When you remodel the kitchen, installing a new cooktop that matches the new kitchen’s aesthetics is natural. But installing gas appliances like gas ranges, cooktops, ovens, or cookers is easier said than done.
Placing your natural gas stove or gas cooktop in the kitchen countertop in a precut opening from your old gas stove and attaching the new gas stove with the existing gas connection is quite simple and probably the easiest part of kitchen remodelling. But when it comes to gas stove installation, you must prepare the space on the countertop, like the minimum clearance from the exhaust fan, prepping your combustible surfaces and combustible materials, checking the gas lines, and planning the entire installation process. And these require some heavy-duty work.
You’ll need extensive knowledge about your new gas appliances, like different cooktops and their dimensions, fire codes, gas line installations, and clearance requirements. On top of this, you may also need professional help to check the gas lines to avoid leaks. And a licensed gas fitter is the right person to do it. Thus, to make it a bit easier, we’ll discuss the factors you must consider while installing your new gas appliance - a new gas cooktop.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
What Are The Factors To Consider While Installing A Gas Cooktop?
1. Electric And Gas Requirements
Before installing a gas cooktop, check whether all the necessary gas and electrical lines are in place. You’ll need a half-inch gas line with a shutoff valve within 3 feet of the cooktop’s location.
Secondly, you must install a 15-ampere, breaker-protected electrical circuit with a grounded electrical receptacle. The receptacle must be mounted below the gas cooktop inside the cabinet space to power up the spark igniters.
If you’re replacing an old gas cooktop with a new one, you’ll already have the gas and electrical lines. However, if you plan the gas cooker in a wholly remodelled or new kitchen or need an entirely new gas oven installation, hire professional experts to install the electrical and gas lines.
2. Installation Styles And Cooktop Sizes
It’s best to always consider the dimensions of the cooktop and available space on your countertop before the installation. Generally, a cooktop’s length can vary from 30 to 36 inches, and its width can be 21 to 22 inches. If you choose any cooktop within this range, you can install it on a standard 24-inch countertop.
The front edge of your cooktop will lie parallel to the base cabinets and be placed between your countertop’s front edge and backsplash. Furthermore, the cooktops’ depth usually ranges from 3.5 to 14 inches. While shallower cooktops have control buttons on the top, deeper ones come with control buttons on the front face.
Considering these dimensions to plan the successful cooktop installation would be best. For instance, if the cooktop has knobs on the top, it must be placed into a cutout space between your countertop’s front edge and backsplash. However, if the knobs are on the front face, the entire front edge of your countertop needs to be removed.
3. Planning The Clearances
A gas cooktop can heat the entire countertop while you’re using it. Planning the minimum clearances around the cooktop while installing it is essential to avoid fire damage to the cabinets and kitchen walls.
The clearances might vary based on the size of your cooktop and installation planning. If you install a 36-inch cooktop, maintain a 30-inch gap between the gas cooktop and the kitchen cabinet directly above it. You can also install a hood over your cooktop in this space to protect the cabinet surface from heat.
Also, make sure to keep a distance of 6 inches between the cooktop cutout and the sidewalls of your kitchen cabinets. You might also need to cut out the sidewalls to make the required clearance. Furthermore, there must be a gap of around 2-¼ inches between the back wall of the countertop and your newly installed gas cooktop.
4. Cutting The Countertop
Depending on the material of the countertop, you can prepare the cutout for the cooktop yourself or hire a professional. If the countertop is stone, call a professional immediately because there’s no point in getting into a hazardous situation by trying to cut it yourself.
If the countertop has solid surfacing, you can try to cut it using a powerful plunge router and a carbide blade. But, be careful and only do it yourself if you have enough experience. In contrast, cutting a countertop with a plastic laminate using a power drill and a saw is much easier.
Furthermore, if you want to prepare the cutout yourself, it’s always good to design a template first. You can use the dimensions and clearance specifications of the cooktop while preparing the template. Once you’ve organised the template, lay it on the countertop, draw the necessary cut lines, and start cutting.
Ensure you tightly secure the counter so the cutout doesn’t fall off while working on it. If you have a plastic laminate countertop, you can use masking tape to avoid excess chipping. Be careful and wear your protective gear while preparing the cutout for the cooktop.
5. The Installation Process
Once the gas supply line is ready, you have prepared the countertop cutout and followed all the clearance specifications, and it’s time to install the gas cooktop. Unpack the cooktop and carefully read the instruction manual for installing it. Also, check all the supplies and parts you’ll need to hook the cooktop to the gas line.
Before installing the cooktop, cover the cutout’s inside edges with foil tape to prevent heat damage from the cooktop. Attach all the necessary parts with the package to the cooktop’s pipe joint to hook it to the gas line.
Once you’ve placed the cooktop into the cutout, it’s time to screw it up tightly to the countertop and secure the whole assembled unit. Be careful not to over-screw it because it might crack the countertop material.
6. Check Gas Connections
Before plugging the cooktop’s power cord into the gas outlet, check every gas joint for leaks. Make a solution of dishwashing soap and brush the frothy solution on the entire gas connection, covering every joint.
If the soapy solution bubbles up at any gas joint, you’ve got a leak. Once you’ve detected the leak, tighten those joints and test them again similarly.
Gas Cooktop Installation In Your Kitchen
We have reached the end of our guide on the factors to consider while installing a gas cooktop. Even though gas installations aren’t easy, we hope you now know better how to do them.
For hassle-free gas cooktop installation in your kitchen, call Fixed Today’s licensed gas fitters. We can also perform regular gas leak inspections of your existing cooktop and gas supply to avoid burst gas pipes.
Once you’ve installed the cooktop and connected it to the gas line, assemble the burners and ignite them to check the flames. If everything works correctly, place the grates, and you’re ready.
