Choosing a small TV for the kitchen

In terms of its purpose and use, the kitchen is very different from living rooms. It is most densely "stuffed" with technology that helps to make the housewife's work easier. But in order to install a small TV in the kitchen, there is almost always a place here.

Why small? Because the size of the kitchens for most of our fellow citizens leaves much to be desired. In addition, the screen size is not so important here as for the TV in the living room, where the whole family and guests gather. In the kitchen, however, it is used only by the hostess who does not want to miss an interesting program due to the need for cooking.

In this article, we will talk about how to choose small TVs for the kitchen, what parameters to pay attention to. And also about the rules for its placement and operation.

Read 10 tips “Where to hang your TV in the kitchen”.

Selection by parameters

In addition to the size, when choosing a TV, you need to decide on its type, functionality, the ability to connect other devices to it, and resistance to external influences. An important parameter for many is the price.

Diagonal

As a rule, watching interesting films with friends is rarely arranged in the kitchen, and doctors say that it is generally harmful to watch TV or read while eating. Therefore, a large screen is not needed here.

However, too small will be inconvenient. The optimal size is 15-19, maximum 22 inches. Of course, if we are talking about a standard room, and not a spacious kitchen-studio.

For reference. The most comfortable distance from the viewer's eyes to the TV is considered to be a distance of 4-6 diagonals. If you already know where the TV will be located, and where you will most often watch it from, it will not be difficult to calculate the required diagonal.

Device type

Today, there are three main types of television receivers on sale: CRT, plasma and liquid crystal.

Which ones are more suitable for the kitchen?

• We sweep aside the plasma ones right away, since they simply cannot be small.

• Small LCD TVs in the kitchen are the best option. They have the largest selection of diagonals, they are flat and do not take up much space, there is a possibility of fixing them to the wall.

Note! One of the most important characteristics of such devices is the viewing angle. If it is small, then even a step to the side will not allow you to see a normal video image on the screen. This parameter must be at least 160 degrees. Moreover, we advise you not to trust the data indicated by the manufacturer, and even before buying, make sure that the picture does not change from different angles of view.

• Bulky CRT TVs are already out of date. They can attract a potential buyer only with a low cost. But they do have one big advantage: these small kitchen TVs can be viewed from anywhere without any problems: the picture quality is almost unchanged from the viewing angle. And for the hostess, constantly scurrying between the stove, sink and refrigerator, this is very important.

Read also the golden rules for installing a washing machine in the kitchen.

Functionality

This is where you have to focus on your needs, although you are unlikely to be wearing 3D glasses or watching DVD movies while cooking. Therefore, it is better to refuse unnecessary functions that only make the TV more expensive.

But what doesn't hurt:

• The presence of a USB port for a flash drive. This will give you the opportunity to watch a movie recorded on a USB flash drive, when everyone is asleep in the room, turn on the child cartoon, so that he is in sight and does not distract from business, or show a friend a photo from a vacation during a friendly tea drinking.

• DVB-T tuner allows you to receive a high quality digital signal. Even if you don't have digital television yet, it will appear everywhere very soon, and this feature will be very useful.
• Touch control panel. In the kitchen, especially in a small one, it is difficult to protect the TV from the vapor deposition on it, the ingress of greasy splashes. Yes, and sometimes you have to switch the program or turn up the volume with not entirely clean hands. Therefore, it is better that there are no buttons on the front panel that will be difficult to clean.

The cost

Buying a small LCD TV for the kitchen, it would be nice to satisfy all your desires in terms of parameters and at the same time not go beyond the planned budget. Fortunately, now the market for such equipment is so saturated with a variety of offers that it will not be difficult to do this.

Council. If you want to buy a quality item and are ready to give up unnecessary functions in the kitchen, take a look at Philips or Mystery TVs. And purchase the advanced and famous Sony and Samsung in the living room or bedroom.

Placement and operation rules

The long-awaited purchase is already at home, now you need to choose a place for it and make sure that it lasts a long time.

Where to put

When choosing a place for a TV, you need to consider the following nuances:

• Distance to the screen. We already talked about this at the beginning of the article, we will not repeat ourselves.
• Placement height. Due to lack of space, TVs are often hung on the wall above the dining table or placed on the refrigerator. This is wrong, the screen must be at eye level of the viewer so that he does not have to lift his head. In this position, the neck muscles are in constant tension, which often leads to headaches and spasms. Do not create yourself health problems with your own hands.

For reference. If you do not have the habit of watching TV while eating, and you need a TV, just in order not to miss the news while doing kitchen chores, it can be installed at any height. The main thing is not to watch it for a long time in a static position.

• Kitchen TVs are small and light; they are often placed not only on the refrigerator, but also on a washing machine, dishwasher or microwave oven. This is also not worth doing, as radiation and vibrations can lead to quick breakdown. Better to buy a wall bracket that allows you to swivel or tilt the screen as you like.
• It is advisable to choose a place away from the hob and sink, from which greasy and water splashes can reach it. Be sure to install a good hood above the stove to remove excess moisture and fumes from the room.

• Do not push the TV with the back panel close to the wall, thereby blocking the ventilation openings. The air must flow freely to the internal mechanisms.

How to extend service life

Dust will inevitably accumulate under the body of the device. And if it is in the kitchen, then this dust will mix with fatty fumes, leading to damage to the TV components. Therefore, you need to remove the back cover at least once a year and carefully clean its insides.

Attention! The instruction manual for complex household appliances prohibits self-repair and other manipulations with them. It is better to entrust cleaning to the master.

The remote control should also be treated with no less care than the TV. Place it in a transparent case or simply wrap it in plastic to keep out grease and water.

Conclusion

Choosing small TVs for the kitchen can be simple and enjoyable if you know what characteristics they should have. Before heading to the store, please read this article again to refresh the information you received. This will help you avoid mistakes and save money.

Read other articles on how to choose a TV for your kitchen.