What Size Appliance Pull Do I Need?

Cabinet pulls and knobs are the finishing touches which will bring your unique vision to life in your kitchen or space. Coordinating the cabinet handles to match your various sized cabinets and drawers is usually a simple task, as most hardware is available in a choice of sizes. The question remains, what to do about your Appliance Pulls?

Why do you need an appliance pull?

The first question we are most often asked is ‘can we use a larger cabinet pull for our appliances'? Since appliance pulls are generally more expensive than standard pulls, let’s understand why they are necessary.

Size Matters

Since appliance doors, particularly refrigerators, are wider than the standard cabinet door, a larger pull is necessary to look proportionate on the door. Appliance pulls will usually be longer and thicker than their cabinet counterparts.

Mounting Hardware

Appliance doors will have resistance when opening, due to the weight and air pressure caused by the interior temperature. The standard fasteners included with cabinet hardware will not hold up to this level of use and will wear down over time.

Appliance pulls are supplied with heavy duty fasteners to ensure longevity of your custom hardware.

How should appliance pulls be sized?

As a general rule, appliance pulls should be no larger than ⅓ the size of the door. 

For example if you are installing a vertical appliance pull on a SubZero Fridge Door, the pull should not exceed 18” overall length. For a Refrigerator Pull out Drawer or Appliance Pull for Dishwasher, the overall size should not exceed ⅓ of the total appliance width.

Do appliance pulls need to match cabinet pulls?

Technically, no, the appliance pulls do not need to match your cabinet pulls. However, if you are going for a uniform look, or have a particular vision in mind which you don’t want to ruin with an out of the box, standard hardware, it is recommended that you install appliance pulls.

Many cabinet pulls are available with coordinating appliance pulls. If a consistent look is important to you, consider the following series:

	#1: Emtek Jasper Series Edgy and transitional, the Industrial Modern cabinet hardware collection is inspired by industrial brackets and fittings, but versatile enough for everything from farmhouse to traditional-style interiors. Emtek Jasper Brass Appliance Pull Emtek Jasper Cabinet Pulls  Emtek Jasper Finger Pulls Emtek Brandt Knob Emtek Haydon Knob
	#2: Emtek Tribeca Series Emtek Tribeca Hardware is designed to be used on paneled kitchen appliances, or as a standalone door pull. It offers a multi-faceted texture with unique light reflection properties. Emtek Tribeca Appliance Pull Emtek Tribeca Cabinet Pull Emtek Tribeca T Knob

In conclusion

Those small last minute details, like appliance pulls, take your kitchen to the next level. Appliance pulls are available from many manufacturers such as Emtek Hardware, Hafele, Amerock and Rockwood Manufacturers. Check out our curated collection for some design inspiration!