Replacing a stove top

[dolphins4life]

Have any of you done it?  Is it possible to do yourself or do you need to hire somebody?

[Dave Gray]

I believe it requires a special plug (220) that often you have to buy separately.  But if this is a replacement, it would already be wired for 220 and it's just a matter of putting in a stove that is the correct size for the cutout.  For a standard electric stove, there is no venting or hookup.  If you're dealing with gas, that might be different.

So, for electric, I'm pretty sure you can do it yourself.  For gas, I don't know.

[CF DolFan]

If it is electric you can remove the old cord and put it on the new one or you can purchase a new cord. It's pretty self explanatory. Take a picture prior to removing so you will have it just in case the original wires are not marked well.

[Phishfan]

You guys are taking about an entire oven. I'm pretty sure he's asking about just replacing the stove top on the oven. I've never done it.

[Dave Gray]

^ I don't see any situation where I'd do that.  I would like replace the entire unit unless it was brand new and defective...in which case I'd probably still replace the whole unit.

[Phishfan]

Me too so far in my life. The biggest reason I can think of would be damaging a glass top on a newer unit but I still don't know if it's cost effective. I've never considered it.

[fyo]

The oven and cooktop are separate in our house. I installed both. I also cut the hole for the cooktop in our newly installed countertop, which was my first time ever using jigsaw. I botched it pretty thoroughly, but luckily the minimum requirements in the manual turned out to be quite conservative and the cooktop extended beyond my ridiculous hole.

If we're talking just the cooktop, it should be noted that they are quite heavy and if you're single-handedly trying to muscle in a 30-inch induction cooktop weighing around 25-30 pounds, it's not easy. Yeah, 30lb isn't much, but the ergonomics are horrible. Get a friend to help you, would be my advice.

The electrical work isn't tough. All the connectors/wires should be there and it's "just" a matter of connecting the right ones to the right terminals.

Do note that this type of DIY electrical work isn't legal everywhere. Check your local regs. Often there will be state laws that require you to be the owner/occupant (not tenant, not landlord). I know that some places require you to obtain a temporary "license" (pass a quick test, just to weed out the total idiots).

Also note that if it's a gas cooktop, you probably aren't allowed to do so on your own.

If you are replacing a gas cooktop with an electrical one, again, you would probably need a licensed expert to remove the old cooktop. And since you would be replacing something that used basically no electricity with something that can pull upwards of 10 kilowatts, well, you better be damn sure your wiring can handle that.

A better description of the work you are proposing is a pretty much a must if you want any kind of applicable answer.

[Dave Gray]

I never even considered a setup where the cooktop and over were separate.  I've definitely seen that, but I have never had a unit that wasn't simply a space between two counters.  If you're replacing a cooktop cut into a counter, I assume there's sealing that needs to be done and stuff?

[Brian Fein]

So, I know those glass cooktops can get dirty, scratched up and damaged and start to look like crap if you don't diligently clean them regularly.  Maybe he wants to replace the glass cause it looks bad?

More details would help.

If its just the glass, perhaps I can recommend a company that might be able to help you by cleaning it professionally, instead of replacing it.

[Dave Gray]

What's the update on this, D4L?  Are you only replacing the top part or the entire unit?

[dolphins4life]

Don't know yet.  I personally am not replacing any part of the stove.  I just moved into an apartment this year.  One of the burners is losing it's color from frequent use.  I am assuming when I move out they will charge me to replace it.

It's been a struggle.  As the weather has gotten hotter, I haven't been able to sleep.  The AC either doesn't work properly or is not effective.  Even if it was, it would be too loud to sleep with it on.  I keep having to go back home to sleep at 4 or 5 in the morning multiple nights a week.

[Phishfan]

Replacing a burner is super easy. Just grab it and pull.

[Dave Gray]

D4L, do you have a photo of what you're describing?  Is the burner a flat surface or is it a metal coil that turns red?

[masterfins]

Don't know yet.  I personally am not replacing any part of the stove.  I just moved into an apartment this year.  One of the burners is losing it's color from frequent use.  I am assuming when I move out they will charge me to replace it.

It's been a struggle.  As the weather has gotten hotter, I haven't been able to sleep.  The AC either doesn't work properly or is not effective.  Even if it was, it would be too loud to sleep with it on.  I keep having to go back home to sleep at 4 or 5 in the morning multiple nights a week.

Having watched many episodes of The Peoples Court, it's important that you document all these things that don't work properly and notify the landlord in writing of the problems for them to fix.  Especially if it's something that doesn't work from the outset like the AC.  Otherwise they may blame you when you move out and keep your security deposit, and worse sue you for damage you didn't cause.