An integral attribute of the kitchen is a gas stove, behind which, ideally, the husband stands and prepares breakfast for his wife. It is not classic gas or electric stoves that are gaining popularity, but hobs. Their convenience lies in their compactness and the possibility of installing a separate oven. But installing them on a countertop will make an inexperienced craftsman sweat. Is it possible to install such a module yourself and what will be needed for this? This will be discussed in the article.
Types of hobs
All hobs can be divided into two large groups. These groups are united by a power source; its role can be:
- electricity;
In appearance, hobs that are connected to the gas mains are practically no different from conventional stoves. An option for such modules may be an automatic start system, which can be autonomous or dependent on electricity. In the first case, it is represented by a piezoelectric element, which supplies a spark at the right moment. Burners on gas surfaces may vary in size for greater ease of use.
Electric hobs can be of two types:
- classical;
- induction
In a classic hob, the role of a burner is performed by a heating element or other heating element. This module costs less and is not particularly economical. Induction hobs are the dream of any modern housewife. The essence of the product’s functioning is to heat the product due to the electromagnetic field. However, if you put your hand on a working burner, you won’t feel anything. For normal operation of the product, a metal pan with a thick bottom is required. In this case, the material from which the dishes are made must be magnetic. The installation process for each of these surfaces is very similar. The difference lies only in the need to connect a gas hose for the first version of the stove.
Installation tool
The entire installation process does not take much time and requires a tool that may already be in the home DIYer's arsenal. Among the main tools are:
- screwdriver or drill;
- electric jigsaw;
- roulette;
- marker or pencil;
- silicone sealant.
Additionally, you may need a level or a long metal ruler to make it easier to draw straight lines.
Preparatory stage
If we are talking about a hob that is powered from an electrical network, then the preparatory stage will consist of supplying power. The average power consumption of such modules is within 3.2 kW. This means that a regular but good outlet will suffice for connection. If the socket was not installed in advance, then you can purchase a surface-mounted version, since it will be easier to install and you will not need an additional tool in the form of a hammer drill or drill with a crown. The cable for such an outlet must come directly from the distribution panel.
This step is being taken in order to provide such a powerful device with a separate circuit breaker that would control its operation. The rated current for which the machine must be designed is 16 amperes. The best solution would be to install a differential circuit breaker that can detect the slightest leaks. The socket is mounted slightly below the tabletop. This is done not for greater ease of connection, but to ensure that moisture and fats do not get on it during cooking. The outlet must be grounded in case of a short circuit.
Note! It is worth noting that a standard outlet can withstand a load of 3.5 kW and a current of 16 amperes.
Step-by-step instruction
An important step when installing a hob into a countertop is marking. Typically, the manufacturer, in the technical documentation that comes with the hob, indicates what the dimensions of the installation hole should be. One option would be to make a sample from cardboard, which can be used to draw the outline of the future hole. There is another option for marking, it can be seen in the photo below.
You need to place the hob on the countertop, but turn it upside down. She will be the model. It must be located in the place where direct installation will be carried out. The photo clearly shows that it is important to make a small gap from the edge of the countertop to the hob. Usually it is about 5 cm. It is done so that the edge of the cooking surface is not damaged by constant interaction with it.
The next step, as shown in the photo, is to apply markings. To do this, the hob is simply outlined in a circle with a pencil. The lines must be accurate so that they do not have to be redrawn several times, as this will only confuse you later.
The photo shows that the hob has a small protrusion, thanks to which it is fixed in the hole. This protrusion has a certain size that must be taken into account. It is also important to mark it on the outline of the future hole, as shown in the photo below.
In this case, it is necessary to make a small gap. If the protrusion has a length of 15 mm, then the size of the hob should only deviate 10 mm from the main line. A five-millimeter gap is required for smooth installation of the hob into the prepared hole.
After marking the hob, you need to prepare the holes to make it easier to cut out the required part. Holes are drilled with a drill or screwdriver in the four corners. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the drill does not damage the facade or other elements of the kitchen unit. The diameter of the drill should be such that the nail file fits freely into the hole.
To continue the hob installation process, you will need a jigsaw. His file is inserted into the prepared hole and the cut is made. It is important to remember that you need to cut along the inner, not the outer line. If a mistake is made, then the surface will simply fall into the hole without fixation.
During the work process, it is necessary to promptly remove sawdust so that it does not block the cutting line, as it can easily come off and damage the tabletop. When cutting, you must ensure that the file does not damage the walls of the cabinets or their surface. Before going through the last side, it is necessary to provide the tabletop with sufficient support so that the nail file does not bite, and also so that part of the tabletop does not fall on your foot.
Once the hole is ready, you can try on the hob to make sure it fits as needed.
The process does not end there. The tabletop is most often made of chipboard. If moisture gets on it, it swells and becomes deformed. When cooking on a hob, this scenario is inevitable, so it is important to protect the area that has lost the laminated layer. To do this, a special sealant is applied to it, which is used when installing the panels. It simultaneously acts as a fixing basis for the entire structure. The layer should be sufficient to cover all areas accessible to moisture.
An adhesive sealant is applied to the back side of the hob edge, which will additionally secure the product to the countertop. After this, the panel is inserted into place and gently pressed until contact with the surface of the countertop is felt. The sealant that has come out must be removed immediately, because after drying it will be more difficult to do. It is important to check that the connection is the same over the entire surface. If this is not done, the pressure from a heavy pan may cause the glass to burst.
Advice! If the hob is glass, then it is important to be careful when applying pressure so that it does not break.
The fixation doesn't end there. Special metal plates are supplied with the surface, as can be seen in the photo above. They must be screwed in such a way that they provide support and prevent the panel from lifting off the tabletop. A video about installing the hob can be seen below.
Network connection
After completing the installation process, you can proceed to connecting the electrical part. Most often, hobs are supplied in a single-phase version, but they can also be three-phase, which will be useful if three phases come into a house or apartment. Usually the hob has a built-in power cable. But if you don't have it, you will need to buy it separately. To connect, you will need a wire marked PVA 3x4. Each core of this cable is designed for a rated constant load of 8 kW.
This is necessary for a small margin, which will prevent overheating of the conductor. The wires are stripped on both sides. A plug is mounted on one, which must correspond in current strength to that specified for the hob. If this is not observed, then it may simply melt. The wire is not monolithic, so you will need to crimp the wires with lugs. Markings are usually applied near the terminal block where the connection to the hob will be made.
The Latin letter L denotes the cable through which the phase arrives, the letter N denotes zero, and there may be a third letter E, which denotes the location of the ground wire connection. Most often, instead of the third letter, a drawing is applied that indicates grounding. It is important to secure each core that is crimped with a ferrule firmly with a bolt. The service life will depend on the quality of the contact. If an oven is to be installed under the hob, then a separate outlet must be provided for it. The total power consumption of the surface and cabinet is twice as high as permissible for a single-phase outlet.
Summary
As you can see, installation of the surface can be done independently without significant skills. During work, all precautions and safety precautions must be observed. When drilling and working with an electric jigsaw, you must wear safety glasses on your eyes to protect you from flying sawdust. When installing the socket and connecting the electrical part, it is necessary to use tools that have dielectric handles that protect against electric shock. Before starting work, it is necessary to de-energize the machine, which is attached to the prepared wire in the kitchen.
Have you thought about making your own kitchen furniture? Then it’s time for you to find out that making it is only half the battle, and the second half of this job is to complete the furniture with all kinds of equipment. These include built-in washing machines and dishwashers, a sink, an oven, and, of course, a hob, which will be discussed in this article. Together with the site okuhne.net, we will deal with the question of how to install a hob with your own hands and how to connect it to the home gas pipeline and electrical wiring.
Hob installation photo
Installing a hob: marking the installation location
Marking is perhaps the most important stage of work associated with installing a hob with your own hands, which, oddly enough, has the most nuances. Judge for yourself - the entire appearance of the kitchen depends on how clearly and accurately you can mark and then cut a hole for the hob. This is exactly the case in which a mistake of one centimeter can turn out to be irreparable - you always need to remember the cost of the countertop. Buying a new one is not that cheap. The fact is that the panel itself must fit clearly above the cabinet, and there is practically no margin in width.
There are two ways to mark the mounting hole - you can simply lay it on the tabletop, center it by eye and trace it with a pencil, or you can follow the path of the professionals and calculate everything down to the millimeter. Naturally, it is better to choose the second option to resolve the issue, since in this case the chances of making a mistake are minimal. This is done as follows.
Now all that’s left to do is cut out and install the hob into the hole. We'll talk about this further. For those who do not like to read and delve into what is written, we attach a video on installing a hob into a countertop.
Installing a gas hob: two ways to cut the hole
You can cut a mounting hole for the hob using three different electric tools - a jigsaw, a drill or a hand-held milling machine. The most accurate and beautiful cut is obtained when using a hand router, but you don’t even have to ask about the presence of one in the home workshop of a person not involved in construction. Not everyone has a jigsaw either, but at least it is not very expensive, and you can buy it to carry out this work. Well, almost every business man has a drill. We’ll start with that, but first I’ll warn you about the quality of the hole obtained with a drill - it is, one might say, disgusting. It is quite difficult to seal torn edges, but this must be done, and problems will arise in this regard. In principle, they are solvable, but more on that later.
After the hole is ready, it is imperative to waterproof it - if water or even just moisture gets into the end of the tabletop, there is a very high probability that the material from which it is made will swell and the tabletop will deteriorate. As a rule, the end of the cutout is treated with silicone. If you cut a hole with a drill, then it will be quite difficult to do it efficiently - you will have to tinker.
Installation of an electric hob: fastening and connection
To make it easier to understand how to install a hob into a hole in the countertop, let’s imagine it in the form of a sequence of work - so to speak, in the form of a small but understandable instruction for installing a hob.
Basically, that's it. An electric hob is mounted in exactly the same way. The only exception is the absence of gas hose in it. There may, of course, be other nuances - for example, if we talk about an oven-dependent hob, then the installation process here looks a little different. First, install the oven, and then the panel, which is connected directly to the oven itself.
Basically, that's it. Now judge for yourself whether this work is difficult or not. You can deal with it yourself or, perhaps, turn to specialists. In general, based on experience, I can say that most people who are wondering how to install a hob with their own hands cope with this job easily. In fact, it is not complicated, and all that is needed to successfully complete the case is to strictly follow all the subtleties and nuances.
I still chose the induction hob. Because I don’t have gas in the house, and I didn’t want a regular electric one. The panel is from the manufacturer HANSA, there will definitely be an article about it, but that’s not what we’re talking about today. Today I need to install this cooktop into the countertop! Moreover, I’ve never done this before, I’ve only seen how masters do it. But I didn’t really want to pay 2000 - 2500 rubles for installing a surface, so I decided to install it myself. In principle, I succeeded, and I think you can too...
The article will have pictures, so read and watch everything step by step.
Guys, for starters - . Be sure to read the article so that you don’t have to redo the wiring several times!
1) Tool. To install (insert) the hob, we need a jigsaw, drill, tape measure, marking pencils and a flat board, about 1 meter (I had some left over from furniture) or a large ruler.
2) We determine the place where we will embed the panel; I have this place above the void for the oven. Of course, the panel can also be embedded above cabinets with dishes and kitchen utensils, but in my opinion this is not very correct.
3) Try on the panel by eye. The main thing is that there is enough space around the edges.
4) Now the hardest part is marking the dimensions on the countertop. To begin with, I determined the center, simply measured the distance (where the installation will be made) and marked the center.
5) Now we take the book, it contains all the necessary dimensions, we need to try to comply with them. First, I determine the horizontal gaps. That is, what size should be set aside from the wall and what size should be left to the edge of the countertop. Moreover, these sizes are already indicated by the manufacturer, here they are in the picture - X and X1. X – 50 mm (to the wall), X1 – 60 mm (to the edge). Set aside these dimensions. I have a corner attached, it is 30 mm, so I set aside another 20 mm from it and then 50 mm. At the end there is exactly 60 mm left, you don’t even need to measure there.
6) Now what is important to us is Dimension “A” - this is the width of the slab, for us it is 560 mm, that is, 280 mm from the center (which we set aside). From the center at a distance of 280 mm we draw two parallel lines. And in the end we get all the sizes. Look here.
7) Now take a drill, insert a drill 8 - 10 mm (so that the jigsaw file fits) and drill. We need to drill three to four holes (three is possible, then we don’t drill the last corner in which we will cut to it). Here are my three holes.
8) Next, take a jigsaw and start cutting the tabletop, everything is strictly to size. It is necessary to note the dimensions that are in the instructions already with gaps. You'll have to sweat, the tabletop is difficult to saw, but after 20 - 25 minutes everything was ready.
9) Afterwards we simply take out the cut out slab and put it away.
10) Remove the sawdust and try to insert the panel into place, everything should be fine! They did it according to the manufacturer's measurements. The stove moves a little, that is, you can move it slightly to the right - left, and also up - down.
Have you decided to completely change the interior of your kitchen and make the room more functional, beautiful and modern? It is necessary to approach this process with maximum responsibility and understanding. Replacing the headset is only half the battle. Today it is impossible to imagine a kitchen without modern, high-tech household appliances that can make the housewife’s work easier. Installing a hob only at first glance seems like a simple task that anyone can easily handle. The slightest mistake can ruin complex, expensive equipment and nullify your efforts. Therefore, it is best to enlist the support of professionals.
Installing the hob: the first step is marking.
It is necessary to understand that without correct markings it is impossible to install the equipment efficiently and reliably. We can say with absolute certainty that poor-quality markings can negate all your efforts to modernize the premises. It guarantees that all holes made subsequently will exactly correspond to the required parameters and ensure high-quality work. Any countertop costs a lot, so the slightest inaccuracy will certainly become a prerequisite for additional financial investments.
Buying a new countertop, especially if it was made from valuable wood, will result in significant costs. Installation of a hob - the price of services always depends on many factors and requires the involvement of professionals. Often people take the simplest route and trace the panel laid on the countertop with a pencil and make the holes by eye. Professionals never do this. Accurate measurement of all parameters and impeccable marking of each position down to the millimeter will ensure the ideal appearance and reliable operation of the new equipment. The stages of high-quality and correct marking include several steps.
Transfer the interior space of the cabinet to the surface of the countertop. To do this, use a marker or soft pencil to draw parallel lines that exactly correspond to the boundaries of the internal partitions. You should get a perfect rectangle. By connecting the corners, we find the exact center in which the cross is drawn. One line should be parallel to the front and back lines, and the other should be parallel to the side lines. It is best to use a construction square for this.
Having drawn your coordinate system, you need to transfer the dimensions of the embedded panel elements onto it with the utmost care. It is necessary to make holes with a small margin, which will help to accurately center the device. After marking and checking their exact correspondence to the original data, we draw parallel lines, which, after connecting them, will be the hole into which, after cutting, the hob will exactly fit.
It is important! In order for the hole to be perfectly straight and not extend beyond the edges of the equipment being mounted, you need to mark it slowly, using high-quality tools. You need to cut the hole with an electric jigsaw, which makes it possible to make an even and high-quality cut.
In order for the installation to go perfectly, it is necessary to perform all the work efficiently.
To cut holes of a given size in the tabletop monolith, you can use an electric jigsaw, drill or hand-held milling machine. Our specialists have all the necessary equipment at their disposal and guarantee the high quality of the work performed.
By the way! In order to cut a mounting hole using a drill, you need to stock up on several drills with a diameter of 8-10 millimeters and, following the contour of the marking, drill as many holes as possible with a minimum distance from each other. After this, using the same drill, all the holes are gradually connected. The main thing is to work along the internal contour of the marking. To prevent the cut piece from damaging the floor, place a stool or cardboard box in this place.
Using a jigsaw, you can get the desired hole much faster with impeccably even and smooth edges. However, you won’t be able to do without a drill, since you need to make the first hole where you can insert the tool’s file. A special stock and built-in ruler will help you complete the job flawlessly and quickly. You just need to make sure that the fallen piece does not damage the floor.
It is best to use a milling machine. It is ideal for such work, but only a well-trained specialist who knows how to work with such a tool can use it. Having made a hole, before installing the hob, take care of high-quality waterproofing. During operation, steam and water will inevitably destroy the countertop. It is best to use silicone for protection. It is easy to apply, flexible and does not lose its properties with prolonged use.
Steps for securing and connecting equipment when installing a hob.
Simple instructions on the sequence of work performed will help you get a complete understanding of how installation should be carried out so that the equipment can be used for a long time without additional repair costs.
You need to immediately connect the gas hose, since this will be quite difficult to do later. It is necessary to install a paranitic washer in the union nut. After this, securely screw it to the existing pipe. It can be found at the bottom of the hob. In order for the connection to be as reliable as possible, the paranit should be lubricated with graphite grease or grease.
It is necessary to seal the entire perimeter of the cut hole with sealing tape. It is included in the set of equipment purchased in the store. It is necessary to glue the surface of the tabletop with a continuous layer. When turning, we simply bend the tape without tearing it. The self-adhesive tape will stick tightly in the right place. You only need to gradually remove the protective paper layer. It is best to make a slight overlap at the joint so that there is no gap.
The hob is installed tightly in the cut hole and centered so that the front side looks perfect, without distortion. Then, from the inside, four special plates are screwed into the corners with self-tapping screws. They provide a tight connection between the equipment and the countertop. You need to tighten the screws as tightly as possible, but be careful not to strip the threads.
Connection to the gas distribution system.
It must be remembered that any work related to the installation of gas equipment is carried out exclusively by representatives of gas services. Otherwise, fines cannot be avoided. Even replacing a regular faucet requires turning off the gas supply in the riser and then testing and obtaining a special permit for use. We take care of all technical and organizational issues and guarantee that all work will be carried out in strict accordance with safety requirements.
Electrical connection.
We install a hob in Moscow or the region in strict accordance with existing technological standards. A moisture-resistant outlet must be used to provide power to the panel. It is mounted in advance on the inside of the headset. It is best to entrust the connection of complex equipment to professionals. This will help avoid accidents and malfunctions.
Installing a hob, the price of which can be quite significant, requires high professionalism and experience. We can give a full guarantee that after completion of the work you will not have to think about repairs in the near future. If the wiring in your home does not seem reliable, it is best to install an automatic protection system that will prevent electric shock from a short circuit.
Installing a hob inexpensively by our craftsmen will help you quickly realize your dreams and completely transform your kitchen, making it more modern, comfortable and beautiful. Contact us, we are always happy to help. Call us by phone or leave a request on the website, and we will provide the necessary assistance without delay.
DIY electric hob. All that remains is to answer the question of installing a built-in hob in your kitchen furniture yourself. I should immediately note that this work will not be difficult to do with your own hands, without turning to the help of a master.
Each hob comes with instructions. with pictures, which contains enough information for installation. But the instructions, as a rule, miss several important points regarding cutting a hole for a niche, as well as where and how to install an electrical outlet for connecting the hob.
Gas and electric hobs are installed in almost the same way, only it is better to entrust the connection of the gas surface to professionals. But if you decide to do everything yourself, then keep in mind that there are different burners for liquefied and natural gas, and after finishing the work, check with soapy water for gas leaks.
Installing a hob into a countertop
To install the hob into the countertop, you will need an electric drill and a jigsaw. If almost every household has an electric drill, then most often you have to buy a jigsaw.
Take into account, that you need to be very careful with the glass-ceramic surface so as not to damage it during installation. So weigh the pros and cons, and if you decide to do everything yourself, act according to our instructions. If the furniture is made to order, then inform the furniture makers about the dimensions for the sink and hob. They will do the cutting during the manufacturing stage. This is the best option. After assembling the kitchen furniture, go straight to the fifth point.
Step-by-step instructions for installing the panel into the countertop:
- Open the instructions from the kit and look at the dimensions of the niche that needs to be cut in the tabletop. If the dimensions are suddenly not indicated or there are no instructions, then it will be necessary to measure the internal size of the seat. Please note that the ideal gap between the hob and the countertop is 1 to 2 millimeters. But some people make 5-6 mm, but the panel can move during subsequent use.
- We make markings on the tabletop. We draw the lines along which we will cut with an electric jigsaw. To do this you will need a long ruler and a pencil. Often the panel comes with a cardboard template, which you just need to attach and trace around the inside with a pencil. Please note that in order for the tabletop not to break, its thickness must be at least 38 millimeters. Also when marking, take into account that the distance from the edge of the hob to the edges of the kitchen worktop on all sides and to the walls must be at least 50 mm.
- After finishing the marking Use a screwdriver or drill to carefully drill into the corners of our markings. A drill is used with a diameter of 8-10 mm, so that the jigsaw blade can then fit into the hole.
- Then take a jigsaw with a fine-toothed wood blade, insert it into the drilled holes and cut around the perimeter very carefully and slowly. When working, the jigsaw is pressed tightly against the tabletop.
- For protection from moisture and dirt, as well as to avoid the formation of fungus, stick the sealant from the kit on the cut areas around the perimeter, and if it is not there, then treat it with silicone or acrylic sealant. Carefully trim off the protruding excess with a sharp knife.
- Now slowly install the panel into the cut hole, if it turns out to be a little larger, then align it along the front edge of the tabletop.
If the panel does not become free, just do not use force to install it. In this case, you need to take out the panel and trim the smallest side by a couple of millimeters. - Remained final stage fixing the hob using special clamps included in the delivery kit.
They are screwed from the bottom of the tabletop and do not allow the panel to move in the gap between the panel and the tabletop.
Where is the best place to install an outlet for an electric hob?
Before installation To install a hob with your own hands, even at the assembly stage, I recommend moving the electrical outlet below the countertop so that neither the plug nor the socket for connecting it is visible in the kitchen. Read how to connect the hob in
