I would keep it first and see if you like the way it looks and functions. You can always get rid of it later.

I've always thought anything hanging behind the cooktop like that would get greasy...but I've never had that setup.

I agree with rebecca, try it for a while. It could be very useful and you may love it. IKEA has some great and hanging things- check out their Grundtal system.
I think you new kitchen is lovely BTW.

Very nice looking kitchen, congratulations! Someone sweated a lot of those details, do give them a try before throwing them out. Perhaps do a houzz search for utensil bar and see if you like any of the results?

I agree, try it out as long as it's there. Personally, I'm not sure I use a given utensil often enough that I could use it from the bar without at least rinsing off the dust and grub. If you still have a bunch of growing kids who need lots of feeding, it might be great. At my house, we're down to the two of us and I'm planning on sticking a piece of pizza in the MW for breakfast.

In my old kitchen I had a bar on the wall next to my stove and I really liked it. It was easy to see and grab whatever I needed. The utensils did get a bit greasy, but my ventilation was lacking. To combat that you could just hosed them down in the DW every so often. In my current reno, I'm thinking about doing another bar on the side wall versus the back...just to avoid reaching over a hot, steamy pot.

Rebecca, Localeater, and Suzannes: Thanks for your suggestion to live with it a while.

Kksmama; I did do a Houzz search on hanging utensils and it was a big help and gave me some ideas of what to hang and how it looks. I bought a few things at my favorite discount store and hung them up and it does brighten up the area.

Mgoblue: It is good to know you liked the one you had. I will give it a try. I think cleaning items once in a while in the dishwasher is a good idea. The hard part is cleaning the tile and utensil bar hooks.
My husband has been using the egg separator I had hung there a couple weeks ago and it's quicker than looking in a drawer!

Very pretty! I love those open pullouts under the rangetop! Did you buy this house new, or were you smart/lucky enough to buy a well thought out kitchen with a house?
I have no plans to move, but if I ever do I'll find a fellow GWer who is moving and buy her house!

Karen - I love how the hanging utensils look, even if they're not functional. You are right, they really provide interest against the BS. I would definitely keep it with the realization that it's an additional item to keep clean.

I like the way that looks and it should be very functional. My vote is to keep.

I was going to say exactly what Heidi wrote.

Congrats on your new house!

I like it. It complements the design of the kitchen. I'd be keeping that.

Another vote for keeping it!... especially if you cook, and don't just use it for display items

Keep

Vote to keep. It's a nice touch that adds a lot to the look of your kitchen. You could always hang things off to the sides if they get a bit greasy. I always wonder how that works out too. Some people even hang pans over the range.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Mon, Sep 30, 13 at 0:50

Thank you all for your very nice comments. I think I may add a couple more utensils!