Your decision of slide-in vs free-standing will impact the counter installation. Counter material will not impact selection of range style. I switched from a free-standing to a slide-in range a few years ago and the range came with a little strip to fill in the gap behind the range. If I'd installed new counters, I would have had the counter fill in that space instead. The way that my slide-in installs, it may also have been beneficial (though not required) to notch the counters slightly in order to snug the range closer to the back wall. So when you've selected your range, make certain you have all installation instructions available prior to installation of the counters. A 30" range should be just that: 30" wide. You can usually check out installation instructions and specifications online to make certain, but as long as you currently have a 30" range in the space, the wide should be perfect for any other 30" range.

Personally, I like the look of no built in backsplash on the range. That was my primary reason to switching to a slide-in. However, I've since found several ranges that are free-standing and have no built in backsplash. So, make certain you look at all of your range options before you make your decision on slide-in vs free-standing.

Hi PPC, thanks for your response. Here's the thing: I'm getting new counters long before I get a new range. If that's a terrible idea and I'm liable to regret it down the road when I shop for a new range, then I'm willing to reconsider. I'd prefer not to spend more money replacing appliances at this time, which at least match (white). I was planning to have my new, yet to be determined, backsplash go down behind the existing range backsplash so that I will have more options down the road.

I think I could handle getting a new range, but then I'm looking at a new hood...dominos falling.

You can get new counters, but unless you know at least what type of range (slide-in vs free-standing), the fit may not be quite right when you put a new range in. As I mentioned, I originally had a free-standing range and now have a slide-in. It works, but it doesn't look right. A free-standing sits directly against the back wall, so no counter is run behind the range. With the slide-in range, there's a 1"+ gap between the range and the wall. Mine came with a little metal strip that I put behind the range. But actually the metal strip wasn't big enough, so I had to fabricate something additional. It looks ok and works ok, but it doesn't look good. Since my kitchen isn't remodeled and I have old counters that will be replaced when I do remodel, I don't mind. Running a backsplash down behind the existing range would do nothing to solve this problem unless it was 1-1.5" deep. Personally, if I was going to the expense of new counters, I'd want the right range in place (or at least the right type).

To start with the original domino in the chain, make sure your cabinets are actually of decent enough quality to be able to put new counters on to them. There's nothing worse than grody old cabinets with shiny new granite on them. If they are of good quality and in great shape, then you can certainly do new counters for them. Just have your granite fabricators give you the sink cutout (if it isn't all broken up) or a remnant that is at least 30" wide, and when you get your range at a later time, they can fabricate the 4" strip to go behind the range and you can create the wall ledger to place it on and just pop it into place and epoxy it. Or you can do a stainless trim piece. One is usually provided with a slide in and it looks fine to most people.

"Personally, if I was going to the expense of new counters, I'd want the right range in place (or at least the right type)."

PPC, I agree with you. Now that I understand that what I currently have is a free-standing, I need to commit going forward with that, or bite the bullet and get a slide-in range now so that the counter can run behind.

Meeting tomorrow with my designer to get this figured out. Thanks for your input.

I had a slidein and when I wanted to get rid of the JennAir I found nothing quite fit right, thus new counters, thus new cabs, you get the snowball idea, I got a new kit. A neighbor went from a freestanding to a slide in and she had to get pieces for both sides as well as behind the range. There are a lot of freestanding ranges today without the back piece so you have options.

If you're doing quartz, you might be able to tell your counter person that you intend to put a slide-in later. Then ask for an extra piece of material that is 30" wide by, say, 4". When you get the new slide-in, the counter guy could then cut this piece to size and place it behind the stove. This is generally what they do in the shop anyways.

Can I butt in with a question? So is the difference between a slide in and freestanding whether or not the back of the range touches the wall? Sadly...I don't even know what mine is!! It is a KA 36" dual fuel...it looks all beefy like a pro range and it touches the backsplash with no counter behind it...so freestanding?
Sorry OP...I was just so curious! Which type of range do you ultimately want?

Hollysprings, looks like we were posting at the same time, so I initially missed your comment. My existing cabinets are in good enough shape to take a quartz counter. I want to be rid of the blast of orangey golden oak (hope this doesn't hurt the feelings of anyone reading this who hearts golden oak). They're getting new doors and drawer fronts and a paint job. I expect them to play nicely with the quartz.

Weedmeister, the tip to get a piece of quartz 30x4 is good advice, in case I go with a slide-in down the road.

Nini804, of course you can butt in! :) Over in another thread (Counter Install & Range) live_wire_oak does a great job of explaining the differences between a slide-in and free-standing range, with photos. I just learned the difference today, but I think yours is free-standing since it doesn't have the "wings" that overlap your counter. My existing free-standing pretty much fills the width between my cabinets, but there's a gap of about 1-1/2 inches behind it, at least up at the top.