Indoor Kitchen Makeover

[WayneT]

It's gonna be big. Really big. Flooring, base cabinets, wall cupboards, countertops, sink & faucet, microwave, cooktop, ovens and cooktop ventilation system. We're also changing the basic layout of the kitchen to gain additional storage and meal prep space.

Please feel free to share your own indoor kitchen makeover experiences by listing your do's and don'ts. I'd especially like to hear of your experiences with cooking appliances by brand, indicating it's ease/difficulty of operation and long-term reliability. Appliance brands we currently use are LG, Samsung, Bosch. Brands we are investigating are LG, Bosch and Thermador.

Thanks in advance for helping me decide how to spend my money.

[Dan Deter]

If you're looking at Thermador prices you should probably also look at Wolf/Subzero. When our work is done we will have Thermador (induction cooktop), Wolf (double ovens), LG (fridge and microwave) and Bosch (dishwasher). The LG and Bosch we already have. We will also have a Zephyr downdraft vent behind the cooktop. We are taking out our existing LG range.

[Dan Deter]

The Freedom is the cooktop we're getting as well. The Zephyr vent was recommended because it has the narrowest space requirements, which since we're not doing a complete tear down was important. We liked the Wolf ovens much better (also better than the Cafe options, which we also looked at), and they have the best warranty of any of them. And yes, it is a chunk of change. Added a third to our budget when we decided to add those. *sigh*

[WayneT]

Have you used the live, virtual demo offered by Thermador? Before seeing the demo, we were thinking of the Liberty cooktop to save a few bucks. Now, "its give me Freedom instead of Liberty." How far along are you in your remodel? There's about a 6-8 week lead time on the order/delivery I understand. I'll be interested to hear your first impressions of the cooktop.

https://www.thermador.com/us/experience/showrooms/virtual-demo

[Dan Deter]

Contractor has scheduled the work to start on Oct 7. We still have to pick out the new pulls for doors and drawers paint color for what little bit of wall will be visible, pick out a sink, and I have to arrange to go next week and finalize the purchase of the appliances. They're estimating about a month of work, barring unforeseen delays (most likely with stuff we order not getting here when its supposed to).

Didn't use the virtual demo, but went and saw the Freedom work in person, and wow!

[Jim White]

Good luck! Our indoor kitchen is getting quite aged, so I have nothing for you.

However, should you guys decide to clear out for a while, let me know and our guest room will be available. We could have lots of fun cooking indoors and out.

[WayneT]

I appreciate that offer Jim. If the timing is right, we can move in with you during the winter. 🙃

[Spinaker]

This is the only place where a person needs to specify "Indoor" when talking about their kitchen. LOL

[WayneT]

I was very specific in doing that for fear of an outpouring of outdoor kitchen recommendations.

[Richard Chrz]

Hanaha! So true!

[Draznnl]

Our GE dishwasher died last week, so now we have a wonderful, practically silent Bosch. Jim White beat me to the offer, but if you need to clear out for a while, our guest room is available. Heck, y’all can just bounce your way down I-75 from pit member to pit member.

[WayneT]

OK, this is shaping up nicely. Pop in with Jim and Linda a few weeks then head down the gulf coast to your place. If the timing works out, maybe we’ll catch a couple of spring training ball games? I’ll buy the first round of beer and brats!

We also have an 800 series Bosch ‘is-it-running’ db DW. Love it!

[Draznnl]

Sounds like a plan. Spring training is my favorite time of year.

[TripleB]

What a coincidence, so are we. Taking it down to the frame. New cabinets, flooring, electrical. Just had one contractor in this past weekend to give it a look and give us a quote. Still waiting on the quote. But we have a small kitchen in a small house and we are not expanding the footprint.

Look forward to seeing what is posted.

[WayneT]

Sounds like we can compare notes soon. Our kitchen certainly isn’t spacious which is why we need to squeeze every cubic foot out of our existing volume.

[Jfrosty27]

Hi Wayne!
We did ours about 5 1/2 years ago.

First of all, make sure you’ve picked the right contractor(s). We had a carpenter that we found that also acted as the general contractor for all the other guys. He also had arrangements with a couple of the local vendors for flooring, cabinetry, and countertops. He was the key. He kept everything and everyone on time and meticulously checked their work along the way. The project actually was finished a few weeks ahead of schedule and under budget. Yes, UNDER budget.

A couple of other things. Don’t skimp on the cabinets. The cheaper ones are so poorly made that install takes twice as long and therefore way more labor cost. Plus they just don’t last. A close friend of mine made that mistake and has regretted it since.

Also, for what it’s worth, when were appliance shopping, the guy at a major appliance dealer here said, and I quote, “They’re all s**t. Doesn’t matter what brand or price. Think of them as a consumable and buy inexpensive with a service contract.” Well that’s what we did. Got the whole suite for about $3500. Fridgidare Gallery line. We got the 5 year all covered service contract. Have used that 4 times before it expired. Three service call on the fridge, all for the ice maker, one a full unit replacement on the microwave because the handle on the door broke off and the unit we had was discontinued and thus we got a new one. No issues with the other items. So we feel it was good advice from the dealer. 🤷♂️

Good luck!

[WayneT]

Thanks Jim. I had recently re-read your earlier post about your appliance purchase and the dealer’s comment. That was an eye opener! 😳

[Jfrosty27]

Here’s a few shots of the finished kitchen just after completion. I never did any “before “ pictures. But trust me. It was horrible.

[HawkerXP]

Thank you.Do you remember the brand? Are you on a slab or have a basement?

[Jfrosty27]

HawkerXP We have a basement and the brand was Shaw.

[WayneT]

We are also considering the Shaw brand of flooring. For countertops, we are buying through a very reputable friend-of-a-friend who imports stone from Brazil, India, Malaysia and Vietnam, and will sell it to us just above cost,

[J-Melt]

I have nothing for you as my kitchen is in desperate need of a
full remodel. The space in there is used in the worst ways. I did recently get a “new” Maytag Gemini stove with a double oven at a used appliance store last April and it has been amazing for the last year and a half. (Paid around $375 for a $1000 stove!)

A friend of mine who has bought both new and used for his 3 flat has had better luck with the used appliances he had bought.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

We still need to get a cabinet guy out to build a few, do our backsplash, and new counter top... if your floor is tile or glued down wood get the floor removed BEFORE anything else and block off all registers and turn off your AC while that work is taking place. I'm still finding dust from our floor job months ago.

[WayneT]

Good advice Greg. Our floor is glued down and grouted vinyl tiles. We are definitely going to seal off every orifice that leads from the kitchen. I hope you get your cabinets and backsplash finished soon.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

WayneT yeah prepare for chaos! It's worth it in the end though. We have the money set aside for everything but we just keep putting off getting a company over to finish things up. For me it's a bad time of year to be locking the dogs outside for long periods of time and our kennel has outdoor runs too... so that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. But we do need to get it done soon because the deck/patio whatever the back becomes is the next project and I think that ones gonna need permits

[Jfrosty27]

WayneT our old floor was ceramic tile. They put the new floor right over it. It was prepped with a floor leveling compound first, then a thin styrofoam (I think) or some other material 🤷♂️ sheeting, then the new flooring. Seems to be working well.

[Sweaty Paul]

Would add Blue Star for you to evaluate for a cooktop or ovens. We don’t have their oven, however, we have their 30” gas cooktop and it works brilliantly. It’s been bullet proof and works well for 13 years. My In-Laws have had theirs for 20 years and no issues. Two drawbacks: 1) the electric ignition doesn’t work great so we use a lighter. 2) My wife reports that cleaning it can be a bit of a challenge. Despite the above two drawbacks, it works well.

Sweaty Paul

[WayneT]

Thanks for that advice and caveat. We are pretty committed to an induction cooktop but I’ll check out Bluestar.

[Sweaty Paul]

Enjoy the process. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Keep us apprised. By the way, 4 years ago we put in new Jenn-Aire ovens. Would NOT recommend.

[DavidNorcross]

Always enjoy builds either indoor or out.

[WayneT]

We are looking forward to it with cautious optimism.

[HawkerXP]

+1

[HawkerXP]

Will be watching.

[Jim White]

Is there an outside wall or a wall abutting an existing fireplace? It sure would be grand to have an indoor spot for live fire cooking if you can build a new chimney or punch into an existing one.

After all, this isn't my money I'm spending here and a guy can dream.