Kitchen alcove with electric range problem
by
Susan Austin
+33
I have 30" stove that sits in alcove with 8" opening on each side and need ideas for what to do. Alcove sits back approx. 42" from cabinet and building 2 side cabinets would not make it flush with other cabinet. Thought about tall cabinets built in for broom or pantry items. It's hard to figure this out when I have only 8" to work with. Any ideas?
There is another wall on left side of stove.
25 answers
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Slide stove to right and add sliding, forward rolling storage to the left? I am seeing the storage being flat racks for baking sheets, hanging skillet storage and upright storage for lids. It is certainly a challenging spot.
Denton-Toni Coomes Moberly
on Nov 29, 2015
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@Susan Austin I think the above idea is a great one, I have seen somewhere on this site a sliding spice rack that was built to fit next to the stove.
Gail Salminen
on Nov 29, 2015
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I would build a wall in the back of maybe brick to get rid of the alcove. Then I would push the stove to one side or the other so you have 16" instead of 8". Then I would put in a cabinet with counter top that would hold cookie sheets etc. Then I would add a really cool exhaust hood or a new cabinet above the stove or a built in microwave with exhaust hood built in.
Beth Snow Martin
on Nov 29, 2015
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All the above ideas are great, I would do this too and store baking sheets ect but along with my little step ladder I never have a place for
Debbie
on Nov 29, 2015
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This looks like the space that the refrigerator is meant to go in. Did you rearrange the appliances?
Anne Buchanan
on Nov 29, 2015
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I agree with Denton-Toni, though I would move the stove to the left and put the rolling spice/storage area to the right to help conceal the electrical plug.
Barbara
on Nov 29, 2015
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I thought of fridge area also, with out seeing the whole room its hard to say. But if you leave the stove there I would do the same as what Beth Snow Martin idea, I have a cabinet with exhaust fan above mine. It's okay except now I don't use the microwave at all.
Kathy Bitzan
on Nov 29, 2015
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Without being able to see the complete layout of the kitchen, it limits the ability to give some overall design suggestions. I would remove the current exhaust can, cabinet decorative moulding above cabinet. Relocate electric outlet from the current position and place it behind the top of the stove. Move the stove forward and to the left to create 16" for storage. Install a pullout bakery cabinet for storing cookie sheets, racks etc., and also giving you 16" of counter space to the right of the stove. Install a microwave/exhaust fan above the stove, and then install a cabinet above that for storage of items not used on a daily basis.
LD
on Nov 29, 2015
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The stove does seem to be in an awkward spot and, as has already been observed, it might be in the refrigerator's spot. If you could swap/move the two, I'd do it. If that's not possible, your best alternative for now would be to move the stove to the left. There's nothing more challenging than trying to cook with one side of your body or the other up against a wall. Been there; done that. Won't do it again. Fortunately it wasn't my choice because it was an apartment kitchen. If you can build a small countertop to the right of the stove, that will give you some added flexibility while cooking. As for the space below, DO NOT put spices there. Heat is the mortal enemy of spices. Instead, use the area for difficult-to-store items like large baking racks, cookie sheets, pizza pans, large lids, etc. They don't care if it is warm. For the area above the stove, if it were my kitchen, I'd take everything out from wall to wall and to the ceiling and build in shelving to store larger, less used small appliances, like your electric skillet, for example. Since you have a smooth top stove, you have the ability to use the stove an an auxiliary counter for such things as the skillet, crock-pot, etc. Why not store them near where they are most likely to be used? We could offer better/more educated advice if you would provide a panoramic picture of the kitchen layout.
Swan Road Designs
on Nov 29, 2015
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I would get an estimate on moving the plug, it might surprise you. Someone obviously thought this was a good idea at the time for some reason. Is the exahust fan vented to the outside or just circulate, if not outside then that's easy to move. Estimates are free. Get one before you do anything else because it might not cost anymore than what you end up doing to leave it there. :)
Lori
on Nov 29, 2015
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Agree with Lori. This would drive me nuts. More pics of kitchen would be helpful. If your basement is fairly open, the electrical can be shifted. There are also range hoods (I have one) that do not vent to the roof.
Marion Nesbitt
on Nov 29, 2015
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It definitely looks to be the refrigerator space.(I agree, switch them back if you can.) The plug in with the extension cord appears to be 110.(I would try to eliminate this, not a permanent solution.) My old house has the stove and fridge switched, and there is a 220 and 110 behind my stove. Originally, the stove was gas, I can tell by the hole in the floor where it use to sit. Don't you just love the things some people did in the past!?
9530106
on Nov 29, 2015
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It shouldn't be very expensive, for the electrical is already there, and all you need is to move the plug. This plug should already be a 220 line since it is for an electric stove. A refrigerator doesn't require a 220 plug for they are a standard 120 plug. If you plan on moving the stove to where the refrigerator is currently located, then a electrician would have to run a 220 line to that plug, which could be costly depending how fair it is from the electrical box. I would have an electrician come out and give you a estimate on how much it would be to move the electrical box for the current location of the stove and how much it would be to change the current plug for the refrigerator to a 220 for the stove. You will have to decide if it is worth the cost. Just remember that in a kitchen layout the stove, sink, dishwasher and refrigerator are suppose to be located in a triangle location from each other, so you have efficient functionality between them.
LD
on Nov 29, 2015
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You could make 2 slender cabinets to hold cookie sheets and broiler pans vertically on either side of the stove.
Barbara Wenders
on Nov 30, 2015
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There was an article recently where someone made narrow, roll out 'pantries' to fit beside a fridge and used to store canned goods, etc. That idea came to my mind at first glance and I think Barbara Wenders is in a similar frame of mind. It would be suitable for larger, flat items like cookie sheets, etc. Of course, they would be shorter units - stove height - and one on each side for balance. Good luck with your project.
Ruth Richardson
on Nov 30, 2015
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Pull out pantry and/or spice rack, both options can be found on Hometalk
Lisa House
on Nov 30, 2015
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You can get 8-inch kitchen base cabinets that have shelves you access from the side where you can store canned goods or spices, oils etc. It would be easy to add to the space with a little butcher block on top to make it match.
Regina
on Dec 01, 2015
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If possible, move your stove tight against the cabinet and add a narrow pullout cabinet to hold cookie sheets, etc.
Nancy Evans
on Dec 01, 2015
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I saw a cool wood slide out to store cans or boxes. Mini Pantry.
Paula
on Dec 02, 2015
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I agree with everyone above, there are pullouts that you can get to go along side the stove...
Obabie03
on Dec 06, 2015
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Many years ago my hubby built me a narrow pull-out to fit between my washer and dryer for my bleach and detergent etc. bottles. He offset the wheels (one in front and two in the middle) for stability. I am sure you could build one to go between the wall and the stove. I would move the stove up against the cabinets and make 16" pull-out to fit . You can also try to find a piece od counter top to match your existing counter top. Try cabinet builders and Liwes and Home Depot or Craig's list. I would also pull the stove out to line up with the front of the cabinet. You may have to build a narrow shelf with sides in back of the stove so things do not constantly fall behind it.
Carol
on Dec 07, 2015
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This would be a wonderful place for a fridge. Could you switch your fridge and range position?
Mary-Ann
on Dec 10, 2015
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Great place to hang pots and pans/or brooms
Ginger the farm gal
on Dec 10, 2015
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That looks like where the fridge should go. I would at least move the stove forward and to the left so it is in line with the rest of the countertop. Maybe a tall cabinet on the right side of the stove and a shelf behind it? Sorry, just looks very odd and not functional to have the stove back in an alcove.
Mary Gemmell
on Dec 12, 2015
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If you moved the stove, remember it needs 220 electric hook up.
Joyce
on Oct 19, 2016
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