On Trend: Spice Kitchens

Every now and then we catch an episode of a television show—usually a home renovation or real estate reality program—that makes mention of a unique type of kitchen: a spice kitchen. A spice kitchen is a space near, but separate from, the main kitchen area where fragrant spices are stored and processed, and where the most fragrant of dishes are cooked.

A spice kitchen is designed specifically to isolate and eliminate (through exhaust and ventilation) strong food and cooking odors from the main kitchen space. Many online articles also refer to spice kitchens as ‘wok kitchens’ and they appear to be gaining some popularity, with references popping up on many kitchen and cooking blogs.

The truth is, whether you call it a spice kitchen, a wok kitchen or—as one commenter on this blog post pointed out—a game kitchen where fish and meat can be processed, it may be worth considering the installation of a small, separate kitchen space when you renovate.

Why take on the additional cost of a spice kitchen? Again, if you live with an avid fisherman or hunter, a separate prep kitchen would make an ideal place for them to work while keeping the main kitchen free from mess and odor. Perhaps your family cooks with a lot of fragrant spices and ingredients—if you have an open concept design and have ever wished you could contain cooking odors, this is certainly one way to address that challenge.

To truly isolate food and cooking odors, your spice kitchen will need to be separate and have a strong ventilation system to remove odors and prevent them from reaching the main kitchen and other areas of the house. A small stove, sink, and countertop preparation area—along with custom storage that meets your particular needs—will give you a functional area to work.

To learn more about adding a spice or prep kitchen to your remodel or homebuilding project, stop in to our showroom at 4200 Westheimer and speak with one of our experienced kitchen designers. Stay connected with Cabinets & Designs every day on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Houzz.