Can You Install a Fridge Next to an Oven?

Have you ever noticed that most kitchens have at least some space between the refrigerator and oven? Even smaller cooking spaces typically manage a single cabinet between the two appliances, so you might wonder whether you can install a fridge next to an oven safely, given that trend.

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The answer used to be no because heat from the oven could affect the performance of the refrigerator and freezer. Modern appliances, which have better insulation and efficiency, make this less of a worry. However, there are still reasons to avoid having large appliances next to your oven.

Can You Install a Refrigerator Next to an Oven or Stove?

Yes, as long as you have functional modern appliances, installing a refrigerator next to your oven can work. However, it may not be the most ideal setup. Consider the pros and cons of an oven next to the fridge below.

Pros of a Fridge Next to an Oven

The biggest benefit of putting a refrigerator next to a stove or an oven is often saving space. If you have a small kitchen or kitchenette space and want full cooking functionality, you might not have a choice where appliances go. Modern appliances typically have enough insulation that roasting a chicken or baking a cake in your oven won't usually bring down the temp in the fridge interior right next door, so squeezing in appliances like this can work.

A fridge near the stove can also make it easier to grab ingredients when you're cooking. Fewer steps in the kitchen can be especially helpful for those who deal with chronic pain or disease or who have limited mobility.

Cons of a Fridge Next to an Oven

However, eliminating space between the refrigerator and oven has a few downsides. Heat from the oven could impact the internal temperature of your fridge, especially if you're opening the refrigerator a lot. Temp-sensitive foods like dairy or produce might not last as long if this is a regular occurrence.

Even more of a disadvantage is the potential kitchen traffic issue that comes from installing a fridge right next to the oven:

• Depending on how the doors open, you may not be able to have both the oven and fridge open at the same time.

• Someone minding food on the stovetop may block someone wanting to get a drink or snack from the fridge.

• Conversely, family members needing to get into the refrigerator might make it difficult for someone cooking a complicated stovetop recipe.

• When your appliances are too close, it may limit how many people can actually help prepare meals or handle other kitchen chores.

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Kitchen Design: Factors to Consider

Optimize functionality in your kitchen and help keep your appliances running well with layouts that consider:

• Heat buildup and ventilation. Large kitchen appliances generate some heat — even your fridge and freezer. If you crowd them all into a single area, you might get enough heat to damage cabinets, walls or other surrounding structures.

• Workflow and comfortable movement. The "kitchen triangle" is often touted as the best layout for most kitchens. It puts the sink, fridge and stove/oven in a triangle that's 4 to 9 feet on each "side." This amount of movement supports a comfortable workflow, even when more than one cook is in the kitchen, without requiring you to move too far away for any task.

• Clearance for doors. Ensure you have enough space to open refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and freezer doors. Consider whether doors open left or right.

• The need for separate circuits. Many major kitchen appliances need their own circuit. At the very least, they shouldn't all be on the same circuit. Placing them too close together could make it more difficult to support safe, effective power.

• Visual balance. Stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers are the largest items in your kitchen. Spreading them out a bit helps create more pleasing visual symmetry, especially when your appliances are different colors from your cabinets and counters.

How Much Space Should You Leave Between a Fridge and Oven?

In a smaller area where the traditional kitchen triangle isn't an option, you may need to put the oven and refrigerator next to each other. If that's the case, leave at least a few inches for airflow and to ensure doors can open and close easily. If you can't put in a cabinet-width buffer, consider adding a heat-resistant panel between the two appliances.