Introduction
It may seem intimidating to think about how to install an electric cooktop in your kitchen. But, it doesn’t need to be. Our step-by-step guide makes it simple because each of the individual steps involved is not difficult. What matters is to do them in order and to do them carefully. In the end, you will see that with our guide, installing your electric cooktop is not as intimidating as you first thought.
How to Install an Electric Cooktop in Your Kitchen
There are several steps involved in the installation of a Portable Electric Stove Top. The good news is that each step is relatively simple and easy to follow. This guide will help you install an electric cooktop as new or as a replacement for an old one.
Removing the Old Cooktop
If you have an old cooktop to remove first, this is the first step. Turn off the power at the fuse box and remove any caulking or attachments the cooktop may have. Make sure there is no power by using a circuit tester.
Disconnect the wiring. Remember how it is wired as you will need this information when you wire the new one in place. If it helps you can label the wires or take a picture of the wiring to help later. Gently lift the old cooktop out of the opening and place it to the side.
Check that you have enough clearance around the location for the cooktop. There should ideally be at least 30 inches above the cooktop and 1 or 2 feet clearance on the sides. You can double check the manufacturers guide for the specific requirements of the model you have.
The Junction Box
The next step is to check that you have the correct junction box in the location where you want the cooktop. Most units will need a 240 VAC junction and this will already be there if you are replacing an old cooktop. If you are adding a new cooktop, you will need to hire a professional to install a junction box for you.
You also need to make sure the old cooktop has the same amperage as your new one. If not, then additional wiring needs to be done by a professional. Many older electric cooktops have 30-amp circuits whereas modern ones range between 40 and 50 amps.
Taking Measurements
The next step in how to install an electric cooktop is to take measurements to ensure it will fit in the existing location. To do this correctly, you need to measure the length and the width, then subtract 0.5 to 1 inch from each side. This accounts for the lip.
If you need to alter the hole, now is the time to do so. If the hole is too small, you can make it larger, and if it is too large, you can screw in shims around the opening. These are long flat metal pieces you can get from any hardware store.
Note that if there is tiling on the counter, you may have to cut this away first to make the cooktop opening larger. If you have a granite countertop, you will need to hire a professional to cut the opening as it is a much more difficult material to cut through.
Getting Your Electric Cooktop in Place
Make sure all removable pieces for the cooktop are set out of the way. If not already done, you also need to remove all packaging. Install the spring clips first. These will hang from the upper edge of the cutout and hold the cooktop in place. You can secure these with screws.
Lower your new electric cooktop into place. Always make sure the wires go through the opening first. Press down along the edges of the cooktop to make sure it clicks into the spring clips. If any tile was removed beforehand, you can now reinstall them to lay flush against the edges of the cooktop. It is best to wait 24 hours for the tiles to set before putting the cooktop in place.
Connections and Final Touches
Connect all the wires back to the power supply. The power should still be off at this point.
- The red and black wires are the hot wires (check the manual for these guidelines as the colors of the wires may vary across cooktop models). These wires need to connect to their corresponding wires in the power supply.
- The white, or neutral, wire completes the circuit and will connect to the white wire in the power supply.
- The green wire is for grounding and will connect to the green wire in the power supply.
Use a wire nut to connect all the wires together. To do this, line the wires up and then twist them together. The wire nut gets screwed onto the twisted wires and will protect the wires from touching any other bare wires. This is essential to prevent fires.
You are now ready to install your electric cooktop. Replace any burners, screens or other parts that you previously removed. Turn the power back on by flipping the breaker and then turning on the cooktop to check that everything is working.
Now that you know how to install an electric cooktop in your kitchen, you can enjoy cooking. Whether you are replacing an old cooktop or installing the Best Electric Cooktop in a brand new kitchen, this guide keeps it simple so you don’t have to stress.