Top 11+ Items You Should Never Keep Next to the Stove (And Where to Store Them Instead)

Paper Towels: The Silent Fire Hazard

Here's something that might shock you: "Paper towels are flammable and could potentially catch fire if exposed to open flames or hot surfaces," warns safety expert Yablon Brenner. Think about it - how many times have you seen someone keep their paper towel roll right next to the stove for "convenience"?

It's like keeping kindling next to a campfire. The problem isn't just open flames either.

Your stovetop temps can exceed 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which can translate to temperatures well above 100 degrees for items placed around or above your stove. Instead of risking a kitchen fire, "Store them in a drawer, cabinet or dedicated towel rack that's not near the stove." Consider using a wall-mounted dispenser at least three feet away from your cooking area.

Cooking Oils: A Recipe for Disaster

You might think keeping your olive oil near the stove makes perfect sense - after all, you use it constantly while cooking. But here's the dangerous truth: "If a bottle of oil is too close to an open flame or a hot burner, it can ignite and cause a grease fire, which is difficult to control." Grease fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and can spread rapidly.

Beyond the fire risk, heat destroys oil quality. "Heat can cause oil to oxidize more quickly, making it go rancid faster and impacting its flavor and nutritional value." The constant temperature fluctuations near your stove can also "break down the oil's chemical structure, leading to the formation of potentially harmful compounds." Store your oils in a cool, dark cupboard away from any heat source.

Alcohol Bottles: Double Trouble

Wine and spirits near the stove create what safety experts call a "double hazard." Storing alcohol near the stove creates two different issues: It can be incredibly flammable, and long-term exposure to heat could impact the flavor and quality of your wines or other alcoholic beverages. Alcohol vapors can ignite at surprisingly low temperatures, and we're talking about liquids that are literally designed to burn.

That expensive bottle of wine you've been saving? Heat exposure can turn it into expensive vinegar.

Alcohol - wine and liquor are sensitive to temperature changes, which will impact the flavor. Create a dedicated liquor cabinet in a cool, dark location, preferably in your dining room or a temperature-controlled basement area.

Electronics and Smartphones: Heat Damage Central

Your phone, tablet, or that smart home device might seem safe on the counter, but High heat can mess with electronic components, and even melt them, if it gets hot enough. Consider moving counter appliances and your smartphone or laptop far away from the heat of the stove.

Electronics contain sensitive components that can permanently malfunction when exposed to excessive heat. I've seen people charge their phones right next to the stove, not realizing that the ambient heat can cause battery swelling, screen damage, or complete system failure.

Modern smartphones are particularly vulnerable because they generate their own heat - add stove heat to the mix, and you've got a recipe for a very expensive repair bill.

Cleaning Products: Chemical Fire Hazards

Those convenient bottles of kitchen cleaners sitting next to your stove? They're basically chemical time bombs.

Cleaning products are another potential flammability issue—plus, the chemicals released if they catch fire could be hazardous to your health. Many household cleaners contain highly flammable compounds that can ignite without warning.

Many aerosol cleaning products contain dangerous combustible propellants such as butane and propane. Drain cleaners also contain sodium hydroxide and are dangerous to use around open flames.

Ammonia and chlorine in many multi-surface cleaners increase product flammability. The solution?

"Store cleaning products away from heat sources, and make sure the storage area is well-ventilated."

Medications: Heat-Sensitive Compounds

Your prescription medications and vitamins are more vulnerable to heat than you might think. For most medications, you'll want to choose a cool, dark place for storage—and the area around the stove is not a good choice then, obviously.

Heat can actually change the chemical composition of medications, making them less effective or even dangerous. This is especially critical for people with chronic conditions who depend on their medications.

'Medications should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from humidity and temperature fluctuations. Storing them on top of the refrigerator can compromise their effectiveness,' warns Janille Mangat, a cleaning specialist at VMAP.

A bathroom medicine cabinet or bedroom drawer is a much safer choice.

Wooden Cutting Boards: Warping and Cracking

That beautiful wooden cutting board you prop up next to the stove for easy access? It's slowly being destroyed by heat and humidity.

"Wooden cutting boards naturally absorb moisture, and when exposed to high temperatures or steam from cooking, they can expand and contract, leading to warping or splitting." These aren't just cosmetic problems - they're food safety issues. Splits or little cracks can be an issue for food safety, as small crevices can allow bacteria to grow.

Instead of keeping them near the stove, store wooden cutting boards in a dry drawer or on a shelf at least four feet away from any heat source. Always allow them to air dry completely before storing.

Oven Mitts and Pot Holders: Fire Hazards in Disguise

This one seems completely backwards, doesn't it? Oven mitts feel like they should be a near-the-stove essential, but you'll want to keep them safely stowed to avoid a potential fire hazard.

Consider placing them in a drawer nearby, instead of out in the open close to the stove. The problem is that these items are designed to be heat-resistant, not heat-proof.

Potholders, dish towels, and curtains catch fire easily. Keep such items a safe distance from your stove.

When they're hanging right next to the stove, they can catch fire from splashing oil, stray flames, or even excessive radiant heat. Store them in a drawer within reach but not within the danger zone.

Fresh Produce: Accelerated Spoilage

Your fruits and vegetables might look fine sitting in that basket next to the stove, but they're actually aging in fast-forward. The additional warmth from your cooktop can cause produce or other perishable items to soften and spoil faster.

There's a reason why storage suggestions for even potatoes, onions, and other room-temperature vegetables call for cool, dark spots with low humidity! Heat accelerates the ripening process, which means your bananas will turn brown faster, your potatoes will sprout sooner, and your onions will start to soften and rot.

Even root vegetables that seem sturdy can develop soft spots and become unsafe to eat when exposed to consistent heat. Move your produce to a cool, dark pantry or designated storage area.

Spices and Seasonings: Flavor Killers

Those convenient spice racks built right into the wall next to your stove? A lot of modern-day kitchens build spice racks right into the walls next to the stove, but it's not a wise move.

Heat is the enemy of spice potency, and you're essentially creating a flavor graveyard. 'Placing spices on top of the refrigerator exposes them to heat and light, which can diminish their flavor and potency over time.

Spices are best stored in a cool, dark place.' Even seemingly heat-resistant spices like cinnamon contain cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Aside from giving cinnamon its unique flavor and odor, these compounds are also flammable.

Store spices in a dedicated drawer or cabinet away from any heat source.

Cookbooks and Papers: Fire and Stain Magnets

Your collection of cookbook and recipe cards might seem safe on that shelf above the stove, but Not only are cookbooks and papers a fire hazard, but the inevitable splashes and splatters will stain from the stove will stain them. (And cleaning tomato sauce or cooking oil off of paper can be impossible!) Paper products are incredibly flammable and can ignite quickly.

Beyond the fire risk, heat and humidity will cause pages to warp, colors to fade, and binding to deteriorate. Keep cookbooks and recipes far from your cooktop, and use a cookbook holder with a clear plastic or acrylic shield to help minimize stains.

Consider digitizing your favorite recipes or storing physical cookbooks in a dining room bookshelf.