Kitchen hob in front of a window

[Todayissunny]

Has anyone got their hob in front of a window? I spend most of my time in the kitchen at or around the hob preparing or cooking. I want to be able to look out when I work, not have a wall in front of me.
It seems quite an unusual layout.

Pros and cons? solution with the extractor fan?

What kind of hob is it? Having a gas hob in front of a window is not allowed as far as I know.

I’m not so sure about induction etc.

There’s a poster on Instagram who does - simplythenest. She talks about their house renovation so you should be able to find some chat about placing the hob in front of the window, extractors etc. Hers is an induction hob.

I like the idea in theory but I fear it might not work practically - the window is likely to get very mucky and there's a risk of things blowing in if it's open.

Building regs don’t allow for gas in front of a window because of the risk of the flame being blown out.

Pros:

• Great views
• Being able to open the window to regulate temperature and smells
• Good light for pictures, reading recipes etc.

Cons:

• Condensation issues
• Spatters on window are more annoying than on tiles/ splashback
• You have to stand there and people might look in/ see you more than you would like
• Potential issues around opening window/ curtains and kitchen cabinets getting in the way

Overall I'd put the sink or a good work surface under a window. Somewhere where you're also likely to stand for a prolonged period of time but which doesn't pose the cleaning/ condensation issues.
An alternative could be to put the hob on an island which has a good window view, if possible.

We considered this for our new kitchen, using an induction hob with built in downdraft extractor, non opening window and making the window deeper so the worktop butted up against it.

The thought of cleaning the window a lot put us off so hob is staying on an island unit, but I do think it would’ve looked good in front of the window.

Thanks for the replies...
It would be induction - but a good point about regulations. We should probably check.

I'm worried about windows getting greasy. If we have an in hob extractor would this solve the problem?

Island would be ideal but the kitchen is not quite wide enough.

We have to replace/put in new windows. They start at waist height now so would be longer but not as tall so the hob would be under the window.

We have a fabulous view and sunset from here so I am loathe to work with my back to it.

Thanks for tip about simplythenest . I'll have a look.

It will spatter. Even with an in hob extractor - extractor takes care of (most) vapours and smoke but it won’t catch those spatters of tomato sauce or hot oil.

What height will the window be? If it’s well above worktop height then you may avoid spatter issues. If it’s at worktop height, I wouldn’t.

Is putting it on an island facing the window an option?

Or, if you can put it side on to the window, then you can still look out of the window while cooking.

We have an induction hob in front of a large window. It was a new kitchen / extension 3 or 4 years ago - went to 3 or 4 high end kitchen designers and everyone commented that it wasn't usual, but no problem with doing it (pps are right that a gas hob is different). We have a small wall mounted extractor fan a metre or so to the side of the window (not a cooker hood, the type looks-wise of an extractor you'd have in a bathroom) but its above a high unit so you can't see it. In reality however, we open the window a fraction if its particularly smokey etc.

I have a quartz upstand on the wall behind the hob, its about 10cm high, then a bit of (white painted) wall and then the window. Its recessed by about 20cm maybe. In 4 years, I've needed to repaint the white wall once and I clean the window every couple of months. Neither gets dirty from cooking - unless you're a particularly messy cook or deep frying etc, I can't imagine how it would be a problem.

Layout works brilliantly for us. We weren't doing it for the view, we don't have a particularly good view - the driver was just that the light from that side of the house is gorgeous and makes the whole kitchen diner a much brighter, lovelier place to be.

This is the layout we are leaning towards for the kitchen. Any comments? Things wrong in the layout?

I wouldn't have the ovens at 90 degrees like that - I have 2 single ovens and sometimes I have both open so I can transfer things from one oven to the other. Looks like you wouldn't be able to both ovens at the same time.

Thanks @Africa2go. That's a good point.

If I swap food storage with oven do you think it would work better?

I had a hob in front of the kitchen window in my previous house. Absolutely loved it. Considering the time you spend standing in front of a hob, it's nice to have a view out on the world!

My hob was gas so it was probably illegal, although this was 25 years ago!

I used to be a kitchen designer. Hobs in front of the window are a big no no. Requirements state the have to be 60cm away from a window. If you are doing the kitchen yourself you could possibly get away with it. But no kitchen designer or kitchen fitter would allow it.

@Bubbles where is that set out? I think it might be correct for gas hobs but as I said above it's not the same for induction hobs. 3 kitchen designers OK'd my desire for an induction hob under a window.

One issue I find where my hob is, the evening sun and sunset are sometimes so bright I can't properly see what I am cooking. My window is nw facing and my hob is on the east wall. I have a gas hob , and although you are saying you will have induction, I also find I can't see if the burner is still on with the light. I'm planning on having my hob moved to the opposite side so will be on the west wall and so won't have the same issue. I think I'd rather have a sink or even just a work surface in front of a window, but if it is what you want and is safe, then go for it.

Thanks all. Hob would be induction.
We discussed it with a kitchen fitter (he will be doing the kitchen) and he didn't mention that it would be a problem with regulations (not in the uk so it might be different) but we will check.
Kitchen is SW-ish facing. We will have external blinds and a sunshade on that side so we should be able to get enough shade.

We have hob in front of a window. To meet the regs there were some weird rules and that particular window doesn't open. I like being able to see outside though, and no-one can see in due to position.