Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing kitchen requirements

[Elizabeth Stevenson (tamgoddess]

Well, we've done it different ways, and settled on our current
configuration.

When we moved in, someone donated a large upright freezer. So we used it.
But nothing actually ever came OUT of the freezer, so we got rid of it.
Having the extra space only slackens the discipline it takes to get rid of
leftovers. You really don't want leftovers!!! Don't buy a freezer unless you
plan on buying food in bulk on a very regular basis. Even then...

We have the largest residential refrigerator that would fit into the spot we
had. It is perfectly adequate most of the time. If we are having lots of
meals or a big event, sometimes stuff has to be kept at home. But this is
definitely ok with us, since we really don't need the expense of buying or
running a bigger refrigerator. Oh, and don't get side-by-side. You won't be
able to put really big bowls in it.

Commercial ones are, like the dishwashers, far more expensive. And, unlike
dishwashers, there really isn't any difference worth paying for. The bigger
it is, the harder it will be to empty of old food. Trust me on this. Been
there, etc. It needs to be big, no question. But commercial isn't necessary.
I could see commercial if you had a really big community and lots of meals,
like 5/week.

We have two residential dishwashers, and that is quite adequate. Some
thought one was enough, but it wasn't, for me.

We have two stoves, one residential, and one that is a hybrid commercial
type stove. The big difference being that commercial stoves are extremely
HOT and not appropriate for a place where kids can get in occasionally. I
would highly recommend a commercial type stove made for residential
applications. You must have high BTUs to get a huge pot of water boiling or
cook a big honkin stir-fry. Residential doesn't cut it. We had two
residential stoves to start with and wore one out within 7 or 8 years. The
other one is still here, but we use it last. I think it depends on the size
of the group, but we're 25 households, and we need at least 6 burners. WE
sometimes use all 8, but that's pretty rare.

One thing you don't want to do is have the developer put this stuff in. Buy
it separately. Otherwise, you're paying for it over 30 years, and are paying
for it long after it's gone, and three times what it cost.

I'd err on the side of providing too much space for the appliances. Then if
you don't use it all, you can just put shelves in later.

Have a pantry. Since not everyone cooks in there every day, and things get
moved around, you don't want all your dry goods behind doors, but on a
shelf. All our food is in the pantry. Only dishes and utensils etc. are in
the cabinets and drawers. Lots of drawers! they're much easier than digging
around in cabinets.

That's all I can think of for now. Whew.

Good Luck

-- 
Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, California
tamgoddess [at] attbi.com
> From: MerylD [at] aol.com
> Reply-To: cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org
> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 18:02:22 EDT
> To: cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org
> Subject: [C-L]_Cohousing kitchen requirements
> 
> 
> Hi all:
> 
> After many years of delays South Florida is going to get its first cohousing
> community! Groundbreaking is expeced in the fall.
> 
> We are working with a local developer, who is putting all his own upfront
> money into the project. Together we are designing the cohousing kitchen and
> were wondering what appliances and sizes groups felt were important. I
> followed the recent dishwasher discussion so I know the merits of commercial
> versus residential, but what about refrigerator (is one big high-end
> residential unit enough?) and freezer (stand-alone?) and stove size (number
> of burners?) and the number of dishwashers needed if we go with the
> residential type. Cost is a big consideration.
> 
> Thanks! 
> Meryl Davids
> Emerald Place Cohousing, Delray, Florida
> breaking ground fall 2003
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