Work surfaces

A woman preparing meals must have a place to work on. Work surfaces must provide room to prepare food for cooking and also to wash dishes and clean up after the meal is over. Many women also use the kitchen work surface for ironing.

This work surface can be a table, a strong box, or a counter top. It may have shelves and drawers built above or below it. Sometimes women use a shelf to work on and some women may even work on the floor or ground. Kitchen work surfaces should be up off the floor or ground to keep food and utensils clean. The height of the work surface should suit the woman who is to use it. The average height is 32 to 35 inches.

Work surfaces should be smooth and easy to clean. Hard wood is a good material. It should have several coats of vegetable oil to protect the wood but it should not be painted. If soft wood is used, a covering of sheet metal, linoleum, or oilcloth will protect the wood and make it easier to clean.

Sometimes a folding wall table can provide extra work space in a small kitchen. This is a wide board attached to the wall with hinges so it can be lowered for work and folded up when it is not in use.

This folding wall table in Puerto Rico serves as a door to the cupboard between meals.