Window cleaning for starters. A lot of it and in a difficult to reach location.

Also, code violation in a lot of areas for a couple of reasons--

The assumption being that, as some point, window treatments (curtains) will be installed. If not by you, then by some subsequent owner. Also, the window trim, if wood, is combustible.

Another reason is that the breeze from an open window can extinguish the flame on a gas range. (I can't trust the low setting on the small burner on my crappy Kenmore gas range to stay lit as it is & it's not in a breezy location.)

How would you handle ventilation--the exhaust hood--in front of bay windows? With a stove tucked into a bay, would you have adequate landing space on either side of the range?

And, if you are considering a bump-out bay, adapting stock cabinets to the angles might be tricky and expensive. Nix that if you're doing full-out custom cabinets.

Thanks, cilantro ... I couldn't quite figure out why it was bad but figured it had to be. I think I may have worked out another plan ... course I thought my last one was OK but was disabused of that notion right quick. I'm going to post my new no-range-in-window option now ... however, there is a window behind the range; I wonder if code will squawk at that? I see the reasoning, sort of...

Well I have one! At least it's an induction cooktop in front of a garden window.

It was okayed by the inspector although he did tell me he would have vetoed a gas cooktop in the same place for the same reason ci_lantro said about breezes blowing out the flame.

The window has two side windows that open and it's on the ground floor so I just wash windows from the outside.

I have a good hood so dirt doesn't seem to get back there anyway.

Cleaning the granite behind the stove is a bit more of a problem. I'm tall but need a stool to get back there. Probably don't do it as often as I should. LOL, I just realized as I typed this out that when there isn't 3 feet of snow outside, I probably could wash that counter easier from the outside too.

The window is not wood and because it's a garden window I have the depth of the wall before any of the vinyl/plastic trim.

I do have a plastic mesh roller blind which I do use as the sun can be pretty bad in the late afternoon. Inspector okayed that as well with the cooktop. Even if somehow it caught a flame (DH is a very happy flambe'er) it would just melt, not burn, and the flame would not catch.

How deep is the bay and how far will the window be behind it? There are others who have their stoves in front of windows, like Cotehele, although hers isn't a bay. The code in our area has nothing to do with a stove's proximity to the window, but with installing the vent where there is an operational window too nearby...Where the hood vents out as to be at least 3 ft from the opening part so it doesn't draw back in, I think.

Oh geesh ... then my near-but-not-in the bay might be a problem too. I posted a picture of it under the thread 'Finding a wall' -- I cannot believe how quickly threads get buried on this forum!

lovestocook46: Thanks for the info. I really do get it about the flame going out; cilantro, my gas stove would always peter out on low flame too. Many's the day I returned home to a gas-filled house from a flame that extinguished and was forgotten. scary.

I'm convinced that distance from a window is a good thing, though the quality of the stove will obviously matter.

I've placed a url for my new plans in case that thread is too hard to find -- it takes me forever to do so and I'm motivated!

Here is a link that might be useful: new layout for aliris