Would it be bonkers to put a hob under kitchen window?

[LornMowa]

The longest wall in our kitchen is mainly taken up with a large window. Its making it very difficult to plan a good arrangement. DH thinks that we could put the hob under the window then we would have more wall space for cupboards and integrated double oven.

If we did it we would probably get a hob with integrated downdraft extraction like this which probably costs as much as the rest of the kitchen put together.

Has anyone done this and if you did, do you regret it?

another thought is to have a down draft infront of a window you will need extra deep worktop also.
Around 900mm deep to allow for the downdraft. will also need space for the motor behind the units.

I'm short - I use a fold away step and sometimes a step ladder to reach things. I just organise things so the the stuff I use frequently is easy to get to.

Maybe using someone's kitchen planner will help get best use out of the space?

We have a gas hob under the window. We only have under the window as there's no space without a window.

have you space for a kitchen island?

How long's the wall and how much room each side of the window?

I'd put your hob just out of the way of the window and use that lovely long light space uninterrupted by wall units as a great prep /serving area. In fact can you run your worktop into the window recess to make it deeper?

Have your sink/dishwasher towards the other end from the hob, not slap bang in the middle. I'd then put your ovens under the counter - have great sliding shelf type ones like on the Bake Off - and a fridge/larder in your other spaces.

Just looked at the bora link. I did an extension and kitchen 2 years ago and things like extractors - they don't really bring you pleasure iyswim? Find a different plan and spend the thousands of pounds on a holiday!

Is there a floor plan you could attach?

Is cleaning the window much different to cleaning a glass splashback?

Presumably yes because a splashback doesn't have a frame around and possibly down the middle of it. Plus I reckon maybe different kind of glass? You'd also have more variable temperature behind a window, cold in the winter, hot in the summer. And it will be more obvious because of being able to see through.

Is the sun directly on that window at all, because that could be an issue too.

And yes agreed whatever fancypants extractor you have, it won't magically hoover away all the grease. You still have to wipe the sides down.

We had a house with this set up, bot s fancy hob either just a standard electric cooker, it was totally fine.

We've just done this - open plan kitchen diner so really only have 2 walls for the kitchen (with a small island). Floor to ceiling cupboards down one wall, the other wall has a door, a column (which reduces the depth of the worktop to 30cm) and 2 massive windows. The hob had to go in front of one of the windows. I wouldn't ever have a hob on an island unit (with children) so we had no option. I've had it about a month - electric hob - and love it. Don't have an extractor (just open the window!), no smears / need to clean windows more than I did before (although we do have quite deep window sills). Can't see what the fuss is about to be honest. Enjoy looking out of the window whilst I'm cooking and love the design of my kitchen.

If it works for you and your kitchen, go for it

Dear Lorna, can you tell me if you put the Bora under the window and how it went? Thanks.

Hi. We are in the same situation wanting to put a Bora electric induction hob with down draft extraction under a window which will be closed all the time. The window is about 25cm up the wall from the worktop. Did you ever go ahead with your idea of a Bora and can you let me know how you got on? Any regrets? Thanks

Is there not a company that makes a hob that has a flip up lid that will double as a splash back, protecting your window? Traditional insulation lid styles of an Aga or something? On the traditional models, the lids retain the heat of the stoves but they are part functional/ part cosmetic on the modern electric ones.

There will be either a model of hob or an accessory attachment that will protect the window from splashes. If you found one of these, it will look great and unique.

If you can’t though, I agree with everyone else that an open one to a window will be terrible! Good luck.

Why terrible? Is it because it's something that you are not used to seeing? Surely a flip up lid blocking window would look more bizarre? Do you have experience of Bora jobs their downward extraction is pretty strong.

@StAlbansCat Re-read what I said...

Firstly, I said it could look great and unique. However, speaking from my experience, it’s a terrible idea not to have some sort of splash back because the unavoidable mess from cooking and the difficulty of cleaning grease off surfaces not designed for the job, such as window glazing. Unless you are vigilant 100% of the time (which nobody can be) you will get build up of dirt and grease in the seals. There is a reason why cooking areas are against and wall and tiled, it is easy to clean. Some might point to hobs in kitchen islands but that is a compromise in functionality for design.

A flip up hood wouldn’t necessarily look bizarre, just look at the traditional Aga designs. You can also get specially coated/strengthened glass lids that are grease resistant and designed to withstand being wiped down, unlike window glazing.

OP, is your window level with the the counter cooker or is it slightly raised and how far from the back edge of the counter/worktop surface? If your window is further away than the standard 600mm counter depth, you might be okay and only get the occasional splash which would be more manageable.

@StAlbansCat

250mm should be enough, you would only get the occasional splash. So in your case, you probably don’t need any form of lid. No experience with Bora but that will only help ventilation of smells, no?