Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_989851205

Fill gap behind gas range & quartz backsplash scorch issue HELP please

4 years ago

Hello, i read a few threads here on this, but I still had some questions so hope someone here will help. There are two issues--the gap behind the range, and the quartz backsplash. So, the range was delivered and installed, but they did not push it flush to the wall, I'm assuming due to the gas line. I did email my contractor, but haven't heard back; so he may be able to fix this, if it should be fixed.


I assumed the range would be flush, but there is a 3 inch gap. The range also sticks out about five inches (see last picture). So, it will stick out several inches anyway. The gap behind can't be right..., right??? When they installed the backsplash, I asked about it going down behind the stove, but they said they don't normally do that. So, i need to close this gap, right? It looks terrible as is. Or do I get some kind of stainless shelf behind this to cover it?


The second issue is the backsplash which is quartz. I had seen so many of these online, some quartz some stone, and liked the way it looked in this very small kitchen. I thought it would look more expansive; it never occurred to me that there could be a scorch or melting issue (my bad), but I saw some people here posted on this. I also read that some said if the appliance is installed correctly, this shouldn't be an issue. I looked up the installation instructions for this range and found:


"All materials used in construction of cabinets, enclosures, and supports surrounding the product must have a temperature rating above 200°F (94°C)....Make sure the wall coverings around the range can withstand the heat generated by the range....Clearances and Dimensions a. Provide adequate clearances between the range and adjacent combustible surfaces....*30" (762 mm) MINIMUM CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE COOKING SURFACE AND THE BOTTOM OF AN UNPROTECTED WOOD OR METAL CABINET; OR 24" (610 mm) MINIMUM WHEN BOTTOM OF WOOD OR METAL CABINET IS PROTECTED BY NOT LESS THAN 1/4" (6 mm) FLAME RETARDANT MILLBOARD COVERED WITH NOT LESS THAN NO. 28 MSG SHEET STEEL, 0.015" (0.4 mm) STAINLESS STEEL, 0.024" (0.6 mm) ALUMINUM OR 0.020" (0.5 mm) COPPER. 0" (0 mm) CLEARANCE IS THE MINIMUM FOR THE REAR OF THE RANGE. FOLLOW ALL DIMENSION REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED ABOVE TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, AND INCORRECT COUNTERTOP AND CABINET CUTS."


So, it seems everything has to withstand 200 degrees, but I read online that quartz is 150... The wall behind the range is a "1 hour wall" as per code, behind the quartz. Also, the range came with a trim kit installed which is like 2 inches tall; you see it behind the burners in the pictures. Is that enough to protect the quartz? or do I need more or different?


Thanks ahead of time for your helpful comments!





Comments (20)

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    It wouldn't be a big deal to have your top fabricator seam in a matching piece and leave the appliance where it is. Make sure you never use a pot in the rear that's larger than the grate to avoid transferring heat to the quartz on the wall.

    54ndy b34ch thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you @Joseph Corlett, LLC ! I hadn't thought about that idea. So, it will look sort of like a ledge behind the stove? The stove has about a 2 1/2 inch high back trim piece--you can see it in the first picture--so it seems that would keep the pot on the grate so it wouldn't touch the quartz. Does the stove look funny sticking out that far though? My contractor will be back next week, but i imagine trying to move the gas would be a huge deal, so that would for sure be a fight. We are all done but these kind of minor fixes. I think it is your posts that i read which said that quartz shouldn't scorch if the appliance is installed correctly. Is it better to have the stove further from the wall?

  • 4 years ago

    I would not be happy with the range sticking out. Have it adjusted.

    54ndy b34ch thanked L A
  • 4 years ago

    The side of that range isn't meant to be seen. Push harder! Just kidding. Do what Weed and LA said. See what adjustments can be made to get it in that hole. Then if there's still a gap, fill it in with countertop.

    54ndy b34ch thanked Fori
  • 4 years ago

    I agree the range should not be left to stick out like that. It looks like with no adjustments, your projection is at least 6 inches when considering the knobs and handle. It will encroach on your aisle assuming there is an island or another counter opposite. Did the contractor have the specs on the range before work started? Someone should have considered the placement of the gas line, depth of the cabinets and range installation instructions in advance unless that was a last minute selection.


    Good luck!

    54ndy b34ch thanked L.D. Johnson
  • 4 years ago

    Please provide photos of the following:

    • cutout specifications from the installation instructions
    • location of the gas and electrical connections
    54ndy b34ch thanked Sammy
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you, i will go out to take the pictures now and post them shortly. The range is the Frigidaire Professional Gas Range. I linked the website here, with the installation instructions since I can't figure out how to add a pdf here. To be honest, I bought this range after the build. I just told my builder that I would get a 30"range. I didn't realize there were different places/ways to put the gas line. I didn't use any designer, just my own ideas (i know!) because it's just a small apartment I built on my property for my parents. I bought this range because (before COVID) my husband was a chef and I thought he would like this range and this space for cooking for clients. (our house is too tiny for this). Frigidaire Professional Gas Range. I think the website has the cutout specs. I will add the photos shortly.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    That stove needs to be pushed back. It is possible that the gas line pipe is in the wrong spot and it is stopping this from pushing back. There is a diagram in the install manual that shows where the gas can be located. The back of you stove has that raised piece and it looks like it would help deflect some heat. You could also get a stainless spatter shield that you use when cooking on the back burners or broiling in the oven

    Good luck

    54ndy b34ch thanked Debbi Washburn
  • 4 years ago

    Here are some pictures from behind the range. I had trouble pulling it out; I could only get it about 6 inches from the wall. The gas line sticks out almost 3 inches (covered by tag). It is about 4 inches from the floor and maybe 6-7 inches from the right cabinet. I also found one old shot before we were finished that shows behind the stove.





  • 4 years ago

    Figure 3 on the install specs shows where the gas line should be so that there's room to push it back. It shouldn't be an expensive fix because it doesn't have to look nice. (The person who bothered to put the floor molding behind the range might disagree with me about that though! :P)

    54ndy b34ch thanked Fori
  • 4 years ago

    Yes, @Fori, that's what I said to my husband about the molding there--he's a bit of a perfectionist!! I was like, you don't need that there! But he can be a little obsessive about some things! I will pull out the range later and look at the space for that pipe. In figure 3 it looks more centered than to the right where we have it. We'll have to see what we can do about it. Better yet, I will just pull it all out and redesign it. No worries. Lots of time during COVID. Thank you for letting me know @JuneKnow. Although, it's such a little space, not much can be redesigned as there are only the two walls! Better yet @User, I can just leave the backsplash until it scorches too--then pull it all down and put up something else. No different than pulling it down now. Same money and time. :)

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I would have the gas line moved if necessary, to allow the range to be moved back. No matter what I wouldn’t have the range sticking out. I would have a stainless steel back fabricated to install behind the range.

    i don’t understand why we repeatedly see quartz installed as a backsplash even though it’s not appropriate. The professionals should know this and not allow it. My sister was told not to even use a crock pot on her new quartz countertop without a cutting board under it.

    54ndy b34ch thanked ILoveRed
  • 4 years ago

    Yes, I see it all over @ILoveRed, though I didn't know there could be any problem until I read it here. I liked the idea of a smooth surface to clean. My husband is a messy cook, and needs a heavy duty hood. I thought the smooth quartz surface would be easier than grout getting stained. I also though marble was too porous and would hold stains, and granite wasn't perfect either. Although, I am pretty sure that @Joseph Corlett, LLC has written on other threads that this is a myth (that may be my word) and that problems with quartz backsplashes are generally due to installing the appliance not according to the specs. Correct me if I misinterpreted!

  • 4 years ago

    Luckily your range has a backguard so the main potential for damage would be from the oven vent. It looks to vent forwardish so it might just be fine. Like you said, no need to worry about it until something happens and you can deal with it then.

    54ndy b34ch thanked Fori
  • PRO
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Lean a cookie sheet back there when you cook. Honestly, my mom had wallpaper behind the stove for decades. Not only did she clean it frequently, even my dad couldn't set it on fire. The wall rarely gets hot enough to even scorch your hand, let alone anything else:

    I'll be beaten for saying it, but ........ the heat goes to the pan. If it doesn't? You have lousy cookware.

    54ndy b34ch thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    4 years ago

    The gas line is easily fixable. Replace the nipple in the wall with a shorter one, then pipe your way to the area specified by the appliance manufacturer.

    54ndy b34ch thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
  • PRO
    4 years ago

    The gas line is coming through the wall in the wrong place. The specs for your appliance clearly state where it should be AND where there should be no obstruction. The range has a set back space specifically for this reason. That is why you can't push it back. It is hard to tell from your pictures , but I do hope that is not the shut off valve. That needs to be located somewhere easily accessible.


    You gas connection is in the area labeled " this space must remain clear".

    Fix it and you should be fine

    54ndy b34ch thanked Debbi Washburn
  • 4 years ago

    Thanks, I will talk to the contractor to see what we can do. I know you can shut off the gas from back there, but the formal shut off valve is outside because of earthquakes (earthquake gas shut off). It shuts off the gas for the entire unit.