The most decorative kitchens don’t appear to have appliances at first glance. This is because they are usually hidden away behind faux cabinet doors that match the rest of the cabinets in the kitchen. When this is done, the original handles used on the appliances can’t be replaced without detracting from the overall appearance of the kitchen. Regular cabinet door knobs and pulls are too small to accommodate the weight of the appliances behind their faux door, so a larger, sturdier pull is needed to do the job.
Appliance pulls are made just for this use. Measuring 12-inches or larger, these heavy pulls are designed to match the rest of the pulls in the kitchen in terms of finish, style, and design, while still enabling you to open up the appliances you need to use. Coordinating appliance pulls into the rest of your cabinet hardware is the final, finishing touch for kitchens that rely heavily on the cabinet design to carry the room.
Selecting Appliance Pull
Believe it or not, if you’re in the market for appliance pulls for your kitchen, this should be one of the first selections you make. Many people may focus on outfitting the majority of the cabinets first, and then turn to the appliance sections later. But to ensure that you end up with a cohesive design, it’s important that the pulls all match each other in style and finish, if not in size. That’s why selecting the appliance pull first is so important; most companies that make an appliance pull make matching knobs and pulls for cabinets, but not every company that makes knobs and pulls also makes appliance pulls.
Be sure to check with the appliance manufacturer to get the approximately size of the pull you’ll need to open your heavy appliance doors. Some will have very specific recommendations, so be sure to pay attention to ensure you get a pull that not only looks beautiful, it functions perfectly as well.
Appliance Pull FAQs
What is an appliance pull?
An appliance pull is an oversized cabinet pull specifically made for opening kitchen appliances. Whereas lower end appliances usually come with built in handles, higher end appliances often allow you to add your own appliance pulls to make the appliance better blend in with your kitchen design.
How long should appliance pulls be?
If your appliance comes with pre-drilled holes for appliance pulls, then you want to be sure to get that exact size. If the holes are not pre-drilled, then the length is merely a matter of taste and style, but generally, the larger the appliance door the larger you want the appliance pull to be.
What is the difference between an appliance pull and a regular pull?
Appliance pulls are generally longer and stronger than cabinet pulls to allow for opening heavier appliance doors. Very often a single cabinet hardware collection will contain both appliance pulls and cabinet pulls so that the two can match.
What are the most popular sizes of appliance pulls?
The most common length for appliance pulls in Knobs.co's catalog is 12 inches, followed by 18 inches and then 7 inches.
Can you use a regular cabinet pull for appliances?
Appliance pulls tend to be a bit longer and stronger than standard cabinet pulls to handle the weight of cabinet doors. If your appliance doesn't have the holes pre-drilled, you could use a normal cabinet pull, but it's not recommended.
How do you install appliance pulls?
To install an appliance pull, you'll need to know the drill center of the pull you're installing. This is the distance between the screws. Once you know this number, drill holes precisely that distance apart in your cabinet or the panel covering your appliance. Professional installation is recommended.
What appliance pulls do I need for my sub zero fridge?
Sub Zero fridges are made to work with any brand of appliance pulls. See if your particular model requires a specific size. Note: this size will not be the overall length, but the drill center, meaning the distance between the screws. Any appliance pull with the correct drill centers should work.
Are appliance pulls only for appliances?
Appliance pulls are essentially oversized cabinet pulls. While kitchen cabinet doors can easily be opened with regular pulls, many use appliance pulls on regular cabinets just for the look.