Slide-in range (instead of cooktop and oven) in island or peninsula???

[Lynn B]

As some of you know, we are in the late planning stages of a full kitchen remodel. We are down to two designs from two designers. Both are quite nice, but each has advantages and disadvantages.

One of the designs shows a cooktop with an oven underneath in a step-up peninsula between the kitchen and dining room. In considering all my options, I am wondering how it would look with a slide-in range there instead? Has anyone ever seen or done this, or are slide-in ranges usually only placed against a wall?
Any help, advice, photos or links greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

Lynn (the frazzled)

 

[rainwood]

I''m guessing that your designer used a drop-in cooktop and an oven beneath so that you didn''t have the transition issue that you''d have with a slide-in range. A drop-in cooktop drops down on top of countertop to give you a nice tight feel so you don''t need a piece to cover the gap between the cooktop and the counter. If you do a rangetop (rather than a range), you have to slide it in and then figure out what sort of transition piece to cover up the small gap between the range and the countertop on three sides, but they''re designed to do that. I don''t think a full slide-in range is designed to have a transition piece on the back so I''m not sure what you''d do there if it was in an island. At least that''s my guess on why the design was done that way.

For what it''s worth, I have double wall ovens and I''d never go back to an oven where I have to bend down. And I appreciate that decision more with each passing year. If you have the space for them, wall ovens are fabulous. I have a drop-in cooktop with drawers for my pots and pans underneath which is a great set-up for me.

 

[somethingshiny]

My MIL has the same setup as rainwood, and even in a small kitchen, it works great.

I think a slide-in needs a certain amount of ventilation area around it that may not be accommodated in that kind of set-up.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/10/2008 7:32:43 PM
Author: rainwood
I'm guessing that your designer used a drop-in cooktop and an oven beneath so that you didn't have the transition issue that you'd have with a slide-in range. A drop-in cooktop drops down on top of countertop to give you a nice tight feel so you don't need a piece to cover the gap between the cooktop and the counter. If you do a rangetop (rather than a range), you have to slide it in and then figure out what sort of transition piece to cover up the small gap between the range and the countertop on three sides, but they're designed to do that. I don't think a full slide-in range is designed to have a transition piece on the back so I'm not sure what you'd do there if it was in an island. At least that's my guess on why the design was done that way.

For what it's worth, I have double wall ovens and I'd never go back to an oven where I have to bend down. And I appreciate that decision more with each passing year. If you have the space for them, wall ovens are fabulous. I have a drop-in cooktop with drawers for my pots and pans underneath which is a great set-up for me.

Thanks for the input, Rainwood; I appreciate it!

I would love to do double wall ovens (heck, I'd love to be able to do a SINGLE wall oven!) but there just isn't the space. The only place for an oven for me is as part of a range, or directly under the cooktop in a cabinet made to house an oven.

As I mentioned, we are down to two contenders for the project.

Design #1 has the cook-top and oven in the peninsula/breakfast bar. Looks lovely. Downside: no provision for any type of venting - nada, zip, none. They assure me this will be fine. (??!) Also the more costlier of the two bids. This is the plan that made me wonder if the cooktop/oven combo could be switched out to a slide-in range to save some $$$. I wouldn't have to buy the cabinet that houses the oven that way, and a slide-in range is less expensive than a cooktop and separate oven.

Design #2 is rather innovative in that it calls for a regular free-standing range with the microwave above it, ANGLED in the corner! The breakfast bar/peninsula is similar, but just free counter space. Upside: less costlier of the two bids; free-standing range easy to fix/replace, etc; and definitely cheaper than a cooktop and separate oven.

I just cannot decide between these two plans! Designer #1 is niiiice, but a bit high-pressure; Designer #2 is very low-key and helpful, not pushy at all. Design #2 would be a no-brainer except there are some very compelling features of Design #1, namely a super susan, a bit more cabinet space and of course the more upscale look of the @#$% cooktop/oven vs. the free-standing range! *sigh*

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/10/2008 8:23:18 PM
Author: somethingshiny
My MIL has the same setup as rainwood, and even in a small kitchen, it works great.

I think a slide-in needs a certain amount of ventilation area around it that may not be accommodated in that kind of set-up.

SS,
Thanks for the input. I am thinking a slide-in range in the peninsula is probably not such a good idea afterall. Drats. Maybe someone will have some photos of success stories for me, though, after all!!!

 

[somethingshiny]

I''ve been trying to figure out a way to get an oven into a peninsula, too, so I completely understand the appeal. From what I''ve found, some ovens (regular old slide in ovens) have a built in vent that runs down the center between burners. This is supposed to be adequate venting. I''m not sold on it yet. I''ve actually seen and worked at "corner" ovens. I''ve been considering that, too, because they are so easy to cook at. One had a very beautiful hood. It would be a great way to incorporate some more style into a kitchen, too. Then, you could do a wine fridge in your island!!

 

[Lynn B]

A corner oven?! Really?! Who knew?! (Do you have a photo or a link?)

Althooooooough, wouldn't a much more cost effective idea be a free-standing range angled in a corner? That was one idea from one designer, and with a m/w above, it really does make a nice, appealing look (IMHO). It is a bit of a space waster, though (and I don't have a lot space to waste!) but really, just about any corner appliance/sink/etc. is.

I am getting so frazzled by all of this, and normally I am a very practical, logical, methodical person who makes decisions fairly easily once I have all the (possible) facts. But this kitchen project (with it's plethora of options and crazily contradictory advice!) is almost paralyzing me!!! I'd rather be buying a truck load of diamonds!!!

 

[purrfectpear]

Anything angled into a corner is going to drop your resale potential (basing this from many years of watching home improvement/real estate TV). People don''t even like sinks in the corner, much less stoves.

Just something to think about.

 

[Skippy123]

Do you have a picture of your current space you could show us Lynn so we can help you brain storm? How fun!!!!

 

[somethingshiny]

sorry, I see that what I wrote implies an actual "corner" oven, what I meant was an oven angled in the corner. Behind them, I''ve seen really intricate back splashes, spice racks, and pots/pans hanging storage.

And, recently, I''ve seen a lot of new houses come up with sinks/appliances in the corner. I just watched a show today where the host was pleased as punch to have a sink angled in a corner. Maybe find out what sells in your area before making such a design decision.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/11/2008 4:14:23 PM
Author: purrfectpear
Anything angled into a corner is going to drop your resale potential (basing this from many years of watching home improvement/real estate TV). People don''t even like sinks in the corner, much less stoves.

Just something to think about.

PurrfectPear,

Thanks for your post. Hmmm, interesting, because my experience has just been the opposite. I am seeing corner sinks and dishwashers and stoves and even FRIDGES in many new books, magazines, showrooms and at the home shows. (Not all in the same kitchen, though, of course!!!

) And I like the look.

I''m not *too* worried about the potential resale value... we are not planning to go anywhere, and basically I am doing this kitchen for *us*. Of course I want a lovely, workable kitchen that would appeal to a prospective buyer if our plan ever changes, but that''s not my driving focus. And besides, I feel comfortable that either plan we are considering would be an asset to our home.

Appreciate your opinion, though! That''s what I''m lookin'' for, everyone''s opinions!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/11/2008 4:58:14 PM
Author: somethingshiny
sorry, I see that what I wrote implies an actual ''corner'' oven, what I meant was an oven angled in the corner. Behind them, I''ve seen really intricate back splashes, spice racks, and pots/pans hanging storage.

And, recently, I''ve seen a lot of new houses come up with sinks/appliances in the corner. I just watched a show today where the host was pleased as punch to have a sink angled in a corner. Maybe find out what sells in your area before making such a design decision.

Aha.... I see! Duh, I re-read your earlier post and your meaning really is crystal clear. I''m sleep-deprived and a bit stressed... and apparently not firing on all cylinders. Please forgive the brain fart!!!