If you are currently in the midst of a kitchen renovation, one of the most important things you need to consider is where all of your appliances are going to be fitted. While you may believe that you have free reign on where your kitchen appliances go, there are actually some regulations that you should adhere to.
Today, we’ll be focussing on dishwashers and where they should be placed in your new kitchen. Can they be placed directly next to an oven? Here is what you need to know.
Having your dishwasher next to an oven – the simple answer
The answer to this question largely depends on what type of oven you have and just how closely you’d like to fit your dishwasher to it. If you have a free-standing oven, then you can place your dishwasher next to it providing you leave a gap of around 2 inches between the two appliances. If you have a built-in oven then the gap should be more like 24 inches.
Why do you need to leave a gap between a dishwasher and an oven?
The main reason why there needs to be a gap, regardless of your oven type, is due to heat dissipation. This means that if your oven and dishwasher were pushed right up to each other then the heat from the oven would naturally transfer to the dishwasher and could cause problems for the items within it.
The reason why you need to leave a bigger gap for a built-in oven is because they typically aren’t as well insulated as free-standing ovens. Therefore, a bigger gap is needed to prevent heat from transferring from your oven to the dishwasher.
Can your dishwasher affect your oven?
As we’ve explained, the main issue with placing your dishwasher closely to your oven is because of the heat of the oven. Many people worry that the humidity of the dishwasher could also have an impact on your oven but this shouldn’t be a concern.
Dishwashers are designed so that the backs and sides of them are sealed to prevent moisture from leaking out which will protect your oven and other kitchen appliances from this humidity.
How to guarantee a secure gap between a dishwasher and an oven
The best way to create a substantial gap between both appliances, and still have them next to one and other, is to install a gable in your kitchen. A gable functions in a similar way to your cupboards, except you won’t be able to open it. It’ll provide strength to the area and give you the gap that you require.
Other considerations for your dishwasher placement
When it comes to fitting a dishwasher, there are other things that you need to take into account besides the ramifications of placing it next to your oven. To get the perfect placement, please make a note of the following advice:
Place it next to your sink
The whole point of a dishwasher is to make cleaning up after tea quicker and easier. While they will perform a deep clean on most kitchen utensils, it is also beneficial to give certain items such as plates, bowls and cutlery a quick rinse before putting them in the dishwasher.
To make the process of moving these items from the sink to the dishwasher easier, it is in your best interests to have them next to each other. On top of that, all of the pipes that connect to your dishwasher can typically be found underneath your sink.
Don’t place it near a fridge or freezer
The two kitchen appliances that you should keep your dishwasher away from at all costs are your fridge and freezer. These two items need to be at a cold temperature to operate effectively and a dishwasher radiates a significant amount of heat and humidity when it’s turned on.
This heat and humidity can infiltrate your fridge/freezer and cause damage to the food items within it. As a result, you may end up with food which is no longer usable.
Place it near your stove
Finally, keeping a dishwasher near your stove is something you should consider. This is purely for convenience as many of the pots and pans you typically use on a stove are items that can be washed in a dishwasher.
The shorter the distance between these two appliances the better because it minimises the chances of excess food and water from the pans dropping onto your kitchen floor and causing a mess.
Conclusion
To conclude, placing a dishwasher directly next to an oven is not the smartest of ideas due to heat dissipation. Instead, consider installing a gable between the two appliances or having them on opposite sides of the room.
Aside from ovens, make sure you leave significant distance between your dishwasher and fridge/freezer and instead focus on fitting one directly next to your kitchen sink.