Monday, November 2, 2009

Traditional Kitchens Make Cooking Fun!

By Matthew Kerridge

The traditional kitchen is popular because it is designed to help simplify the chore of food preparation so that cooking can be more fun. The kitchen tends to be a gathering place in a home. Furniture accommodations such as bar-stool seating that literally gives you a lift and countertops that can double as a snack bar all help make the kitchen an enjoyable place to share a repast.

Good kitchen lighting is very important. Traditionally, extra lighting is used over sinks and work areas so that you can see exactly what you are cooking. It is a good idea to have lighting added under the wall cabinets to reduce shadows on the countertops. Sometimes a reading lamp is added for reading recipes. A natural lighting source from a window is an important feature that makes a small kitchen feel more spacious.

Well designed traditional kitchens have pantry storage systems that are ultimately practical. How many times have you searched in vain for a missing ingredient, only to discover too late that it was hidden behind something else all along? Incidents like that can sap the fun out of whipping up your favourite dessert. A good storage system will keep that from happening and help you to find what you want, when you need it.

Running an environmentally sound kitchen means taking proper care of equipment and utensils. Knife blocks fit right in with traditional decor and are the safest way to store culinary knives. Most pots and pans should be kept in cabinets which protect them from dust but yet allow enough circulation of air that they do not rust. Utensils that are both stylishly designed and used frequently can be kept in countertop receptacles or hung from hooks.

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 some of the most noticeable and most frequently used parts of traditional kitchens. To make a kitchen environmentally friendly, the countertops must be durable and easy to clean. A nonporous surface will minimize the places where bacteria can grow and help keep the kitchen environment ecologically sound. Surfaces made from tile, concrete, stone, and plastic laminates or resins are especially good for this.

When it comes to cooking, many energy-saving options are available. An efficient ventilation system will be able to disperse odours while containing heating or cooling costs. Some traditional kitchens are set up to use dual fuels, both gas and electric. Microwave ovens and countertop appliances such as crock pots and toasters can also reduce the amount of energy required to cook a meal. Some ovens use convection air flow to cook more efficiently. A properly insulated oven will heat the food but keep the kitchen cool.

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