Can i put a standing oven range in place of my slide in oven range?
Question:I need to replace my slide in oven range but the prices are quite high compared to the regular standing ranges. Besides the depth, would i have any problems if i go with a standing range?
Answers:
Do this all the time, some things you need to consider.
Is the unit gas or Elect. if gas then the location of the service line is an important issue. the slide in unit will have a drawer in the bottom and the service line may interfer with it's operation. The same can be true of elect but not as likely will that be a problem.
Now lets talk about the kind of unit. I've noticed lately the only difference between Frigidare slide in and free standing is a drawer unit they have built to attach to the bottom of the slide or drop in unit. the problem is they built the darn thing about two inches deeper(front to back) than the upper part and it tends to get in the way of the utility.
As another person mentioned the next issue can be the width of the unit. some of the older units especially GE and Kenmore were 27" wide and the new units are 29 1/2 to 30 so you have to enlarge the opening in the counter top. The only way to know if you can or not is to remove the old unit so you can see the underlying structure, and the cabinet face structure. Face Frame Cabinets usually have 1.5 to 2 in vertical strips (stiles) on each side of the stove, these may have to be cut down to allow more space. Most cases this isn't necessary, if fact you may find additional strips may have been added to fit the old stove. If the space must be enlarged more than possible, you can special order a stove that will fit.
As mentioned you may have to remove some toe kick material under the old drop in to permit the slide in to sit on the floor.
The counter top can be cut using a saber saw with a laminate blade or fine tooth metal cutting blade. These blades will help you avoid chipping the laminate (the laminate blade cuts on a down stroke where wood cutting blades cut on the upstroke. You may also have to remove some counter top next to the wall, to permit the stove to slide close to the wall, this type of stove usually has a control panel on the back. There are units which slide in that sit on the floor but slide into the counter top just like the drop or slide in you presently have.
Cutting out the counter to the wall and the splash is more difficult than widening the opening. I would suggest you use a recopricating saw for that task. This is why this task is usually performed by a cabinet top person or a cabinet builder.
The exposed edges can be sealed, or even covered with new laminate, but this isn't really important since it will not be exposed, sealing with caulk will prevent the surface of the edge from absorbing moisture from spills.
One very important and I stress very important issue is the "Anti- tip device" that will come with the new free standing stove. This is a little device you attach to the floor under the stove to prevent it from tipping over if the oven door is open and is pressed down. Let me try and explain, if you have something cooking on the stove top and a child cant see it, pulls the oven door down to stand on, the stove will tip over and you will be at the emergency room with a very badly injured child. The device is very simple and if you follow the directions carefully it is very easy to install unless you have a concrete floor, then it is more difficult but no less important.
You could expect to pay extra for the dealer to perform this type of installation.
We are going through this now also. Our slide in range is 27" wide and most ovens are 30" wide. We may have to knock down a wall or something. I am not sure what we will do. Good luck to you
We had that problem once. The slide in actually hung on the counter top, so we had to trim the counter back on each side.
It was a laminate counter so, easy enough to do. Also, there was a wooden partition under the front of the range that had to be removed. Measure carefully and good luck!
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