Kitchen and Laundry Appliances

Counter, cooktop or built-in: start with where it will live

This area is organized by how an appliance is installed. Countertop machines such as blenders, fryers, rice cookers and coffee makers just plug in, so they are the easiest to swap and the least demanding on your home's wiring. Cooking and refrigeration appliances need a defined space and sometimes a dedicated circuit or gas line. See countertop kitchen appliances for the plug-in group and large appliances and parts for washers, dryers, dishwashers and spare parts.

Built-in products add a second set of numbers. A wall oven is sized to a cabinet width, commonly 24, 27 or 30 inches, and a range or cooktop to a cutout in the counter. Microwaves come as countertop or over-the-range models, and the latter need the correct mounting height and an exhaust path. Compare the maker's cutout dimensions, not just the overall size, because the opening and the outer body differ.

Power, gas and water: the connections behind the appliance

Check what has to be behind the cabinet. Countertop machines and plug-in cooktops run on 120 V, while full-size electric ranges and wall ovens usually need a 240 V circuit. Gas models need a supply line set up for natural gas or propane, and washers need hot and cold water inlets plus a drain. Dryers need a vent run, or a condensate tank on ventless models. Confirm the connections exist, and that doorways and stairs let the machine through, before you choose a model.

Questions about Kitchen and Laundry Appliances

Do I need a 240 V outlet for a wall oven or range?

Full-size electric ranges and wall ovens generally run on 240 V, drawn from a dedicated circuit with a heavier plug or hardwired connection. Compact countertop ovens and portable cooktops usually run on a regular 120 V outlet. Check the listing's voltage and ask an electrician if unsure.

How do I make sure a built-in appliance fits my cabinet?

Use the maker's cutout dimensions for width, height and depth, not the outer size, and leave the clearance the instructions require for ventilation. Measure your opening in several places, because cabinets are rarely perfectly square.

Do I need to vent a dryer or an over-the-range microwave?

Vented dryers must exhaust through a duct to the outside, while condenser and ventless models collect water instead. Over-the-range microwaves usually either duct outdoors or recirculate air through a filter; check which options a model supports before you plan the installation.