Ideas from Green Mountain Ranch : With Over 200 Green and Universal Design Elements

Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures

52. Refrigerator, 2 freezers and pantry for storage to save trips and energy

53. Column refrigerator and freezer offer storage space within reach of shorter people, children, and wheelchair users.

54. Both doors swing away from the task area with column refrigerators and freezers. 

55. Shallow shelves in the refrigerator and freezer for easy reach

56. Backlighting in the refrigerator and see-through drawers to improve visual acuity

57. Dual refrigeration to keep foods fresher

58. Ice and water source usable from a wheelchair (the ice is enclosed to prevent absorption of food odors)

59. Extra long “C” grips on appliances

60. Espresso machine that makes steamed milk taste like cream

61. Pop-up shelf usable from a wheelchair or from a standing position.

62. Appliances to encourage healthy cooking including a steam oven, pasta cooker, indoor and outdoor grills, and a magnetic induction wok.

63. Energy saving induction cookware

64. Stay-cool handles to prevent burns and rolled edges to prevent spills.

65. Some glass cookware to improve visual control from a seated position.

66. Universal kitchen utensils (can opener, spatula, peeler, etc.)

67. Ready-Hot faucet for sterilizing. 

68. Ready-Hot saves the water you need to run to get to hot water and uses less energy than a 40 watt lightbulb.

69. Faucet on each counter to prevent lifting out of the sinks (pot filler, goose neck faucet, and retractable spray)

70. Controls usable with one hand

71. Reachable controls between 18” a.f.f. and 48” a.f.f. (outlets, switches, dishwasher and downdraft fan controls, etc)

72. Fascia-mounted drain controls.

73. In-sink cutting board made of renewable bamboo.

74. Magnetic induction cook top (for sliding heavy pans and to prevent burns) with front mounted redundantly cued child-proof controls.

75. Magnetic induction systems optimize use of energy for cooking.

76. Side-hinged oven door/breadboard below for wheelchair users.

77. Fold-down seat in garage entry (for changing shoes without reducing access)

78. Microwave with opening code to prevent use by children and people with dementia.