The top of a slide-in stove lays on top of the countertop stone/material and covers it about 1-1/4 inches on each side and the back. There is no gap between stove top and countertop sides. A slide-in stove does not have "finished" metal sides. Cabinets on either side are required. A free-standing stove is just that...there will be a gap of some size between the countertop and the sides of the stove. A free-standing stove has finished metal sides and it can stand against a wall without any side cabinets.

Aynb... we're also having this conversation on the kitchens forum, so I'll just post here once! Yes, I did know beforehand about the clearance issues, and since I have full overlay cabs I left a 1" filler on either side (actually mine's ~1 5/8 on each side since I had the room). As long as you have 30 +/- 1/16" between your cabinets and 31.5" minimum between doors/drawers opening, you should be fine (see the schematic below, pg 2). Your other question on kitchens about cleaning with quartz... I've had no issues. One "negative nelly" I had over to see my kitchen reno suggested things would filter down and get caught underneath; that hasn't happened to me but maybe I'm not the messiest cook (although I'm pretty messy!). There is quite a raise to the outer trim, which keeps any spills on the actual cooktop. I guess if you wanted you could pull it out for cleaning like any other range. Big advice is to look at the manuals online... specs and installation if you can find it. E'lux is pretty picky that the range can't rest on the countertop (it's not meant to be supported by the top trim) as well as those critical width measurements that the poor other poster had trouble with for their IKEA install. I just really liked the look of this range, and my only other choice for a slide-in induction was the Kenmore model. No perfect turkey button on that one! ;) Here is a link that might be useful: Electrolux specs: see pg 2

"What is the back of a slide in range like? Is it designed to fit flat against a wall, with some kind of recess lower down for the gas fittings?" All of them have a recess of some kind, but the positioniing will vary between models and brands. Some will work fine with your existing set-up, some will need a different location. Warming drawers and lower baking ovens can complicate things. Only way to find out which is where to download the installation instructions for each stove you consider. It is good that you have the non-flammable backsplash that you do. Flat against the wall? Some do, some have oven bump-outs in the back. A good clue is if vendor sites like AJ Madison, Lowes's etc. list rear trim pieces as accessories. Again, you will have to view them in person or read specs and installation instructions to to know for sure which do and which do not. Also, some slide-ins have cooktop extensions to the sides to cover the gaps between stove and countertops. Some do not. Gotta read the specs. Basically, if the width is listed as over 31" then the stove is one with the cooktop lips on the sides. If the specs say 30" or 29 7/8" then that slide-in is one that does not have the lip that overhangs the gaps. Hope this helps.

I was all set on a slide in, but I had to get electric (no gas in my neighborhood). The reviews for the front controls on electric slide ins weren't great. So I ended up with a free standing range. I agree that slide ins look better, but read up on reviews on both and then decide what you are willing to deal with. Also consider if you are going to studs you may decide you want a separate wall oven and built in cook top with pots and pans drawers underneath. So maybe getting something cheap and temporary is a better option. You could probably sell it later.