How to replace freestanding gas oven with built-in electric oven/induction stove?

thai

Hi all. I'm thinking about replacing my old freestanding gas oven/stove with electric oven/induction stove. The problem is freestanding electric units that I found are either very expensive or not matching what I want. I'm thinking that I could try a built-in oven and an induction cooktop. They are cheaper as there are many Black Friday deals now. I could add a oven cabinet to hold the oven. But not sure what to do to fill in the open benchtop. Due to the width of the 60cm induction, I could use a piece of timber benchtop in between the existing ones, but after cutting out the hole for the induction, the remaining might not be strong enough to support it.

I guess many people may have experienced this but I couldn't find any discussion about it. I hope someone here may be able to give an advice.

Thanks.

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @thai. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing a oven and stove.

This sounds like a job for a cabinet maker or a skilled tradesperson with experience in kitchen renovations. Replacing a freestanding gas oven/stove with a built-in electric oven and induction stove requires more than just buying the right appliances—it’s important to ensure the benchtop and cabinetry are correctly modified to accommodate the new setup.

For the benchtop, you’ll need to either find a matching piece of benchtop the same as your existing benchtop or choose a new style altogether. You could make it a feature by opting for a different style of timber or stone that contrasts with the rest of your kitchen, giving it a more modern or custom look. However, if you’re trying to match the current benchtop, it might be tricky to find an exact match, so you may need to have a new piece cut to fit. It would be worth enquiring with our Special Orders team in-store to see if a similar benchtop could be cut to fit the space.

When cutting the hole for the induction cooktop, ensure that the remaining piece of benchtop is strong enough to support the weight of the cooktop and the demands of cooking. Reinforcement might be required if the remaining timber is too thin or weak. To ensure safety and stability, I strongly recommend seeking the advice and assistance of a professional, as modifications to benchtops and cabinetry, particularly in relation to heat-sensitive areas like stoves, need to meet safety standards.

Additionally, for the oven cabinet, you might need a custom build or to adjust existing cabinetry to accommodate the new oven. A cabinet maker can help with both the design and the installation to make sure everything fits properly and adheres to all safety regulations.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell