Designing or redesigning your kitchen is exciting, but no matter which way you go, knowing where to place your kitchen stove is essential. After all, that’s where you’ll be cooking your meals. So it’s good to ensure that you’ll be comfortable standing there and that the rest of the kitchen is protected against the heat and fire from the stove.
You should put the kitchen stove in the island if you have the space. Having your stove in the island has many advantages, including giving you the ability to complete several cooking tasks in one spot and allowing you to be more present in the room around family or friends.
The rest of this article will discuss why putting a stove in the kitchen island is a good idea and what factors you should consider when deciding on the placement of your stove.
Benefits of Putting the Stove in the Island
Putting your stove in the kitchen island has become more and more popular for a variety of reasons.
While some of your decision-making regarding your stove placement will always depend on your personal preference, there is a reason that stoves in kitchen islands are increasingly becoming the way to go.
1. You’re More Present in the Room
One of the biggest draws to having your stove in your kitchen island is being able to look up and see the room while you’re cooking.
Traditionally, a kitchen stove is along the wall.
This means that when you’re cooking, your back will be facing the rest of the room.
While there’s nothing wrong with this, it can get frustrating for some.
Being more present in the room is especially great when you have groups of people over for a party, or even when you have children or other family members living with you.
A stove in your kitchen island makes it easy for you to watch your children while cooking and allows you to have a conversation with other people in the room.
2. Multitasking Is Easier
When your stove is in your kitchen island, you can easily work on the stove while using the countertops right next to you.
Though traditional kitchen setups also have counter space next to the stove, it isn’t as much as what the island offers.
So, if you’re someone who likes to cook complex meals, a stove in your kitchen island makes things much easier.
Furthermore, you’ll be able to do everything you need to on the kitchen island, freeing up the rest of the counter space in your kitchen for other uses, such as placing food and utensils.
This makes it easier when you’re cooking with someone else – they have space to work, without feeling like you’re taking over all the counters in the kitchen.
3. More Space for Cooking
The worst feeling in the world while cooking is feeling like you don’t have enough room.
Putting your stove in the kitchen island not only allows for more room to cook but opens up the kitchen overall.
Although simply moving the stove to the kitchen island doesn’t physically make the room bigger, having a different layout and point-of-view while cooking will make the space feel bigger and less cramped.
What To Consider Before Putting a Stove in an Island
While having the stove in the kitchen island is great, there are a number of factors to consider before deciding whether this placement is right for you.
This is especially true if you’re renovating an existing kitchen, rather than building a new one from scratch.
Let’s take a look at these factors:
1. Ventilation
Having the proper ventilation for your stove is crucial. Without proper ventilation, you put your health and safety at risk.
Because of this, many people use kitchen hoods (or range hoods) to catch all of the smoke while cooking.
A range hood is typically located directly above the stove.
This means that if you place your stove on your island, a kitchen hood will still be necessary above it.
So, it’ll have to hang in the middle of the island instead of hiding away against a wall, which may not be attractive for everyone.
Furthermore, you’ll have to check to see whether it is possible to install a kitchen hood over your island based on your existing ventilation system.
2. Type of Stove
The two most commonly used types of stoves in the United States are gas stoves and electric stoves. However, no matter which of these you choose, they’ll need to be installed on your kitchen island.
The work involved is about the same, as they require either an electric or a gas line.
This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re building a home from scratch.
However, if you’re renovating and want to move your stove to the island, you’ll need to see if the stove lines can be connected first.
If they cannot, you’ll have to adjust your plans based on the reach of the lines.
3. Sink Placement
Lastly, consider where your sink will be before deciding on the stove.
Many people put their sinks in the kitchen island rather than the stove because it offers a clean and sleek-looking aesthetic.
That said, having both a sink and a stove in the kitchen island can be too cramped.
So, if you have a sink in your island, you’ll need to decide whether shifting your stove there will be worth it.
If you’re building a new home, you’ll need to consider which you’d rather have in the island.
Is It Better To Have A Sink Or A Stove On A Cooktop Island?
Sink on a Cooktop Island:
Pros:
- Convenience: Having a sink on the island can make meal preparation and cleanup more efficient, as you won’t need to constantly walk back and forth to the main kitchen area.
- Social Interaction: It allows the person cooking to engage with others in the room while performing kitchen tasks.
- Additional Workspace: The sink area can serve as extra counter space when not in use for washing dishes.
Cons:
- Limited Cooking Options: If your island only has a sink, you won’t be able to cook on it directly.
- Plumbing Considerations: Adding a sink to the island may require complex plumbing work.
Stove on a Cooktop Island:
Pros:
- Cooking Flexibility: With a stove on the island, you have the ability to cook and prepare meals right where you work.
- Focal Point: The cooktop can become a focal point, making it easier to showcase your culinary skills.
- Ventilation: Installing a range hood directly above the island cooktop can help with ventilation.
Cons:
- Limited Counter Space: A cooktop takes up valuable counter space when not in use.
- Safety Concerns: Having an open flame on the island can be a safety hazard, especially in homes with children.
- Odor and Smoke: Cooking odors and smoke may be more prevalent in the open living area.
The choice between a sink and a stove on a cooktop island depends on your priorities.
If you prioritize convenience and social interaction, a sink may be the better option.
If you’re passionate about cooking and want more flexibility, a stove could be the way to go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about putting the stove in the kitchen island in your home, you definitely can.
There are many advantages to having your stove in the island, including being able to converse with family members or guests easier, having the ability to multitask while cooking, and feeling less cramped.
Despite all of these advantages, you should always consider the ventilation situation, the type of stove you want, and the placement of the sink before deciding to put your stove in the kitchen island.
