Well I have done this to two different stoves now, one without a drawer on
bottom (but had a huge fan, it was a jenn aire) and my current stove that
has a drawer I need to get into.
 
First, the drawer- I did have to put a child proof latch on it since Miss
Stella could pull the drawer open.  I used a latch that is made for a
refrigerator.  Just sticks on, and it white.
 
To prevent the ferrets from going underneath the stove, again Miss Stella,
I used wood trim.  I then cut three pieces, one for the front and two for
the sides.
 
In my first stove, it was mitered and then connected to each other with
angle brackets on the stove side so they wouldn't show.  Then it was
toenailed into the kick plate on the bottom of the cabinets.  I stained
the wood to match the kitchen cabinets and everyone loved it.
 
On this stove, to make it more accessible due to the drawer, I simple took
the three pieces of cut trim and used velcro to put them onto the stove
itself.  It is strong enough to keep the ferrets from pulling off the
pieces and it fills the gap at the bottom so they can't go under.  When I
open the drawer, the side pieces stay in place and the front piece moves
out with the front of the drawer.
 
Think of a big u shape in either situation.
 
You can paint or stain to match the stove or your cabinets.  As I said, I
got lots of compliments on the first one and had neighbors doing it just
to make their slide in stoves look more built in.
 
It is easy and fairly cheap, depending on how fancy a trim you get.  You
can use baseboard or any other decorative trim.  What I got is around 3-4
inches tall, and is patterned.
 
I have also used this basic idea, with plain 1x4, to wrap the bottoms of
washer and dryers to prevent access there.  I have then taped or velcroed
on shaped pieces of masonite to cover hose holes and such on the back of
them.  I have also used stove pipe to cover the vent hose for the dryers
to block access there.
 
Masonite can also be cut to span a door and slips into an easily made
channel on the door frame.  I used quarter round placed in front of the
door stops already on the door frame to make a channel about a quarter inch
wide.  The masonite is then cut to a height of 2 feet (hey I got stump legs
ok?) and slide into place.  I cut a channel out of a mailing tube to slide
over the top of the masonite for added security.  I have only had one
ferret defeat this system.  Cheap and can be painted to match a scheme.
Or you can use Plexiglas (much more expensive) and make it stronger by
screwing small strips of wood to the top and bottom on both sides, not
going all the way across to leave room for the channel.  This makes the
Plexiglas sturdy enough that the ferrets can't push it out of the channel.
Then you can see all the protest poopies they leave for you from down the
hall.  ;-)
 
Maggie
[Posted in FML issue 3205]