[sundh]

Hi all,

I'm currently renovating a small kitchen which originally had the fridge next to an electric range. I can't seem to rearrange the layout and have a feeling that this is not up to today's code.

Could I simply divide the two appliances with a sheet of plywood or does it have to be something that's fireproof?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Best,

Marcus

 

[Colbyt]

It isn't the best from an energy point of view but I suspect most places would not have a code about it. A gap of a few inches would solve most of the energy issues.

Electric ranges are often slide between to wood cabinets (mine is) and while I open the bread drawer (to prevent sweating) on one side when I use the self clean feature I have never felt any danger of fire.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

there is no code like that for residential kitchens, residential ovens are built with insulation for zero clearance to combustibles, not the same as commercial equipment..so your oven is not heating up the inside of your fridge to make it work harder...in the kitchen design you want to keep the triangle of, sink, stove and fridge localized so you are not running from one end of the kitchen to the other as those 3 areas are the highest use..

 

[jimn]

Not sure that there's us any code reason. I enjoy cooking it is my most common DIY activity and its therapy to me. So from a practical angle I really can't stand not having counter space on both sides of a cooktop .

 

[gregzoll]

Hi all,

I'm currently renovating a small kitchen which originally had the fridge next to an electric range. I can't seem to rearrange the layout and have a feeling that this is not up to today's code.

Could I simply divide the two appliances with a sheet of plywood or does it have to be something that's fireproof?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Best,

Marcus

Put a sketch of the floor plan up. Using Plywood would look ugly. You can get fridges that are drawer style, that take the place of a Kitchen Cabinet.

It really depends on the size of the room, how many exits, windows that can cause issues.

 

[AllanJ]

You need good air circulation around the back of the refrigerator to cool down the coils or grid of thin tubes in back. The open space between the fridge and the stove/oven may be needed for that purpose.

Otherwise a piece of fiber glass batt insulation with the paper layer removed can be stuffed in between if you wish.

Pull the batt apart so it is only slightly thicker than the width of the space you are going to stuff it into. THe insulating qualities diminish if the full thickness batt is compressed way below its intended thickness.

 

[gregzoll]

Allan all fridges out there, do not have coils or refrigerant tubing on the back. They are now in the bottom section, so that the fridge can be placed in a wall. The hot air gets pushed out on the side that the drip pan is at in the bottom.

 

[Colbyt]

It has probably been a while since he bought a new one.

 

[Two Knots]

Post a pic of the layout of the kitchen. Perhaps we could help you
with a solution.

 

[sundh]

Thanks for all the replies and comments! Much appreciated.