STEP 3 – THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK TRIANGLE
The more walking you have to do in your kitchen, the more time it will take you to prepare meals and do the cleanup. In a work-efficient kitchen, the perimeter of the work triangle is less than 22 feet.
Ideal Distances in the Work Triangle:
Between: Range-top to Sink: 4 to 6 ft.
Sink to Refrigerator: 4 to 7 ft.
Refrigerator to Range-top: 4 to 9 ft.
The distance between counters holding appliances on opposite walls (as in a Two-walled/Corridor Kitchen or an island and the opposite counter) should be no less than 5 feet. An island should never interfere with the work triangle. An eating table should never interrupt the work triangle. You should never have to walk around an island or object to get from one large appliance to another, and if you use a microwave constantly, the same holds true for it. The microwave oven is best situated near the cook-top or refrigerator.
If the entire distance around your work triangle is more than 22 feet, you will want to consider some major changes. Relocating an appliance, or, perhaps duplicating one in a center island, are ways to bring the work units closer together. If you leave equipment as it is—too far apart, you are wasting too much time and taking too many steps in food preparations.
LOCATE AND MEASURE THE WORK TRIANGLE IN YOUR KITCHEN.
Check out Lifestyle Systems complete line of drawer and shelf organizers for the home and office at www.lifestylessystems.com. If you want to be an active participant to change/plan your kitchen download the corresponding worksheet for the workshop by clicking on the worksheet below:
Worksheet 1 – Cooks Profile
Worksheet 2 – Draw Your Kitchen
Worksheet 3 – My Work Triangle
Worksheet 4 – Location Of My Work Centers
Worksheet 5 – Measure My Counterspace
Worksheet 6 – Measure Heights of Work Surfaces
Worksheet 7 – Part 1 – Kitchen Storage Test
Worksheet 7 – Part 2 – Measure Your Kitchen Storage
Worksheet 8 – Part 1 – Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 2 – Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 3 – Tableware Storage Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 4 – Tableware Checklist Continued
Worksheet 8 – Part 5 – Supplies and Food Items Checklist
Worksheet 9 – Measure Points You Can Easily Reach In Your Kitchen
Worksheet 10 – How To Place Items In A Work Center
Worksheet 11 – Part 1 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 11 – Part 2 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space
Worksheet 11 – Part 3 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 11 – Part 4 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 12 – A Shopping List For Kitchen Equipment And Tableware
Worksheet 13 – Survey The Lighting And Electrical Outlets In My Kitchen
Worksheet 14 – Decorating Your Kitchen
Worksheet 15 – Gather Samples For My Kitchen
Worksheet 16 – Part 1 – Sources And Appointments
Worksheet 16 – Page 2 – Budget and Priority Schedule For My Kitchen
Copyright: Lifestyle Systems – 2011 – 2012