Part Two: Kitchen Appliances, Innovations and New Zealand Requirements
By Mal Corboy, Mal Corboy Design
In the first article in this series, we looked at planning a kitchen around connected work zones rather than relying solely on the traditional work triangle.
Once the layout has been resolved, the next step is selecting the appliances and planning the services required to support them.
Appliances should never be left until the cabinetry is already being manufactured. Their dimensions, door swings, ventilation requirements, electrical demand, plumbing connections and servicing clearances all influence the design.
At Mal Corboy Design, we select appliances in conjunction with the kitchen layout so they support the way the clients cook rather than simply filling a row of standard openings.
You can see examples of integrated appliance walls, induction cooktops, concealed rangehoods and custom refrigeration at www.malcorboy.com.
Choosing Appliances Around the Client
A long list of functions does not necessarily make an appliance right for a particular household.
Before recommending products, we consider:
- How often the client cooks
- What styles of food they prepare
- Whether several people cook together
- Whether they bake
- How much refrigeration they require
- Whether they entertain frequently
- Which appliances they currently enjoy using
- Which appliances take up valuable bench space
- How comfortable they are with smart technology
- Their expectations around maintenance and servicing
A client who cooks several times a day may appreciate highly responsive induction and multiple ovens. Someone with a simpler cooking style may gain more from an easy-to-use oven and well-planned storage.
The products should serve the household. The household should not have to adapt to a complicated collection of appliances.
Induction Cooking
Induction cooktops have become a popular choice in New Zealand kitchens.
They use electromagnetic energy to heat compatible cookware directly. This provides fast response and precise control while leaving the surrounding glass relatively cooler than a traditional electric element.
The smooth surface is also easier to clean because there are no raised trivets or burners.
Induction is particularly useful in open-plan kitchens because it avoids an open flame and produces less ambient heat than gas. It also provides very low heat control for gentle cooking and rapid power when boiling water.
However, several practical matters need to be considered.
Cookware compatibility
Cookware must have a magnetic base. Many existing pots will work, but this should be checked before the cooktop is purchased.
A simple test is to place a magnet against the base. If it holds firmly, the cookware is likely to be compatible, although the appliance manufacturer’s guidance should still be followed.
Electrical requirements
Induction cooktops can have significant electrical demand. The electrician needs to assess:
- The selected model
- Its maximum connected load
- The existing switchboard
- The available electrical supply
- Circuit and cable requirements
- Any power-management settings
- Whether an upgrade is necessary
This assessment should happen early. Discovering that the home requires a substantial electrical upgrade after the cabinetry has been ordered can affect both the budget and programme.
Surface care
The glass is durable but can scratch or chip. Heavy cookware should be lifted rather than dragged, and spills should be cleaned using suitable products.
The controls also vary considerably between brands. Some are highly intuitive, while others rely on layered menus. I encourage clients to operate a display model before making a final decision.
No-Zone and Full-Surface Induction
Traditional induction cooktops have fixed rings or flexible paired zones. Full-surface induction allows compatible pans to be positioned more freely across the cooking area.
The cooktop detects where each pan has been placed and assigns controls accordingly.
This is particularly helpful for clients who:
- Use several pans at once
- Cook with large roasting dishes
- Use pans of varying sizes
- Want greater flexibility over placement
- Regularly cook for groups
It can create a clean, minimal appearance, although these models are generally more expensive and may have higher electrical requirements.
The usable cooking area and the number of pans supported vary between models, so the specification should be reviewed carefully.
Convection Ovens
A convection oven uses a fan to circulate heated air through the cavity. This helps maintain an even temperature and allows food to cook consistently across multiple shelves.
For clients who bake, roast or cook several dishes at once, good air movement and temperature accuracy can be extremely valuable.
When comparing ovens, we look beyond the number of automatic programmes and consider:
- Usable internal capacity
- Shelf and tray arrangement
- Door weight
- Control layout
- Cleaning systems
- Temperature accuracy
- Lighting
- Telescopic runners
- Ease of maintenance
- The height of the oven within the cabinetry
Oven height is particularly important. An oven mounted too low requires unnecessary bending, while one installed too high can make it unsafe to remove hot, heavy dishes.
Some kitchens benefit from two different ovens rather than two identical models. A main convection oven may be paired with a steam combination oven, compact oven or microwave combination appliance.
Air Fryers and Integrated AirFry Functions
Air fryers have become everyday appliances in many homes.
Their popularity creates an important design question: where should they live?
Leaving a large air fryer permanently on the bench can create visual clutter and reduce preparation space. Putting it inside a closed cupboard without suitable ventilation can be unsafe because the appliance produces considerable heat and steam.
Possible solutions include:
- A dedicated area within a scullery
- An appliance garage designed to remain open while in use
- A pull-out work surface
- A ventilated small-appliance zone
- An oven with an integrated AirFry function
An integrated AirFry oven can suit families cooking larger portions and removes the need for another benchtop appliance. A freestanding air fryer may still be more efficient for small quantities or quick reheating.
The right approach depends on how often the appliance is used and whether the client prefers it to remain visible.
Schweigen Silent Rangehoods
Rangehood noise is one of the most frequent complaints in open-plan kitchens.
When extraction is loud, people often turn it down or avoid using it. This reduces its ability to remove cooking moisture, grease and odours.
Schweigen systems address this by positioning the motor away from the rangehood canopy. Depending on the installation, the motor may sit externally or in a remote location within the duct system.
Moving the motor away from the kitchen can significantly reduce the noise experienced in the room. This is particularly appealing where the kitchen opens directly into living or dining spaces.
The success of the system still depends on:
- Correct duct diameter
- Motor selection
- The length of the duct run
- The number of bends
- The rangehood capture area
- The exterior discharge location
- Professional installation
The term “silent” does not mean that every installation will be completely inaudible. Air moving through the filters and ducting can still create sound.
InSinkErator Food-Waste Disposals
A food-waste disposal can be convenient for households that prepare meals frequently.
The unit sits beneath the sink and grinds appropriate food scraps before they enter the wastewater system. It needs to be coordinated with the sink, plumbing, drainage and electrical plan.
Space inside the sink cabinet is often limited. The same cabinet may also need to hold:
- Rubbish and recycling bins
- Cleaning products
- Water filters
- Plumbing traps
- A boiling-water tank
- Dishwasher connections
The selected waste-disposal unit should therefore be shown in the cabinetry drawings rather than added later.
It is also important to use the appliance correctly. Cooking oils and fats should not be put through a waste disposal because they can cool and solidify further along the pipework.
For homes with septic systems, suitability should be discussed with the plumber and wastewater specialist.
Hot, Cold and Filtered Water Taps
Filtered water systems can reduce the need for kettles, filter jugs and bottled water.
Depending on the product, a single tap may provide a combination of:
- Standard hot and cold water
- Filtered ambient water
- Chilled water
- Boiling water
- Sparkling water
These systems can be extremely convenient, but they require more under-bench space than many clients expect.
The design may need to accommodate:
- A boiling-water tank
- A chilling unit
- A sparkling-water system
- Filters
- A carbon dioxide cylinder
- Electrical outlets
- Water connections
- Isolation valves
- Ventilation
- Access for servicing and filter replacement
We draw the sink cabinet around the actual equipment. Assuming everything will fit behind the doors at the end of the project can result in inaccessible filters and little usable storage.
Safety features are also important where boiling water is included, particularly in households with children.
Integrated Refrigeration
Integrated refrigeration sits behind cabinetry panels, allowing the fridge and freezer to blend into the joinery.
This can create a calm, architectural appearance, particularly in open-plan kitchens where a large stainless-steel appliance would dominate the room.
The appliance must be chosen before the cabinetry is documented because integrated refrigeration has model-specific requirements for:
- Cabinet openings
- Ventilation
- Panel dimensions
- Panel weight
- Hinge systems
- Door swing
- Toe-kick ventilation
- Electrical access
- Removal and servicing
The appliance should also be removable without damaging the surrounding cabinetry.
Integrated refrigeration is generally more expensive than freestanding refrigeration, both in the appliance cost and the cabinetry required around it. However, it can make a substantial visual difference.
Refrigerators with Cold-Water Dispensers
Refrigerators with water and ice dispensers generally need a connection to the home’s potable cold-water supply.
The design needs to allow for:
- A suitable water connection
- An accessible isolation valve
- A route for the supply line
- Filter access
- Adequate ventilation
- The full refrigerator depth
- Door swing and drawer removal
- Clearance from nearby walls and cabinetry
Some filters are located inside the refrigerator, while others sit externally behind or beside the appliance. They need enough room to be replaced without removing large sections of cabinetry.
Filters also require regular replacement. The frequency depends on the brand, model and water usage, so ongoing maintenance should be considered before purchase.
Other Kitchen Innovations
Technology can improve a kitchen when it responds to a genuine need.
Steam combination ovens
Steam combination ovens use steam alongside conventional heat. They can help food retain moisture while creating crisp or browned surfaces.
They are useful for bread, vegetables, fish, meat and reheating prepared food without drying it out.
Cooktop and rangehood communication
Some cooktops can communicate with compatible rangehoods and automatically adjust extraction as the cooking level changes.
This can help ensure ventilation is actually used, although the rangehood still needs to be correctly sized and ducted.
Smart ovens
Depending on the model, connected ovens may offer:
- Remote monitoring
- Cooking notifications
- Maintenance alerts
- Recipe guidance
- Internal cameras
- Remote preheating
- Voice integration
These functions can be helpful, but physical usability remains more important than app features. The controls should still be understandable without relying entirely on a phone.
Integrated charging and power
USB outlets, concealed power points and wireless charging areas can be incorporated into islands, drawers and appliance cupboards.
They should be positioned away from sinks and cooking areas and specified with the electrician.
Lighting control
Layered lighting can be linked to smart-home systems or simple preset scenes. A kitchen may have separate settings for food preparation, entertaining, evening use and cleaning.
Good lighting design should include task lighting beneath cabinetry, ambient lighting, decorative fittings and considered illumination inside selected cupboards.
New Zealand Ventilation Requirements
Kitchen ventilation is a Building Code consideration rather than an optional appliance feature.
Cooking produces moisture, grease, odours and airborne contaminants. Mechanical extraction needs to be planned to remove these effectively.
Under the current commonly used Acceptable Solution, mechanical extraction serving a cooktop is expected to provide an extract rate of at least 50 litres per second, including the effect of the ducting. The extracted air is generally discharged outdoors under this compliance pathway.
A recirculating rangehood filters some grease and odour but returns the air and moisture to the room. It may therefore be unsuitable as the sole method of compliance for a new or altered kitchen, depending on the project and compliance approach.
The rangehood design should consider:
- Cooktop width
- Hood width and capture area
- Mounting height
- Duct diameter
- Duct length
- Bends and restrictions
- External discharge position
- Filter maintenance
- Apartment and fire-rating requirements
- Make-up air in tightly sealed homes
Current requirements should always be confirmed by the designer, builder, building consent authority and relevant specialists for the particular property.
Plumbing and Drainage
Kitchen plumbing and drainage need to comply with the New Zealand Building Code and be undertaken by appropriately authorised tradespeople.
A kitchen renovation may involve:
- Sink relocation
- Additional sinks
- Dishwasher connections
- Refrigeration water supplies
- Filtered-water systems
- Waste disposals
- New drainage routes
- Penetrations through floors or walls
Some alterations to existing sanitary plumbing may be exempt from building consent, but this depends on the extent of the work and whether structure, fire separations or specified systems are affected.
Apartment projects can be particularly complex because pipes may pass through fire-rated floors or walls. Body corporate approval and building management requirements may also apply.
From May 2026, applicable potable-water products used under the relevant compliance pathway must meet updated lead-free and dezincification-resistant requirements. Product compliance should be confirmed with the plumber and supplier.
Electrical Planning
Electrical planning should begin alongside the cabinetry design.
The electrical plan may need to include:
- Induction cooktop circuits
- Ovens
- Rangehoods
- Refrigeration
- Dishwashers
- Waste disposals
- Boiling and chilled-water systems
- Coffee machines
- Appliance garages
- Lighting
- Island power
- Charging points
- Smart-home controls
Fixed wiring must be completed by a licensed electrical worker. Appropriate certification should be supplied and retained with the property records.
Power points need to be accessible without being visually intrusive. They should not be positioned where appliance plugs prevent drawers from closing or where filters and equipment cannot be serviced.
Structural, Apartment and Older-Home Considerations
Removing a wall to open the kitchen into a living area may affect structural bracing, beams or load paths. This needs to be assessed before the design assumes the wall can disappear.
Apartment kitchens may also be influenced by:
- Body corporate rules
- Fire-rated penetrations
- Acoustic requirements
- Existing duct routes
- Fixed plumbing stacks
- Lift protection
- Contractor access
- Restricted working hours
Older homes can reveal outdated wiring, damaged plumbing or hazardous materials during demolition. A suitable contingency should be allowed in the budget and programme.
Coordinate Everything Before Manufacturing
The cabinetry should only be finalised once the key appliances and service requirements have been confirmed.
Changing a refrigerator, cooktop or water system late in the process can affect cabinet sizes, ventilation, power, plumbing and visual alignment.
A coordinated design provides the builder, joiner, electrician, plumber and appliance installer with clear information and reduces the risk of costly changes on site.
In Part Three, we move from function and technology to the materials that give a kitchen its character: bench tops, cabinetry finishes, splashbacks and colour.
Visit www.malcorboy.com to view kitchen and interior design projects by Mal Corboy Design.