better to stick recipe cards & notes up with magnets (or print the the things on magnetic sheet stock).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
A cab over the fridge is danged if you do, danged if you don't sort of thing.
If you bring it out to the fridge front, it needs to be 26-28 deep. That, begs for finished side panels. That, then, wants a side extension on the upper cabs to keep the doors (and more importantly, the cab door knobs) out of the side panels.
Now that the fridge is boxed in, you have to know what fridge it is, so as to get the ventilation & opening size right. That's when you notice you just specified a 40" wide, 28" deep, but only 15" tall cabinet. (Those 1/2" overlay doors will be 18 x 12".) Any cookie sheets will have to be flat in the cabinet (after being so rarely used they are stuck in need-a-stepladder-to-get-co storage).
Ok, so, if you go with flush-to-uppers cabinetry, now there's 14-18" of junk-collecting "flat" on top of the fridge blocking the doors to the cabinet--that's no good (I have the same argument against building oven cabinets that way, too).
The best answer, sometimes, is to just use open adjustable shelving. That can take some "selling" to the client sometimes, but it means not having things hidden in the back of the cabinet nobody ever gets into.
If you do use side panels, I kind of like using a more sensible depth on the upper, like 18" (or what ever the height is). (The side panels cover the fact you didn't go full depth.) Oh, and if you really want slick, with side panels, make a trip to a bus salvage yard, and score a set of the flip-down steps, they can be right handy for getting to less-than seasonal items stowed over the fridge.