Kitchen Appliance doors !!!

Gremlin

Gremlin

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Why oh why don't manufacturers give us a choice of which way doors open on all appliances as they do on fridges and freezers ?
My new washing machine is great but would be perfect if the door opened the other way.
Same with my combi microwave, just moved it to a different place and still the door opens the wrong way :banghead:

Can't be that difficult to give us a choice .........................can it:thinking:
 
I''m with you there.

I have to 'fight' my way round the door of my Combination Microwave - and it drives me crazy !
 
Fridges and freezers don't always have systems dependent on the door status (other than the lights) but washing machines, tumble driers, microwaves etc. all have assorted systems such as safety interlocks/switches attached to the catches. The cost involved in either duplicating or moving these would make ambidextrous doors too expensive. PITA, maybe but all hail the mighty dollar. If you shop around, you might find that some models are hinged on the side that's more convenient for your wants/needs.
 
Nod said:
Fridges and freezers don't always have systems dependent on the door status (other than the lights) but washing machines, tumble driers, microwaves etc. all have assorted systems such as safety interlocks/switches attached to the catches. The cost involved in either duplicating or moving these would make ambidextrous doors too expensive.
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I think your explanation is the correct one, but if the fridge can work out whether the door is open regardless of which side it's hinged, you'd think the microwave ought to be able to do the same. Sure, one is safety critical and one isn't, but even so I'm surprised that no manufacturers have developed solutions.
 
StewartR said:
I think your explanation is the correct one, but if the fridge can work out whether the door is open regardless of which side it's hinged, you'd think the microwave ought to be able to do the same. Sure, one is safety critical and one isn't, but even so I'm surprised that no manufacturers have developed solutions.
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I don't know why most microwaves are hinged on the left while most fridges/freezers are hinged on the right (before adjustment). The fridge door light is a simple plunger switch and can be (is!) fitted inside the cabinet cavity - not an option for microwaves (metal makes them go all unnecessary!) and mini ovens (heat wouldn't do the switches much good...) Washing machines have a fair amount of gubbins associated with the door catch. A safety switch so it doesn't go when the door's open and a timed lock so it can't be opened while there's a chance of the drum still turning. Even the old twin tub we used to have had a brake on the spin drier side.
 
In the case of microwave doors, the best I had was a Philips which had a 'verticle' opening door. Also, there was a time when fridge freezers could be 'handed' in either direction.

You could just build a huge kitchen/utility room around the way the appliace doors were manufactured.

Some years ago there were built in freezers that were designed as built in units with 'pull out' drawers.
 
Fridge freezers still (usually) can be "rehanded" if required, although plumbed in American style ones might not be rehandable - but they're often double-doored anyway!

Mrs next-door had built in appliances but had to get a new kitchen when they started dying and she couldn't get like for like replacements.
 
When we bought our appliances you can choose which way you wanted them hinged. We carefully choose some oven left, the other right, one more bottom hinged. Same with the microwave its bottom hinged, and same with the washing machine and dryer which we wanted oppositely hinged.

But yes, none of them can be rehinged without serious expense. So remodelling the kitchen and utility would need to be done carefully or just appliances replaced.
 
My last two fridges and freezers have been left side hinged without any adjustment request.
 
Fridge/freezer doors are easy to change and the last one I bought I was asked which way I wanted it to open (y)
Just can't see the logic in how these things are built, who decides which way they should be :thinking:
 
Gremlin said:
Fridge/freezer doors are easy to change and the last one I bought I was asked which way I wanted it to open (y)
Just can't see the logic in how these things are built, who decides which way they should be :thinking:
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To be fair there is no "should be".
Can't be that hard to find a place it fits.
 
viv1969 said:
To be fair there is no "should be".
Can't be that hard to find a place it fits.
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Take it you didn't read my opening comment about moving the microwave, which is what prompted this thread ?
As for the washing machine, without replumbing the kitchen and moving the fridge/freezer to the front room,
not everyone has money to waste having a new kitchen when their present one is ok
 
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Gremlin said:
Take it you didn't read my opening comment about moving the microwave, which is what prompted this thread ?
As for the washing machine, without replumbing the kitchen and moving the fridge/freezer to the front room,
not everyone has money to waste having a new kitchen when their present one is ok
Click to expand...

Read 'em all. :-)
New washer. Presumably the old one opened the same way plumbed in the same place so you must manage.
Fridge freezer...you already said you were given the choice so unless putting it in the lounge is a design statement....
And microwave... Move it again. :confused:
 
As a kitchen fitter I do this all the time :)
I have to consider the potential problems before fitting...
 
kendo1 said:
As a kitchen fitter I do this all the time :)
I have to consider the potential problems before fitting...
Click to expand...

Kitchen was as it is when I bought the place a couple of years ago, it suits me well so no plans to change it

viv1969 said:
Read 'em all. :)
New washer. Presumably the old one opened the same way plumbed in the same place so you must manage..
Click to expand...

Yep would just be nice if the door opened the other way, make life easier

viv1969 said:
Fridge freezer...you already said you were given the choice so unless putting it in the lounge is a design statement....
Click to expand...

Not a design statement, just the only place the washing machine could go if moved and nowhere to put the fridge freezer in the kitchen
if it did, it's the opposite end of the room to where it is at present so new plumbing required. It would solve the microwave problem as that could sit
on a work surface over it but .............................................................. don;t want kitchen appliances in the front room


viv1969 said:
And microwave... Move it again. :confused:
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No where would make a lot of difference except as above
 
Out of interest, considering it is a new washer why didn't you buy one with the door on the other side?
 
dejongj said:
Out of interest, considering it is a new washer why didn't you buy one with the door on the other side?
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Pay attention at the back there! Virtually all washing machines have the door hinged on the left. If your kitchen layout would be better suited to one with the door hinged on the right - tough..
 
StewartR said:
Pay attention at the back there! Virtually all washing machines have the door hinged on the left. If your kitchen layout would be better suited to one with the door hinged on the right - tough..
Click to expand...

Or just remember that Hotpoint & Meile do 'em hinged on the right :-)
 
StewartR said:
Pay attention at the back there! Virtually all washing machines have the door hinged on the left. If your kitchen layout would be better suited to one with the door hinged on the right - tough..
Click to expand...
Virtual is not all...stop being awkward :) and just get one with the door on the right. We have from Siemens...
 
Get a scrubbing board and a good dish mop both can be used in either hand, you then have all that extra space for wine racks!!
 
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