Bee - I love the look, I decided to do it behind our range but with a taller panel that will extend from range to the hood. I love the warming shelf, boy that looks nice (oh, and I bet it is practical too). Unfortunately those were a bit too pricey for my budget but I am hoping to figure a way to at least retrofit a shelf or bar for utensils or something. In the research that I did when I was considering purchase, it sounds like it was pretty easy to keep clean, much less so than a tile backsplash with grout. Plus I figure that if this is what is used in an industrial kitchen, obviously it can't be too difficult.

My one concern, and what I haven't quite figured out yet, is how to transition from the tile backsplash to the stainless. Do you trim it out somehow?

I have a Viking range with stainless backsplash with warming shelf. It's been there 11 years and looks new and I cook a lot. It's the favorite part of my remodel and I'm dumbfounded why I never see them on this forum. I really cook so maybe that's the difference-- absolute best for rising dough, melting butter etc. I use it almost every day. It's beautiful and practical and I would really miss it function wise if I didn't have it.

Bee, I've read several posts from folks that have the factory SS backsplash on ranges and cooktops with high BTU burners.
The 1 complaint seems to be discoloring of the SS due to the high heat of the burners.
A better idea may be to get the island trim and attach a sheet of SS to the wall behind the rangetop and attach your warming shelf to it.
Also, recently I saw on this forum someone who attached a SS warming shelf to the space between the upper cabinets flanking the cooktop instead of mounting it to the backsplash.
Unfortunately, I can't remember whos' kitchen it is.
Just something to consider.
HTH.

This is exactly what I am hoping to do for my 36 inch rangetop. The stainless back and shelf that comes with the rangetop (as an option) is shorter than I would like only 21 inches tall and around $700. The person at the appliance store said that the shelf mounted behind the range had to allow air to move through it so not to interfere with the exhaust vent. I plan on mounting a large piece of stainless on the wall behind the rangetop which will have an island trim and am wondering if anyone knows of a good source to find the stainless warming shelf?

Try this.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/c/storage/wire-shelving/wall-mount-shelving

or below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea Shelf

Hi Bee, How wide is your hood? I think you will need something wider then 24". They have 30" and 36"(and wider) with wire shelves. Google stainless steel wallsplashes. My sis did this and it looks great. I think you need it to flow from the hood to the countertop. Does that make sense?

Hmm, should a stainless panel behind the stove go over a tile backsplash or should the tile be set to stop at the edges of where the stainless panel starts/ends?

I have a panel of stainless steel that extends from my range all the way to the bottom of my hood insert. I don't have a shelf and my stainless panel was purchased from a metal fabricator in our area, cut to our specifications for around $100. It cleans very easily, my only complaint about the cleaning is that I seem to leave streaks when I wipe it down. I think this is just a matter of finding the right product to use and minimize the streaking. Currently I have just been using a lavender oil, alcohol and water mixture with a dish cloth.

We plan to have stainless behind the rangetop that extends to the hood (approximately 36"w x 30"h. A local fabricator will polish/brush/stain the stainless with the design of my choice or creation. Very inexpensive and something I won't see in another kitchen in the 'hood. You have my email if you want more information. They ship all over the country.

Our ss backsplash was one of the best decisions we made in our remodel. We've been in the kitchen almost a year and love how easy it is to clean the bs after messy meals. We got it from Frigo Designs based on good reviews here on GW. We don't have warming lights, but the shelf is great for sitting a lid while stirring or keeping food out of doggie reach. My only complaint is our shelf cannot be flipped down which every once in a while when we've got all 6 burners going and there is a of activity in the back of the range it can get crowded. We would do it again in a heartbeat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Frigo Site

Westiegirl, after you clean any grease off, leave it damp & rub down with a dry microcloth to polish.

I don't have a shelf, but my fabricated stainless BS has been one of the most carefree things in my kitchen.

Antiquesilver, thanks! I will try that next time. There is something about the way microfiber feels on my hands that make my skin crawl (I know weird!), but I can make DH rub it down instead. :)

Wow, thanks for the responses. Today was the decision day for us. First stop, we went to the local fabricator. He is going to make me my duct cover for the hood. (42wx12dx24h) for about $80! Then we decided to do a 36x36 piece of stainless steel for behind the range. (around $40-$50), man I love the Amish.

Next stop the appliance store. Ordered the 36" rangetop with the 24" high backguard with shelf!

I figured if the rangetop ever was pulled out, what would be behind it? Do I want to spend $$$ on tiling behind it? Not really. So this way there is a piece of ss behind backguard The stainless sheet will go from the hood to below the top of the rangetop.

Kellienoelle: I did look carefully at the showroom, and they tiled right up to the stainless and then just end it with a line of grout. It looks perfect.

bacin0--what rangetop are you looking at?

shappy-this is good, no, great to hear!

will, I remember that shelf. My cabinets are quite a distance out from the range, I don't think it would look right. But I do recall it looked really nice in that kitchen.

polie, my range is 36" wide the hood is 42" wide. The backguard is 24" high. Sorry for the confusion!

westiegirl, ah yes, the streaks....I'll try antiquesilver's tip too!

motherof3, can't wait to see that! thanks

fromthesouth--yep, that's the look---ss from range to hood! Can't wait!

Thanks again everybody!