How far back on the counter for my cooktop?

15 years ago

I have some flexibility on how far back I place my gas Dacor CT. LOL, sometimes I view flexibility as just one more choice I have to make! I'm 5'2", any reasoning for 1.5" counter in front of CT vs. 2" vs. 2.5"? Probably don't want to go further back than that even tho I can (it's in my island and I DO know the forum's views on that... oh well!) Since I'm doing a downdraft (ditto on knowing forum's thoughts!) the further back it goes, the further back the drawers underneath can go... the closer to counter edge, the shallower the drawers. What's a better tradeoff for that inch? Thanks in advance for all the great advice/input I've been getting!

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loves2cook4six

15 years ago

dh and I are both tall and I can honestly say I regret not having the cooktop as close to the edge as possible as when stuff on the back burners need attention, especially bigger pots, I really have to stretch. Our iduction cooktop is 2.5 inches from the edge of the counter.

if you're short, it should be a no brainer. Get that cooktop as close to the front as you can! Find storage elsewhere.

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Comments (6)

Buehl
15 years ago
If there's seating behind the cooktop, then the closest the cooktop is to the front edge of the counter the better...it leaves a little more room for safety margin in the back. Also, the closest to the front the downdraft is, the less "in your face" it would be to anyone sitting behind or to the side of the cooktop.
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flseadog
15 years ago
When you say you have flexibility what exactly do you mean? Our induction cooktop came with specs that told us how far it had to be from combustibles on sides, back, and underneath. Since your cooktop will be on an island as ours is these will not be pertinent. However, we had to consider how much granite we needed at the front edge for the granite to have stability. I don't have the specs in front of me but the way I remember it is that we have 3.5" of granite in front of our cutout and the cooktop will overlap that by an inch so, like loves2cook, our cooktop will be 2.5" from the front of the counter. I think this places the burners slightly further back than they would be for a slide in or free standing range, probably about that 2.5" of countertop that we left at the front. I say probably because our appliances will not be installed for about a week and I can't measure the distance. Since I don't do active cooking on rear burners I don't know if this will be an issue but I'll post as soon as we have the cooktop is installed to let you know if I find it to be a problem. HTH.
faleash
Original Author
15 years ago
Good points! I won't have seating on the other side and my island is 4 feet deep so anyone walking by should be safe. My island will be just under 11 feet long with the cooktop starting 18 inches from one end and seating at the opposite end. I'll have nothing above but blue sky (well, no blue sky... but no cabinets either) and the specs for clearance below are minimal enough not to be a problem. It's just my choice how far back. The strength of the granite portion is something I didn't even think of (see how helpful you are!?!?) I'm going to ask my fabricator. Other than that... I think I should follow loves2's advice and pull it forward and just deal with the shorter drawers. flseadog... anxious to hear your feedback.
gldnfan
15 years ago
Mine is 2.5 from the front and the integrity of the countertop material - ice stone - did dictate that it be at least that far. THe fabricator wanted 3 inch including the overlap. Shame he wasn't that specific with his actual fabrication ;-) He over-cut the downdraft cut-out - went a full half inch past the wood! and so the downdraft doesn't overlap at all at the back. We filled it with silicone and it will be fine but it isn't correct.It would also be nice if the countertop was straight and square but what are you going to do - lol.

I have short drawers. I actually think they might be more useful - not enough experience to know yet. I have a short narrow top drawer that is ideal for cooking utensils and can be opened fully while still reaching over a pot in front - I am taller than average though. The pot drawers are the same - all the pots are easy to reach and pull out while standing in front. I can't keep as many but I put the rarely used pots in my corner cabinets where I can get them once a month if needed.
Buehl
15 years ago
Yes, a 4' deep island should provide a good margin of safety for traffic behind the island. Is there anyway you could increase that 18" from the end to 24"? 24" is much better for landing space, workspace, and safety margin for traffic on the side...18" could do in a pinch, but 24" is much better.

I agree w/Flseadog & Loves2Cook4Six...check your specs for min & max (if there is a max) and then put it as close to the front as possible...it will be much easier to reach the back burners.

How far back on the counter for my cooktop?

loves2cook4six

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How far back on the counter for my cooktop?

loves2cook4six

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