With the popularity of minimalist design, embedded home appliances are becoming increasingly popular. They are aesthetically pleasing, simple, and greatly improve space utilization. Fully embedded designs can even integrate seamlessly with cabinets, making them a blessing for perfectionists.Whether fully embedded or partially embedded, there are no major technical difficulties, but the installation can present numerous pitfalls. Today, I will summarize some common pitfalls in embedded appliance details and provide some good suggestions, hoping to help everyone.01Common Pitfalls in Embedded Design
The biggest challenge with embedded appliances is achieving a perfect fit, and there are many factors that can affect this, often involving less than 1 cm.
1. Countertop Width ≠ Cabinet Width:
When embedding appliances in cabinets, it is important to note that the countertop width and cabinet width are two different measurements.
Dishwashers are based on cabinet width, while washing machines are based on countertop width.
2. Panel Size Mismatch:
The thickness of appliance door panels is often overlooked, especially for washing machines and dishwashers. The shape and size of the door significantly affect the embedded effect.
For washing machines, the thickness of the door panel must also be considered; otherwise, the door may protrude too much and look unsightly.
For dishwashers, the height of the dishwasher’s toe kick and the cabinet’s toe kick must be adjusted; otherwise, it will look unattractive, and installation may require cutting the door panel.
3. Incorrect Hardware Positioning on Cabinet Doors:
For devices like robot vacuums and small appliances that are completely embedded in cabinets, consider the hardware on the cabinet doors, as the hinges and dampers are on the cabinet surface, which can limit interior space. This is often overlooked, leading to appliances not fitting inside.
4. Door Panels Not Aligned:
This is a very detailed issue, mainly related to adjacent cabinets and drawers.
Aligning the refrigerator door with custom cabinet doors looks visually better, and the same goes for aligning steam ovens, dishwashers, and drawers. This can be adjusted by adding drawers and cover strips; if not too concerned, it can be overlooked.
02Preconditions for “Embedded Appliance” DesignAll designs have corresponding prerequisites, and embedded designs are no exception. Only by meeting the following points can suitable and perfect embedded designs be made.1. Sufficient Space Area:The majority of balcony designs use embedded designs, integrating washing machines, dryers, sinks, and cabinets into custom cabinetry.
For kitchen embedded designs, it is not necessary to tear down walls; instead, reasonable design can allow appliances to be fitted in, achieving a cohesive look. This makes the choice of position and angle extremely important.
Essentially, this still occupies the kitchen’s space area. Appliance doors and standing space require sufficient dimensions, so if the kitchen is too small to provide enough storage and aisle space, embedded appliance designs cannot be realized.2. Sufficient Budget:Embedding appliances incurs higher costs for the appliances themselves and custom cabinetry; the overall cost will be significantly higher than designs without embedding. Therefore, to truly implement this, the budget must be sufficient.
3. Appliance Size and After-Sales:Embedded appliances differ from regular appliances; installation requires a certain level of technical skill, and the size relationship between the appliance and the cabinet must be noted to avoid installation issues. On the other hand, after-sales service is particularly important for maintenance and care.
02Scale Requirements for “Embedded Appliance” Design
Embedded appliances require consideration of two main dimensions: the cabinet and the appliances.
1. Cabinet Size Requirements:
When designing cabinet dimensions, the opening size of the appliances and the standing space for individuals must be considered. Appliances are generally embedded in base cabinets or tall cabinets; the standard depth of regular cabinets is approximately 600mm, and after arranging the cabinets, ≥1200mm of passage space must be ensured.
Embedded appliances generally have outward-opening doors, so when opened, they occupy aisle space. After opening, there must be sufficient standing space for individuals; typically:
Width of the aisle area ≥ appliance opening size + standing space
2. Appliance Size Requirements:
As for which appliances need to be embedded, including the sizes of embedded appliances, these must be determined in advance before making cabinets to facilitate proper sizing and pre-reserving electrical outlets.
03Design Requirements for Heat Dissipation and Water/Electricity
1. Heat Dissipation Design Requirements:
For these embedded appliances, a crucial factor is heat dissipation, especially within enclosed cabinetry, as a closed environment can slow down the rate of heat dissipation, affecting efficiency.
On the other hand, the high temperatures caused by heat dissipation can have a significant negative impact on the cabinets themselves. Different appliances have different heat dissipation methods and locations. Some dissipate heat from the back or bottom, while others have all-around dissipation. Therefore, during design, this must be taken into account.
The core logic of heat dissipation is: maintain distance between the appliances and cabinets while ensuring cabinet protection.
The specific approach is to maintain a certain distance between the appliances and the cabinets when reserving cabinet dimensions. Additionally, the cabinet materials should be heat-resistant and deformation-resistant. Alternatively, heat-insulating panels can be arranged inside the cabinets, which can extend the lifespan of the appliances and protect the cabinets.
Different appliances also have different heat dissipation measures and requirements:
01. Oven:
If an oven is to be embedded, it is best to choose a front-venting oven. The cabinet where the oven is installed should not have a back panel, and there should be a certain gap between the oven and the cabinet to achieve ventilation and heat dissipation. The cabinet materials should be heat-resistant.
If the oven is installed in a base cabinet, it is forbidden to place it directly underneath the stove; both the gas stove and oven have high heat dissipation requirements, and placing them together not only damages the appliances but can also cause safety incidents like explosions.
02. Microwave:
The heat dissipation logic for microwaves is similar; they need to maintain distance from surrounding cabinets, with at least 100mm distance between the microwave and the cabinet above and 50mm on both sides to ensure ventilation and heat dissipation. The microwave should also be of the front-venting type.
03. Disinfection Cabinet:Disinfection cabinets are generally installed directly below the stove, maintaining a distance of ≥150mm between them. A square vent hole with a side length of 120mm needs to be pre-reserved on the back of the cabinet to ensure ventilation and heat dissipation.
04. Refrigerator:For embedded refrigerators, both sides and the back are the main heat sources; therefore, they need to maintain a certain distance from the cabinets or walls, with a minimum gap of 100mm.
2. Water and Electricity Design Requirements:01. Socket Layout:It is necessary to consider the layout and positioning of appliances in advance to design the placement of sockets. Generally speaking, sockets should be placed on the side or in adjacent cabinetry (with pre-drilled holes), and should avoid being placed directly behind the appliance.
If the appliance dissipates heat from the back, placing the socket directly behind the appliance can cause damage and can easily lead to safety incidents.From a dimensional perspective, placing sockets behind the appliance takes up some depth, causing the appliance to protrude compared to the cabinet, severely affecting aesthetics.
02. Water Supply and Drainage Layout:Before making cabinets, the locations of water supply and drainage pipes, as well as the dimensions of the appliances, should be reserved in advance. Remember, when depth is limited, the water inlet, like the socket, should not be placed directly behind the appliance, as this will also cause the appliance to protrude and affect aesthetics. The floor drain should not be placed directly below the appliance, as this will affect drainage; it should be positioned beside the appliance.
Good design is a good design, and the likelihood of mishaps is mainly due to installation issues.What are your thoughts on embedded appliances? Have you encountered any problems during installation at home? Please leave a comment and discuss with everyone.
