Faq

Doimo Cucine proposes modular kitchens. This means they are studied and designed to suit any space, or almost. Often, we encounter specific situations that require us to make custom modifications to satisfy our clients’ needs.

Combining these two aspects, modular kitchens and custom modifications to our standard cabinetry modules, allows us to resolve a host of different situations, for example: corners that are out of square wall lengths that are not compatible with standard modules non-standard depths to resolve niches or pillars the reuse of existing appliances or cabinetry

It should be noted that some collections are easier to customise than others. For example, models with classical framed fronts are more difficult to personalise. In all cases, we suggest speaking with a Doimo Cucine retailer to receive the best and most appropriate responses to your needs.

It is impossible to respond to this question with a reliable number.
There are so many factors that can influence the price of a kitchen: its size, specific materials, finishes, accessories, and so on.

However, we can offer some practical indications and a few suggestions.

1. Establish your budget.
2. Pay attention to the dimensions of your kitchen.
3. Consider different materials.
4. Choose your appliances.
5. Think about accessories.
6. Double check the extras.

1. Establish your budget.
A competent retailer has the objective (and interest) to find the best solution to your specific needs and to respect your budget. Having a clear idea about your budget from the start will help you make the most of your time studying a design that suits you.

2. Pay attention to the dimensions of your kitchen.
The larger the kitchen, the higher the cost. This is pretty much obvious. Dimensions aside, it is necessary to consider non-standard conditions such as crooked walls, out of square corners, structural columns or particularly small spaces. This means it is important to match what you need (upper cabinets, base cabinets, tall cabinets, appliances, work surfaces, eventual islands or peninsulas) with the available space. With these items in mind, it is possible to establish whether everything is possible using standard solutions, or not. Knowing the dimensions of the space, better yet with a reliable plan in hand, will make it easier to work with the retailer to layout the kitchen, the number of elements required and eventual custom choices. Generally, except in those cases when an architect is involved, the retailer will arrange a visit to measure the space proposed for the kitchen.

3. Consider different materials.
The cost of a kitchen can be greatly influenced by the quality of the materials selected. Materials for doors: they range from melamine – resistant, easy to clean and now beautiful to look at – to lacquered finishes or technical materials, such as glass, laminates and steel. To manage the cost of a kitchen and obtain a quality result, fronts should be selected from the range of melamines, much more attractive now than it was in the past. At Doimo Cucine we propose our Tecnolam and Synchroface finishes for an even higher quality. Materials for work surfaces. Kitchen “worktops” in marble or technical materials can have a notable impact on cost, with respect to more economical laminate worktops.

4. Choose your appliances.
The cost of appliances can have a significant impact on the price of a kitchen. Choosing appliances in basic versions, or all by the same manufacturer for the entire kitchen, can help keep costs under control. Ask about special and often very advantageous offers. Also consider how you use appliances to gauge, beyond personal desires and trends, what is really useful when you are in the kitchen.

5. Think about accessories.
The illumination of cabinet interiors, pull out trays, accessories for deep drawers and recycling containers are just some of the many accessories you can add to a kitchen. Summed together they can drive up the cost of a kitchen. We suggest choosing only those accessories that are truly necessary based on how you use your kitchen. Your retailer can be of assistance here. All you need to do is explain how you plan to use this space.

6. Double check the extras.
A manufacturer of quality kitchens allows for modifications to standard modules and selects retailers who provide top quality assistance, home delivery, correct and precise installation and accurate post-sales servicing. Each of these services has its own clear and easy to understand policy. Its best to be familiar with them beforehand: ask your retailer for more information.

The height of kitchen cabinets is ergonomic because, to ensure a kitchen is comfortable to use, it must reflect the height of its users and their needs.

To achieve the correct dimension it is possible to work with the dimensions of the carcases, worktop and plinth; for particularly tall people it is a good idea to adopt suspended base units, installed at just the right height for their use. The Doimo Cucine All-arounD system offers diverse options. In general the following dimensions are opportune:

• for those between 140/160 cm tall, base units with carcass, worktop and plinth with a total height of 82/87cm
• for those between 160/174 cm tall, base units with carcass, worktop and plinth with a total height of 87/91 cm
• for those between 174/186 cm tall, base units with carcass, worktop and plinth with a total height of 91/99 cm
• for those between 186/210 cm tall, base units with carcass, worktop and plinth with a total height of 104/110 cm

The distances between kitchen cabinets also contribute to an ergonomic result. In fact, this space must permit movements, even when other people are present

When designing a kitchen always consider the space for opening cabinets and the eventual passage of more than one person at the same time.

The distance from the dishwasher in a kitchen demands the most attention to ergonomics as it occupies 80 cm when open. This dimension needs to be increased by the space required for someone using this appliance and someone else passing behind. For this reason, it is a good idea to consider a clear distance of at least 170 cm for the wall the delimits the space in front of this appliance, and 120 cm in the presence of a table, whose presence hints at the fact that others may require an alternative space of passage.

Another typical distance to be calculated is that for opening drawers and deep drawers. To ensure it is functional, and permits the passage of a second person, it is a good idea to allow for at least 135 cm from a wall or other obstacle in front.

Doimo Cucine proposes various technical solutions and lighting to improve the ergonomics of the kitchen to facilitate its use and avoid fatigue and accidents. To make it easy to arrange, see and find items with respect to the limitations of applied doors, deep drawers in base units and pull out mechanisms for corner cabinets and tall units are now a must. To avoid frequent accidents like banging into cabinet doors when moving around the kitchen, options include lift doors or pocket doors in tall units or in upper cabinets above worktops. For the best experience and most ergonomic kitchen the final touch is given by lighting. In addition to lights normally positioned in the room, options include those applied to cabinetry. For example, LEDs that illuminate worktops or are activated by opening drawers and deep drawers or cabinet doors in general.

Induction cooktops require an exhaust hood that eliminates condensation. Doimo Cucine suggests using exhaust hoods designed specifically for induction cooktops.

This latest generation of exhaust hoods draws air out of the kitchen while simultaneously replacing it to keep vapour from condensing, make sure it rises and channel it toward the hood. Induction cooking produces a great deal of vapour, which tends to condense on wall tiles, backsplashes, upper cabinets and, in general, anything in its proximity. This occurs because the heat produced directly on the bottom of pots and pans is directly transferred to food. This creates a heat differential, an important difference in temperature, between the warm element and the cooler air beneath the exhaust hood. This vapour can be particularly “heavy” and, as it tends not to rise, condenses inside the kitchen.

We recommend:

• choosing an exhaust hood that covers the entire cooktop
• choosing an exhaust hood that matches the performance of the cooktop
• always using an exhaust hood while cooking and immediately after
• cooking with lids to minimise the amount of vapour
• drying any eventual condensation that may have formed immediately after you have finished cooking

Consult our Guide to selecting a kitchen for additional considerations about exhaust hoods.

Above-sink dish drying racks have been known to deform and even break. Understanding how much weight they can support can help minimise these risks.

Depending on their size, above-sink dish drying racks can generally support:

• from 5 to 12 kilograms on the plate drying rack
• 9 kilograms on the glassware drying rack

We always recommend reading the instructions that come with these products, which clearly state the exact weight they can support. This value is always inferior to the weight supported by upper cabinetry which has a completely different structure and functions. Product sheets can be downloaded online using the link provided at the time of installation.

Should your above-sink dish drying rack break, generally because it has been overloaded, Doimo Cucine will provide a new one via its retailers. Instead, if it breaks because there was something wrong with the original part, keep your kitchen warranty handy and contact your retailer. The retailer will verify the anomaly and, once it has been confirmed, proceed with the substitution of the drying rack free of charge. To substitute your above-sink drying rack, contact the store where you purchased your kitchen or find the retailer closest to you.

To substitute an appliance or receive specific instructions, always contact the appliance manufacturer’s customer service centre. This is equally true when an appliance malfunctions during the warranty period (2 to 5 years depending on the product) as when an appliance arrives damaged, despite even the most careful shipping and handling. Remember to have your invoice at hand, together with all documents accompanying the appliance, stored inside the appliance itself when it arrived.

Ask your Doimo Cucine retailer for assistance. You will need to provide the numeric code labelled on the springs, together with the dimensions of the cabinet fronts (width and height). Find the retailer closest to you.

Changing a kitchen without changing the cabinetry. With Doimo Cucine you can substitute the cabinet fronts, the most visible part of any kitchen.

To do this, contact the retailer who sold you your Doimo Cucine kitchen, or any one of our retailers, to receive the necessary technical evaluations and understand whether:

• the dimensions of the components are still available (doors, cabinets, upper cabinets, etc.); some elements go out of production, and new ones are no longer compatible
• there are elements with exposed ends, which require that the entire cabinet be replaced
• it is possible to use the same type of hinge or other compatible model

Our retailers are also available to visit your home to evaluate the situation first-hand and understand whether, and if, changes can be made to the doors of base, upper and tall cabinets without replacing the cabinetry itself.

The best way to clean kitchen drawers and deep drawers is with a soft dry cloth; use the same cloth to clean the hinges, drawer slides and internal accessories such as trays and pull out mechanisms.

A vacuum cleaner is ideal for removing dust and crumbs that have found their way into drawer slides.

When cleaning, avoid:

• detergents, above all corrosive ones, such as acids and halogens (chlorides, bromides, iodides), chloride-based solutions (i.e. bleach) and muriatic acid
• devices that emit vapour
• steel sponges, abrasive substances and powder detergents

Finally, it is a good idea never to leave bottles containing detergents or chemical products open inside kitchen cabinetry. Over time this can cause the oxidation of the different hardware components of the cabinetry structure.

Certainly. Doimo Cucine develops contract kitchens for residences, holiday villages, residential villages and residential buildings. Our contract kitchens also offer a range of customised solutions.

To involve us in your contract project, we propose a successfully tried and tested approach:

• send an email about your project to info@doimocucine.com
• Doimo Cucine will collect the necessary material and select the most suitable retailer
• the retailer will arrange to take some measurements and develop and optimise a project based on the solutions offered by Doimo Cucine
• Doimo Cucine will build your kitchen to the contract specifications

Working with architects, designers and interior designers is always a pleasure. We recommend establishing a direct line of contact with one of our retailers. They are always available to offer consultancy services when designing and optimising a kitchen and to study custom solutions. Retailers can provide a range of Doimo Cucine catalogues and other supporting material to answer questions about new technologies, materials, work flows and similar issues. In other words, they are familiar with the many specific issues known to someone with years of constant and up-to-date experience in kitchen design. An email about your studio and the project, or projects, you would like to develop will get the ball rolling and help us identify the most suitable retailer. Write to us at info@doimocucine.com.