skip to main content

Kitchen Pass Through over Stove - HELP!

11 years ago

My wife and I are planning on putting a pass through (about 4 feet wide and 3 feet high) in the wall that separates our kitchen and living room. Unfortunately the oven/stove will sit under it. I realize that it won't be a true "pass through" since an open flame prevents that. However, we would like to put a 12-inch deep granite shelf on it and create a bar that is 4 feet long with bar stools on the living room side.

The biggest problem is that our stove is 47 inches tall. That means the granite counter would be about 48 inches tall. Typical bar height seems to be 42 inches. We could lower the bottom of the pass through but then the back of the stove would be visible.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? Is a 48 inch counter too high? Would it look better to have a "normal" counter height but also have the back of the stove stick up a few inches?

Any advice or pics would be great!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

weissman
11 years ago
Move the range somewhere else or forget about the passthru. It's dangerous and probably against code.
abfabamy
11 years ago
Since having a cooktop located right on an island where people can sit isn't against code, and seems to have far more potential for danger, I can't imagine this situation would be against code.
At any rate, I think the stove sticking up past the counter would not look right. There are barstools that are made for that high of a bar, they are called "spectator" height, or just extra high bar stools.
Here is a pic of a stove by a pass thru.
Related Discussions
Share your kitchen pass through!!
Q
Comments (10)
How great that you're considering a pass-through. It's a real shame that style trends killed them off so completely (just a long temporarily, I'm sure) because they can be a great way of practically having it all. I also have no idea where my favorite tear-out is. The home, though, is warm-elegant-traditional in style, and the pass-through isn't particularly large but is handsomely framed to create a great view into a gorgeous kitchen room (rich red walls and creamy white cabs). No counter on the outside so people can just stroll by and look in, and the kitchen side has shutters that can be closed for privacy as the mess builds up during parties, etc. The biggest reason this feature looks so great from the outside, though, is that a focal point is centered in the view created, either a window to a green garden or the stove and hood. Can't remember, but the quality of the view created was key.
...See More
Pass Through question...need help
Q
Comments (3)
We have a pass through and I ended up asking my cabinet co. to build a desk on the family room side. It is the same level as the pass through, so I will have one piece of soapstone cover the sill and desk. It can be used to set up drinks/food, another place to eat, or just a desk area. I'm really glad I added it in!
...See More
Wet bar near kitchen with pass through stuck in 80's
Q
Comments (2)
While my kitchen is not yet remodeled, I had a similar wet bar in my family room. The room had a pass through window and bar top which opened into the family room. I closed off the window completely and have turned the room into a large pantry/storage room. I re-routed the plumbing to make a wet bar on the outside, though we have not yet built the wet bar. (We want to do it with the kitchen to have matching cabinetry.) I am much happier with the function of the room as I found the wet bar room essentially useless. At this time, I have an antique sideboard against the wall where a wet bar will eventually go, and we use it for glass and liquor storage. I look forward to putting in a wine/beverage fridge. Here is an old thread where I received some advice on getting rid of the wet bar room. I realize you are initially thinking just about updating the room, but for me, the whole concept of a wet bar room with a pass through window was outdated and not so useful with contemporary lifestyles. I would recommend at least considering re-doing and repurposing the room to work for you.
...See More
Pass through window for kitchen to deck
Q
Comments (23)
I love this "pass through" window idea and just yesterday Ordered an Anderson folding door (window) for our kitchen rennovation. 68" wide x 48 tall. it's a 3 panel folding window - all panels will swing out. I paid $8.5K including hardware and tax. It is a custom item. The center panel will be centered over our (new, TBD) sink. Inside Counter top will "flow" to an outside bar area/paver patio/firepit/ outdoor kitchen area. I'm researcing retractable insect screens now. The Anderson Screen is crazy expensive and I hear, poor quality.
...See More
ellaf
11 years ago
Having a cook top on an island with room on either side to put items or slide them to the seating side is different than a 48" wide pass through where the only access is over the stove. Whether it meets code or not, it seems like a really bad idea. I would honestly rethink the kitchen layout before buying extra high stools.

This post was edited by ellaf on Thu, Mar 21, 13 at 20:03
marcolo
11 years ago
And, as the pic above makes clear, the passthrough makes the range hood useless. Island hoods are designed differently than wall or undercabinet hoods.

Plus you can imagine what happens when a guest who can't see the stove (especially with the extra tall bar) tosses or drops something over the side, or reaches over it, while the burners are on high.

Change the layout.
abfabamy
11 years ago
I agree that passing over the stove seems a bad idea, but the OP stated in his post that they would NOT be using it as a true pass through for this very reason. He is only looking to have people be able to sit there, I assume for the purpose of visiting the cook and possibly having a beverage and snack while doing so.
Bunny
11 years ago
I can see someone on the non-kitchen side not realizing a stove is on the other side, and setting down items, thinking it's a staging area for cleanup. Glass that can fall and break. Paper that can fall and catch fire. Non-edibles that can fall undetected into the slow-simmering stew. I don't think it's a good idea at all.
islanddevil
11 years ago
I don't think it's a good idea either and who'd want to sit at a counter overlooking the range?
smiling
11 years ago
You can go to a store that sells pool tables and billiard tables, where they usually also sell those extra-high spectator chairs. Try them out before you decide anything. You may be surprised at just how high they are, and how difficult for young and old to get in and out of.
Buehl
11 years ago
To add....a 12" surface will not provide a deep enough overhang to be comfortable (if anyone is comfortable at that height...be sure your stools have foot rests or put in a boot rail on the back of the "peninsula"). Without a range/cooktop, you need at least 12" of clear leg/knee space for bar-height seating. So, the surface would need to be 12" + depth of wall + slight overhang usually present in these situations (usually 1" to 2").
kailuamom
11 years ago
I think the above posters have done a very thorough job of explaining why this isn't recommended.Therefore, I'm not going to go there.

I will answer the OP's question in my best opinion. What I would do is put the wall behind the cooktop the height you need it-Hidingthe cooktop. Then I would put my granite shelf at bar height. You will have some wall above the shelf on the bar side, but that will prevent things com inadvertently slipping onto the stove. I wouldn't design it is a pass through, more a bar/window.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Terrific Pass-Throughs Widen Your Kitchen Options

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Can't get behind a fully closed or open-concept kitchen? Pass-throughs offer a bit of both

KITCHEN DESIGN Don't Pass Up the Kitchen Pass-Through

By Lisa Frederick

A carved-out opening in a kitchen wall can increase spaciousness, make an architectural statement and improve social time

KITCHEN DESIGN Brilliant Idea: The Kitchen Window Pass-Through

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

A window that opens from cookspace to backyard is the next-best thing to an outdoor kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Pass-Throughs Make Outdoor Dining a Breeze

By Joanna Tovia

Take your home’s outdoor connection to the next step with a serving window for alfresco dining

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Fixture Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key measurements and layout tips

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

REMODELING GUIDES Just Passing Through: How to Make Passageways an Experience

By Liz Miller Interiors

Create a real transition between realms and interest along the way with archways, recesses, shelves and more

ENTRYWAYS Just Passing Through: Making the Most of Hallways, Mudrooms, & More

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: How to Get Rid of Your Extra Stuff

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Sell, consign, donate? We walk you through the options so you can sail through scaling down

Sponsored

Trish Takacs Design

36 Reviews

Award Winning & Highly Skilled Kitchen & Bath Designer in Columbus

More Discussions

contractor chooses kitchen

33

Arabescato Extra Quartz Counters

3

Faucet help! Rohl Pirellone spray

0

Silestone vs Dekton

2

Support for seam over DW

12