Gas Stove top and Refrigerator

[Alan C Grubb]

Can a gas stove top be butted up to a refigerator? Looks to me that the outside of refigerator would melt.

[Rick Cantrell]

Doesn't sound like a good idea, but you will need to check with the stove/ refrigerator manufactures to see if they recommend against it.

[BARRY ADAIR]

some manufacturers do have zero clearance gas range/cook top...refer to install instructions whenever in doubt

anything less than 6" gets noted that the adjoining appliance/cabinetry may encounter heat discoloration/deformation, all users should avoid contact with these surfaces and monitor during usage

an image with +120ºF or greater surface temp usually gets the point across because that number has been discussed as the onset of scald...not that it will necessarily cause material damage but it will cause pain/possible burn upon direct skin contact

[Jerry Peck]

I went to the GE site and randomly selected one gas range to view its installation instructions ( http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=49-85170.pdf ) and it states the clearance to the right wall is 6" minimum and to the left wall is 3" minimum (depending on if there is a wall on the right, the left, or both sides).

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

It is also quite common to find lateral (side) clearance requirements for refrigerators, even if allowed to be abutted against cabinetry or a sidewall - distances from HEAT generating sources is generally found (although you may have to hunt for it burried in otherwise ambiguous language or a note to a diagram).

NFPA 54 (aka its ANSI standard number referenced by the gas appliance manufacturer, if more stringent not specified by local code or in the manufacturer's instructions) also provides clearances from the burners to combustibles, etc. of the cooktop, grill, or range.

For the most part, generally refrigerator/freezer door gaskets don't pass the flame/smoke spread indices or metal guard thicknesses specified for close proximity to open flame burners, etc. Generally sidewalls of refrigerators are powder/electro-painted, not enameled steel, or high temp lum. paint, and of thinner guage metal and are trimmed in plastics, ABS often utilized, and styreen insulation for the freezer compartment at sidewalls.

[erika krieger]

I went to the GE site and randomly selected one gas range to view its installation instructions ( http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=49-85170.pdf ) and it states the clearance to the right wall is 6" minimum and to the left wall is 3" minimum (depending on if there is a wall on the right, the left, or both sides).

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True, but the 3" and 6" is the clearance to COMBUSTIBLES, adjacent to the rangetop. As long as the side of the fridge isn't plastic, or an old wooden ice box, should be fine.

OK, but what does the fridge manual say? I followed Jerry's link and checked a random GE refrigerator:

Allow the following clearances for ease of installation, proper air circulation and plumbing and electrical connections.
• Sides 3/4" (19 mm) • Top 1" (25 mm) • Back 1" (25 mm)

We'd probably all agree that it's not the best arrangement, for all sorts of reasons, but sometimes it's unavoidable in a small kitchen. Just keep that side clearance per the fridge manual

[Jerry Peck]

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True, but the 3" and 6" is the clearance to COMBUSTIBLES, adjacent to the rangetop. As long as the side of the fridge isn't plastic, or an old wooden ice box, should be fine.

So, it is your opinion the the foam inside the refrigerator is not combustible?

And that the paint on the refrigerator will withstand 200 degrees F?

And that the rubber door gaskets are not combustible and can withstand 200 degrees F?

You did see this in that installation instructions, didn't you: "Make sure that wall coverings around the range can withstand heat generated by the range up to 200 degrees F."?

The side of the refrigerator becomes 'the wall' and needs to meet that temperature requirement ... at that 3" and 6 clearance.

If you want to reduce that stated required clearance, you would then go to the IRC and to Table G2409.2 Reduction of Clearances with Specified Forms of Protection. That 6" and 3" clearance can then be reduced to 2" if you install a 0.024-inch (nominal 24 gage) sheet metal with ventilated airspace, the ventilated air space is 1" minimum, leaving you at the same 3" for the 3" side.

It is not just as easy as saying 'Oh, the refrigerator has metal sides,', which is what H. G. was pointing out.


OK, but what does the fridge manual say? I followed Jerry's link and checked a random GE refrigerator:

Allow the following clearances for ease of installation, proper air circulation and plumbing and electrical connections.
• Sides 3/4" (19 mm) • Top 1" (25 mm) • Back 1" (25 mm)

So you disregard the clearances shown for the refrigerator and go with those shown for the ranges as "the most restrictive shall apply".

[Luigi NI]

refrig or stove needs moved always go one better then the code
there are other safety factors to consider other than the refreg taking the heat.