How close to a wall can a cooktop be?

Author: Skyla Quigley  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

The distance between your cooktop and the back wall should be between 3-10 inches. This varies depending on the make and model of your appliance, so be sure to consult your owner's manual for model-specific installation requirements.

How far does a stove top need to be from the wall?

Firstly, the minimum space allowed between the cooktop elements or gas burners and combustible materials directly overhead is 600 mm. Secondly, there must be at least 50 mm clearance from the back edge of the cooktop to a non-combustible wall surface or splashback.

What is the minimum space next to a cooktop?

There are three sets of guidelines regarding cooking appliances, let's start with those surrounding a cooktop. Guidelines recommend a minimum of 12” landing area on one side of a cooking surface, and 15” on the other side.

How close can a stove be to the side wall?

Ranges. Electric Ranges require 0" side wall clearance above the counter height but up to 6" is recommended to avoid possible heat damage to surrounding surfaces.

What is the clearance between stove and wall?

The following are general minimum clearances for ranges: 1 ½ inches to nearest adjacent sidewall above the cooktop on both sides. 30 inches between the cooktop and a cabinet. 0 inches for sides below the cooktop.

Choosing Between Wall Ovens and Cooktops vs. Ranges: What You Need to Know

How much space should be between stove and wall?

Without a backguard, a stove or range should typically be installed at least 6 inches away from a combustible back wall surface, like drywall. With a backguard, the range can usually be installed with zero wall clearance.

What is the clearance for electric cooktops?

Having said that, minimum clearances for electrical cooktops are specified in the AG601 Standard. A minimum of 50mm clearance is needed from the front edge of the bench top to the cut out for cooktop. A 100mm clearance is required between the underside of the benchtop and the in-bench cooktop safety barrier.

How close can a wall oven be to a cooktop?

Answer: An Electric, Induction, or Gas Cooktop can be installed above a wall oven, noting the following: 1/4" clearance is required between all cooktops and wall ovens. Clearance is measured from the bottom of the cooktop burner box.

How far should a range cooker be from the wall?

The recommended safe distance is 650mm for electric, ceramic or induction hobs and 750mm for gas hobs. Using wall units above your range cooker could be a little tricky though.

How close can a stove be to drywall?

Wood frame walls covered with dry wall are considered combustible. If no wall protection is used, the common radiant-type stove or heater must be spaced out at least 36 inches from the wall. This distance may be reduced considerably if asbestos millboard and/or 28 gage sheet metal is used for wall protection.

What is the clearance code for a cooktop?

Household cooking appliances shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 30 inches (760 mm) to combustible material and metal cabinets.

How close can a cooktop be to a cabinet?

Many installers may recommend a distance of 3-6 inches of space being the minimum.

How much space do I need around my stove?

A minimum clearance of 36 inches from the top of the stove to the ceiling or any combustible materials above it. Hearth Requirements: The hearth should extend at least 18 inches in front of the loading door and 8 inches on each side of the stove.

How much space is needed below a cooktop?

A minimum 2" clearance to combustibles is required below the cooktop. The bottom of the cooktop may get warm while in use but should not be hot.

How much clearance is needed for an induction cooktop?

Adequate clearance is required from the cooking appliance to the rangehood. ESV (Energy Safe Victoria) require there to be a minimum clearance of 600mm from the cooking surface of the induction cooktop to the lowest point of the rangehood above.

Can a range be against a wall?

Freestanding ranges are designed to be placed against walls, while slide-in ranges are not.

How far does a electric cooktop have to be from a wall?

Side clearances

You require a minimum of 200mm clearance, when measuring from the outer edge of the nearest burner to any vertical combustible surface. If that surface is closer than 200mm, it must be protected.

How much space do you need on either side of a range cooker?

There is usually around a 2.5mm gap on each side of the range for the cabinetry. Depending on the model and the cabinet makers, some may require a larger gap (up to 10mm) to protect the cabinetry from heat damage.

What is the minimum clearance above a gas cooktop?

For a Whirlpool gas hob of less than 7500W power the minimum distance is 65cm. For hobs over 7500W the minimum distance is 75cm.

How far off the wall should a stove be?

Air gaps are sometimes specified in stove instruction manuals but often are not. Sometimes they are “recommended”. Usually recommendations for distances to non-combustibles are between 5cm and 15cm.

How close can cooktop be to splashback?

Gas cooktops (bench mounted or free standing)

Gas cooktops require a minimum 200mm distance between the periphery of the gas burner to the Quantum Quartz splashback in accordance with AS/NZS 5601 gas installations. Please consider QuantumSix+ porcelain if you do not meet the minimum 200mm distance.

What is the minimum clearance for a wall oven?

The answer to this question is concise and sweet. As a rule of thumb, a wall oven requires around 3 inches of room in between your cabinet walls. This gap will enable you to install virtually any standard oven housing unit. It will also help shield the surrounding cabinetry from the oven's heat.

How much clearance do you need above an electric cooktop?

If you have an electric cooktop, your range hood should be installed 20–24 inches above the heat source.

How much space do you need behind an oven?

3 Answers. There should be two inches of space between the back wall and a drop-in or slide-in (gas or electric) style range. A freestanding range (gas or electric) requires no space between it and the back wall. There should be at least twelve inches between any style range and the closest sidewall.

What are the electrical requirements for a cooktop?

Electric or induction cooktops require a junction box that should be at least 240 volts, while gas cooktops will need a gas line.

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