A kitchen is usually a part or an area of a larger room used specifically for food preparation and cooking in a home or in a business. Commercial kitchens can be found in hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, office buildings, military bases, schools, and other similar places. A kitchen should have proper utensils, cooking equipment, countertop and cooking surface, refrigeration and storage space, and emergency supplies.
The basic equipment required in a kitchen includes cooking utensils such as frying pans, skillets, electric kettles, stove, baking sheets, and ranges. Basic utensils include bowls, plates, and cups. Most kitchen utensils can also be purchased to create special recipes and meals. The most common type of stove used in the kitchen is the gas stove, which can range from a simple wood-burning unit to modern stainless steel units. A stove-top unit can be attached to the gas line or stand on a cook top.
Refrigerators are another important feature in most kitchens. In larger homes and offices, there may be separate refrigerator and freezer rooms, with separate means of cooling and heating. Smaller kitchens typically do not have separate refrigerator and freezer rooms. A refrigerator will usually contain shelves on which canned and boxed items can be stored. Some stoves, especially gas, require a door for food preparation and cooking.
In small businesses and homes, a kitchen will typically contain the same appliances and components as a conventional “bridal” kitchen, which means there will be one large central area for food preparation and cooking. Many people refer to these kitchens as bistros, because they are usually situated in a public area, such as a restaurant. The food preparation portion of the kitchen often serves dinner. A bar is also sometimes available in some kitchens. A kitchen with a bar offers additional options for food preparation and socializing.
The largest appliances in most kitchens will be the stove and refrigerator, with the bar and sink joining in the kitchen. Stovetops and refrigerators must be designed and installed so that they can fit snugly against the walls. All of the major appliances in the kitchen (sink, refrigerator, stove, etc.) must be accessible and easy to use.
In smaller kitchens, all three appliances may be installed on one workstation, but this makes it difficult to store items for short trips. Small kitchen counters are usually made with non-stick surfaces, because they absorb food spillages. All three appliances should be installed on a working surface that is easy to clean and wipe down after each use. There are several types of counter tops that are ideal for kitchen use: slant, slanted (or even “no-slant”) and convex (raised overhang).