The Common Appliance Mistake That Will Ruin Your Kitchen Cabinets - Tasting Table

"But one of the worst mistakes you can make is flushing your kitchen appliances with your cabinets. While it's satisfying to see your brand new dishwasher fit just right, it's actually better for the space above it to be on the wider side so the vent is exposed. Otherwise, you'll be dealing with steam and heat damage issues for years to come."

"Countertop appliances like air fryers, slow cookers, toaster ovens, and even coffee makers are arguably even more of a risk. That's because the steam or heat damage from these appliances is likely to happen to the space underneath your cabinets, meaning you might not even notice it until it's too late. Depending on the material your cabinets are made of, you could be dealing with expensive issues, like mold and mildew, corrosion, warping, discoloration, cracking, and even melting."

Purchasing new kitchen appliances requires avoiding placement mistakes that expose cabinets to steam and heat. Appliances should not be flushed tightly against cabinetry; leaving wider clearance above dishwashers exposes vents and prevents trapped heat. Built-in refrigerators need properly installed venting panels to avoid damaging upper cabinets. Over-the-range microwaves vent upward and can steam cabinets above. Countertop appliances such as air fryers, slow cookers, toaster ovens, and coffee makers can damage cabinet undersides, often without immediate notice. Potential consequences include mold and mildew, corrosion, warping, discoloration, cracking, and even melting. Proper clearance, exposed vents, and cautious placement reduce these risks.

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