Unit kitchens are commonly used in instructional settings such as culinary schools, junior high and high schools. They are designed to re-create home/restaurant cooking conditions for each student. Unit kitchens were first introduced in 1916 for use in home-economics classrooms. The unit kitchen allowed for actual training in a “real kitchen”. The design of each unit in a high school, for example, would either be a small three sided room or a u-shaped area with essential cooking equipment. Typically the equipment would include a sink, stove, work space, and necessary utensils. The design would allow open area for the instructor to supervise the activities. Later, as culinary/cooking schools emerged, they adapted the unit kitchen idea for the “real restaurant kitchen” experience.
Today the term “unit kitchen” also may refer to a kitchenette. Kitchenettes are very small kitchen areas with compact appliances. Typically they can be found in smaller urban apartments and condominiums. Their purpose is to contain all kitchen appliances and necessities in a more efficient footprint.
Additional Info
- External Link: Unit Kitchens
- Description: Excerpt from book discusses unit kitchens including history, uses, components and advantages.
- External Link: Kitchenettes
- Description: Article about history of kitchenettes in the Chicago Illinois area. Includes first known, and typical structures they were found.
- External Link: Buyer's Guide to Compact Kitchen Units
- Description: Article discusses what to look for when purchasing a compact kitchen unit. Includes such items as: uses, advantages, and different models.
- External Link: The Self-Contained Circular Kitchen
- Description: Article about a new design of a self-contained circular kitchen. The kitchen is designed with the concept of a lazy susan. Design, color, accessories and cost are also discussed.
- External Link: Metal Unit Kitchens
- Description: Vendor website whose products include metal unit kitchens. Advantages, accessories, colors, and cost are also discussed.
- External Link: Kitchen Appliances: Compact and Complete
- Description: Article showcases a new design of a compact kitchen appliance unit including: components, dimensions and cost.
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11 26 00 Unit Kitchens
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