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If you need assistance in choosing appliances for your sensitivities, please contact me for a one-on-one consultation.
Refrigerators
The chemically sensitive person will want to avoid gas and propane appliances. Especially gas stoves, which will be the largest emitter of fumes. A propane-powered refrigerator should be OK if you do not have enough amps to power an electric one. A propane-powered fridge vents fully to the outside and could be acceptable in a trailer with a small electrical load.
Consider using a bar sized, or apartment sized refrigerator to reduce EMFs and save on your electric bill. My fridge is 3.1 cubic feet and it’s a perfect size for me. I left mine running in a garage for a month before using it. Some people find stainless fridges offgas less than the plastic ones, others disagree. Even top of the line glass door fridges don’t necessarily offgas less than regular ones. You will want to sniff as many brands as you can.
Buying the floor model is beneficial for some people. Washing out all residues from new fridges can help. Recently (2019) I have heard reports of GE being a more tolerable brand but I would go and sniff them yourself unless you are only mildly sensitive.
Another very sensitive blogger, Janis reports that Sunfrost Refrigerators use fiberglass instead of plastic. But, they will bake it at high heat before they ship it to offgas it in advance. Their fridge uses less electricity than normal a fridge (fewer EMFs). They are pricey at $3000-$4000.
Some like the whirlpool brand two-door stainless models.
Stoves
It’s a good idea to have a range over your stove that vents to the outside to reduce humidity and prevent mold in the home.
It might be better for some to use a two-burner hot plate and small convection oven.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers that are stainless on the inside seem to be better tolerated.
Washing Machines
Although not necessarily in the kitchen, with washing machines it’s best to go with a top loader. Though a front loader can be carefully maintained and cleaned in many cases for mold prevention. For a top loader it is recommended for the chemically sensitive to use a model with a metal drum, and gear dry, not belt dry. Some of the Samsung models have been recommended.
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