They are now code in islands. Nothing about them sounds good to me. Convenience gone. How long until the "pop up" doesn't ? I think of the food that will get caught up in the edges. HARD PASS. Government over reach IMPO!!!

Wrong above. ..on every single count.

Why? Perimeter outlets usually in a "wall" in a kitchen are code, and depending your layout, length etc. Not really the best place for pop ups, unless a corner!? ..... there are lots better options for a perimeter wall, if the goal is unobstructed tile or solid surface splash.

Islands and their electrical outlets are also code! They can be located ON the counter in a pop up which is now routine, convenient, and not a worry at all in any way. They have become the preferred choice. OR you can put them just under a counter top edge. Know that in most instances you will need two. There is NO requirement that you must use either method, but yes...an island will need two

They are "NEW" Jan in the grand scheme of things--time will tell the tale. People thought toggle switches were great too--until they all kept breaking. They are code on islands due to adults who don't keep track of their kids. The new code went into effect here July 1. June was CRAZY BUSY with builders pulling permits in June for builds that are months away because people don't want this silliness.

ELECTRICITY on islands and codes has been de rigeur for a couple decades in most areas of the country.

The real point? They are 100% convenient and safe, no matter who "keeps track" of who.

Kitchens are larger, the island is both gather, prep, and yes.....even serve. I can't imagine a generous island without the outlets. Wherever one shall place them.

We used to reach for a wall switch for a garbage disposal.....or into a sink cabinet. Now a press of a counter top button can replace both in an "air switch" . Safer, and easier by far.

I too resent control.....but many changes and codes? They equal long term pleasure and safety.

Putting them in. Love the idea - we'll see how they stand up to real life. Islands are bigger. Small prep appliances need power (not everything is cordless). Laptops, phones, etc all tend to congregate on an island. Having power centered is nice and not seeing codes hang over the edge where kids / pets can grab them, want through them, pull things off the counter.

Fact is - things you use in an island need power, having an island without it is dumb. There are several ways to meet code.

Also - determine what code level your jurisdiction inspects to - I think ours is still on 2017? It appears that 2023 goes back to NO outlets being required, but a "future provision" is.

Great post:

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2023/01/18/Kitchen-Island-and-Peninsula-Receptacle-Outlets-and-the-NEC#:~:text=210.52(C)(2)%20has,the%20countertop%20or%20work%20surface.

Building codes don’t go into effect on a certain date. They get adopted by states or municipalities, sometimes with changes and sometimes without. Sometimes a municipality may not adopt a section or a code at all.

Most municipalities are still using the 2020 NEC (National Electric Code) which requires all permanently affixed islands to have electrical outlets on or under the counter. The 2023 NEC removed the requirement for islands to have outlets but does now require them to be on the island top or a post no more than 20" above the island top when installed.

So in their overreach they removed the requirement to do something.

However, the code was changed to no longer allow outlets under the island top and that is certainly new and a big change from what most people choose.

I would think that on the perimeter, the aspect that they are retractable would end up being besides the point, because are you really going to pop up the outlet, plug in the appliance/charger/etc., use it and then unplug the the appliance push down the outlet into the counter and so forth every single time you use it? Some things are going to be plugged in all the time, unless you keep absolutely nothing on your counters and everything is stored away and brought out to use. That's not how most kitchens end up functioning.

For a number of years on these forums, the solution was to mount all outlets high up so they would be hidden by the upper cabinets. The issue there was that for appliances kept plugged in, the cord was not concealed anyway.

So part of the decision is really going to be how your kitchen is used. I know people who have appliance garages or elaborate cabinets with pocket doors to conceal coffee areas or countertop appliances and the doors are left open 90% of the time, so not only do you see the appliance they were trying to hide, you see the inside of the cabinet and all the stuff stored in the rest of the cabinet. It actually looks more cluttery to me than just having something out on the counter, if you are just going to leave it all hanging out anyway. Some people may open and close things like this every time or plug something in and unplug it every time, but that is not most people.

Probably the best solution in most cases is to have a mix, which takes a little more planning: lower outlets in the backsplash for things that are going to stay on the counter and plugged in the majority of the time, so the outlet and cord will be concealed behind the countertop item, concealed outlet for things that get taken out and used occasionally so the backsplash does not look riddled with outlets, and a pop up outlet here and there where it makes functional sense to have one, like on island or peninsula areas.

This is a forum that obsesses over drawers because opening a cabinet and then pulling out a tray or pullout is "so many more steps" than opening a drawer. By that same token, pulling up an outlet, plugging in, using the appliance, unplugging it when you are done, storing the outlet, is Many more steps than just leaving something plugged in, so I don't think they are practical for frequently used things.

I love my pop ups! I have several in my kitchen along with a combination of under the cabinet and under the counter outlets . Also have a a pop up in my laundry room and mud room. I’ve had them for 8 years and never had a problem with them getting dirty or breaking .

"Only the most expensive direct wired ones are accepted for island use as well."

Yes they must be direct wire. You can get amazing convenience with two good ones on the counter top that meet every code. You might have to spend 250 to 400 per pop up and you will thank yourself every single day. Good ones can have a pot of water spilled on them to no harm : ) Especially convenient on large expanse tops.

Here is where I first saw them, $200 (plug in ) -$700 each (hardwire GFI)

https://www.mockett.com/power-communication-systems/kitchen-power/

There are a zillion hard wire GFI at a lot less than 700.00. With a USB port in many cases.

Tell the electrician what you WANT. It's his responsibility to ensure all CODES are met.

Ditto ci_lantro above

I did plug mold both on my perimeter and on my island The plug mold on the island is under the counter on the side no one sees between the island and fridge.

The plug mold on the perimeter is up against my cabinets. I keep nothing plugged into my outlets on my counters.

The toaster oven and coffee maker are in a closed cabinet together.

I know people who have appliance garages or elaborate cabinets with pocket doors to conceal coffee areas or countertop appliances and the doors are left open 90% of the time, so not only do you see the appliance they were trying to hide, you see the inside of the cabinet and all the stuff stored in the rest of the cabinet.

Our coffee cabinet is closed except when making coffee/toast.

Our appliance garage which can be seen in the bottom photo to the left of the fridge is for all the dog's food, meds, bowls, etc and is also closed except when making the dog's food. Both the coffee cabinet and the dog's cabinet have a regular outlet against the rear of the cabinet.

Here's my plug mold which is not visible when standing at the counter.

Plug mold is under the countertop on this end of the island.

The plug mold is under the cabinet on the left and also under the back cabinet behind the paper towel roll

Totally second cpartist's opinion on plugmold. I cannot imagine why I'd want to clutter my countertop with a protruding outlet and a cord dragging into my cutting board and food. Plus they are fussy and breakable. Plugmold under the edge of the countertop is virtually invisible, gives you multiple outlets, not just two, and the cords drape off the front of the counter, away from the food prep area.

I will say that we did not use plugmold under the upper cabinets. I"m not as tidy as cpartist, and plugging and unplugging my countertop appliances would drive me crazy. If you leave applicances plugged in, then the cords are quite visible as they drape down from plugmold to counter. Here we went conventional with standard outlets on backsplash just above counter.

Plugmold under the edge of the countertop is virtually invisible, gives you multiple outlets, not just two, and the cords drape off the front of the counter, away from the food prep area.

Yes, but... it is no longer allowed by the 2023 NEC.

As @arcy_gw referred to above there have been several accidents with children, and actually those in wheelchairs, pulling appliances off the counter and they responded by making them optional, but when installed they must be installed on, or above, the countertop. If you choose not to install them, you are still required to make provisions for future installations.

Most districts haven't adopted the 2023 NEC yet, but if you are in the planning stages of a remodel or build, you should make provisions for the 2023 NEC being adopted.

I have worked with several different electricians over the years designing my own and several kitchens for friends. None of them would install plugmold for use as kitchen backsplash or island outlets. It may be regional but that has been my local experience.

I hate plug mold too. : ) Especially when I can see the black cord hanging ! Aurrgggghhhh!

Receptacle colors allow plugs to disappear into almost any tile..same with pop ups on islands

I love these by Legrand.

“Receptacle colors allow plugs to disappear into almost any tile…”

What @Jan Moyer said…we did this:

Lutron receptacles…inside switch and plug plates made by the tile company. Barely noticeable, and most accessible.

Thankfully we're still under the 2020 NEC so we'll get under the radar before the 2023 regs are adopted. And to be clear, as I noted, I have no issues with backsplash mounted receptacles on perimeter counters.

As for the visual impact of plugmold under the island countertop, I don't really perceive much of a difference between a black appliance cord draping over the front of the counter, versus a black appliance cord snaking across the countertop (and getting into the raw chicken on the cutting board). Not to mention the visual impact of the pop-up itself. And the potential for future breakage or leaks through the "violated" countertop.

As for the safety issues, I'll admit that I can live with the risk of an event that has occurred a total of 9700 times over the last 30 years. As always, it's a personal risk assessment issue. Heck, I drive 100 miles a day to/from work, and over 40,000 people die every year in car accidents. So my island doesn't really scare me too much.

So...no pop-ups for us :-)

Okie doke A pop up leaks as often as never. That's why you can pour a pasta pot over so many of them. Your kitchen faucet is a lot more likely to leak.: )

Agreed :-) Just being pedantic in defending my plugmold obsession. Clearly I'm in the minority though--I see pop-ups winning this competition!

I apologize if you took my post as advice for your kitchen. My intention was to inform people that the option for plugs of any kind below any countertop is going away. So plan accordingly.

I fully support your choice to do whatever you want. If you want your plugs on the ceiling, I wish you luck with that, but regardless of opinions on the NEC code, it is likely to be adopted in most jurisdictions eventually. So the people who come here for inspiration should be aware they might not be able to do what you prefer.

@bry911 The salon where I get my hair done does have plugs on the ceiling. lol The blow dryers pull down on retracable cords.

Since it's a new build, turn you standard receptacles horizontally and as low as code will allow. Looks much better when using subway tiles. Get covers to match tiles.

I hate plug mold too. : ) Especially when I can see the black cord hanging ! Aurrgggghhhh!

The only time you see cords is if I'm actually using an appliance. Otherwise it's put away in a drawer. That includes my blender, Cuisanart, ice cream maker, etc. I didn't want my counters to wind up looking like an ad for appliances

Terrible name too. Can I get rid of a bad case of plug mold with a bleach spray?

I have both Mocketts and Plugmold. The Mocketts are in the window well behind my cleanup sink (along the perimeter) and the Plugmold is under the cabinets on the cooktop side of my Kitchen (also perimeter). Love them both!

They were installed in 2008 and I've had no issues with them.

Mocketts -- no water splashed/spilled leaking into them (https://www.mockett.com/)

Plugmold -- like CPArtist, I don't keep appliances on that side of the Kitchen plugged in all the time, they're only plugged in when in use. The other side does have the TV & cable box plugged in all the time, so those are in regular outlets in the backsplash area and hidden by the TV. Our Plugmold is "angled Plugmold" and mounted under the upper cabinets, so it's easy to see/use but invisible when not in use.

I’d like to confirm my understanding of the safety of the pop-up countertop outlets. So, if a toaster is plugged in and in use on the counter and someone spills a large container (pot, vase, etc.) of water on the counter and the water washes over the plugged-in area, there is no danger?

You would do GFCI protection on these outlets so if they did get wet they would shut .

They are sealed from water for the most part. If they do get water in them they would instantly trigger one of the mandatory kitchen GFCI breakers.

Here's a video of this pop-ups water resistance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJncuxOieYk&t=1s

You are making a hand wring of what will not happen and is safe if it does. No different than if you dropped a hair dryer into a sink full of water. The good pop up is sealed, allows for the mis hap that won't happen: ) via a circuit breaker/gfi