|
Tools & Resources
:
Ask
The Editor :
January 2007
How Do I Create a Baking Center?
Question: I would
like to make a baking center in my kitchen. As I am 5 feet tall, what
height would you recommend my countertops be? And out of what materials?
I am also having a problem with where to put all the trays when they
come out of the oven. What type of cooling rack do I incorporate into a
tiny kitchen?"
Answer: The standard counter height is 36 inches. In a baking
center, it is common to drop the countertop where you roll dough, mix
and chop to 32 or 33 inches, or even to standard table height, which is
30 inches.
We don't recommend having all your surfaces installed at that lower
height for a few reasons:
-
Taller cooks and bakers
(perhaps a spouse or older children) will be uncomfortable.
-
It might limit
the number of potential buyers when you sell the home.
-
Standard dishwashers
are about 35 inches tall and won't fit under a dropped counter.
Having a mix of
work-surface heights should ensure that everyone's needs are met. The
lower baking surface can be part of either a perimeter countertop or
part of an island countertop. To make the most out of the reduced
cabinet space underneath, consider installing deep drawers with
full-extension slides instead of base cabinets. Drawers hold more than
vertical cabinets, and the items stored inside will be easier to access.
As far as surface materials go, natural stone and quartz both tend to be
smooth and cool to the touch, which is good for working with dough.
Because baking involves a number of ingredients that can stain or
corrode (think vanilla extract and lemon juice), if you want stone you
should choose granite, use a sealant, and clean up promptly. Marble is a
traditional favorite of many bakers, but it does stain easily and need
more maintenance than granite. Engineered quartz surfacing offers the
same benefits as marble or granite, but without the maintenance
requirements.
Finally, we can suggest a few solutions for cooling multiple trays of
cookies at once. The first idea is to look for stackable cooling racks,
sold singly or in sets. They can be stacked two or three high—maybe
more, depending on how accident-prone you are. Makers include Wilton,
Nordic Ware, Danesco and Pampered Chef. Our second idea is to purchase a
folding or collapsible baker's rack that can be stored in the basement
or a closet and pulled out when needed. Jonas Baker's Mate has four
tiers, can sit on a countertop or table, and could be stored in a
cabinet.
Our editors will answer frequently asked questions every month. Send
questions to editor@kitchens.com.
◄
previous page
▲
top
next page ►
|
