I’m interested in this as well for the same reason. So far the only range I’ve found with an optional stainless backsplash is a Viking 5 series which is quite pricey. I‘ve considered it in spite of the price, but the more I research, the more I’m concerned because the product reliability from Viking is so poor on top of the high price tag. I will gladly consider other options that offer a stainless backsplash attachment.

I did a quick Google search for you, and it seems that Home Depot carries a Whirpool 6 inch high stainless steel back splash accessory https://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-6-in-High-Backsplash-Assembly-W10655450/207088823#product-overview I suppose it fits Whirpool ranges (Whirpool owns Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag and Jenn-Air). I'd look into it and see if it works for your needs!

Wolf also comes with an optional stainless steel back splash accessory, but it's considerably more expensive...

Thank you, Hamma! This is very helpful!

IMO if you can’t afford to change the counters you for sure can’t afford a Wolf. Why does it need to be slide in ? I need to see the space too and is the one you are replacing gas?

Money is not the issue keeping us from doing a full reno right now. I think it is wasteful to put in counters just to rip them out when we do eventually redo the whole thing. I also think it is wasteful to buy a range and sell it for maybe a few bucks in 2-5 years because a traditional freestanding range style is out of place in the after-reno kitchen. There are far more slide in styles in the mid to high end bracket than there are traditional ones for the features I am interested in. I don’t expect to move to a wider range or separate cooktop and wall oven in a reno due to space and layout constraints. So, in considering my options, I want to understand what they are and if there is a freestanding slide-in that could happily live in both the before and after with small modifications, like a removable backguard/backsplash.

I don’t have pics handy right now. I can add some later if needed.

Our current range is gas. The cutout is also wired for an electric (yes, 50amp). I prefer gas to induction, so I’m looking at all gas or dual fuel options.

My existing Formica countertops sound exactly like yours, but the integral rounded 4 inch backsplash stops each side of the range. My slide-in gas range left a gap of about an inch at the back. I have a stainless steel panel on the wall behind the range. And I used this from Amazon to fill the gap. It is an uneven triangular shape and can be rotated for different widths. Would this work for the interim? I didn't need to use the furnished clips; it lays in the gap and is easy to remove for cleaning.

stainless steel filler from Amazon

Absolutely agree. The installation spec sheet is the first thing I pull up when somebody recommends a model. Our only conflicts with the GE profile range I named above is a) the backsplash wouldn’t be great once we do redo the kitchen, and b) based on the specs, we may need to have a plumber and electrician out to slightly move the hookups in order to get it flush to the wall.

gustaviatex - Thanks. I think whether there was a gap in the back would depend on the model we got. Something like your link would certainly help in that case. My husband didn’t immediately like the look of a stainless panel on the wall between the Formica backsplash pieces, but that was based on a single pic I found here. I might be able to convince him it was tolerable for the interim if I really tried. Do you have any pics of yours you can share?

What type of future design needs a slidein over a freestanding? I would think any range that has an "island backguard option" would be close enough. (Many pro style ranges come with the island backguard and change extra for the tall one most people actually need...)

This seems a bit of cart before the horse. What capabilities do you need and desire? What kinds of cooking do you do and how often? Entertaining? Baking?

Also keep in mind that the backguard is a functional oven vent in many ranges so you need to account for that in surrounding materials and in where that heat goes. An island guard w/ hot moist air coming up directly against a wall might not be what you (nor building inspectors) want (and thus why most are at least 4" high with the vent facing away from the wall). And raising this vent up 18" is more comfortable for the cook.

You also say 'No external vent'. That's a considerable health hazard for you and your family. How do you plan to correct that?

I have a Wolf gas range with a 10" riser on the back. The only reason I have this range (and the riser) is because I got a super good deal on a floor model. I too like cooking with gas because of the ease of control in turning the heat up and down. That said in a second home I am installing induction. If I were you I wouldn't dismiss the idea of induction as quickly as you have. Do a search here and find threads where people who have had both compare induction to gas. The overwhelming majority say they would never go back to gas. In your situation the big plus would be that with an induction top you would have fewer worries about heat from the cooktop affecting adjacent areas, and since you don't have outside venting you would have less heat to dissipate.

I got a Jenn Air with an optional 9" backsplash. It's the same backsplash as the Kitchen Aid range.

Get the range you want now or buy a used one to temporarily use until you do a full reno.