What you should look out for when buying built-in kitchen appliances
13.4.2018
Translation: machine translated
You've decided to buy a built-in appliance for your kitchen. But you don't know exactly what to look out for? Then you've come to the right place. I'll show you the most important points so that you can enjoy your new appliances for as long as possible.
Do the connections fit? What are the standards and what dimensions are required? What installation types are available? And what about the decorative fronts? All these questions come up as soon as you start looking at built-in kitchen appliances. If you've lost track, I'll help you and tell you what's important.
Built-in ovens
The important thing to remember here is that each appliance needs its own power supply. With the exception of combination appliances (oven and steamer in one), you need a separate connection for each appliance. Ovens with an integrated extractor hood also need an exhaust air connection with a diameter of 100 mm. The maximum back pressure at a flow rate of 100 m³/h is 100 Pa. There are ovens with or without a drawer, which you should also look out for when buying. The niche width can also vary between 55 cm (CH standard) and 60 cm (EU standard).
You can find all built-in ovens here.
Built-in hobs
As with all other built-in kitchen appliances, it is important that electrical connections are carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the guidelines and standards for low-voltage installations and the regulations of the local electricity companies. PS: At Galaxus, we also offer this service - simply add the additional services to your cart when purchasing and the professionals will install the appliances in your home. With built-in cookers, you should also pay attention to the different model designs. As with ovens, there are those with drawers and those without. There are also models that are either 55 cm (CH standard) or 60 cm (EU standard) wide. Incidentally, a hob and an oven are not the same thing. While a hob is always used in combination with a cooktop, the oven is operated (and positioned) completely independently. The hob and oven are connected to the power supply together. Nowadays, ovens have become increasingly popular compared to hobs and are therefore being used more frequently.
You can find all built-in hobs here.
Built-in hobs and glass ceramic hobs
The voltages within the general operating conditions must not fall below 207 V or exceed 253 V for built-in appliances. This applies not only to hobs and glass ceramic hobs, but to all appliances mentioned here. Induction hobs must be adequately ventilated. The plates can be installed either as a surface-mounted installation (with two, three or four hobs) or with an oversize installation frame (four hobs). A wok hob is always installed flush with the surface - in this case, the hob must be able to be removed downwards. There is also the option of installation with a drawer or furniture underneath for cooling air supply and on-site installation with an optional protective cover underneath the fan. However, these two variants are rather rare. Finally, hobs can also be installed below the fans or above the oven. Unlike glass ceramic hobs, which are heated by heating coils, induction hobs work with magnets - you should bear this in mind when buying pans, as not all pans work on all hobs.
You can find all built-in hobs and glass ceramic hobs here.
Built-in dishwasher
If so-called residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) are provided in the domestic installation, I recommend that you route the built-in appliances mentioned here via a separate RCCB, decoupled from the rest of the power supply to the residential unit. For dishwashers, make sure that these appliances require at least three connections: electricity, drainage and hot and cold water. If the water hardness is more than 50° fH, you should also use an external water softener - otherwise smooth operation cannot be guaranteed. Dishwashers are available in widths of 45 cm, 55 cm (CH standard) and 60 cm (EU standard). Fully integrated models can be installed directly into a kitchen unit or fitted kitchen, whereby the same decor fronts are usually used as for the other kitchen cabinets and doors. The control panel is often located on the top edge of the dishwasher door. Integrated dishwashers are also installed in fitted kitchens, but here the controls are located at the front. This is not in the same design as the rest of the kitchen.
You can find all built-in dishwashers here.
Built-in fridges
You should also pay attention to whether you are installing your kitchen appliances in an SMS system (common in Switzerland) or whether you are working according to the EURO scheme (other height divisions). Depending on the latter, the connections may be in different places and the products may not fit. With the EURO layout, the dimensions are measured from the bottom edge of the appliance. With fridges, it is important to ensure that the doors are not too heavy, otherwise the service life of the door hinges will be shortened. This should also be taken into account when selecting the panelling. Also, place heavy items in the cabinet itself rather than in the door compartments. Here too, the standard widths are either 55 cm (CH standard) or 60 cm (EU standard). Built-in refrigerators also need space at the top and bottom for ventilation (unless they are equipped with a fan).
You can find all built-in fridges here.
Vapour extraction hoods
When firing systems (e.g. in the form of a wood, gas, oil or coal-fired heating appliance) are in operation at the same time, the safe operation of extractor bonnets is only possible if the room negative pressure of 4 Pa is not exceeded at the location of the appliance. If the appliance is also installed above gas hobs, each cooking zone must be equipped with an ignition safety device and certain minimum distances must be maintained. Extractor hoods are available as island bonnets, wall-mounted bonnets or built-in bonnets.
You can find all extractor bonnets here.
Built-in steamer
You can only install a steamer directly above an oven if it does not have an integrated extractor hood. Otherwise, you must place the steamer under the oven or in another location. Steam cookers can generally be placed in the base unit or in the larder unit. Here too, models are available with and without a drawer and in widths of 55 cm (CH standard) and 60 cm (EU standard).
You can find all built-in steamers here.
Header image: When buying built-in appliances for the kitchen, there are a few things to consider
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.