How to add heat deflectors to Kaboodle cabinetry for oven installation?

I am mid-kitchen renovation and I have hit a bit of a snag - such is the life of a DIY-er! I am installing 2 ovens side by side under the benchtop - please see the Kaboodle render I designed. During the design process, the software didn't highlight a warning or a need for end panels either side of the oven housing, so I have worked my measurements down to the last mm on this design.

I built an oven cabinet yesterday and was slightly horrified to discover that the instructions referred to using end panels with a heat deflector strips sandwiched in-between the housing and the end panels, 23mm protruding, to prevent heat damage. I contacted Kaboodle, and they advised that the heat deflectors could be installed without end panels, but that the lip / bend of the strip would need to face the oven, with the flat side going against the opposite door / drawer panel. They sent an image of how it should be installed.

Heat Deflector without Panels.jpg

My immediate concern is that this strip will be visible and will ruin the entire aesthetic of the kitchen, with a metallic strip sticking out (with or without the use of an end panel. I have trawled through some many Kaboodle images with similar ovens installed in the kitchen, and the strip does not appear visible. I am desperate to know how others have done it, so that you get the heat protection but so that the heat deflector remains invisible. There must be a way, but in my blind panic, I cannot think of one! 😅

Screen Shot 2024-10-10 at 5.11.52 pm.png

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MitchellMc

Hi @theDIYedit,

The strip will be 2mm proud of your cabinet doors. From the front, it shouldn't be that impactful as you only see its thickness, but as it needs to stick out at least as far as the cabinet door, there's no real way to make it invisible. If you take a look at the image below, you will see the deflectors installed. Even though you won't be using the end panels, the deflectors shouldn't be any more imposing than this.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

notatradylady

Please may I ask a question regarding this issue?

Our oven was partially installed today when we realised the heat strips weren’t installed and our benches are on and that side is complete. Can we pull the oven forward and unscrew the front screws that join the cabinets together to slide the heat panels in? And there are drawers the other side, what happens there?

EricL

Hello @notatradylady

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.

If the cabinets are anchored very tightly together and have been anchored to the wall, I'm afraid there won't be enough space for the heat deflectors to simply slide in. The drawer cabinet on the right will need to be un-anchored from the wall which will give you enough space to move the oven cabinet as well. The heat deflectors can then be sandwiched between the cabinets and the drawer cabinet put back into place.

In regards to the drawer fronts, if enough space was provided it should not hit the heat deflectors. But if the drawer fronts are too close to the heat deflectors or rather, they get in the way the drawer fronts will need to be unscrewed and moved to the right by 2 mm so that they don't hit the heat deflector. New anchor points will need to be drilled into the drawer fronts as well as modifying the drawer handles holes in the cabinet.

Let me call on our experienced members @AlanM52 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @notatradylady

These strips are very commonly missed during the assembly process. The idea is that the shields prevent sudden bursts of heat directly on the side edges of neighbouring cupboard and drawers. If your cupboards and drawers are Thermoformed covered, then any heat damage is void under warranty.

This is how I have fixed the issue as you should have just enough play to solve this yourself. Remove the oven and remove all side and rear cabinet screws. Remove the screw for the benchtop from the oven to the right.

Then starting with the first right hand cabinet, gently pry it to the right about 5mm then the next until you get to the left side of the over panel. Slide in the head shield and drive a couple of screws through the side of the cabinet. Then do the right side heat shield. Now, tap the next cabinet into place and so on. Refit all the screws and your done.

Nailbag

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