Spacemaker Appliances - What is good; what is not. : eBay Guides

General Electric (G.E.) introduced their Spacemaker line of appliances -- kitchen appliances that attach to the underside of hanging cabinets to allow more usable counter space -- in the 1980s.  Today, you can get just about any kitchen appliance you can imagine as a Spacemaker.  (Actually, the G.E. Spacemaker line includes built-in dishwashers, washer/dryers, and other larger appliances, but this guide is intended to be specific to the under-the-cabinet line of products. Black & Decker also offers a line of similar "SpaceMaker" appliances.)

I myself have owned the Spacemaker microwave oven, toaster oven, coffeemaker, electric can opener, and radio/CD player. Several of each, in some cases.  The idea of being able to attach a small but frequently used kitchen appliance neatly beneath a cabinet to free up working countertop space is a good one ... but there are some good points and bad points to be considered before purchasing any of these products.

The good: Spacemaker appliances save space in the kitchen, keep your counters from looking cluttered, allow you more usable countertop area, and provide a secure and stable anchoring for appliances that can be awkward to operate, like electric can openers. In my experience, Spacemaker appliances are of good quality, and have an average lifespan equivalent to their freestanding counterparts. I've never purchased a Spacemaker appliance that arrived broken or failed during the warranty period.

The bad: Spacemaker appliances are permanently attached to cabinetry using wood screws. Installation can be awkward and difficult, and once the appliance is installed, you have permanent and visible holes in your cabinets if you ever decide to remove the appliance. All appliances have a lifespan. You will eventually need to replace even the best coffeemaker, for example. This is something to consider before you drill holes in your cabinets -- especially when you consider that when it comes time to replace an appliance, the newer gadget will probably require that another set of holes be drilled if you want to continue to use Spacemaker products.  The "template" for drilling holes does change from time to time, and between manufacturers.

The ugly:  I have had good luck with Spacemaker appliances -- both G.E. and Black & Decker brands. You should, however, do a search for product recalls before you purchase a Spacemaker appliance, as there have been several product recalls and consumer complaints on certain models of coffeemakers, microwave ovens, and the radio/casette players. 

The Spacemaker appliance I would least recommend is the coffeemaker. In my experience, coffeemakers do not tend to have especially long lifespans to begin with (leaving you to either replace the appliance with another Spacemaker, or deal with the holes in your wood cabinets), but of greater consequence is the fact that Spacemaker coffeemakers release a substantial amount of steam, which rises and settles on the cabinetry above the coffeemaker.  If your cabinets are wood, they can warp and stain over time.  If they are veneered, the veneer tends to bubble and peel.  Ugly stuff!

The Spacemaker appliance I would most recommend is the electric can opener. Though I have moved to the cordless version recently, I have appreciated this gadget the most over the years.  Because it is screwed into the cabinet, the can opener is very stable, and can support the weight of fairly hefty cans without spilling or splattering the contents.  Once you have the can in place, the Spacemaker can opener will hold the can and shut itself off when it has completed its task.

Spacemaker appliances that have been properly installed and cleaned can add visual appeal and value to a home -- an inexpensive way to upgrade a kitchen if you are thinking about selling your house.

Overall, I have had good experiences with Spacemaker kitchen appliances. Before you purchase one, though, do consider that you will need to make permanent holes in your cabinets (if you are a renter, this is of particular concern).  Also consider the intended function of the appliance, and whether or not it makes good sense to attach it directly to a cabinet.  Any appliance that produces a lot of heat or steam could mean damage to your cabinets over time.