Frequently Asked Questions
You are welcome to call Sunny Kitchen toll-free at 877-234-7629 or email us at info@sunnykitchen.com to ask any questions before ordering. But before doing so, we suggest you take a quick look at the following questions and answers to see if your questions are answered here.
Product Information
Are the islands and carts easy to put together?
All of the products we offer can be put together easily, using only standard household tools. No drilling, glueing, or clamping required! The instructions are clear, a help-line phone number is included, and, most important, the pieces fit together easily and properly.
What are the types of woods used in the carts and islands?
Unless clearly specified, the Catskill Craftsmen models have tops, braces, legs, doors, and drawer fronts made of Yellow Birch — a beautiful domestic hardwood that complements most woods used in kitchens.
The Home Styles models, which are all produced in Asia, are made of Parawood, sometimes known as "Rubberwood" because it comes from rubber trees that are plantation grown in Southeast Asia. It is a very smooth grain hardwood, in the same strength group as maple, that is considered an ideal furniture wood.
Are the backs of the carts and islands finished?
Yes. Because all the carts and islands are designed so they can be placed in the middle of a room, the backs are finished, usually with a finely matched, warp-resistant laminated board with a hardwood veneer surface.
Are the heights specified with or without the casters?
The heights specified on our product pages are with the casters.
What are the products finished with?
Except for a very few painted models, all of the Catskill islands and carts are finished with a food-safe natural oil finish, which brings out the beauty of the wood splendidly.
The Home Styles models are generally finished with a natural lacquer or painted finish. When a model has a cutting board, the board is finished with a food-safe oil finish.
Do I need to attach the spice rack or towel bar?
Many of the Catskill Craftsmen and Home Styles models come with a spice rack and towel bar that attach to the side panels. But you can leave them off if you wish because the sides are completely finished. You would be left with small drill holes in the sides where the two items attach, but you can fill these holes easily with a dab of wood filler or a piece of dowel.
Are the countertops food safe?
Yes. Virtually all of the Catskill islands and carts have a food-safe oil finish on the countertops — except for the "Catskill-quality" imports (clearly noted as such on the product pages), which have lacquered tops.
Many of the Home Styles models we carry have a stainless steel countertop. When a model has a cutting board, the board is finished with a food-safe oil finish.
What do I do if my stainless countertop scratches?
To reduce the appearance of scratches in your stainless top, you can scrub the top with a Brillo pad, but make sure that you scrub in the direction of the "grain" of the stainless.
And keep in mind that all stainless does develop scratches over time. The first scratches are more noticeable, but after a while, they blend together to create a matte finish.
Can I stain my island or cart a darker color?
You can stain or paint a Catskill oiled unit as long as an oiled-based stain or paint is used. Oil-finished hardwoods, however, don't take stains that readily, but some customers do stain their bases and leave the top natural. If you do decide to stain a Catskill model, Catskill recommends that you try an oil-based stain or gel in an inconspicuous spot inside before doing the exterior. We recommend that customers always call Catskill at 607-652-7321 before proceeding with staining or painting.
Because the Home Styles models are already finished with a natural lacquer or painted finish, they can't be stained (unless you are willing to use a polyurethane finish that has a stain added to it.) But with the proper procedures, they could be painted.
Can the products be purchased unfinished?
No. All the models are pre-finished, which not only saves you time, but assures that the wood is sealed properly and therefore the parts will fit together correctly.
Do you have a showroom where I can see the products?
Sunny Kitchen is an online retailer. Therefore, we don't have a showroom. (This is one way we keep our prices low!)
Who can I contact to ask detailed questions about a particular product?
You can call Sunny Kitchen toll-free at 877-234-7629 or send us an email at info@sunnykitchen.com, and we will promptly try to answer you questions. If we don't know the answer, we will find out or suggest you contact the manufacturer directly.
Customer Service
Does my credit card number stay secure?
Most definitely! It stays locked up and encrypted on a secure server so no one can get it. You can be assured that we take security issues very seriously, adhering to a strict Privacy Policy. To learn more, click here.
Do you share my contact info with others?
Never! We don't sell email addresses or anything like that. We value your privacy! (See our Privacy Policy.)
How long does it take to receive my order?
Orders usually ship within 2-4 working days, sometimes sooner. All orders are shipped via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. Orders being delivered to nearby areas can arrive the next day. The maximum amount of time from when an order is shipped to when it is delivered is usually no more than 4 or 5 business days.
When is my credit card charged?
Your card is charged when your order ships or is about to ship.
Do you charge tax?
No sales tax is charged, except for orders shipped to New York State.
Do you charge extra for shipping?
Nothing extra is added for shipping. The price you see is the price you pay! (We can also ship to Canada. Click here for details.)
Do you accept checks or money orders?
We prefer payment with credit cards because our order processing system works most efficiently with that form of payment. We accept the four major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. If, however, you must pay with a check or money order, we will accept those forms of payment, but it will slow down the delivery of your order a bit.
Do you ship outside of the continental United States?
No, except for Canada (click here for details). But if you wish, you can arrange for delivery with a carrier that ships from the continental US to where you live. We then can ship it to that carrier.
Can I return my order if not satisfied?
You definitely can! And we don't charge you a restocking fee. But if your order is not damaged, we do ask that you cover the cost of the return shipping via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. You must contact us before returning your order so we can issue you a Return Authorization Number, and then email us the tracking number when you returns your order. Please review our complete Returns Policy before placing your order.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
First of all, don't worry — we'll fix everything promptly! Note which parts are damaged, referring to the enclosed parts list. Then call us toll free at 877-234-7629, and we'll take it from there.
What should I do if there are missing parts in my order?
Just as with damaged parts, note which parts are missing, referring to the enclosed parts list. Then give us a call.
Do you have more questions?
Call us toll free at 877-234-7629 or email us at info@sunnykitchen.com, and we will be glad to talk to you!
— Kip and Robin Shaw, Sunny Kitchen