Appreciate the concern. The comment has been made numerous times in connection with the picture. If you go back through the comment history, you will see an industry professional's response that explains why it is a non-issue. In brief: the range is designed to dissipate heat out the front and is well insulated around the back and sides, to avoid heat transfer to abutting surfaces. Added insulation is provided by the solid wood sides of the cabinet itself. In practice, the side of the range does not heat up and, thus, the spices are not affected.

Re spice racks & oven, we don't have a range, instead an high-BTU rangetop on island plus wall ovens. My wife had choice of vertical spice racks bracing rangetop as shown at top or wooden inserts in top drawers. She opted for former. She wanted the drawers for cooking utensils. She loves set-up. Deep drawers below rangetop for cookware, spices at the ready & utensils less than arm's reach away. It helps keep island countertop open for work in progress w/o having to move things around to clear work surface. She's had hip replacement surgery & retrieving spices hasn't been an issue.