Discuss Cooktop in island - worth the extra costs? on IKEAFANS.com. We're Personalizing the IKEA Experience. Cooktop in island - worth the extra costs? - Need help with planning your remodel? Want a kitchen planner to review your ideas? This is the happenin' spot!.
Last night I had a design crisis as I was falling asleep. I am wondering if it would be worth the extra costs to have a cooktop integrated into our island so that I could have a large cooking space and be able to face the dining room as I cook? As it is right now the cooktop is along the wall and when I cook I have my back to the dining room.
The added costs would be:
running electrical
new cooktop
cutting the granite
a hood vent
so all in all probably an extra $3k to have that done.
The attached photo shows the kitchen (long and skinny) the dining room is to the left, you can just barely make out where the cooktop/over are right now. The island is going in the middle where the beam is.
Well, I'm not generally one to suggest costly solutions.
But this is one where I would probably lean towards doing it? I've never been a big fan of cooktops in islands, BUT I think anything that enables the cook to be interacting with the rest of the family is a Very Good Thing.
Too few people cook at home anymore anyway, and spending time with the family all together is at a premium too, so if it's an option I'd totally go for it. It would also free up some probably much needed counter space!
One thing I'd suggest based on Susan and my recent kitchen remodel and our experience using it. One of our absolute favorite things is having a good built-in cutting board right next to the stove. Love it!
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I think anything that enables the cook to be interacting with the rest of the family is a Very Good Thing.
Too few people cook at home anymore anyway, and spending time with the family all together is at a premium too, so if it's an option I'd totally go for it.
I agree. It's an investment in something that you'll enjoy multiple times every day - and that's a good place to put your money.
Gosh, it's easy to spend other people's money! I could get used to that...
My brother has his cooktop in an island (downdraft vent) and he doesn't like it at all. Part of the problem is the limited space on either side - perhaps a foot. If your island is truly enormous (and there is a buffer on the audience side of the island to keep others away from the hot pots) then perhaps it could work.
I like a plain island myself - a nice gathering space/rolling out cookie dough space. And I like the cooktop in one leg of an L and the sink in another.
Quote:
Originally Posted by personalshopper An L-shaped prep area between the sink and the stove is like gold; because of the L, you have mucho counter space to work on, without having to take more than a couple of steps to reach either the sink or the stove. I find sidestepping between the stove and sink harder to do than just pivoting between the two.
Right now, whatever you do, you have your back to the action. What if you moved the range over where the refrigerator is and the fridge on the other wall? Then at least you can just look over your left shoulder to have a chat while stirring.
Kayla, one of our resident expert installers, has said she thinks separating cooktop and oven is a needless expense - if electric, you need double the 220 outlets, often requiring an upgrade in service.
Totally agree that separating the oven and cooktop is an extra PITA if both are electric, running an additional 220 line is a major hassle, and would need an extra two breakers in the panel. Honestly ranges are a much better both from a cost and electrical point of view. We ended up going with a range with hybrid induction/radiant burners.
What about a controls on the front slide in type? I really like the controls on the front anyway as you don't have to reach over the burners to get to the controls.
Downdraft... I've never used it personally, so if your brother hates it that's certainly a major point to consider.
15 inches on either side actually works for me? 2 15" pullout drawer cabinets on either side of the stove is great for all sorts of storage. One side with a built in cutting board, the other with a heat proof surface (or a LAMPLIG stainless grid). I'd totally want to put enough space on the opposite side of the island for folks to sit on stools and snack/eat/do prep work because that's what's going to happen anyway.
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The attached photo shows the kitchen (long and skinny) the dining room is to the left, you can just barely make out where the cooktop/over are right now. The island is going in the middle where the beam is.
Looking at your photo it looks like your island wouldn't be able to be too big. I'd want at least 24" of counter onboth sides and the back of the cooktop.
I'm also not a fan of island hoods as I feel like it might as well be a wall for all the visual weight of it. TBB's plan looks nice.
the island is going to be 42" x 74" or so. The space is bigger than it looks.
I do like that plan, but unfortunately we actually have a second window where the fridge is placed.
Well we nixed the idea of the island cooktop.
Headed to Ikea in a minute to pickup the island cabinets, and I'm having a total breakdown because I don't know what I want to go with.
So you are only adding an island and not renovating the kitchen?
Perhaps the Groland or Stenstorp islands would be the thing to do now - they would provide more counterspace at a reasonable price, be moveable, re-sellable, and give you some time to breathe deeply and consider exactly what you want your kitchen to do.
If you post a link to your planner file (even the empty room) we'll be happy to help.
File (to the right of the gold IKEA logo) --> e-mail --> e-mail to self --> open provided link --> copy and paste that URL into the text of your post.
You have a wonderfully large space and terrific light. Looks like the perfect space for ZONES.
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What if you moved the range over where the refrigerator is and the fridge on the other wall? Then at least you can just look over your left shoulder to have a chat while stirring.
