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Do you have or know about wood/butcher block countertop around ra

12 years ago

Hello,

I already posted this question in kitchens, but am still hoping for more info or personal experience from some GWers. I hope it's okay to repost here in appliances:

Does anyone have or know about wood/butcher block countertops around the range or cooktop? Are there guidelines as far as wood countertops installed around gas ranges or cooktops?

I see it done all of the time in many GWers gorgeous photos, but are people first installing something like cement backer board for safety?

My countertop guy is hesitant to install a wood countertop around a Wolf/Viking range because of the high BTU burners...he feels it's a fire hazard, and also questions whether the wood will become cracked or damaged from the heat.

Thanks!

Grateful for your advice. Thanks!

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Comments (5)

John Tebbs
12 years ago
We have butcher block countertops that are 30 years old, and had a Jenn-Air cooktop in them all that time. Last year we removed the cooktop and the cabinet underneath it, cut out a 30" inch section, and now have a Wolf dual fuel range in the space, butcher block on either side of it. We have no problems, and don't expect any.....
barryv_gw
12 years ago
Madeline, check the install directions for the range. Most specify that you can not have any wood for a certain distance above the range, but the Viking range I bought was clear that it had a zero clearance ( meaning you could put wood right next to it) on either side. My range is butted up against a laminate countertop on top of a wooden cabinet and never had any problems. If you get a true commercial range, it will likely require some clearance on all sides, but the home versions usually allow it to be installed right next to a cabinet.
Good idea of you to check. My brother had a kitchen with a 30 inch cooktop, and wanted to install a 36 inch, fortunately, the guy they hired to make the cutout in the granite countertop was on top of things and pointed out that it would be a fire hazard because the upper cabinets would then be directly above the cooktop ( the existing design had a 30 inch wall cabinet set higher on top of the vent hood, and the cabinets on either side were much lower )
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Thanks for your responses. I'm not worried--but my cabinet/countertop maker is worried--about the countertops being a fire hazard. I know the Viking/Wolf ranges put out a lot of heat, but I cant imagine the flame *touching* the countertop. He acted like it's a crazy idea, but I see it so often...even a pic in some marketing piece for GE Profile appliances! Maybe there's extra trim I can get for around the range to give a little more space between the gas burners and the countertop? As far as the heat cracking/damaging the wood countertop, I read that the cooktop has to be 8" away from the joints. I Googled it, but am still not sure what a joint is. Can anyone explain? This is a very small countertop area...about 18-20" on either side of the range. Not sure if that means no joints or what. Thanks so much.
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davidro1
12 years ago
i think it will never be a problem to have wood on the side next to the flame surface.
I have never read about it anywhere.

Where I do worry is the volume (space) above the flames.
If anything burns, or if flames catch on anything, a conical area above the flame is at risk of being damaged or of feeding the fire.

Here is a link that might be useful: about the wood (cabinetry) ABOVE the gas flames.
esstreet
8 years ago
Would love to know if you found out any additional info/advice! Researching the same thing now for my renovation! Thanks!
barryv_gw
8 years ago
I didn't do any research, but did make a wooden tray to go in the middle of my burners on my 30" BlueStar RNB - instead of the stock metal grate. I got some char marks on it since it is about 3/4 of an inch from the edge of the burner grate. I think it is because when I use a griddle, the griddle hangs slightly over the burner grate, forcing heat to go to the side. I can say that I have not had any problem with my laminate countertop which butts up against the side of the BS. The laminate countertop sits slightly below the grates of the BS, and IRRC, that is in the installation specs.

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