How to install new oven in existing under bench cabinet?

Hi all,

I am about to replace our 28 yr old under bench oven with a new F&P pyrolitic, OB60SC. The install instructions for the new oven do not seem to allow much clearance all round, 8mm minimum clearance on width and 5mm minimum clearance on height.. This seems very minimal to me, although I guess modern ovens are very well insulated.

Existing space is 543w x 645h x 570d.

I need to retain the existing fascia to keep everything matched, it will need to be widened slightly, it is laminated.

I need to raise the bottom of the oven by about 25mm to fit the existing cutout. What material should I use for this? The current base is mdf and the current oven has two steel rails on the bottom.

Regards,

Steve

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EricL

Hello @SteveC

Thanks for sharing your question about installing your new oven.

Due to the amount of adjustments that will be needed, I suggest considering engaging the services of a kitchen cabinet builder. They will be familiar with the materials to use and how best to adjust the cabinetry.

I'm afraid that this adjustment will be a bit involved. The oven minimum for width is 560mm which means that the righthand panel of the oven cabinet will need to be moved 17mm to the right. This means that the 4-drawer cabinet will need to move 17mm to the right as well.

The bottom panel of the oven cabinet will need to be replaced with a similar panel but bigger by 17mm due to the shift of the wall. The height and width are not an issue as you have more than enough space. The front oven panel or fascia might need to be trimmed down, but its best to test and observe first.

My only other suggestion is to consider getting a smaller oven.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

SteveC

Thanks Eric,

Why can't I just enlarge the current cutout width by 8.5mm each side? That would remove any need to move the drawers, which is not an option.

Current oven chassis is 520d x 533w x 620h

Regards,

Steve

EricL

Hello @SteveC

An oven cabinet is often screwed together and the only way to change or remove the panels is to remove the screws. Oven cabinets have specific requirements in regards to the panels surrounding them. Trimming the panels from inside would take ages and would weaken the structural strength of the cabinet walls.

If we are basing the space requirements from the oven guide the OB60SC needs an installation width of 560mm. The original existing space you mentioned is 543mm wide. The only way to provide that extra space is to move the panel to create more space.

However, if you had another strategy in mind, please let me know so that I can provide recommendations in regards to its application.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How To Assemble An Oven Cabinet

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let me know.

Eric

Dave-1

Afternoon @SteveC

If you remove 8.5mm from either side well my first thought is "You are skilled" 🙂 Second thought is structually there will be nothing left to support the surround cuboards. If you havnt already removed your oven, wait until you do and you will probarlly see long term "heat" marks. There are minimun air gap distances around things for a ereason (yes I have come across people not sticking to them and they wonder why timber has that burnt look)

The set of draws may be in a carcass that can be unscrewed and shifted to the right wholly if you are lucky, You will need a new timber piece at the top and also that raised piece for teh oven to sit on. If you look under the bench you will see how the benchtop is attached abd then the sides may have screws through to facing ends. It probarrly will be involved as Eric says.

I actually have the same oven! And an even older kitchen cabinetry (its all particle board that has been built insitu) So I really understand issues with replacement of the oven and keeping with the correct spacings.

Dave

SteveC

Thanks Dave,

Yes, I am skilled and have access to a full woodworking shop at my local Men's Shed. I agree there is a reason for clearances, which is why I posted the dimensions and mentioned that the clearances stated in the documentation seem too small. but, who am I to argue with the manufacturer? In the new setup I will have more than their specified minimum.

The existing fascia provides no support for the surrounding cupboards, it is purely a fill panel. In fact I can slide a thin steel rule between the fascia and the side of the adjacent carcasses. I guess I am lucky in that respect. It is attached to the left side cupboard and the drawer cabinet by 4 L brackets, one in each corner. The adjacent carcasses are pretty flimsy though, only 16mm chipboard I think, might be MDF but I doubt it. I think the whole system has been built in situ without using flat pack style carcasses. Typical minimal quality project home.

I have drawn an appr scale diagram of the existing layout. The old oven sits in the middle on a shelf (not sure how thick that is until I pull out the fascia)

The fascia (outlined in green) just sits between the two sides as mentioned above.

Hope this clarifies the current setup.

Regards,

Steve Bench layout.jpg

SteveC

Interestingly, the existing setup does not appear to have any form of heat shielding.

Regards,

steve

EricL

Hi @SteveC

Thank you for the clarification and extra information, we would definitely like to see what's inside the cavity. If you can post a picture of the inside, we'll be able to get an idea of how it's been put together. We can then offer recommendations on possible cabinet configurations.

Eric

SteveC

Hi Eric,

I won't be able to do that iuntil the sparky disconnects the old oven.. Although, I might be able to pull the old oven out far enough to get a camera inside. I'll look into it.

Regards,

Steve

SteveC

Hi all,

This is the best I could do without removing the oven completely. I note that the sides are quite grotty from food spilled over the decades, that will need to be cleaned once I have full access.

I can see no sign of burning from the old oven.

However, there was a lot of collected dust which of course is a fire hazard. Never knew that until the old oven was partially removed!

Regards,

Steve

Rear wall of enclosure, gyprockTop of cutoutBottom of enclosure Side Side Side Side Side Side Side Side

Dave-1

Morning @SteveC

Thank you for the pics and yah to no heat damage! 🙂

I still think you could move the draw box to the right by20mm or 30mm without a huge amount of trouble.

The "face" around the existing oven is only held on via the right angles.

The drawer carcus/cupboard will have some screws up into the benchtop.

The underside of the carcus/draw set may be directly connected to the feet. Or sitting on a plinth depending.

If you remove the screws from the underside of the bench and ones that probarly go through the back into the studs you could slide it to the right. You will need a new section of the base for the oven area to make sure its sealed (no mice hanging out)

Dave

SteveC

Thanks Dave,

I'll need to look into it more when the sparky removes the old oven. I have to get the sparky to do two visits, one to disconnect so I can then do the cabinet work and one to install.

I suspect the cabinets are on a plinth, not legs. Remember the house is 28 years old. I had the floor retiled about 5 years ago, so that does present a few issues when moving existing cabinets.

At this stage I don't have the funds to do a complete rebuild and the current cabinets and wall tiles are in good condition, although we may look at removing the existing wall tiles and putting in a polycarbonate splashback. But that might open a new can of worms!

If I moved the drawer box I would need to have a complete new fascia made, that would cost $320 in the same colour.

I am in fact quite capable (retired electronic engineer) of disconnecting / reconnecting myself but of course I don't have a license. If anything went wrong, insurance might not cover it.

The local sparky is giving me a good deal though.

On an other note, you said you have the same oven, how do you like it?

Regards,

Steve

Dave-1

Afternoon @SteveC

A new surrounding face for the oven shouldnt be too hard, potentially you could modify the old one? Add strips to either side?

I dont mind it tho the grill has never worked properly, Think I got half of it working once but never really figured out if it was me or the grill lol It took me a bit to understand the flip down the top bar/opening for the oven to work. I had to contact the estate agent as I couldnt get it to turn on at first. The hot plates are seperate but I am down to only two working 🙂 Well and trully need a new kitchen and am looking forward to doing one.

Dave

EricL

Hi @SteveC

I now understand what you meant when you mentioned the angle brackets holding the fascia. Trimming it to allow the new oven to fit should not be an issue. But will you be building a new cabinet inside or leaving it as is?

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your new oven installed.

Eric

SteveC

Hi Eric,

I do not plan on adding a new cabinet, the new oven will be a proud fit due to space requirements and once I trim the fascia it should fit OK. As Dave mentioned, I will fill the gap at the bottom to prevent vermin. That piece is not critical as it will be out of view.

Regards,

Steve

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