Counter space between refrigerator and stove

7 years ago

I am attaching sketches of my soon-to-be kitchen. On the left side of the range I chose a 24 inch counter space because I always do my prep work to the right side of the range. Do you think I should keep that 24 inches or extend it to at least 30?

Featured Answer

lhutch13

7 years ago

Did Sophie seriously say you would get food poisoning by having to walk 2 extra steps to prep food at a regular sink? Because that is, hands down, the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Unless you are a 4 star chef, or an exorbitant amount of square footage, a prep sink is a luxury not a necessity in a kitchen.

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Comments (121)

Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Approx 11-12 feet from fridge to sink
smm5525
7 years ago
What about behind island seating? Are those double doors that open in or outward? Can u post a 2d floorplan with measurements. I know you are only asking about the space left of stove but your plan could use some help. The kitchens forum is a great place to post.
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I would still do an island. You have the space. I hate having my stove against the wall. You get boxed in and forget about two people working at once. How about stove in island, fridge all the way down to the right? You don't want the fridge to interrupt work space. You will end up w two too-small spaces instead of one nice functional one. We had an island with a downdraft Jenn-air stove-worked quite well for most needs.
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smm5525
7 years ago
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath
smm5525
7 years ago
Sorry, just read comments about the door. Aisle dimensions are measured from countertop (not cabinet) to the appliance that sticks out the most. 42" min for one cook and 48" for two cooks is the NKBA recommended aisles. More if you have seating
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Our addition is 12x12 with 24 inch counter on one side and 36 inch island(maybe 39 inches) doors are sliders.
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
If the sink was where the cooktop was? And the range was where the sink was, no one would be suggesting a prep sink. Everyone is suggesting a prep sink because you have your zones crossed, which means more steps, and more work. You need to read this classic thread. Ice Water Stone Fire.
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
It is only a 12x12 area. I want my sink & window overlooking my back yard. I understand that a prep sink would be nice for some but i dont feel it's necessary. I appreciate your feedback and i will check out your suggestion.
smm5525
7 years ago
What kind of fridge are you getting? What about moving fridge to end of sink run
Brandi Nash Hicks
7 years ago
Sophie is God in this forum, free information from a reliable knowledgeable source....I would take anything and everything she says to heart. If I were asking she would be the one I would want to answer. Consider yourself lucky she has graced your thread with knowledge
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Brandi Nash Hicks, thank you so very much for telling me how grateful i should be that Sophie & (i guess you too)decided to give me advice!! I came to this forum seeking advice and i am receiving it. I appreciate everyone's feedback and consider every suggestion....even Sophie's suggestion that my family will get dysentery due to my apparent lack of cleanliness without a prep sink. I asked for additional advice & Sophie still gave it to me (which i am happy to receive). What i dont understand is rudeness on anyone's part if someone has a different view of things.
smm5525
7 years ago
Dhandley, don't take it personal. I do know that your kitchen can be much more functional with some tweaks. I highly encourage you to post your layout in the kitchens forum. It doesn't cost anything and at least you know you've explored all options before embarking on a remodel
nhbaskets
7 years ago
I'm still concerned about your aisle clearance. You say the addition is 12' wide, so 144". You're been saying you'll have a 42" clearance, but it's obvious this is not taking counter overhangs into consideration.

So, going across from your stove run...

Counter (24"+1.5" for counter overhang = 25.5")

Island (24"+1.5" overhang facing stove run + 12" seating overhang = 37.5" or 40.5" if you have a recommended 15" overhang)

So your clearance on the long sides of your island would be:

144" - 25.5" - 37.5" = 81" / 2 = 40.5"

or, if you went with a 15" overhang on the seating side:

144" - 25.5" - 40.5" = 78" / 2 = 39"

This does not take into consideration the actual depth of your stove, which will probably be >25.5". So clearance could be even less.

As smm indicated above, KNBA recommends 42" minimum for one cook and 48" for two cooks. I have 38" on one of the short sides of my island due to the handles on my fridge and it's a real pinch point.

As smm, GreenDesigns and I have recommended, please go to the Kitchen Forum (see link above) and post your floorplan.
smm5525
7 years ago
Another point: with a small kitchen you should maximize storage space with drawers in the base cabinets vs doors and shelves.
smm5525
7 years ago
I had 38" aisles counter to counter on one of my aisles. It was tight! But since the seating aisle isn't a working aisle it's not too bad. Just know, if someone is seated at island, traffic is going g to be redirected through the cooking zone and with fridge sticking out way more than 24", it's going to make your working aisle very tight. You might have to rethink island
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
I will do that and i am meeting with my kitchen designer on 12th. I have a whole list of things to ask thanks to all of you and your help. I did change out cabinets for drawers and remember ....one side haa no cabinets/counters at all. Thanks again, i really appreciate your advice!
Amy Sheppard
7 years ago
Definitely angle the pantry door! I think a 24" counter will be fine, the perfect size for a coffee station. It looks like increasing it would mean you'd have to change the cabinet size as well.
PRO
JAN MOYER
7 years ago
I have not once felt the need for more overhang than 12 inches. The tiny amount a stool hangs out .......is less than the six inches you lose in passage. With the billions of stools out there.....stick to 12" overhang. It's plenty. You don't perch at an island in the same manner you dine at a table. And I'd stick with backless stools for a more open appearance.
smm5525
7 years ago
Oh I just read the comments and you are angling your pantry? That's going to waste precious floor space. Just do an L shaped cabinet.
User
7 years ago
@dhadley444 I haven't seen this post but the space recommended between stove and cabinet should be 3' and when you say your pantry cabinet is sticking out do you mean that its not aligned with the fridge
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Smm5525, my existing kitchen is 8x20 with a small pantry addition tucked in there. Obviously long and narrow. We are adding the 12x12 addition to the left side of that. This will make that side 12x 16(17?) because of the added pantry space or it would be 12x 20. I am taking your advice, but truly think an island will still work in my new kitchen.
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Smm5525, good idea, i will have him draw that out & see how it looks
smm5525
7 years ago
Ok please post your floorplan in kitchens then link the thread here for others that want to follow.
smm5525
7 years ago
I had a corner pantry walk in and it sucked up 5 x 5 ft! The kitchen is much more open with it ripped out!

I added an L shaped pantry cabinet with shallow shelves in the previous desk area instead. I can't believe what a difference taking out the corner pantry made!
nhbaskets
7 years ago
Dhadley, by posting on the kitchen forum, the gurus there will not only provide you with valuable feedback, they will create floor plans for you that you can then provide to your KD when you meet on the 12th. Why waste valuable time?!?!
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
I will. I will wait to have a drawing with exact measurements. Thank you all for all yor thoughts, advice and energy!
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Nh badkets, i only have a drawing
smm5525
7 years ago
Oh yes, please post in kitchens first. My new layout came from help from kitchens forum which I then tweaked with my designer.
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Smm5525 can you send a picture. That sounds like something i would love
smm5525
7 years ago
The L shape? Doors aren't in but here is what the shape looks like
smm5525
7 years ago
The long side is 14" deep cabinet with 12" deep shelves. The short side is only shallow 7" shelves. I couldn't decide if I wanted a command center there so I made it shallow to fit both food or command center if I go that route
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Mine is more like a wide closet so it might not work. I just sent my builder a msg asking to make addition 12x13 instead of 12x12 bc im getting nervous about walkway. Hubby would have a stroke if he knew lol !!
smm5525
7 years ago
Maybe I misunderstood. I thought someone said to make that cabinet by the fridge an angled cabinet.
nhbaskets
7 years ago
Dhadley, in order to create the drawings, the KD would have had to create a floorplan first. Ask if this can be sent to you.
smm5525
7 years ago
Here's my corner pantry from before. Took up so much space.

Here is that corner now (with fridge wall pushed back about 18")
smm5525
7 years ago
If u don't have a floorplan, just print out graph paper and sketch it out yourself. No big deal
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
Ok thank you
Joan D
7 years ago
DHadley, just saw your response to my comment about drawers under a sink so I'm lat providing this. Maybe too late. But here's a photo of the drawers under the sink in my galley kitchen in Manhattan. The kitchen was made by Henrybuilt. The top drawer actually is a panel that pulls out with a small storage area for dishwashing liquid, sponges, etc. It couldn't be full depth because of the sink. The bottom drawer is full size and it holds cleaning supplies. No more losing things in the dark recesses of a sink cabinet! Items are so much easier to access.
Dale Hadley thanked Joan D
nhbaskets
7 years ago
Dhadley, did you ever finalize your design? Didn't see you post in the Kitchen forum on GW, which I still recommend you do.
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
I met with designer last week, but didnt post it yet. Thank you for the picture with drawers! Just wondering, what are your feelings on standaed overlay cabinets vs full overlay?
nhbaskets
7 years ago
Partial overlay cabinets will look dated. If you can afford them, definitely go with the full overlay cabinets.
Dale Hadley
Original Author
7 years ago
That is my thought too. They are more expensive but im going to try
PRO
Joni Koenig Interiors
7 years ago
I think 30" would look better
Dale Hadley
Original Author
6 years ago
All finished and i love it! I changed stools to white, but here is finished product! Thank you for all your advice!
Dale Hadley
Original Author
6 years ago
Before:
virginia lynn
6 years ago
Looks beautiful
auntthelma
6 years ago
You must be so excited!
User
6 years ago
It turned out beautiful may I ask did you choose the 24” or 30” base for the right side of the range
Dale Hadley
Original Author
6 years ago
I chose 30 and im happy i did
Judith Adams
6 years ago
My new kitchen design has the same 24” depth counter with my cooktop. It allows plenary of clearance for my island. I got a counter depth refrigerator which has a built in refrigerator cabinet extending 6” from the counter. I thought oh no...then with masking tape, I marked it out on my existing counter and floor. The designer was right. It will be enough and look fine. Good luck!
Valentina Orlova
6 years ago
Hello world