have you considered just buying the island trim from the wolf or viking and seeing if it fits onto your thermador?

most of those trim pieces are just one hollow shell-type piece that fits over the back of the range. they're not all that different from each other. i think if you just bought the 36" island trim from whichever range, it might fit.

Interesting idea, but I can't really take the risk of it NOT working. The Thermador is already a hefty chunk of change, and if the island trim from the wolf or the viking doesn't work....then I'll be stuck!

Of course, if you're saying you've tried this before sucessfully, or know someone who has...???

no, i haven't tried it, but these things are generally returnable within a given time period. you could also ask the store that you bought your appliances from to try a few trims onto a thermador (if they have the same one in stock) and see if it fits.

I'd just suck it up and spend the money. Based on the type of range you are talking about, I'm guessing you are spending a fair chunk of change on this kitchen renovation. Is $1000 really all that much in the grand scheme of things to get the look you want. Now, I'm assuming that the extra three inches will actually make a significant difference in how your backsplash looks. If it is something only you would ever notice, then I'd probably live with it. But if you think the cheaper range will ruin the aesthetic, just spend the money, and be happy. Will you miss the extra $1000 more than you will miss the look you wanted?

you could probably have a fabricator make you a custom piece for $300.

But that back piece on a pro-range provides the oven venting...not something I'd want to mess around rigging something for.

If I were you, I'd take your very kind salesman up on his offer and get a different brand of range. We've got a Bluestar with the island trim against the wall and we're pleased with our choice.

OMGOSH!! I thought I was crazy that this very thing bothered me too. I have my pro harmony with island trim in my island and was TOTALLY misled by the salesman...a complete @$$**** as it turned out. So I live with it but would LOVE to have a flush grate. I would be willing to try the wolf trim as well. What is Thermador thinking!!?? It does look like a range that should be against a wall stuck in an island. Keep us posted ehs!!! My kitchen is in the slideshow and I think the main picture shows the back of the island with the hideous island trim. Love the oven overall however. It's come up a lot lately here!

I wouldn't mess around with changing the trim - it's a functional piece of the range. Either keep it and adjust the backsplash accordingly, or else bite the bullet and get a different range.

Hi again...By the way...I examined the range without the island trim on it when it was installed- what I mean is, before the installer put the trim piece on. (the island trim box was buried amid all the other stuff for a few hours) It is obvious that there is no mechanical (maybe the wrong word) function of the trim. It diverts the heat in a certain direction. It makes sense physically for the heat to return towards the burners rather than straight up and/or out so that someone may get burned sitting perhaps at a stool at the island. But the 3+ inches of height is abnormal and unattractive and frankly I am most annoyed by it as ehs explains as well. It is misleading. Anyway, my point is that indeed any fabrication of SS that lets air through and out will suffice. On the other hand, the current set-up also stops anything (toys, marbles, earrings, food etc) from falling down behind the range because there is no exposed opening unless you are standing at the range cooking. I say get the wolf if it bothers you, but if that's the right oven for you, I am confident that it can be dealt with in a variety of ways. I look forward to knowing your decision and resolution! Good Luck!!!!

Again, be careful about changing the trim - on my DCS range they had to redesign the trim because the original trim directed the air flow directly at the rear burners and would cause them to blow out when the oven was on. The redesigned trim changed the angle just enough to avoid this problem.

Thank you all for responding.

Arc1017, I think your kitchen is beautiful and I've referred to it many times before, actually. Thank you for your honest assessment of the situation!

Edlakin, I called around to various dealers in my area (metro Washington DC) asking about using another manufacturer's island trim, and was basically told (not very politely either) that messing with the island trim would invalidate my warranties...they sounded mostly annoyed with me and just wanted to finish the new sale, but I'm just a bit of a wuss and not much of a DIYer in these kinds of situations (I actually work in a creative field and I'll improvise in design, clothes, food...but BTUs and heat transfer are just out of my league!) so I caved.

Bottom line, I'm getting full credit on the Thermador and will be getting a Viking 36" instead.

Alku, our dealer doesn't have Bluestar so it wasn't an option as far as the exchange.

BUT It turned out to be less of a price difference than I thought because the Viking island trim costs a lot less, but still more than I'd budgeted for. GRrr. I've kept to my budget so faithfully on this project and was really looking forward to my new Pro Harmony.

Thanks all for indulging my crazy question!