stove top size

[smilingal]

I realized that I have probably been doing things ass-backwards. I have started collecting info on countertops, backsplashes and floors - but I suppose the first thing I should do is decide on the stove-top and then continue on with the countertop. So- stupid question - does my new stove-top have to be the exact dimensions of the old one even if I will be replacing the countertops? I now have a 30" stainless gas caloric and have not a clue what to replace it with.

Edited October 19, 2010 by smilingal (log)

[cbread]

Those aren't stupid questions at all.

As I read your posting, the question comes to mind that I wonder if you are doing all this as part of a larger project, or if the changes you describe comprise the totality of changes you plan on making to your kitchen.

If you want no more from your kitchen than a new stove, a new backsplash and new flooring, then all the research you have done makes sense, along with the question you allude to - what stove you might want. The stove is critical. Maybe a bigger (or smaller?) stove would be your ideal. Is it gas, electric, 30", 36", 42" etc.... Might you want a grill?

If you are replacing your countertops, you may have a lot of choices regarding size, or you may not, if you are trying to just drop a perfect match into existing cabinets.

Forgive an over-long response that follows.

I'd urge you to widen the scope of your planning process. At least review your entire kitchen. The questions I would ask are:

What kinds of cooking you do now, and plan to do in future, i.e. What you want your kitchen to accomplish.

What appliances and tools you have now, or plan to have in future, that you will need to accommodate.

The dimensions of your kitchen and whether you may want or need to redesign your kitchen/expand it/relocate it within your house, etc.

Is this a house you plan to have forever, or for a shorter period.

Budget.

There are a bunch of other questions that spin out of all this but you get the idea.

If you are reviewing your stove, countertops, backspashes and floorings, this is paradoxically the least expensive time to review the big questions on overall kitchen design. Just with the items you mention, you're probably going to do quite a bit of tear-out, and will spend quite a bit now, just on stove, cabinets, backsplash and floors. If you later come back and attack other aspects of your kitchen, you will likely spend more on demoing work you have just done, paying extra to get contractors back to the site, damaging or obsoleting work you have just accomplished... You can probably get a better overall price for one big project than the same work broken into multiple small projects. I would suspect that if you redo your kitchen in two or more stages, the total cost will be higher - possibly a lot higher.

That said, realistic budgeting can necessitate breaking an overall plan into staged portions. Having an overall plan now that encompasses all future stages of work as efficiently as possible will lessen end cost.

[smilingal]

I love my cabinets and space that I do have - and really can't think of any way to improve on it. I actually don't love the dark color of the wood but have been told there is nothing that can be done that wouldn't be outrageously expensive. They are built great with excellent shelving and wood. I have replaced my fridge and double wall oven last year. so - I think that the stove-top, counters, floors, backsplash and removal of wallpaper and paint - oh and of course new lighting - is allthat's left! lol

so - the guidance with the stove-top would be appreciated! We probably will be in the house for at least 8 more years. I do cook and bake a lot. I have contemplated the grill option but I have my Weber right outside my back kitchen door which I use year round so I don't think it is a necessity.

[cbread]

OK, a couple of responses. If dark wood color is something of a dislike, then lighter flooring and/or countertops could lighten up the overall look and feel of your kitchen. But, not too light with flooring unless you like cleaning floors a lot. Likewise, a revisit to lighting design might help overcome the effects of dark cabinetry.

Cabinet doors can sometimes be refinished or replaced for much lower cost than that of entire cabinet replacement. Likewise, it might be possible to refinish the cabinets themselves in a lighter color. Consulting with specialists on those options would be in order.

There are enough new options for basic types of cook-tops that I'd review the options before going very far; gas and coil electric have been around forever, but the induction cook-top and radiant electric (as opposed to coil electric) are new to many of us, and I'd at least take a gander at them.

[cookingofjoy]

It does sound like the main decisions are aesthetic - I don't have anything offer regarding stove tops. But for the cabinets, maybe painting them could help? There are some gorgeous kitchens in the Kitchens forum on gardenweb and in the finished kitchens blog.