ᐅ How many electrical outlets should a kitchen have at a minimum?

Hello,

we are currently planning our kitchen and are almost finished. Now we need to plan the electrical outlets for the electrician.

How many outlets should a kitchen have at a minimum? We will have a U-shaped kitchen.

The outlets for fixed appliances are clear (oven, refrigerator, microwave, etc.).

I mean the free outlets above the countertop for portable appliances (coffee maker, kettle, blender, etc.).

We have currently planned 8 free outlets, with 2 in each corner. Would you say 8 is enough, or should we add a few more?

Should all free outlets in the kitchen have their own circuit?

It is very, very individual. It also depends on the number of appliances, cooking habits, and so on.

For example, we currently have 9 sockets (5 circuits) at countertop height, of which 5 are permanently in use.

I would plan at least two circuits: one for the left side of the kitchen and one for the right side of the kitchen.

Pwnage619 schrieb:

How many power outlets should you have at a minimum in the kitchen?

At least the number needed for fixed appliances, otherwise no power 😉

Everything else depends on you. Some manage with just two, while others need five or more for constantly used devices like kettle, coffee machine, Thermomix, coffee grinder, smart assistant, smoothie blender, and so on.

Think about what you want to have constantly plugged in.

Then consider what else might be used daily—immersion blender near the stove, deep fryer, multiple phone chargers, etc.—and how many of those will be used at the same time.

Two outlets in each corner sounds reasonable, but that also depends on how many corners there are :p

Not every outlet needs to be on its own circuit...

Make a plan to decide where each appliance (coffee machine, food processor, blender, phone charger, etc.) will be permanently placed. For each item, allocate one power outlet plus an extra free outlet. Then check which sections of the countertop still don’t have outlets and distribute them accordingly.

Keep in mind to have an outlet at a convenient distance on both sides of the cooktop for a stick blender, for example.

I have, for instance, 5 outlets in one specific spot because I installed all my small appliances there in an appliance wall: coffee maker, tea machine, food processor, ice cream maker, and refrigerator connection.

A general plan like “2 outlets in every corner” almost guarantees there will always be at least one spot where you’ll miss an outlet and have to keep unplugging and switching devices.

I have 12, with three in each of the four corners.
9 would probably be enough. But I would rather sacrifice one power outlet for a double USB-C socket, no matter if it’s for a smartwatch, phone, or something else.
We also have two of these in the bedroom.

What “one” needs doesn’t really matter; just count what YOU or YOU ALL need. We manage with 2 power outlets plus 1 USB, but it could be completely different for you.