Here is a sort of current layout. We are waiting for the KD to revise to show the dw on far back wall, with shallow lower cabinets between the dw and wall... to avoid the open dw door tripping us behind the sink. the stove can be shifted down the penninsula to get more clearance. What should we aim for here?

So, we hope to open up the space behind the stove, this drawing looks pretty closed in still.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

The image link is not working for me, just FYI.

In our two homes, we have a peninsula with range..the other is a range against a wall, so my back is to people while cooking.I prefer the range in the open peninsula..however, try to move it over one way to achieve counter for prep on one side at least.Try for 30in if poss.That's my experience.

Yes, I'd love to see your layout, to see if there's another option.
I currently have my range at the peninsula with a 12" overhang w/ 2 stools there. The idea is great, but in reality, it's a total waste of space.
My kids (6 and 5yrs old) cannot and are not allowed to sit there. When I cook, the stove gets hot; when I bake, it vents out steam and the stove gets hot. I tend to splatter, even making beef stew.
There is no way that I would have my kids do homework there.
AND the most annoying thing: the previous owner didn't put in a vent/hood!!! I actually have to choose my meal plans (like no frying fish) if I think guests are coming.
And I have no prep space between the sink and peninsula, but that's where I tend to prep/cook.
Can't wait for my reno.

"Our current revised layout has the stove in the peninsula, the work triangles are very good, but it has taken up most of the "wide open space" of the peninsula that I was looking forward to... We plan to have an upcounter for kids to do homework, etc... "

Amanda

For the reasons Amanda mentioned, I would not put the stove on the peninsula. Can you put the sink there, instead...or better yet, use it for your prep space?

Prep is supposed to take up 70% of your time in the kitchen (I think it's in Buehl's post about kitchens) so prep space would be a wonderful way to use your peninsula, it would make up for the small area, between the sink and stove...and no splatters on the kids' homework :)

I have our stove in our island but it has a second level on the back of it. No one on the other side can see the stove because there are cabs facing into the other side 18" higher than the counter. I can post pix later if you'd like. It is the best of both worlds that way. Even if you make a small, flat backsplash for behind it with a narrow ledge on top, it will help to make it safe and to look neater from the other side.

You need some space for homework, considering how spill and drop-prone kids are. Otherwise pencils, papers, and books will be rolling and sliding off the raised counter into the pasta.

Perhaps watch the kids do homework now, see how much space they take up, and judge if they can confine themselves to 12'' or 18'' or whatever depth of counter you are planning.

Splatter and steam from cooking depends on what you cook, I suppose. Searing, frying, deep-frying, high boiling, etc might present problems. Gently simmering a covered pot would be different.

I suppose I don't really ''get'' the advantage of cooking while face-to-face with guests and/or family. While one is doing something that requires concentration and attention, who has time to help a kid with math or chitty-chat with a friend? The rest of the time, why can't one step away from the range?

I can see the appeal for a supremely confident cook who enjoying putting on a show as she flambes the scallops or tosses the risotto, to melting admiration from all, but in my house it would go something like:

''How was school today, dear?''

''Oh, it was goo - ouch! Dad! My eye!''

''Oops, sorry, I'll move that [crash] G*d*** it! F**! Ow ow!''

''Mom, dad burned me, owie!''

''What are you doing? You idiot! My baby!''

''What about ME, my hand, j*** c***''

''Watch your mouth, in front of my children''

''OUT! EVERYONE GET OUT!''

Yes, just another heart-warming family evening gathered around the deep fryer.

In my first house we had our stove in the island. Because it was a small space this was the best solution for that house. I did feel a bit like Julia when people were over, and thought it was a hoot to have people watching me cook like I was a celebrity. Either I wasn't a particularly messy cook, or there was plenty of space between me and those seated on the stools (a.k.a. my audience), but I didn't experience any of the issues like those illustrated by John in the previous post. However the visuals that went through my mind were certainly entertaining! Have you been eavesdropping during our family dinner preparations??

We had a stove in the peninsula and I can't say how much I disliked it.

It chopped up the counter into small pieces. I would do everything to keep the stove out of the peninsula. Besides taking up a valuable long run of counter space - venting was an issue too. We moved our washer/dryer closet out of the kitchen (to the upstairs bathroom) which gave room for the cooktop and cabinets. I will try to post photos tonight.

IMHO I see no purpose in facing guests while at the stove. It's worse having steam rising and stuff bubbling away as you're peering through it to look at them. Nicer having a place to work on, i.e. rolling dough, laying out appetizers, sitting around it.

I agree with iceqween. I love that my peninsula is one long continous run.....it comes in very handy for buffet style entertaining. (Besides, it's usually where I throw the day's mail...probably not a good idea next to the stove!). :)

I agree with iceqween. I love that my peninsula is one long continous run.....it comes in very handy for buffet style entertaining. (Besides, it's usually where I throw the day's mail...probably not a good idea next to the stove!). :)

I grew up with a cooktop on an island with seating and we never had a problem. In fact, we loved it. I am putting my range on my peninsula and I am not worried. We have a table in the kitchen and that is where my kids do homework now, and where I assume they will after the reno. Growing up, we also had a kitchen table where most meals were eaten. Eating at the island took place when it was simple meals and snacks that involved no or little cooking. However, it was fun cooking while people sat talking to me. Some of my earliest cooking memories made me feel like a short order cook, making my brother a steak sandwich or grilled cheese on the Jenn-aire griddle then passing it over to the counter calling "order up!"

I know you all might be sick of seeing my layout, but I have my range near the peninsula but not in it. There will also be a prep sink in either cabinet #9 or #10 because I too plan to prep on the peninsula and most of my prep in my current kitchen occurs in the 12" space between my sink and range. Mabies I wish we could see a photo/drawing of your layout-- that would help a lot!

Wow, thanks all for your thoughtful and entertaining responses!! I will post the latest layout (with 24-30" clearance between stove and sink on back wall, and peninsula with dw on it)..as soon as I get it from the KD - we are on vacation this week and so I can't even scan my hand drawn sketch. (I think she lost the sense of urgency we are feeling once we left town)

btw, redesigning a kitchen layout while on vacation has not been too bad; though we almost stayed home because things are so undecided.... with a two day drive both ways, we have been doing a lot of brainstorming and sketching when the kids were quiet/sleeping, ... and I am excited to see our latest drawn up (but so wish we had taken the time to get a design program so we could do this ourselves) ... the contractor did the demo yesterday, so there will be a kitchen and DR down to the studs when we arrive home...

:-)

I cannot see the pic either. I tried playing around with the link, but no luck!

For what it's worth...I'm with IceQween13 & EllenMel...and most definitely JohnLiu! A range or cooktop in the peninsula (or an island) definitely would not work in our kitchen! It was suggested by our KD & others here initially for us, but we quickly vetoed it for both the safety issues as well as venting blocking the view (especially for my tall DH). (Downdrafts were never an option...they don't work! Good venting is even more important for island or peninsula ranges/cooktops, btw.)

Do you have a digital camera with you? You can take a pic of the plan and post the pic...that's what I used to do when I was working on my kitchen design.