Drainer - necessary thing in the kitchen. It not only allows you to dry plates, cups and other utensils, but also serves as a storage place for dishes that are constantly used. Therefore, kitchen appliance manufacturers offer various designs dryers
Types of dryers
Dryers are divided into several categories depending on design features, material and the place where this device is installed.
Built-in
Traditional designs include dryers that are installed in a wall cabinet kitchen set hanging over the sink sink. Although such a design option can also be mounted in floor cabinets, if such a solution for organizing the drying of dishes was supplied to the furniture design developers by the customer. Built-in type dryers can be straight or angular. The last option is made for corner wall cabinets.
In this case, dryer designs can be stationary or retractable. Simple models have two tiers: the bottom for plates and the top for mugs and cups. A tray for draining water must be installed at the bottom. Manufacturers offer models where there is a pallet under each tier. This is the best option for a built-in dish dryer. It costs a little more, but from a practical point of view it is better.
Today in stores you can find dish dryers with complex design, in which there are several compartments for various utensils. For example, dryers are equipped with additional compartments for glasses, spoons and forks.
Speaking about the pros and cons of this model, it should be noted that in design terms this option is the optimal one. The dryer is not visible because it is hidden by the kitchen facades. But there is also a negative side to this device: the humidity inside the cabinet is always high, which negatively affects the quality of the kitchen set. It is the cabinet where the dish dryer is located that fails the fastest. Therefore, this variety is recommended to be used as auxiliary element. That is, the dishes in it need to be dried when the water has already drained from it. To ensure good ventilation, craftsmen make holes in the back wall. Sometimes facades are shortened at the bottom by inserting decorative lattice.
Tabletop
There is a huge variety of design solutions in this category. Since this device is always visible, manufacturers try to pay great attention to the design of the dryer. Today the market offers one-, two- and three-tier designs, with or without additional compartments for cutlery. There are stationary, folding and retractable models. There are different sizes of dryers: compact and large.
The place of permanent installation is the sink or countertop next to the sink. Depending on the design of the kitchen, especially the sink, you should select tabletop dryers so that they do not stand out from the overall interior concept of the room.
If the kitchen sink is located next to the window or is not above it wall cabinet, then the dryer installed nearby will be open to dust. Therefore, it is recommended to look for a dryer with a lid in stores. Most often this is a plastic product with a plastic tray.
Mounted
These are lattice structures that are attached to the wall with rails or installed inside a wall cabinet. There is a small assortment in this category, because most often such models are single-tier. It is better to hang such devices on the wall. Their installation is determined by installing the brackets that come with the device; they are secured to the wall above the sink using self-tapping screws and plastic dowels. After which the mesh is installed on two brackets.
Mounted models with hooks are attached to the roof rails. Dish dryers are selected based on volume free space. Dryers of a removable design can also be installed on the internal surfaces of kitchen doors.
Number of levels
Single-level dryers are inconvenient because they place all the dishes on one plane without disassembling them. And if the family is large, then there may not be enough space. That's why optimal solution for any kitchen - multi-level designs. Most often, dryers have two levels, so large dishes can be placed separately from small items. In this case, you need to select models that will fit the largest plates. Therefore, the best option is designs with height-adjustable tiers.
Dryer Troflex
This type of dish dryer is a mesh, lattice or perforated board. They are made from of stainless steel or plastic. This device is installed directly on the sink, on one of its bowls. It is not attached to anything, but rests with its edges on the edges of the bowl. In this case, the water flows directly into the sink. In addition, you can put not only dishes on such a drying rack, but also washed vegetables and fruits.
This device is always at hand. After use, wipe it dry and place it next to the sink or place it in drawer kitchen cabinets. Manufacturers offer Troflexes in the form of a rolling mat, which is assembled from silicone or plastic rods. These models come in different colors, so choosing the right product to match your kitchen design will not be difficult. But in any case, such dryers do not carry a design burden; they are invisible and light in weight.
Dryer selection criteria
There are several items you should pay attention to when buying a kitchen dryer.
Materials
There is little variety here, because the main requirement for the materials from which dish dryers are made is strength and moisture resistance. Therefore, manufacturers offer devices made from the following materials.
- Steel products, coated with chrome or enamel. The first option is better because chrome plating is a layer with long-term use. In this regard, enameled structures lose. Unfortunately, the enamel does not withstand frequent shock loads, which is normal for a dryer.
- Made from stainless steel. Expensive model, but with a long service life. In addition, such a dryer will require special maintenance.
- Plastic ones are the cheapest, but light and bright products. Unfortunately, they do not have a long service life. The products are made of durable plastic, but there are also very cheap devices on the market that will not last even a year.
- Wooden. Wood is often used as a material for making dryers. It is coated with special water-repellent compounds, so it copes well with water and moisture. However, manufacturers recommend periodically coating wooden fixtures protective mixtures to extend their service life. In addition, wood fits perfectly into any kitchen interior design.
Pallets are made of stainless steel or plastic. Both materials have virtually no wear life. In addition, they are hygienic and easy to clean.
Size range
The dryer option in terms of size is a small model range, which is determined by the range of 40-80 centimeters with a gradation of 10 centimeters. And the larger the size, the more dishes will fit on the dryer. For example, only 12 plates fit on a drying rack 40 centimeters long. And for a device 60 centimeters long – already 18.
However, some models have standard sizes. For example, the dimensions of built-in structures, or, more precisely, their width, are determined by the width of the wall cabinet. It has a standard size of 60 centimeters. Although designers claim that 60 centimeters is optimal size and for desktop designs.
When choosing a multi-tiered model, you need to pay attention to the distance between the levels. It should not be less than 30 centimeters; this will allow you to install plates with a larger diameter on the lower tier. Devices longer than 60 centimeters are made with two pallets. The latter must be removable or retractable.
Alternative option
The dish drainer does not necessarily have a wire rack or mesh. Today, rugs with dimensions of 30x40 or 50x60 centimeters have appeared on the market. They are spread out near the sink and wet dishes are placed on them. As soon as the water has drained, the dishes are put on the shelves, and the rug is rolled up and put in a drawer.
Today, manufacturers offer rugs made from different materials:
- Rubber, silicone, plastic with a ribbed or corrugated surface. Water collects between the ribs, which can be easily drained and the mat dried or wiped dry.
- Fabric, which includes fiber from synthetic fibers. Such rugs absorb moisture, after which they have to be dried. But in terms of workmanship and service life, they are not inferior to models from the first category.
Rules for installing a dryer in a closet
Installing a dish dryer with your own hands means choosing the right one for the size of the cabinet. Since its standard depth is 30 centimeters, the device is selected in accordance with the resulting size indicator. In this case, a dryer with a width of 28 centimeters is purchased, the remaining two centimeters are left for closing the cabinet doors.
There is a wide variety of designs for built-in dryers, therefore, they are mounted inside the cabinet in different ways. Here it is important to install the fasteners exactly at the level, and then put meshes or gratings on them. Therefore, kitchen sets that go on sale or are made to order come to the customer or buyer with a dryer already assembled inside. But if the task is to install a dish dryer in a cabinet that is already hanging in assembled form, then you will have to make an effort here:
- First of all, the installation level of the device is determined. To do this, you need to assemble it and insert it into the cabinet, holding it with your hands. Thus, a convenient height for operation is established. The device is now removed and disassembled.
- The fasteners are attached to the side walls, so even at the fitting stage, marks are made on the sides with a marker for the places where the screws will be attached.
- The brackets are attached to them using self-tapping screws that come with the dryer. The main thing is that the fasteners are located at the same horizontal level.
As for the installation of wall-mounted models, first of all, as in the previous case, you should decide on the installation height.
- Height is drawn with a marker horizontal line, to which one of the two brackets is attached so that its mounting hole, located above, coincides with the line marked on the wall.
- The bracket is installed exactly vertically, after which two points are placed on the wall through the holes.
- From a point on the line to the right or left, depending on where the dryer is installed, the width of the device is plotted, where dots are also placed.
- Now holes are drilled into them, into which plastic dowels are driven.
- All that remains is to attach the brackets to the mounting location and tighten them with self-tapping screws to the wall surface.
- The last step is to place the nets or gratings on the brackets.
The dryer is assembled strictly according to the instructions that the manufacturers attach to the accompanying documents.
Homemade dryers
Designers also offer a homemade version of a drying rack for the kitchen. It is easiest to make wooden products rather than metal structures because wood is easier to process. One of original options- pencil dryer.
To do this you will need a regular or cutting board, where several holes are drilled. The latter should be arranged in rows to indicate where the dishes should be installed. Pencils are inserted into the holes, the ends of which are pre-coated with glue. In this case, the installation must be carried out so that the free ends of the pencils are located at the same level, as shown in the photo below.
Such a dryer will become not only a decorative element, but also practical device. A dryer is also assembled from wooden hangers on which clothes are hung. The design is not as simple as with pencils, but its appearance is more aesthetic. Here you will need exact calculation and additional fasteners in as four wooden ties. The photo below shows such an original homemade dryer.
Conclusion on the topic
Thus, kitchen dryers differ from each other in shape, design and size. Therefore choose suitable option it's not that simple. In this case, it is recommended to decide on the dimensions and materials, and only then decide on the shape based on the number of tiers. In some places, the dryer can be inconvenient, so it is recommended to think through everything in advance.
A place for drying dishes is a must-have attribute of any kitchen today. Often, a dish dryer is mounted in a kitchen unit, becoming a built-in part of the furniture structure. The rapid development of scientific and technological progress, which brought dishwashers into our lives, could not overshadow the trend of using dish dryers. Although an automatic dishwasher does all the work for us: washing, drying, sometimes the dishes only need to be rinsed. This can also be done manually.
But where to dry the dishes, because the daily use of cutlery is limited to a set number, often there is only enough dishes for two people? Not a large number of Plates that are used every day are conveniently placed in the dish drainer. This will provide convenient and quick access to it. In this article we will tell you what types of dish dryers there are, as well as how to make a dish dryer yourself.
Types of dish dryers
There are two main subsections of drying:
- Built into a kitchen set;
- Placed independently of the set (external drying rack for dishes).
Types of stands:
- Built-in. These include:
- Those that are built into the upper wall tables.
- Those that are built into the lower bedside tables.
- Independent. These include:
- Dryers that are placed on the countertop.
- Wall-mounted.
- Hanging on roof rails.
In most kitchen sets, the dryer is a built-in element in the cabinet - it is ergonomic and practical solution. All cutlery is hidden behind the front of the bedside table and does not take up work area and do not attract the attention of guests. Therefore, there is no need to make a dish dryer with your own hands. But this doesn't always happen.
Dryers built into wall cabinets
This type of dryer is the most common. As a rule, they are placed in cabinets that are located above the dishwashing area. This little trick from furniture designers makes it possible to reduce the number of movements that housewives make when washing dishes. By placing such a dryer under dishes in the sink area, the housewife can simplify the care of her furniture and reduce the frequency of washing it. This way, drops of water from the plates will flow into the sink and not onto the work surface.
Classification:
- Drying with or without a frame.
- Single- and multi-level structures that extend for drying tableware, including corner drainers.
With or without frame
In order for cutlery to dry evenly, it is necessary to create favorable conditions in the bedside table in which the dryer is built in:
- As a rule, they are produced without a bottom edge, thereby ensuring good ventilation of the cabinet.
- To make the structure more stable, dryers are equipped with a special frame that functions as the bottom of a cabinet.
- Occasionally they are made with a bottom, where two holes are made, from which a lattice is formed.
Important! Both types of dryers are suitable, both with and without frames.
Single-level frame
Frame drying, which ensures the strength and stability of the structure, is made for a specific model of bedside table from high-strength material. When choosing this type of dish dryer, you must know the parameters of your product and the thickness of the material used for manufacturing. It is not possible to regulate here, so it is simply necessary to know all the parameters. Often, do-it-yourself dish dryers for cabinets are made from 18 and 16 mm chipboard.
Important! The main environment for using single-level dryers is horizontal hanging cabinets. Their main difference is in the equipment with gratings. You can place both plates and glasses on them.
Multi-level
Multi-level dish dryers consist of two parts:
- Top rack for glasses and cups.
- Bottom grid for plates.
Important! The placement of the gratings may vary depending on the customer’s wishes.
Corner dryers can be identified as a separate subsection adapted for drying dishes. Thanks to the L-shaped design, the interior space of the corner bedside table can be used more efficiently.
Important! Characteristic feature corner dryers is their design. They are made only with two doors, and they are intended only for installation in bedside tables of a standard size of 60 by 60 cm.
Floor structures
A retractable drying rack in a floor cabinet would be appropriate in a kitchen equipped with a dishwasher. Due to the fact that it is quite difficult to provide ventilation in lower cabinets, dishes that are placed in such a cabinet must already be dry.
The dishwasher does this job perfectly. Consequently, the dish dryer located in the lower cabinet of the set will rather serve as a place for practical storage of cutlery - everything is at hand and in one place.
Important! Dryers that are built into floor cabinets can also be either single- or multi-level.
Separate dish drainers
Advantage stationary species dryers, independent of the configuration of kitchen furniture, is that they can be installed in any place convenient for you. This can be either a work surface or an apron rail. Such dryers are popular among housewives of more outdated models, with characteristic furniture parameters that differ from modern standards.
Important! Such dryers are characterized by their small dimensions. Selected species can easily be transformed to suit the conditions: they can be installed both in a cabinet and on a tabletop. By the way, you can easily make a dish dryer with your own hands.
Wooden dish drainer
Assembling a dryer for kitchen appliances, like constructing any other piece of furniture, consists of several stages:
- Pre-cut the prepared pine or spruce bars using a jigsaw.
Important! On average, their size should be 1 cm for cylindrical sticks and 2 cm for slats and 1 cm for cylindrical sticks.
- Sand all surfaces of the parts thoroughly.
- At the base of the structure, drill holes for the side crossbars that will hold the dishes.
- Assemble the frame by connecting the longitudinal and transverse structural elements.
- Glue the side partitions located at an angle.
- Make the surface waterproof by re-priming, sanding and covering it with several layers of varnish.
Using your imagination, you can create an exclusive dish dryer with your own hands to suit the interior of your kitchen. Such a product will serve not only as an indispensable item, but also as a bright addition.
Drying pencils
A very original souvenir for the kitchen can be made if you use the most unexpected items. For example, an interesting drying for kitchen utensils can be obtained from pencils:
- Use a wooden cutting board as a base for the stand. kitchen board or just a piece of wood.
- Mark the holes on the board. The holes should be located in the place where the racks will be placed in the dryer to hold the dishes.
- Pencils are used as stands.
- Drill holes with a drill and insert pencils, pre-lubricated with glue, into them.
The original DIY dish dryer is ready!
Nowadays kitchen dish drainers are a necessary attribute and important element decor. Their range is huge: original tabletop or wall models and built into convenient pull-out cabinets.
In a dryer built into a small cabinet above the sink, or in floor models We dry and store the dishes. The advantages of open dryers are their practicality and effective decorativeness: every day we turn our dishes into a kind of art object that complements the style of the kitchen.
Constructions
- A single-level drying rack can only hold plates and comes in both wall-mounted and table-top versions.
- The two-tier drying rack is divided vertically for plates and horizontally with a shelf for cups.
- The dryer for all cutlery has compartments for knives, spoons, and forks.
- A universal drying rack can also become a place for permanent storage of dishes.
Freestanding
There are a great many such models, as can be seen from numerous photos.
Peculiarities:
- There are samples with and without pallets of different shapes, single-tier and two-tier. You can even buy models with separate sections for forks, knives, and spoons.
- We will attach the free-standing structure directly to the kitchen sink. Most often this is a steel grid dryer.
- We will place a compact wall dryer above the sink. It is also advisable to hang it above work surface, if the dryer has a tray.
- Improved models have a slope towards the bowl, from which water flows directly into the sewer.
- A large tabletop drying rack can even accommodate a festive dinner set. We rarely use it, as an additional one, and daily load - on hanging models that do not take up much space.
- A spacious floor dryer is convenient wardrobe with pull-out sections for plates, cups, bowls and other utensils.
Built-in
Peculiarities:
- The dryer built into the sink is an additional wing of the sink. The perforations on the wing retain water perfectly. But it’s always inconvenient to store dishes here, because the sink is constantly in use.
- There is also an analogue model of a modern built-in dryer - troflex.
- Place dryers for pot lids on the inner door of the kitchen cupboard or on the wall near the hob.
- As a compromise, you can build the dryer into a special drawer. The main thing is to place the pallet correctly so that the furniture does not swell from water.
Materials
Tree
Modern drying - strong metal holders, wooden frame, plastic pallet.
- Particularly good for both use and aesthetic perception wooden kitchen draining racks for dishes.
- The moisture-proof coating reliably protects them from water and fumes.
- Such wooden fixtures are the brightest decorative element for an interior in a country or classic style.
- Drying from coniferous tree, attractive and environmentally friendly, with a pleasant pine smell, we can make ourselves, guided by the video.
An original sponge or towel, like novtovar.ru, has proven itself well in the market and has managed to gain popularity among housewives, because they are very convenient to use.
According to a pre-prepared drawing, it is necessary to make, for example, 14 pieces of part A. They are labor-intensive and the largest, cut from a workpiece with dimensions of 160x350 mm. Gaskets having a size of 40x40mm are conventionally called parts B - there are 30 of them. Parts C – spacer strips – 12 pieces, size 20x30mm.
Overlays 40x190mm - two pieces, part D. Also gaskets - parts E, 12 pieces, each of which is glued together from three parts B. For parts E, you will additionally need 36 parts B. Parts A must have the same configuration. For this, you need to prepare a template. The parts are cut out with a jigsaw, processed with a file, and then sandpaper.
Rectangular and square parts can be cut out on a machine and sanded with sandpaper. Everything is ready to assemble the dryer. Part E is glued to part A on one end, and part B on the other. Parts D must be glued to the internal parts of the same type through gaskets B.
And also at the end is part B, which faces outward. After assembly, all parts are glued together. If the sequence of work is not convenient for you, change it at your discretion. To prevent the dryer from drying out due to water, cover it with several layers of waterproof varnish. A pallet is placed below.
- The first thing we see when entering an apartment is a hanger in the hallway, which can create an impression of the home. We offer a practical and attractive option for a hanger that looks so
- On such an oak rack it is convenient to dry and air, for example, rugs or blankets. Despite the simplicity of the design, thanks to the expressive texture of the wood, coupled with careful
- Even a novice master can make such a shelf for drying and storing plates himself. The material can be pine bars with a section of 20x20 mm and rounded bars Ø10 mm.
- Making a container is easy. During assembly, all its parts are connected with glue and screws. The manufacture of a container begins with the assembly of the frame. To do this, side wall 2 (see figure and list of parts and
- You remember a hot summer day and your strong desire to go out shady garden, sit down on the bench, lean back. To your right is a tray with cool lemonade, to your left is a stand full of
In this article: dish dryers, description of the model range, selection criteria, methods of self-installation of racks for storing plates and cups in wall-mounted corner and straight cabinets, ensuring full ventilation of kitchen cabinets with dryers.
It would seem that when choosing and installing dish drainers we should not be ambushed various kinds surprises. However, this is not entirely true, since some problems may arise if you do not purchase the most suitable model. In this article, we will look at the types of dish dryers, their design features, performance characteristics and the possibility of self-installation. There will also be useful tips on which dryer is best to choose in a given situation.
Model range of dish drainers
Retractable drying nets, designed for installation in the cabinets of the lower row, have already been mentioned earlier, so let’s proceed to review the rest of the model range, which is not so small.
Two-level drying for dishes— the model, mounted inside a wall cabinet, consists of two grids, fastening fittings and one or two pallets. Containers for collecting water can be made of both plastic and metal (stainless steel, aluminum). The kit may have a lower frame; its purpose will be discussed in more detail in the installation section. Two-level dryers are installed in modules with a width of 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 mm.
Single level dish dryer— the design is completely identical to the two-level model with the only difference that it has only one grid for storing plates. It is chosen as an economical option both when there is a lack of space in a wall cabinet, and in order to save a small amount of money.
Two-level drying for wall-mounted corner module- a lattice product that has two modifications: mesh in a frame and without it. Designed for installation in all types corner cabinets having standard sizes. Fundamental differences Corner drying does not differ from the basic straight-line model; the only difference is that each level consists of two joining elements. There are also examples additionally equipped with a rear support post, which securely holds both perpendicular grilles, forming a single structure. Although these drying racks are quite spacious, 30% of the dishes end up in hard to reach place. This factor should be taken into account when you make your choice, since sometimes you need to remove some of the plates or cups in order to get the item you are interested in located in the depths of the cabinet.
Hanging (railing) drying for dishes- a model that is placed on kitchen apron, or to be more precise, it is suspended on a specially fixed tube (railing). It is used mainly in small kitchen sets, when their owners do not have the opportunity to allocate space in wall-mounted modules for storing dishes. It can also be used as decorative element, if you place expensive beautiful plates and cups in it. In addition, the hanging (rail) dryer is quite easy to use; you can store in it the minimum amount of dishes necessary for daily use so that it is always at hand. In this case, this model is purchased as an auxiliary one, since it is impractical to look into the cabinet every time, for example, for one cup. The described models have a width of about 500 mm, they are equipped with small compartments for plates, cups, spoons and forks. Like built-in dryers, they have a tray. You can buy such a product by paying from 1000 to 1500 rubles.
Tabletop dish dryer- a design whose purpose is clear from the name. Quite easy to use model. If you can afford to allocate a place for it somewhere near the sink, then you can’t think of a better option. Such dryers are not very popular precisely because of the lack of space on the desktop, and because many consider their appearance unpresentable. The reason for this stereotypical negative opinion is the huge amount of low-quality products sold in markets and in incomprehensible shops. Meanwhile, there are quite decent models that can decorate any kitchen set and have excellent performance characteristics. Moreover, you can buy a tabletop dryer that suits the most different styles kitchen decoration. Of course, the use of the described models presupposes not only the availability of sufficient space to accommodate it, but also beautiful sets. If you are not very concerned about the aesthetic component, then in this case it is not difficult to choose a suitable dryer that will “outlive” the furniture itself. The cost of such models ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles. There are cheaper dryers, but you have already been warned about their quality.
Drying in a cabinet without mounting hardware is a frame made of steel wire with a decorative protective coating (sometimes stainless steel or aluminum is used), having a different number of levels and design. It is equipped with a plastic tray for collecting water and is inserted into a wall cabinet without being secured in any way, and is perhaps the most impractical model in all respects. They give her preference when they don’t want to get involved with self-installation or pay for the services of a specialist. This model costs on average about 250-400 rubles.
As a rule, the lower grids have recesses and are intended for storing plates, while the upper grids have more flat shape and are used as coasters for cups. In addition, some models are equipped with unique mesh containers for spoons, forks and other small items. Typically, tabletop and rail dryers are distinguished by such a variety of forms.
Manufacturing material and protective and decorative coating of dryers
Almost all types of dryers are made from the same material as retractable baskets with mesh. Only in in this case The requirements for the quality of the wire and the galvanic coating are especially high, since the gratings will have to be in contact with water throughout their entire service life. In addition, in many modules, due to their insufficient ventilation, there is high humidity. As you understand, all this contributes to metal corrosion and premature deterioration of products made from it. Who would like a dryer covered in rust?
To avoid such wear and tear, only models with high-quality protective and decorative coating should be purchased. Painted frames are out of the question. If you don’t have enough money to purchase a dryer made of stainless steel or with a 4-layer galvanic coating, then give preference to a model whose metal parts are coated with plastic using a special technology. They cost a little more than painted gratings, but are practically invulnerable to moisture. Agree, it’s unpleasant to open cabinet doors and see shiny grids that are covered in rust in places. This kind of sight has become quite common, as many manufacturers violate the technology of applying chrome or nickel plating. Moreover, your attempts to remove rust can only aggravate the situation, since decorative protective layer is disrupted even more, resulting in a kind of chain reaction.
From all this, only one conclusion can be drawn: it is best to buy and install products made of stainless steel. Of course, there are many high-quality models that have excellent electroplating, but they tend to be more expensive. Therefore, the best option that fully meets the price-quality parameter is drying made from stainless wire.
What should an ideal wall-mounted module with a built-in dish dryer look like?
The problem of dampness in the drying cupboard is not uncommon in our kitchens. Because of it, the mesh deteriorates, furniture canopies rust, the surface of the chipboard loses its aesthetic qualities, and over time, the body parts swell, gradually absorbing moisture. Therefore, several practical tips regarding choosing the most suitable model can be useful regardless of whether you have decided to order a kitchen or have decided to remodel a set that is in use. Let's look at an example of a wall cabinet made taking into account all the requirements.
The choice of drying is, of course, one of the most important points. The material has already been mentioned in the previous section, but we have not yet touched on some design features. For example, it is preferable to buy a model that comes with a frame. She represents the usual rectangular frame, assembled from rectangular aluminum tubes and plastic side mounting strips. These frames replace the bottom shelf of the module in which the dryer is installed. This measure prevents the laminated chipboard bottom from swelling due to accidental contact with water (there are no parts - there is nothing to spoil), and the void at the bottom of the cabinet ensures its ventilation.
In addition, other parts of drying are no less important. We are talking about pallets and mounting hardware. It will be better if you choose drying with metal containers to collect water. Plastic and silicone trays deteriorate faster and are not as reliable. Even taking into account the fact that there is no bottom in the cabinet, there is no need to allow drops of water that gradually flow from cups and plates to freely fall onto the countertop.
The nets must be fixed on special plastic mounting strips, which are screwed to the cabinet body with Euro screws. If they are snapped onto separately located bushings, there is a risk of them falling out after some time. This is especially true for wide drying racks that hold a large number of dishes. Also, the mounting strips are equipped with special slots into which pallets are inserted. This design is more convenient, especially since only such models are suitable for drying with a frame.
Close attention should be paid to the facades. Replacing the bottom shelf made of laminated chipboard with aluminum frame, although it reduces humidity, it is not able to provide ideal ventilation internal space drying cabinet. Air will only circulate if there are still holes somewhere. For such cases, facades with grilles are provided; their use in conjunction with installing a frame will not only ensure faster drying of dishes, but will also allow air flows to draw evaporated water outside the module. Thanks to this, the drying module will be free from dampness and protected from the occurrence of fungus and mold. This will extend its service life and maintain the presentable appearance of the entire headset. After all, one insignificant detail can ruin general impression from furniture.
Such a design and configuration of a wall-mounted kitchen module with a dryer will both extend its service life without the need for any repair work and guarantee pleasant operation of this furniture.
Self-installation of drying in a wall cabinet
A sufficient number of inexpensive factory-made kitchen sets are not equipped with grids for dishes. Some stores provide installation services, but they are not available everywhere. And there may be more than enough reasons why your kitchen does not have a dryer. Eventually you just might want to replace old model. The point is not this, but the possibility of self-installation. By the way, this process is simple and does not require much time. You have read the description of the almost ideal module, as well as the models of dryers. Based on this information, you can accurately determine which grids to give preference to, and we will describe two installation options.
Installation of white drying mesh with PVC coating
First, you should pay attention to one nuance regarding the choice of such drying. Do not purchase such meshes with a width exceeding 700 mm. Also, when purchasing, pay attention to the thickness of the wire. For the models described, this is doubly important. Since they are the most inexpensive, expect some amazing quality from starting materials it would be simply naive. Although, despite the low price, this type dryers have quite tolerable characteristics; their significant and, one might say, only drawback is the possible deflection of the lower deep mesh for plates. Therefore, if the module width is over 700 mm, give preference to more expensive models made of stainless steel or with high-quality chrome plating.
In addition to the rigidity of the gratings, the reliability of fixation of fastening fittings in the vertical racks of the module must be taken into account. The grids of such dryers snap into the slots of plastic bushings, which are driven into the body of the chipboard. If the slab is loose and the load on these fittings is high, then no glue will help. After a certain period of time, the bushings will begin to fall out of their sockets, because the quality and density of factory-made chipboard often leaves much to be desired. This is another important factor that speaks in favor of the fact that for such models there should be a length limit of 700 mm.
Before describing the procedure for performing the work, we need to touch a little more on the topic of dismantling the cabinet. The advantage of white dryers with a tray without an aluminum frame is that the grids are easy to install without removing the module. You just need to unhook the facades, but you can leave them in place if they don’t bother you. Installation of grids for plates and cups is carried out as follows.
First, marking is done internal sides vertical stands of the cabinet, where places for drilling sockets for mounting bushings are marked. In order not to make a mistake at this stage, you need to measure the depth of the module and the distance between the supporting transverse rods metal gratings. Subtract the other from one value and divide the difference in half, this will be required values. For example:
- A (300 mm) - module depth
- B (225 mm) - distance between the centers of the rods
- C = A - B/2 = 300 - 225/2 = 37.5 mm - the desired value
The B value for the lower and upper mesh may differ, so you need to measure each part.
The resulting value is the distance from the front and rear edges of the upright to the center of the drill. But this alone, of course, is not enough; you still need to correctly determine the height at which both gratings will need to be mounted. There is nothing complicated about this either: put a grid for plates on the bottom shelf of the cabinet, move it to one of the side racks so that the rods come into contact with the chipboard and mark one of the points with a marker and add 40 mm to this value (don’t forget about the pallet), this and there will be the next required value. When taking all measurements, make sure that the mounting sleeves will not be in line with the mounting strips of the furniture canopies, if necessary, simply position them a little higher. In the case of a grid for plates, the clamps cannot be lowered down, as the tray may not fit. The upper grid can be moved depending on the circumstances. By the way, marking the second level of sockets for bushings should also be done taking into account certain factors. Sometimes, when the grids are placed too close together, some plates will not fit between the two grids. However, they should not be separated too far from each other. Firstly, it will be inconvenient for you to get cups from the second tier. Secondly, in this case there may also be too little space left for them between the mesh and the roof of the cabinet. Measure the plate yourself large diameter, taking into account the fact that you cannot place dishes wider than the barrel of the module in the cabinet. If its depth is 300 mm, then the distance between the two levels of bushings should be a maximum of 350 mm. If planning to use plates with a smaller diameter (about 230-250 mm), this value can be reduced by 80-100 mm.
After marking, you need to drill 8 holes to secure the bushings. There are subtleties here too. The mounting hardware for dryers from different manufacturers differs in their dimensions. The difference in diameters is small - only 1-1.5 mm, but this is enough. This means that, in order to avoid mistakes, it is necessary to carry out test drilling on the trimmings, thus selecting a suitable cutting tool. Do this on some scrap material, not forgetting to immediately put a stop on the drill so that when performing the main work you do not break through the stand. Use a caliper to determine the exact values. After conducting such an experiment, when the results satisfy you, you can begin the main drilling. After completing this type of work, check the result of their implementation with a caliper. If there are inaccuracies, correct them immediately, since driving in and then removing a sleeve from a chipboard (especially with a loose structure) is extremely undesirable. Before installing the fasteners, drop a little PVA emulsion into each socket. The latch is inserted into the socket, holding it with your hand, hit it not very hard a couple of times with a small hammer so that it is slightly secured in the hole. Then place a small block of wood on top of it and, with stronger blows, drive it all the way into the body of the vertical post. Do not overdo it, otherwise you may damage the bushing. Remains of glue are removed with a well-wrung out damp cloth.
There is no need to insert the grilles right away. Let the emulsion harden, the mesh can be fixed the next day. This is done very simply: each of the four ends of the support rods is inserted into the slot of the bushing and snaps into place by pressing on the wire; clicks will notify you that the grille is in its rightful place. Sometimes hard plastic makes this process difficult, no need to stress about it. Place a spatula screwdriver on the edge of the rod and hit its handle with a hammer, everything should work out. Try not to disturb the protective layer of the mesh; use some material as a layer.
That's the whole installation process, all that remains is to insert the pallet and attach the facades in place if you decide to remove them.
Installation of dryer with frame
If you are ready to part with a larger sum and carry out work whose complexity and volume exceed the installation of an inexpensive white dryer, then this section is for you. A stainless steel product with a frame is the most best option to equip one of the kitchen cabinets with a dish drainer.
Unfortunately, in this situation it is impossible to do without dismantling the cabinet body. This means you will have to remove it from the wall. But there is no need to completely disassemble the module; just unscrew the facades and remove the bottom. Carefully insert some flat metal object(a narrow putty knife works well) between the back end of the shelf and the back wall and gradually rotate it near the staples or nails that hold the fiberboard in place. This method will allow you to most carefully, without damaging the back wall, detach it from the bottom.
This moment is given Special attention, since most drying frames have a depth of 280 mm, similar module dimensions can exceed this value, amounting to 300, 320 and even 350 mm. The aluminum rectangle is fixed so that its front strip is in line with front side housings. This means that with a greater depth of the cabinet, the gap between the frame and the fiberboard can reach 70 mm. If the lower part of the rear wall is damaged during dismantling, the defects will be clearly visible.
In the event that the fiberboard is nevertheless damaged, you can get out of the situation using the bottom shelf removed from the body. You need to cut off a longitudinal strip 80 mm wide from it, cover it with melamine or PVC edging ends and screw it near the back wall. Moreover, such a drawer should come into contact with the fiberboard not with the end part, but with the laminated surface; its width is quite enough to hide all defects. The decorative strip is screwed with confirmations that previously held the bottom of the body. Naturally, you will need to drill into in the right places both drawers and vertical posts.
Direct installation of a stainless steel dryer is no more complicated than the first option, which was discussed in the article. The additional work associated with replacing the bottom shelf made of laminated chipboard with a frame is compensated by the simpler installation of fastening fittings for fixing the grilles. The sequence of work in this case is as follows.
First you need to install an aluminum frame instead of the removed bottom, which consists of two square metal tubes, a set of screws and a pair of plastic mounting plates. Having connected the sidewalls and aluminum tubes together, you need to twist the frame. And then attach the resulting rectangle to the vertical posts of the body. To do this, even before assembly, mark the entry points of the self-tapping screws and drill blind holes 11-12 mm deep into them. In this case, you do not need a tape measure or any other measuring tool. Simply align the plastic side of the frame with the vertical stand so that their front and bottom sides match, and use an awl to make holes in the center of the holes. Then drill holes with a diameter of 5 or 6 mm (there may be different Euro screws).
This installation has one more feature. Since stainless steel dryers with frames from different manufacturers may have design differences, the installation process is also different. For most models, the plastic side plates perform two functions: they simultaneously serve integral part frames and clamps of the lower deep grid for plates. In this case, all you have to do is screw the fasteners holding the second grille into the top of the module. You already know how to correctly determine the distance between the grids, but there is no need to find the amount of indentation from the front and back edges.
Insert the grilles into the slots on the side fastening strips, snap them into place and insert both trays into special grooves located at the bottom of the same plates. After which you can return the module back to the wall and attach the facades, the cabinet is ready for use in a new quality.
Installation of drying in a corner module
By analogy with straight models, there are two types of corner dryers: with a frame for a body without a bottom and ordinary mesh with trays. In principle, their installation is in many ways similar to the installation of conventional racks for dishes, but there are several differences. We will discuss them, without being distracted by the standard actions performed when installing dryers; they have already been described in detail.
It should be noted that the dryer for the corner module has three mounting strips, and not two, as is provided for standard models. This is not surprising, since they are attached to two side posts and the rear wall. The last detail, or rather its absence in the module, can create a certain problem. In general, according to the rules, a wall-hung corner cabinet must have one of the back walls made of laminated chipboard, but this condition is not always met. The cabinet is simply filled with two pieces of fiberboard, first installing a narrow vertical frame made of laminated chipboard in the back corner. Screw it to it mounting strip is not possible, so it is necessary to make some changes in the design of the module.
To be able to install a dryer in a corner wall cabinet with fiberboard back walls, it is necessary to install two cross bars approximately 120 mm wide in the rear of the cabinet. Material for them can be obtained using the bottom or middle shelf. After all, if you are engaged self-installation drying, the module was originally intended for other purposes. This means that it must have a horizontal partition made of chipboard. In principle, both the bottom and the shelf are suitable for cutting drawers.
It goes without saying that in this case you need to remove the module from the wall. In principle, you can screw both drawers to the body using plastic furniture corners, but such fasteners are not very reliable. Yes, and do all the work in the cabinets similar design being in limbo is quite inconvenient. Keep in mind that you will need to mark, drill and direct installation grates, so everything suggests that the cabinet still needs to be lowered.
The drawbars are screwed with confirmations between one of the side posts and the vertical bar. Do not forget that these parts should be 16 or 18 mm shorter (depending on the thickness of the slab) of the bottom itself from which you will cut them. To avoid wasting time on adjustments later, consider everything at once. The design features of some models of dryers with a frame require partial dismantling of the module - you need to remove one side panel. Otherwise, installation will be difficult or impossible. The described models are produced for corner cabinets with dimensions of 600x600 mm. If your furniture does not meet these requirements, then it is recommended to purchase structures consisting of ordinary grilles, without a frame; if necessary, they can be easily shortened. In the case where the cabinet is larger, the most reliable ways to solve the problem are either adding additional strips or installing a vertical jumper inside the cabinet. The second option is necessary if the size difference is too large.
How to choose and install a dryer in a module with non-standard dimensions
Since dryers are made for modules with a strictly defined internal opening, the owners of wall cabinets that differ in width from strictly certain values, may encounter a problem when searching for a model with the right sizes. In principle, such cases are quite rare, since factory furniture has dimensions that meet universally accepted standards, but such difficulties still occur from time to time.
The easiest way to adapt drying is to reduce it. But this needs to be done wisely, take into account some details and know which model is better to choose. It is also necessary to correctly determine the size by which the meshes should be shortened. Many mistakes are made precisely because of the markup. This is a rather curious, but very offensive and expensive mistake. By any means, people try to determine the size of the cut piece. Although there is nothing complicated about this, for some reason the cut grille is often either longer or shorter. The first option is not so scary, but the second can greatly upset any master. In the best case, you can somehow increase the areas on the side posts of the cabinet using laminated chipboard strips so that you can put too short nets between them. It’s easy to imagine how ridiculous such a design can sometimes look.
Let's say you are the owner of a cabinet with a width of 745 mm and you decide to install a dryer in it. The correct actions to eliminate the error look like this:
- The store purchases the model with the closest suitable size - 800 mm.
- First, install the mounting hardware, and only then start cutting the mesh.
- Measure the resulting distance with a tape measure and compare it with the calculated data, subtracting 55 mm from the original mesh length. The values must match within +/-3 mm.
- Only after such a double check can you begin to shorten the gratings, using a small grinder or a hacksaw for this purpose. If the dryer is not made of stainless steel, remember about the protective and decorative coating, trying to damage it as little as possible.
The dimensions of the pallet can only be reduced by 25-35 mm. This feature should be taken into account when choosing a model. It should be taken into account that it will not be possible to insert a container for collecting liquid into the grooves on the fasteners, so the tray is installed on the bottom shelf. This means that drying with a frame is not suitable in this situation, or you will have to put up with regular water getting on the countertop.
In general, such a situation requires careful attention to the installation of the meshes themselves and the protection of housing parts from flowing water. The information presented, of course, will not be useful in most cases, but it may help someone both when choosing a dryer and when installing it.
What to do if the facades of the drying cabinet do not have decorative ventilation grilles
When equipping a drying cabinet that fully meets your requirements, you may encounter another problem - the lack of grilles on the facades. Of course, there are practically no hopeless situations, especially among Russian people. But searching for new doors and selecting suitable grilles can take a lot of time, and the cost of a “new thing” may not be so small. In addition, it is often almost impossible to find completely identical doors. This is due to the fact that the specific decor of PVC film used for the manufacture of MDF facades is simply not purchased by local manufacturers for various reasons.
However, it is not at all necessary to go to significant financial and time costs to install facades with bars. You can choose another path, leaving the doors alone. By the way, this method is both cheaper and simpler. Of course, you will have to tinker a little, but you will save money and save yourself from the activities associated with ordering facades. The solution to this small problem lies on the surface. To be more precise, on the roof of a wall cabinet. Can be mounted into the top shelf ventilation grates and achieve the same result with much less effort.
To perform this work, you will need a jigsaw and a chipboard file that provides a clean cut at the bottom of the part with a laminated coating, its teeth pointing upward. Grates can be purchased both on the market and in stores furniture fittings. When choosing them, you should try to provide as large a ventilation area as possible, but not at the expense of the integrity and rigidity of the cabinet body. For example, for a module with a width of 600 mm and a depth of 280-300, 180x80 mm gratings are perfect; they will need to be embedded in three or four pieces. When the cabinet dimensions are reduced or increased, this number changes. Ventilation grilles have different colors, however, this range is not too wide, but choosing a product that more or less matches the body will not be difficult. You need to look for specimens with a wide side that can hide all defects.
The insertion of decorative ventilation grilles is carried out as follows:
- If the distance between the top shelf of the cabinet and the ceiling allows work to be done with a jigsaw, then there is no need to remove the module from the wall. Also consider the length of the file. Those who are masters of this power tool do not need to dismantle the top row of the kitchen set even with very little clearance, since rectangular holes can be cut from the inside. Only in this case you need to buy a file with teeth pointing down.
- Mark the shelf so that there are untouched sections of laminated chipboard on all sides, the width of which should be at least 50 mm. The same requirement applies to the spaces between the ventilation grilles themselves.
- Drill holes in the vertices of the resulting rectangles with an 8-10 mm drill, their centers should be located inside the figure so that the sides of the rectangle are tangent to outside each of the holes. All this needs to be done so that it is convenient for you to cut out rectangular openings; without holes it is impossible to insert a nail file and make turns.
- When all the holes are cut, all that remains is to glue in the ventilation grilles. They are inserted from the inside. If some opening turns out to be a little wider, then place some kind of spacer between the grille body and the end of the chipboard or grab it with masking tape to the top shelf, this way you will ensure high-quality adhesion of the surfaces.
Although the installation procedure for the grilles is not particularly complicated, it is better to make a test insertion on some unowned part. This is especially true for those who are familiar with jigsaws. Such tests will allow you to get a better feel for the power tool, as well as detect errors that are common when marking.
. Part 5