How to integrate a gas stove into a countertop?

Built-in technology has long ceased to surprise anyone. Sinks, electric stoves, ovens, air conditioners - in short, you can hide everything in a closet or table with which a modern apartment is equipped. However, many owners of a freestanding gas stove sometimes cautious about the very idea that this unit can become part of the table. Our article will discuss how to integrate a gas stove into a countertop, when it can be done, and when it is better to refrain from such a step.

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What kind of electric cooker can be built in?

What should be the correct location of the plate? Before you embed the gas stove in the kitchen, it makes sense to carefully look at what kind of stove you have and whether it can even be combined with a table or cabinet.

Old plates

Many houses still have old Soviet stoves - they are certainly very reliable, but they look extremely unpretentious, and they are made of materials that do not protect nearby objects from overheating. Embed this in the table there is no point. The only thing that can be done is to place a table-cabinet or bookcase next to it so that the stove does not knock too much out of the interior.

In this case, you must follow the safety rules:

• all parts of the furniture must be made of refractory material;
• the distance between the stove and the cabinet wall can not be less than 5 cm (the countertop made of refractory material can adjoin the stove and even be integral with it);
• flammable or explosive substances cannot be stored in the cabinet.

Modern cookers

Before you build an ordinary gas stove into the countertop, think about whether it is time to change the obsolete model to a more modern one. Manufacturers of gas equipment offer customers several types of stoves:

• freestanding;
• recessed.

Important! Modern boards are made from new materials. To learn how to properly care for a glass-ceramic surface, how to wash it, you can in our article "Glass ceramic cleaning products".

The freestanding gas unit is not much different from the old Soviet ones. It looks, of course, more elegant. But significant differences still exist:

• modern stoves heat less surrounding objects, since materials with appropriate properties are used for their manufacture;
• it is quite possible to integrate a freestanding stove into the countertop, and for this it is not at all necessary to change the configuration of the gas pipes.

Important! As for any built-in model, it is specifically designed to become part of a table or cabinet. This is a dependent or independent module. Having bought such an aggregate, the future owner expects in advance that the hob with or without an oven will fit into the headset and practically will not take up space.

Dependent and Independent

The dependent model consists of two main parts:

• hob;
• the oven.

When placing it, this feature must be taken into account, that is, both modules must be located side by side. Usually they put the oven down and the hob on it.This somewhat limits the owner - he must highlight a corner in which the entire complex will fit, which, moreover, will comply with safety standards. For the panel, a recess is provided in the countertop, for the oven - a cavity with a refractory coating.

Important! Owners of a stainless steel stove often face the problem of scratches on it. To maintain the appearance of the equipment will help proper care. You will find useful information in our separate post. “How to wash a stainless steel plate”.

The owner of two independent modules is more free to choose. The oven and hob are completely autonomous, which means that you can put them in different places.

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Benefits of Embedded Models

Installing a gas stove in the kitchen is not particularly difficult, but, like any repair, requires a sober assessment of the situation. Are there any advantages to embedded models? Do they have any flaws? Which is better - to integrate the unit yourself or consult a professional? In a word, a lot of questions can be answered right away.

pros

The main advantages of embedded technology:

• furniture and household appliances are located compactly and do not take up extra space;
• it is more convenient for the housewife to cook when the hob and work table are nearby and on the same level;
• the working area looks very impressive;
• no debris gets between the cabinet and the stove;
• the kitchen seems spacious;
• oven and cabinet doors are on the same level - it is both harmonious and convenient;
• Such a device is easy to care for, since you do not need to wipe off the fat from the walls.

Minuses

The main disadvantage of the integrated unit is the relatively high cost, which consists of three parts:

• prices for the stove itself;
• the cost of new furniture for her;
• payment installation.

However, costs can be reduced. If you are going to build in an existing freestanding stove, you can make a table yourself or mount it yourself.

Important! During installation, it is necessary to strictly observe the safety regulations.

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Determine the dimensions

Before embedding the stove in the kitchen, it is important to determine the size, as well as prepare the necessary materials and tools. As for the sizes, now on sale most often there are hobs with 4 burners.

The plate needs to be measured, but there are average indicators:

• panel height - 3-10 cm;
• length - 50-60 cm;
• width - 45-50 cm.

Important! So that the air in the kitchen and in other rooms is always pleasant, even if you cook a lot of food for the holiday, do not forgetset the hood over the stove.

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Tools and materials

To integrate the stove yourself, you will need:

• the panel itself;
• steel hose (certified, for gas equipment);
• tape measure, sewing centimeter or a long ruler;
• square;
• gas winding;
• pencil;
• jigsaw or saw;
• building level;
• adjustable wrenches;
• fasteners.

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Choose a place

Can a gas stove be built into a worktop? Of course, it is possible, but first you need to choose a place where the unit will stand. In this case, you need to focus on a few points:

1. The hob should not be located next to the sink - do not allow water drops to fall on the heated surface.
2. The place where the stove will stand should be well ventilated.
3. It is necessary to provide free access to pipes and a gas tap, if suddenly there is a need for their repair or maintenance.
4. No need to put the stove next to the refrigerator - this can damage both one unit and another.
5. Other elements of the kitchen set should be located at some distance from the stove, they should not be placed next to it.
6. We must not forget about the interior - it is necessary to ensure that the stove looked good.

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We cut a notch

Regardless of whether you are going to build in models specially designed for this or the most ordinary freestanding, you need to cut a hole in the countertop itself. Instructions are attached to the new built-in models, which indicate the dimensions of the recess - they correspond to the width and depth along the inner edge.

If there is no instruction, you have to act independently:

1. Turn the panel over.
2. Measure the width and length along the inner edge.

Important! Pay attention to the indents from the edges of the countertop - they are indicated in the instructions, but these are the minimum values. You cannot reduce them, increase them is possible.

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Make markup

Having decided on the dimensions, outline the contours of the future excavation:

1. From one of the side edges, set aside the length of the indent.
2. Through this point, draw a line parallel to the edge, the entire width of the countertop.
3. From the front edge along this new line, also set aside the width of the indent (it may be wider than the side, depending on the model of the slab).
4. Draw a line parallel to the leading edge through the mark.
5. Check the angle between the lines - it should be straight.
6. On the line parallel to the side edge, set aside the width of the countertop, and on the one parallel to the front cut, its length.
7. Draw lines through these points and make sure that all corners are straight, and they themselves go strictly parallel to the edges of the countertop.
8. You can round corners by hand or on a pattern.
9. Drill holes where the notch will begin.
10. Put a file with small teeth into the jigsaw.
11. Cut a hole.
12. Grind the saw cuts with sandpaper.
13. Do not forget to remove the sawdust - it is easiest to do with a vacuum cleaner.
14. Place the hob in the recess and check that the hole matches the required parameters.

Important! If you have a manual router, it is even more convenient than a jigsaw - corners can be cut with a radius mill.

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Put the panel

Before you finally install the panel, you need to process the edges of the recess. Suitable for this:

• silicone sealant.
• aluminum tape;
• self-adhesive sealant.

Why do this? To protect the countertop and stove from negative influences:

• fat
• mud;
• excess moisture.

That is, sealing allows you to extend the term and the countertop and stove - everything that usually falls into the gap between the stove and neighboring objects will remain on the surface, and it can be easily removed.

The choice of sealant depends on the material from which the countertop is made:

• If it is refractory plastic or wood with special impregnation, sealant or self-adhesive sealing tape will be enough.
• If you have a simple wooden table that does not apply well to temperature extremes, choose an aluminum tape.

Important! Hose outlets can be of two types - for centralized gas supply and for connecting to a cylinder.

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We connect a plate

It is still better to entrust the connection of a gas stove to a specialist - these works are classified as hazardous. Having decided to execute them yourself, strictly follow the safety rules. First you need to choose a hose.

He can be:

• metal:
• rubber;
• bellows.

If with metal and rubber products it is more or less clear, then a few words should be said about the bellows hose. Now this is the name of any product with a corrugated shell. Specialists of the English company Sylphon invented the coating. The hose may be metallic or non-metallic.

Important! Gas equipment must be certified. You should not buy a hose at the market or at the first outlet you find. This can only be done in specialized stores.

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The final stage

Of course, you examined the panel when you bought it. Do not be lazy and do it again. It should not be mechanically damaged. If you do not find them during the second examination, feel free to proceed further:

1. Shut off the gas supply.
2. Place the panel in the recess.
3. Connect the hose to the gas pipeline - for this you prepared the adjustable wrenches.
4. Wrap the junction with gas wrap - this is necessary to avoid leaks.
5. Connect the other end of the hose to the plate.
6. Turn on the gas supply.
7. Check for leaks.
8. Check the hotplates.

To check the connection for leaks, make a concentrated soap solution and apply it to both doubtful areas - where the hose connects to the main and where it enters the stove. If the foam does not move, you did everything right, and now you can use the stove.

Important! Do not use open fire to check for leaks in any case - if there is a leak, a lighted match can provoke an explosion.

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Safety precautions

Gas leakage can lead to irreparable consequences. And not always can it be noticed on time. Therefore, it is better to follow simple tips:

1. The hose must be integral - it is impossible to connect several segments together.
2. The length of the hose should not be more than 3 m, which must be taken into account when choosing a place for the countertop.
3. All connection work should be carried out by turning off the gas supply.
4. If you want to transfer the stove to another room, this will require adjustment of the gas mains, which means coordination with local authorities and gas services.
5. After you have connected everything, it is very useful to invite a specialist from the gas service to check the quality of work.

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Stock footage

Embed a gas stove in the countertop and even connect it yourself. To do this, you just need to strictly adhere to all technical rules so that the work is done efficiently and safely.