Seen and not heard

It started with soft-close drawers, and now appliance manufacturers are also coming up with ways to minimise noise levels in the kitchen.

Sales and marketing manager of Parex Industries, Barnaby Thompson, says interest in the quiet kitchen concept has spread along with the demand for open-plan designs that place appliances close to living rooms.

"People are investing a lot of money on styling their kitchens, but they can be let down by appliances that do the job, but are very noisy," Thompson says. "A loud rangehood, food waste disposal unit or kettle quickly destroys the ambience."

Parex has a number of appliances that have been designed to counter this problem, including Schweigen extractors. These units have the motor mounted outside the house, so operation is not only silent, but also up to three times more efficient than standard extractors.

Thompson says Parex also supplies the InSinkErator Evolution food waste disposer, which has extra-quiet features. Other quiet kitchen appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators and steaming hot water taps that do away with kettles.

To contact Parex Industries, phone 0800 200 510. Email: info@parex.co.nz. Or visit the websites: www.parex.co.nz and www.quietkitchen.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas