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mcathsmith

Dilemna: Stove too close to refrigerator cabinet... Protection ideas?

M Sm
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Help. In our new kitchen remodel (not quite finished), we took down 2 walls and added an island between kitchen and living room. This meant that the refrigerator's new location had to be placed next to the range/stove with only a 9 1/2" counter top separating the two.

My concern: The refrigerator cabinet is made of wood and covered in paint and glaze. With the stove so close to the side of the refrigerator cabinet, I am worried that, over years of cooking, grease would build up/affect the refrigerator cabinet. I am a clean freak and I know I'll clean the cabinet after every meal, but it's not realistic to think that the paint/glaze wouldn't be affected over time.

I would LOVE some ideas regarding this design dilemma: I want to cover the area of the cabinet - that is in line with the back splash - with something that is cleanable, but haven't figured out the best option:

1) If I continue the back splash (not yet installed)


onto the refrigerator cabinet, that would mean ruining the cabinet for any future back splash changes...and repairs for this would be very difficult, so I'm looking for other options.

2) Possibly a sheet of clear glass over the area?? Has anyone done this successfully? The color of the paint/glaze would show through and I'd be able to keep the refrigerator cabinet clean if any grease splashes onto it. But, is this practical? How would it be installed? And where, oh where, would I even find something like a nice piece of glass to place over a wood cabinet without air space between the glass and the cabinet (don't want any "muck" to get behind the glass that is un-cleanable...).

What do y'all think? I am very open to suggestions!!! :)

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

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