Varieties and Tips for Choosing Kitchen Workstations

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of a cutting table for housewives. After all, you have to cook almost every day. Therefore, everything should be as convenient and practical as possible. But we must not forget about the aesthetic side of the issue. Let's see what types of cutting tables manufacturers offer us, and how to choose the right option.

Unlike a conventional kitchen table, a cutting (or working) table should have a number of advantages and features. These minor enhancements and additions greatly facilitate and speed up the entire cooking process.

• Worktop hole for food waste. Such a refinement can even be done independently on an already finished countertop. When cleaning, slicing and chopping vegetables and other products, there will be no need to open the bin every time. Besides being convenient, it is also safe from a hygiene point of view. After all, you do not have to touch the lid of the bin every time. On the technical side, this is a regular hole to which a container or other container of an appropriate shape is attached. As it is filled (or immediately after cooking), it is removed and the contents are deleted.
• Extra drawers and cabinets. The cutting table can be equipped with convenient places for storing kitchen utensils and tools. All of them will be at hand in their places. You don’t have to run around the kitchen and look for a suitable knife or remember which of the many drawers the peeler is stored in.
• In most cases, professional (production) cutting tables are collapsible or modular. If necessary, you can easily disassemble and translate them, or simply change the configuration.
• Often the cutting table is supplied with small sides. They do not interfere with the cooking process. Their main task is to prevent any product from falling off the working surface. In terms of convenience and hygiene, this is a great solution.
• Not always a cutting table is a separate item. Under one countertop several modules can be placed. But each section will have its own purpose. In the conditions of small dimensions of kitchens it is very convenient. In this case, do not confuse the usual section of a standard kitchen set with a cutting table. In this design, everything is thought out and as convenient as possible: the presence of open shelves, openings for waste, a wear-resistant surface, etc.

It is the countertop material that largely determines the style and image of the cutting table. It can be made of various materials. The choice of one of them will be based on your preferences, financial capabilities and the style of the premises.

• Stainless steel. These tables can be seen in professional kitchens, in cutting shops and restaurants. They owe their popularity to a special set of qualities. Steel does not absorb odors, is not damaged by minor strokes and is easy to clean. In addition, the design is collapsible, so it can easily be supplemented with the necessary sections, drawers, baskets, shelves or hooks. But there is one significant drawback.

• Plastic. One of the most popular materials for countertops. Manufacturers offer more variety of colors. It can be both monochrome solutions and imitation of natural materials (stone, marble, wood). The undeniable advantages include the price. And although quite expensive models are found in this segment, but still plastic remains one of the most affordable materials. The material is resistant to mechanical damage and retains its properties for a long time. He is not afraid of either direct sunlight, moisture, or even high temperatures.

• Fake diamond. Such countertops compare favorably with plastic. It is quite difficult to distinguish material from natural stone. Moreover, it is more wear resistant. The market offers a wide variety of shades and colors. Therefore, it will be easy to choose a countertop for an existing kitchen design. The material is resistant to fading, detergents and abrasive products. In this case, chips can be restored by grinding. But it will cost more than the option of plastic.

• A natural stone. Fans of everything expensive, natural and luxurious will like this option. Of the materials presented, this is the most expensive. If you do not want to imitate marble, stone or granite from plastic (or artificial stone), then manufacturers will be happy to offer you just this option. But it is worthwhile to understand that then the rest of the decoration should correspond to such an ambitious countertop. In addition, natural stone is very heavy, and it will not work to install the countertop on a flimsy (for example, plastic) structure.

One of the most important options when choosing a desktop. The ease of use will completely depend on correctly selected dimensions.

If it is assumed that the desktop will stand alone, then there are no restrictions on the choice of height. In this case You must focus on your height. When slicing and cooking products, the back should remain upright.If the table is low, then you have to bend down, which will lead to rapid fatigue (and even problems with the spine). Too high a table will also not please.

The shredding process, for example, will be difficult, as the hands will be at an unnatural height. Height is easy to pick up when there is one housewife in the kitchen. But if a wife, a husband, and even growing children cook in a family, then it will be more difficult to choose. Try to find a compromise height at which it would be convenient to cook for everyone. For children, you can provide small high chairs.

The standard desktop height in Russia is considered to be 85 cm. It is interesting that in the United States it is 5 cm higher. But this can also be explained by the fact that Americans are more likely to cook semi-finished products that do not need to be cleaned, shredded, etc. take into account one more thing. If the table is located under one tabletop with other surfaces, then their height will be identical. In the presence of a conventional (not built-in) plate, this can cause difficulties. Since all surfaces can be at different heights.

There are also generally accepted standards for wall-mounted options (headsets). Manufacturers of countertops also focus on these parameters. And they offer options in widths of 60 and 70 cm. Even a slightly larger width of 80 cm, you already have to make to order. But it is precisely this width (60-70 cm) that is enough. It allows you to conveniently place everything you need on other surfaces (if it is a headset) and leave room for work on a cutting table.

An exception can be made only for the island table. In this case, the approach to it can be from all sides, and a large width will not hurt. In the wall-mounted two-door versions, the zone near the wall will not be used, and it will be inconvenient to get dishes from the depths of the drawers.

Like every piece of furniture, cutting tables have their own advantages and disadvantages. When considering them, it will be possible to understand whether you really need a cutting table in the kitchen or whether you can do with the standard option. The pluses are as follows.

• Convenience and speed of food processing. These tables are created precisely for this purpose. Ease of use is their main concern.
• The ability to select individual content. You yourself can decide which boxes, baskets you need. Will it be a table with open shelves or a two-door option. You can also plan a place for washing, openings for waste, etc.
• If you have such a specialized table, you will ensure the safety of other surfaces. After all, all the most dangerous mechanical processes will occur on it. When the table becomes unusable, it will be possible to replace only it, and not to buy a new headset as a whole.
• When choosing stainless steel countertops, you will ensure the safety of your family. It does not form chips and cracks in which bacteria can multiply. It is easy to clear of any pollution. In addition, often such designs are mobile, which is very convenient.

Cons are also available.

• In the production of plastic and artificial stone, substances harmful to health can be used.
• If the quality of the countertop leaves much to be desired, then very quickly scratches and chips will appear on it. This not only looks unaesthetic, but can also become dangerous (due to the multiplication of microbes and bacteria in them).
• Quality natural materials are very expensive.

See how to choose a kitchen desktop in the next video.