How to cut a hob countertop correctly

Rules for installing the hob in the countertop

Before installing the appliance, first check that it is in good working order and free from defects. Once the holes are ready, you must carefully, without pressing hard, insert the appliances until they fit perfectly to the edges of the table.

When the installation of the socket and the kitchen wall is complete, you can begin to work.

A small layer of sealant can be applied beforehand. The most important thing is that the built-in appliances must fit perfectly on the surface. The fixing process is carried out with the help of clamps (installed from below).

Built-in panel is fixed with special fixing clips included in the kit.

Marking on the worktop

Marking on the table is carried out strictly taking into account the dimensions of built-in appliances (prescribed in the passport). Draw all the dimensions of the panel on the surface of the table with a pencil.

Near each side make one hole with a diameter of no more than 10 mm., and then carefully cut the niche itself with a jigsaw.

Read the instructions for installing the hob.

Connecting

The procedure for connecting the selected flat cooking surface is the final step in its installation. This process requires increased attention and responsibility.

Installing a cooktop is a convenient and practical option for your kitchen.

Each type of equipment (electric or gas variant) requires special conditions and rules of connection. It is necessary to familiarize with them.

Gas

Connecting the gas type of stove will require a little time, and you can handle it yourself. After installing and securely securing the device, you only need to connect it to the gas mains. You must first make sure that the integrity of the gas line.

Flexible hoses (gas) are used for connection. At the end of the hose there are nuts with threads, and inside the gaskets for the strength of the connection. You can not tighten the nuts too much (this can be done with a special wrench included in the set). If necessary, the work can be entrusted to professionals in this matter. Once installed, the hose is connected to the gas pipe and then to the appliance.

Electrical

The first thing to do when connecting the electric version, you need to take care of the presence of a functioning socket, check the voltage in the network. The wire cross-section must be matched to the optimum power.

When cutting, you need to be careful.

The hob is connected to a separate electrical line.

How to mark the countertop under the hob

Cooktops on the market today are functionally complete appliances. And it can be used independently. Most sets have special niches so that you can integrate the stove.

If the new cooktop is properly installed in the finished countertop, it will ensure not only the quality of its connection, but also its functionality.

Anyone who intends to install a cooking surface in the countertop and plans to do this with their own hands, should know that this process is not complicated. If a person has at least some skills when working with electric tools, then he will not have much trouble coping with such a case. Plus, it saves money on installation fees.

What kind of hobs there are

According to the material of which they are made, the panels are divided into:

Note that the hob can also have a different number of burners. On the surface, they can be arranged in different ways.

The first step is to choose the most convenient and suitable appliance for you. And if you make an order for kitchen furniture, you should think about everything in advance. In particular, it is important to determine the place where the furniture will be installed. Included with the panel can be installed oven.

Think in advance about what will be the connection to the network. To the gas pipe, if you choose a gas panel. And to the electric mains if you choose an electric appliance.

IMPORTANT! In order to mount the electrical network, it is necessarily necessary to provide the appropriate cross-section of the power cable and power outlet. It is necessary to take into account the current consumption of the panel and possible oven. These are given in the instructions.

Remember also about grounding or protective grounding of the metal parts of the electrical device. If the preparations are made, then get to work.

Preparation stage

Depending on what type of device, the installation will have its own peculiarities. However, there are also general requirements for the process:

IMPORTANT! In case there is no possibility to install an exhaust hood, it is necessary to put a high power fan on the window sill.

In order to build in the stove hob you need the following tools:

Occasionally there is a need for a drill.

The process of marking the countertop

When you start the calculations, you must carefully check the result. A mistake of even 1 cm can spoil the worktop. And it does not come cheap to buy one.

What are the dimensions for the technological hole in the countertop? Usually this information is given by the manufacturer in the instructions. If the dimensions are not specified, you will have to take measures yourself.

It’s not a big deal. It is only necessary to turn the panel and take the measurements from it. Be sure to take into account that the panel will lie on the countertop around the perimeter.

It is more convenient to work with a stencil. But it has to be done additionally. The template is cut to appropriate dimensions from a sheet of cardboard. Then you will need to transfer the dimensions on the tabletop. To do this you need to use a long ruler, an angle or a template made by yourself.

IMPORTANT! Then use a pencil or marker to mark the outline on the tabletop. And with maximum precision. Then there is no crookedness.

Cutting out a window to install the panel

Insert the jigsaw blade into one of the holes, and then make a cutout in the tabletop along the entire contour. In order to avoid large chips, use a saw that has fine teeth, or a hand router.

Installing the cooktop

You have purchased a cooktop. There is only one thing left to do. Cut this product into the kitchen countertop. There are two variants of execution. To do the work yourself, or invite a specialist. Both options have their own advantages and inherent disadvantages.

In the first case, the positive point is that you will grow significantly in your eyes, because the work of cutting in the hob is not an easy task, and yet you coped with it, you will also save on the financial cost of paying for the service. True, you will have to buy some tools for this task, but this can hardly stop you.

The negative point when doing this work is the fact that in any case there are many subtleties and nuances that are difficult to comply with a person doing this work for the first time. Remember also to be very careful when installing the stove hob (electric glass ceramic hob). If the panel is damaged, it can cost you a pretty penny to replace it.

In the second case, when you call a specialist, you remove the headache of acquiring the necessary tools and unnecessary thoughts on installing / cutting in the hob. You only need to check the quality of the work done and pay for the service. You also save time and nerves.

If you do decide to do the work yourself, we would like to help you with a few tips and recommendations. Let’s start with a little excursus on the types of cooktops. Cooking hobs are divided by the method of heating burners. There are models that run on natural gas and electric. All models have their own specific features.

Before you buy a stove hob make sure that the dimensions of the worktop and cooker hob will allow you to do it.If you have purchased a gas stove, then when you install it yourself, you need to check very carefully the correctness and tightness of all connections, as failure to comply with this condition is dangerous for further operation and poses a threat to your life. It is necessary to pay attention to this fact when you install it yourself. Actually, independent installation of the gas cooking surface is quite a complex activity, and requires a certain qualification, a certificate and a permit. Hence, it follows that it is better to leave this work to professionals, experts in their field, who can connect your cooktop to the natural gas line.

As for the electric cooktop, everything is much easier here. It is enough to observe the rules of electrical safety and caution when working with electrical appliances.

Marking and preparatory work

Let’s move on to the next step. To self-tap and install the hob you need a tool. The tools you will need not very much, namely an electric drill or cordless screwdriver, an electric jigsaw, fine-toothed saws for wood, a feather or usual wood drill bit with a minimum diameter of 10 mm, a pencil, a tape measure, a measuring tape may be needed. Also for the subsequent connection, depending on the type of hob, you may need a pair of adjustable wrenches, slotted and a Phillips screwdriver. Basically all the necessary tools and accessories are listed.

Now it’s time to perform the insertion into the kitchen worktop. You need to be patient, as this process is not fast, and requires care and attention in the work. Now you are ready to start work. The first thing to do is to read the documentation that comes with the hob. In it you will find approximate instructions and a cutting pattern, there may even be a ready-made template.

It is advisable to stick to the following conditions: the thickness of the countertop under the hob must be at least 30 mm, otherwise you will face a breakage of the countertop at the place of installation of the hob. Actually the thickness of the countertop is 30 mm. is a critical value, the nominal thickness of a kitchen countertop is in the range of 40. 60 mm. The next indispensable condition is the distance from the edge of the kitchen worktop to the edge of the hob, which must be at least 50 mm. The panel must be at least 50 mm from the walls and other kitchen utensils. In addition, there must be a free space under the hob. It is worth providing good ventilation or availability of exhaust above the panel. Also pay attention to what is located under the hob, sometimes it is advisable to arrange insulation.

Do not forget that the stove hobs do not have an oven, so this fact practically does not limit their placement. If an oven is installed underneath the hob, the dimensions of the furniture opening must be respected in order to mount the oven. The width of the furniture opening should not be less than the width of the hob in the width of the metal housing, otherwise the hob simply will not fit into this opening. Pay attention to this if you are purchasing the hob and oven from different manufacturers or different series of appliances.

When the kitchen furniture is delivered, the worktops are provided with cut-outs for fitting the sink and hob. Cases of their absence are the result of several reasons: either the dimensions of the items were not known when the furniture was made and assembled; or the kitchen countertop does not match the thickness and did not cut in it for fear of destroying it; or did not cut for the absent-mindedness of furniture makers, which is unlikely.

Self-cutting out the hole for the hob

You have finally decided on the place where you want to install the hob. Now you need to mark the surface. Many manufacturers provide a ready-made template, but its compliance with the true size should be carefully checked, otherwise it is possible to spoil the countertop. The template can be made on your own from paper, cardboard or foam plastic. So, you have decided on the borders of the future kerf. Once again check the distance from the edge of the worktop to the line in several places, following the expression “Measure seven times. Cut once! Take a paper adhesive tape, glue it on the table top, so you will be convenient to conduct the marking on it, to correct the erroneous marks. After that mark the corners of the marked out contour with a pencil and connect them, drawing the fishing line. After that we take a screwdriver with a feather drill set and drill holes in the corners of the markings. After you finish drilling, you need to make a precise cut with the jigsaw. For this purpose it is necessary to insert the jigsaw saw carefully into the hole, press the jigsaw against the table top, switch it on and make a neat cut along the outlined scythe line without any hurry. After completing this work, you need to remove the remnants of paper tape. Scotch tape must be removed very carefully to avoid chipping. It is best to remove the tape by pulling it along the countertop inside the cut part. In this case the edges are smooth and clean. Place the cut should be processed silicone or rubber sealant, it will provide protection to the countertop, from moisture ingress and ingress of food dirt inside. This dirt is the perfect microflora for fungal growth. Some experts advise using thick PVA glue. Ends treated this way become reinforced and moisture resistant.

Once the technological hole for the panel is cut, mount the panel using special fasteners that come with the panel. Do not forget to use gaskets when installing the hob. They must be included with the electrical appliance. If the gasket is lost you can use a sanitary silicone sealant or silicone sealant for kitchens and toilets. There is an antifungal additive in there.

Connecting the cooktop

That’s all. Now you only have to connect the hob to the power supply. The principle of connecting the hob is quite simple, in the presence of terminal blocks it is not very difficult, especially if summed up the appropriate cable.

If there is no supply cable, it must be chosen according to the power consumption of the appliance. Some models have a 1.5 metre long power cord, others do not. This is due to the fact that modern cooktops have several connection options, including one, two, or three phase connection schemes. Alternatives are also possible through a socket with a plug, or via a terminal block. When connecting via a terminal block, pay attention to the material of the block body. It is desirable that it be made of polyamide or other heat-resistant material, otherwise the block will melt during operation, which can lead to bad consequences.

Why do we draw your attention to it? The power of the hob is about 6-8 kilowatts, which translates into an amperage of about 25-36 amps at 230 volts. The amperage is high enough to heat the terminal block sufficiently. Hence the conclusion. It is better to prevent than to repair. If possible it is better to provide a separate cable to the apartment panel and a separate circuit breaker. If you decide to connect to the existing wiring without laying a separate cable, you must first check the status of existing wiring and outlets, and only then decide.

That’s pretty much it! We have tried to describe the hob installation process as fully as possible. How we did it. You judge. We hope that our tips and recommendations will help you in your process. If you decide to use the services of specialists, please contact. We render services in installation and connection of cooking hobs, ovens and other kitchen and household appliances in Saint-Petersburg and in the region for a long time and we are always ready to help you with our hands and knowledge to solve your problems. We know our work well and we prefer to perform it technically, qualitatively and for a long time. Contact. Best regards.

You can order execution of works by phone 7 (812) 645-67-15 any day of week from 09.00 to 21.00 hours, or through the site in the column “Make an order” in a round the clock mode. After receiving your order you will definitely receive a call back at a time that is convenient for you.

Once the place for installation is selected and the necessary measurements are made, you can proceed to install the panel. A set of tools depends on whether there is a hole in the countertop or it needs to be cut out.

Necessary tools and materials

To cut into the kitchen countertop stove, you need to prepare in advance all the necessary tools.

• tape measure;
• angle piece;
• construction level;
• a pencil and a marker;
• electric jigsaw or hand router;
• drill;
• screwdriver set;
• sealant;
• self-adhesive sealant;
• Hose for gas equipment;
• gas wrap;
• crescent wrenches.

The list may vary depending on the type of stove and the nuances of its connection. For example, a jigsaw and router may not be necessary if installation is carried out in an existing hole. The main thing is that it must fit the size of the purchased device. To install the new appliance simply remove the old hob from the worktop.

Marking and sawing the hole in the countertop

If there is no old hole, it must be sawed according to the dimensions of the panel. For an even cut it is better to use a milling machine.

How To Cut a Laminate Countertop | Including Lessons Learned

Specialists recommend following the step by step performance of calculations and take into account some nuances:

• Using a tape measure, you need to determine the center, by drawing diagonals in the rectangle;
• draw 4 scythe lines on the tabletop. 2 parallel to the edge of the tabletop and 2 vertical;
• Check the evenness of the drawing with a level.

On dark kitchen surfaces it is recommended to glue masking tape and make a marking on it.

For the convenience of work, it is recommended to drill several holes. the starting points from which the cut will be made in a straight line mowing line. They are made with a drill with a drill bit of 8-10 mm in the four corners of the outlined rectangle.

Next, the landing place for the panel itself is sawed out:

• Insert the jigsaw blade into one of the holes in the direction of one of the lines.
• The cut is made with light pressure on the table top from one hole to another.
• All sides of the outlined figure are sawed out in the same way.

Use clamps or a stool to support the sawed-out piece from below to prevent it from falling. After removing the sawn off piece, the cuts are checked for flatness and polished.

Sealing and locking

After sawing the seating area, take care of sealing the countertop. It is necessary to protect the equipment from water during cleaning or cooking, and will also keep the material from rotting and decay. Mostly silicone sealant is used, if the instructions do not prescribe other recommendations.

The use of the material has some peculiarities:

• Tabletop is pre-cleaned from dirt and degrease;
• The cut is carefully treated with sealant around the entire perimeter without gaps;
• Smudge the compound well with a trowel and remove the excess material.

Rubber seal can also protect a table top. It is glued on top of the surface so that the edges of the panel lay exactly on it. Most manufacturers supply the stove with similar consumables and write recommendations for their use in the instructions.

Connecting the hose to the gas pipe and to the cooktop

Before connecting the gas stove to the pipe you need to choose the right hose. It can be bellows, rubber or metal. The choice is purely individual, the main thing is that the product is of high quality.

Installation of the gas cooktop is performed in several steps:

• Gas supply is shut off.
• The machine is inserted into the parking space.
• One end of the hose is connected to the gas line with the adjustable wrench.
• The connection point is wrapped with a gas winding to avoid leaks.
• The second end of the hose is connected to the stove.
• Turn on the gas supply and check for leaks.
• The burners are checked.

The stove can only be used as intended after it has been checked for malfunctions.

Connecting to the power grid

Before you build and connect the electric stove, you need to check the socket. It must be grounded, suitable in terms of power and comply with all standards.

If the model of the stove does not provide for the use of a socket, then it will be necessary to perform certain actions:

• Connect the electric cord with grounding to the plugs of the stove according to the diagram on the back of the equipment.
• Connect the stove itself to the utilities.
• Check that the appliance functions correctly.

Some houses have a slightly different wiring.

If the connection is made to a single-phase network, then in addition the following work is carried out:

• Lay a separate electric line with a three-core wire.
• Install a special socket with grounding.
• Install a protective circuit breaker.

Check the performance of the equipment is done by connecting it to the mains and heating water.

Mounting and securing the panel

After the panel is connected and the mounting area is treated with appropriate materials, you can proceed to the final installation of equipment.

Installation is carried out according to the following procedure:

• The plate is laid into the hole with a sealant and aligned in the center.
• Fix the equipment to the table using the fasteners that must be included in the kit.
• Use a screwdriver to firmly tighten the bolts of the fasteners.
• Carefully trim off any excessive protruding sealant with a knife.

Only properly installed will the equipment work properly and without malfunctions.

Wiring method for the panel: socket or connection socket

There are two options for connecting an electric cooktop to the power supply:

Both variants have the right to exist. Tip is simple, if the panel comes with a plug, then put in an outlet. Standard socket contacts for the stove withstand 32 amps, and nothing will happen to them if you do not turn it off when the load (turned on the stove).

Connection through the terminal is more reliable, although not convenient when repairing the panel or replacing it.

Connecting the cooker hob to the power grid

Experts note how it will be correct and quick to install a new cooktop in the kitchen countertop and connect it to the communications. The device can be connected to a separate power line, if the switchboard has RCD fuses for the stove. In homes with 380 volt power supply, you need to do an even load per phase.

You may need a separate socket for the hob, so you will need to remove the garnish first. The channel is prepared, strengthened, closed with a layer of putty or cement. After these works proceed to the cutting of holes and installation of the board.

Where to put the best socket for the electric panel

When connecting the panel to the socket, it is important that they are at a suitable distance from each other. Do not use tees and extensions, t. к. This can lead to an emergency situation. If there is no separate electrical outlet near the equipment, then it will need to be laid, and even before the installation of the stove.

If, in addition to connecting the top hob, the bottom oven is also used, then two outlets will be needed.

The best place for placement. below the stove. This will help to eliminate the impact of moisture and grease on the socket during cooking. It will also remain invisible to others.

How to install the gas panel in the countertop with their own hands

In the conditions of the apartment, the place of installation of the gas panel, is determined by the location of the gas pipe. On the gas pipe, a shutoff valve must be installed. It is worth noting that the transfer of the gas pipe at any distance, should be done, only by specialists of the gas company. At the same time, no one forbids the installation of the gas panel at some distance from the pipe, using a flexible gas line (gas hose).

Sawing out the hole for the stove hob and the sink

In order to start sawing the hole for the stove hob and the sink, make a hole in the worktop so you can insert the jigsaw blade and start sawing. They are marked with arrows in the photo.

Insert the jigsaw blade into the drilled hole and make a space for the cooktop (or sink).

To prevent the sawn part from tilting or falling out while you are sawing, put 0.5 cm of self-tapping screws in the sawn sides.

Install the countertop in place, securing it to the worktops. Attachment of the tabletop to the worktable is usually made with special brackets or metal corners. As the worktops are fastened together, once the worktop is in place, you will have a monolithic and stable structure.

When positioning and securing the worktop, check that it is level. In case of deviation from the level, adjust the level. This is usually done with the legs of the work tables. They have rotating bushings on them.