How to Install a Drop-In Stove

A drop-in stove is installed in an opening on a kitchen counter or in an opening cut in the top and front of a kitchen counter. The installation of a drop-in stove requires a basic knowledge of wood working, electrical wiring and mechanical skills. The do-it-yourself person needs to plan and prepare for the installation, which typically takes about two hours.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3-foot measuring stick
• Duct tape
• Jigsaw with downward cutting blade
• Circular cutting saw with 7-inch carbide blade
• Pencil
• Flat-tip screw driver
• Phillips screw driver
• Level
• Several small wood shims
• Safety goggles

1. 
    
   Measuring stick

   Measure the rough-in opening in the cabinet after removing the old drop-in stove. This measurement is used to compare with the required rough-in opening for new drop-in stove.

2. Read the installation manual of the new drop-in stove to determine required rough-in opening measurements and compare them with actual rough-in opening measurements.

3. 
    
   Duct tape

   Apply duct tape to the over-the-counter top surface where cuts will be made for both Formica and tile, if expanding the roughed-in opening is required. The tape keeps these materials from splintering or cracking during cutting. Mark cutting lines on the top of the duct tape using a pencil and 3-foot measuring stick to ensure lines are straight. Cut the counter surface.

4. 
    
   Jigsaw

   Cut opening using a jigsaw with the best available downward cutting blade for counter tops covered with Formica. For counter tops covered with tile, use a 7-inch carbide round cutting blade to cut the tile. Then use a jigsaw to cut the wood underlay of the counter top.

5. 
    
   Power cord connection to stove

   Attach the power cord to the new drop-in stove top for electric models. Power cords do not come pre-wired to drop-in stoves. New drop-in stoves come with a four-wire plug. Older installations use a three-wire plug.

6. Replace the three-wire outlet with a four-wire outlet. An easier option is to purchase a three-wire plug for attaching to the new drop-in stove.

7. 
    
   Roughed-in opening

   Place drop-in stove in roughed-in opening of the counter. Connect electrical power cord to outlet as the stove is being placed into the opening.

8. Slide drop-in stove all the way back into the opening and center the stove over the opening to ensure even distribution of weight.

9. 
    
   Level

   Place level on top of drop-in stove side-to-side and front-to-back to ensure stove is level. Use shims as necessary to level the stove.

10. Screw the drop-in stove in place when satisfied with installation. New drop-in stoves typically only require four screws (which come with stove) to complete installation.

Tips & Warnings

• For counter tops covered with granite that need to be enlarged, it is best to hire a professional with the correct tools to cut the granite. Hire an electrician to make all electrical connections for new electric drop-in stoves, if not familiar with electrical wiring. This includes changing a three-wire outlet to a four-wire outlet.
• Only hire a certified gas installation technician to make gas connection from drop-in stove to gas line. Never consider saving money or taking short cuts when working with gas. To avoid injury, use at least two people to lift new drop-in stove into opening of cabinet. Wear safety goggles when using jigsaw or circular cutting saw.

References

• GE Stoves
• White Westing House Stoves
• Kenmore Stoves

Resources

• Bob Villa Help