Appliance pulls may be something you have never heard of before you decided to renovate your kitchen. Choosing the right panels, knobs, and accessories can be overwhelming, and if you are planning to DIY, there is even more to think about. Appliance pulls can spruce up the overall look of your kitchen and allow your cabinets to really pop.

Are you planning to put in an appliance pull but uncertain on where to start? In this article, we will go over the basics of installing appliance pulls.

What is an Appliance Pull?

An appliance pull is essentially an oversized study handle designed to be used with a large cabinet or appliance. They usually allow for you to fully grasp around the bar of the handle to pull the door or cabinet open. It is also common for homeowners to use appliance pulls for pantry cabinets or doors. They can even be installed directly onto your appliances, such as the refrigerator or dishwasher, if they have a wood panel covering.

Without the right appliance pull, your kitchen will lack a finished look, so it is important to choose the right product and install it correctly.

How To Choose The Right Appliance Pull

While Knobs.co offers thousands of options for appliance pulls, that doesn’t mean selecting the correct pull needs to be difficult. We recommend choosing an appliance pull that matches the other cabinet handles in your kitchen and does not clash with the color scheme. Very often you’ll find knobs, pulls, and appliance pulls all in the same collection, which are made to be a perfect match. If you’re ordering from different collections, we still recommend sticking with the same brand as your other hardware as even getting the same finish from two different manufacturers may not be a perfect match. As always, you’re welcome to book a free design consultation to get expert advice from one of our in-house interior designers on the perfect appliance pull for your kitchen.

In terms of compatibility, you will just need to ensure that the size of the pull matches the area you plan to place it on. The last thing you want is an oversized or undersized handle that looks ridiculous on your refrigerator or pantry!

Tools Needed

Here is a list of the tools you’ll need for the process:

• Drill
• Appropriate drill bit and driver sizes (check manufacturer’s instructions)
• Level, preferably a 2 foot standard size
• Measuring tape
• Carpenter’s pencil
• Painter’s tape

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Install an Appliance Pull

Appliance pulls make for great handles for wood panel covered appliances, larger pantry cupboards, or cabinets. They are also very simple to install, so you can definitely do it yourself. Here is a handy step-by-step guide for DIY installation.

Step one: Measure the cabinet

First, measure the surface of the cabinet you are placing the appliance pull on. Put a strip of painter’s tape where you plan to place the appliance pull.

Step two: Mark the location of the screw fittings

Measure the appliance pull and use a carpenter’s pencil to mark the location of the threaded insert on the painters tape.

Step three: Ensure the holes are level

Before drilling the holes, it is imperative that you check that the markings on the painter’s tape are level. Hold your level flush against the surface and make sure the bubble falls directly in the middle.

Step four: Drill the holes

Once the holes are level, you can drill the holes. The size drill bit to use will vary depending on the product you purchase, but most of them require a 3/16” bit. Make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand.

Step five: Attach the appliance pull

Place the washers and screws in the newly drilled holes and manually screw them into the threaded inserts. Once they are in place, tighten them as much as possible using a screwdriver or drill. Most appliance pulls will come equipped with all the necessary hardware (screws, washers, etc.).

Step six: Final spot check

Take a step back and check your work. Make sure everything is level, and enjoy your new beautiful addition to your kitchen!

Can you Install an Appliance Pull Directly onto your Appliance?

Although the name would suggest they are used as handles for appliances, appliance pulls cannot usually be installed directly on refrigerators, dishwashers, or other appliances. The workaround for this is to attach a wood panel on the face of your appliance. Many high-end kitchens will feature wood panels over the refrigerator and dishwasher to allow the appliances to blend into the cabinetry better.

To install a pull directly onto your appliance, make sure to place it onto the wood panel before attaching the panel to your appliance. In order to install it onto the panel itself, use the same installation technique as above.

Appliance Pull Installation Tips

Here are some of our top tips to keep in mind when installing your appliance pull.

Choose your placement wisely

The last thing you want is for your appliance pull to be too low, too high, or awkwardly spaced. We recommend checking other cabinets or closets in your home to determine the height to attach the hardware.

Use adhesive putty

Temporarily attaching the hardware using adhesive putty is a great way to make sure everything looks ok without fully committing by drilling holes.

Always double check measurements

Cabinetry is very meticulous work; one small mistake in your measurements can throw off the entire thing. Always double and triple check that your holes are level and that they are aligned with the screw fittings.

If you aren't comfortable with a drill, practice first

Don’t rush into things. Before finalizing the work by drilling into your pantry or wood panel, drill a few practice holes first, especially if this is your first time installing hardware.

Bottom Line

There are endless different types of handles, pulls, and knobs on the market. But if you are looking for a large pull for a pantry or appliance, an appliance pull is the option for you. Installation will be fairly straightforward as long as you are diligent with your measurements and ensure the holes you drill are level.