How do I know if it will stick to my stove?
Take an ordinary fridge magnet to the top of the back panel, where the shelf would sit, and see if it holds. That is the test StoveShelf itself recommends, and it takes seconds. Some stoves fail it for reasons that have nothing to do with quality: painted steel, which many stove backs are made of, holds a magnet firmly, but some stainless steels used on appliances are not magnetic at all, however strong the magnets. You cannot tell by looking. Try several points across the panel too, since some stoves have a magnetic body with a non-magnetic trim strip exactly where the shelf would go.
Is it safe to store anything flammable on it?
No. Do not store aerosols, cooking sprays, cleaning products, paper towels, tea towels or plastic containers on it, because it sits above an open flame on a gas stove and above a heat source on any stove. Items on the shelf can also get hot enough to be unpleasant to pick up while the rear burners are running, so avoid handles or lids hanging over the edge.
Will it work on a curved stove back?
Yes, if the curve is slight. StoveShelf designs it for flat and slightly curved stoves, and the magnets can be repositioned for a better fit. On a gently curved top the magnets can still hold it firmly. Check you have 30 inches of usable panel along the top before ordering.
Can I take it with me if I move?
Yes, and that is one of its main advantages over a fixed shelf. It attaches by magnets alone, so it lifts straight off, leaves no trace and can go on a different stove, as long as that stove passes the magnet test too.
Will my spices go stale faster stored above the stove?
They can, compared with a cupboard. Heat and light slowly dull the aromas that make spices worth having, and a shelf behind the rear burners is warmer and brighter than most kitchen storage. Keep the spices you use daily there and store the rest, especially anything bought in bulk, somewhere cooler and darker.
How do I clean underneath it?
Lift the whole shelf off, clean its underside and the panel behind it, then put it back. Because it is not fixed in place this takes seconds, and grease cannot build up behind it the way it can behind a screwed-in shelf. A damp cloth and a little degreaser handle the oil film that settles on anything above a stove.
