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jordynb58

Solution for replacing 27” oven

5 years ago

Hello all,

I have a 27” drop-in electric oven. It’s white. It’s old. It doesn’t play well with the newer stainless steel appliances.

I’m trying to keep all of my original cabinets in my kitchen remodel, so the new oven would need to fit in the existing space. I don’t want to rip out cabinets to make room for a bigger oven, but I’d be willing to cut the baseboard to allow for a slide-in rather than a drop-in. In fact, that’s probably easier.

Apparently, there is no such thing as a stainless steel 27” oven. To make things even more challenging, I’d like to convert to gas. The closest size I can find is 24”, so I’d need to fill in the space on the sides.

Anyone have a clever idea for this? Obviously, I can’t replace the countertops until I get this situation figured out.

Thank you!

Comments (33)

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Are you talking about an oven or a range or a cooktop/rangetop?

  • 5 years ago

    These is all rather confusing, and uses terms that usually mean something different. Can we maybe get a picture? That might help clear things up

  • 5 years ago

    I too had never heard of a drop in oven... but look! I googled, and there they were... they have some type of legs/drawer that’s built into the cabinetry that they sit on. It’s weird how they only exist in white and black (I too see zero stainless options.)

    I have a 27” stainless wall oven that I love. If you are replacing your counter, you might be able to pair that with a gas or induction cooktop. I say this because I think all cooktops drop in after you install your counter, and theirs then a slice piece of counter at the front edge. But I could be wrong about that -it’s how mine is, but maybe not always true?

    To mix the two separate parts would require some cabinet patching of cabinet face frame at the front, as you’d need a strip of cabinet above the oven that hides the interior bottom of the cooktop. And for a 27” wide wall oven the oven front face is exactly 27” or maybe an eight under. So you’d need some face frame filler on the sides too, though it would almost all get covered once you install the oven. And you’d still need some type of feet/something below, as a 27” wall oven is maybe 28/29” tall. You’d need to measure everything super carefully! And read the specifications of both components carefully. For example I think a lot of cooktops are about 3” deep, and I know mine wanted at least another inch or two of clearance below it. You’d probably have that, because I think wall ovens usually have no depth behind the top control panel area. But I’d be downloading a lot of manuals before I got too attached to the idea. Lol.

    But its probably be doable?? And maybe you can repurpose whatever is below your current oven to use for matching filler strips? And hypothetically you could then get an electric oven (if you wanted more self clean and convection options) with a gas cooktop. Best of both worlds?

    I’m like 40% sure this is a great work around, and 60% worried their could be a problem detail I haven’t thought of. Lol.

    Goodluck!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Jordynb58 may mean a drop in range. Occasionally we get someone here who calls a range an "oven". Plus, s/he mentions getting a slide-in as a possibility, and there are quite a few slide-in ranges -- albeit not 27". [Note: Terminology used may be regional or national.]

    There's one 27" drop-in on AJ Madison, but it's white, not the SS s/he is looking for. In fact it's the only 27" drop-in range on AJ Madison -- and it's electric, not gas. (The only other drop-in range (30") is also electric.) The 27" is a coil-top, the 30" a smoothtop. Neither are induction.

    https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/JM250DFWW.html

  • 5 years ago

    Exactly. I was wondering much the same. That's why I asked for pictures to make things less ambiguous

  • 5 years ago


    Ok all, I'm back with a photo. This is what I'm talking about. This thing could be 30+ years old for all I know, and the only "replacement" I've ever seen is Exactly. The same. Oven.


    I agree with the response from the Pro, above, but this is not my forever home and I'm just looking to increase market value within a reasonable budget. I've already replaced the floors and thought new counters, backsplash, cabinet hardware, and matching appliances would go a long way. This oven and range hood situation is what is holding me back from completing the rest of this makeover.


    Thanks again!

    Jordyn



  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    OK, that makes much more sense. But unfortunately, I think that means you will need to make some changes to your cabinets. This looks very much like a European range, although I do believe you might have a model made for the American market. This particular style of cooktop plus oven never became popular in the US, though. But you couldn't just import a European range and use that as a direct replacement either. These type of European ranges all seem to have standardized on 24" width at this point. I remember that in the past you could occasionally find 27" models, but I just checked and didn't see any -- at least not from any of the mainstream brands.

    What you could do with a European model would be pairing a 24" oven with a 27" induction cooktop. That does seem to be a somewhat common and supported configuration for some of the brands. But that still requires making changes to your cabinets and your counter top; and it requires dealing with all the hassle of importing from abroad.

    So, I think your best bet is to buy an American 24" range and have a contractor make you some filler pieces that match your existing cabinets at the same time when they cut away the baseboard. Or maybe, have them build you a small storage cabinet for cookie sheets. You'd still have to get a new countertop, though. I don't think the existing one could easily be patched without always looking really ugly.

    jordynb58 thanked M
  • 5 years ago

    I agree, there is nothing wrong with white appliances for this type of kitchen. But white is often even harder to find than stainless. And we are already talking about a rather unusual constraint on the dimensions of the unit. That's the first problem that needs to be addressed satisfactorily.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Thanks @User! I was debating some sheetpan/cutting board storage to fill in the 3" gap, but realize that would make the unit off-center with the range hood, unless I found a 24" range hood and built more storage cubbies next to that. Spice rack? ;)

    And, yes! Definitely getting new quartz countertop!

  • 5 years ago


    I'd been debating this type of situation (separate oven and stove units), but I think it's equally as difficult to find a 27" stovetop as it is to find a stainless version of what I have.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    That is the configuration that I mentioned earlier. This is relatively common in European kitchens. I think Neff would be able to sell you a 24" oven and a 27" cooktop (probably induction, though). But you'd have to import the units from Europe yourself, and you'd have to convince your contractors that they install them for you. It's not rocket surgery, but I know that a lot of contractors would balk at installing unfamiliar electrical connectors and unfamiliar shapes of appliances. So, there is going to be a bit of leg work on your part, if this was the route you were planning on taking.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    but this is not my forever home and I'm just looking to increase market value within a reasonable budget. I've already replaced the floors and thought new counters, backsplash, cabinet hardware, and matching appliances would go a long way.

    Be careful! You might be flushing your money down the drain if you’re doing this looking to make a profit. My advice? Either do it for you, knowing you may be losing money on the deal but gaining pleasure from having an updated-feeling kitchen OR consult with your Realtor to see if it’s even necessary or worth it. I know if I were buying a house with old cabinets but new everything else, I wouldn’t view it as a plus because I’d have to go through the hassle of ripping it all out and thus wouldn’t be willing to pay a premium for it. Are your countertops even 36” high?

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Easy. Buy a 27" wall oven & install a 30" gas cooktop over it.


    Frigidaire 27 inch oven

    Kitchen Aid, GE, Summit....all make 27" built in ovens.

  • 5 years ago

    @ci_lanro Is a 27” range hood ok over a 30” cooktop?

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    No, that would be a fire code violation. Ideally, your hood should be wider than your range. So, a 30" range should have a 36" hood. But code doesn't technically require that and let's you get away with 30" clearance between the upper cabinets. But you absolutely cannot have them closer together than the width of the cooktop. The installation manual should also point this out.

    For traditional electrical or induction ranges, there sometimes are more relaxed clearance requirements. That doesn't necessarily mean it is a good idea to do. But at least you know that unlike with gas, you aren't immediately going to start a fire nor have the building inspector make you rip out your kitchen.

  • 5 years ago

    What if it’s the style with the knobs on the side. The burner area here has got to be under 27” wide.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    It wouldn't be that big a deal to remake the opening to 30", especially considering the rest of the work that's being done.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    @JuneKnow stop. Not everyone wants that vintage look for every single item and they have the right to update their own home the way they want.

    I think quartz would be a HUGE improvement. Can you measure the spaces on either side of the range and range hood before you get to the cabinet doors? It looks like there is room there to maybe cut and fit a 30" for both.

  • 5 years ago

    @itsourcasa That’s a great idea. I did have a contractor measure that while he was doing some other work on my house. It’s just barely too small.

  • 5 years ago

    @jordynb58 oh man I was hopeful! I think your best bet is the 27" cooktop with separate 27" wall oven below then. Your contractor may have to add a little piece in between the counter and wall oven but should be able to match the wood and stain.

    jordynb58 thanked itsourcasa
  • 5 years ago

    Those are really pretty cabinets! Whatever saves the most of them is what I’d go for.

    jordynb58 thanked User
  • 5 years ago

    I would embrace the vintage if you aren’t doing a full scale new kitchen for your own enjoyment. Either a buyer is going to want it precisely because the vintage elements haven’t been disturbed, or they will want to rip out the entire thing and create their own kitchen. I don’t see a halfsie job being a winning situation for anyone.

    jordynb58 thanked Tiny J
  • 5 years ago

    Remodelling with the goal to sell is rarely a winning move. If you want to maximize profits you have to think like a flipper, and that rarely results in the perfect kitchen that you want for yourself. So, figure out what you want now and what you can afford, then go for that. The future sale is really independent. If your broker tells you that you must make changes to facilitate the sale, then do that. If the broker says you'll never recoup the money, then don't change anything and let the buyer deal with it. In some parts of the country, buyers would expect to rip out the kitchen and start from scratch anyway. In other parts, they just use what's there with maybe minor tweaks.

  • 5 years ago

    @wdccruise I love it! If I had $3k to spend, and was spending on a kitchen I planned on living with for awhile, I’d definitely be into this!

  • 5 years ago

    Undercounter Installation (with cooktop installed above):

    Ovens approved for this type of installation have an approval label located on the top of the oven. Refer to undercounter installation instructions for cutout dimensions and approved oven cooktop combinations (separate sheet).

  • 5 years ago

    I just peeked at EBay and I see a host of 24” ranges there for at reasonable prices, worth taking a look.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    If the 3K for appliances, plus another 2-3K for the new wiring, gas line, cabinet changes, etc., is too much, then the 8K for quartz is going to be too much as well. Both are misguided. They will add nothing to the resale appeal of that vintage space. None of that is a recoupable expense.

  • 5 years ago

    If cost is a factor, I would look for a used 27" oven on FB Mktplace, Craig's List, Next Door, etc. 27" ovens are not all that rare. Often replaced with total remodels. And often little used because some people rarely bake anything or even cook much, for that matter.

    Also, you can find truly vintage ovens in stainless steel. Which would be perfect in that kitchen.


    Summit 27" Gas Cooktop

    As far as placing a 30" cooktop under a 27" hood--of course, it would not be ideal. Actually, you should have a 36" hood over a 30" cooker. But any ventilation is better than zero ventilation. A 27" cooker would be best; I didn't realize they were available in that size but there appears to be a fair selection available. I learned something new!

  • 2 years ago

    I'm in the exact same situation - did you ever find a resolution to this? Seems no one makes 27" drop in stoves in anything but white or black (and I thing GE might be the only manufacturer!)

  • 2 years ago

    Me too. And only occasionally can you find anything used that is worth buying once you factor in travel. GE is still the only company that makes them and a bare bones, no-frill, new one retails for about $2K.

  • 2 years ago

    Mine is so old, it is avocado green