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It’s great to be able to fit all the elements you need in the space available and not so great to realise you don’t have enough bench space on either side of the stove for prep, pots and iPads. “Ideally, you want enough space on either side to work in and that means no less than 60cm on either side,” says Graeme. “Locating a cooktop can be difficult because apart from the space needed, you also have to factor in the rangehood, and the distance from opening windows (particularly if you have a gas burner); high traffic areas, and combustible materials (at least 20cm as per Australian standards).