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Seeking Advice: Installing Induction Cooktop on Oven Base Cabinet

3 years ago

Hello everyone,

I'm currently considering a project to upgrade my kitchen by replacing my gas range with an induction cooktop. I'm not planning a complete kitchen remodel, but I do have some ideas that I'd love to get your thoughts on.

My plan is to purchase a 30-inch Oven Base cabinet and top it with a butcher block surface. This setup would allow me to incorporate an oven at the bottom, and by doing so, I can remove the over-the-range (OTR) range and install a more effective kitchen exhaust system. Before I dive into this project, I have a few concerns that I was hoping you could help me address:

  1. Heat Interference: I'm curious whether having the oven and the induction cooktop in close proximity could potentially affect their performance or efficiency. Could the heat from one appliance impact the other, or vice versa?
  2. Clearance: I'm wondering if a 30-inch base cabinet would offer sufficient clearance for mounting the induction cooktop securely. Are there any specific considerations I should keep in mind regarding spacing?
  3. Butcher Block vs. Granite: Since I already have granite countertops on the left and right, I'm contemplating using a butcher block for the new top. Do you think a butcher block would work well alongside the granite, both in terms of aesthetics and practicality?
  4. Uneven Countertop: I understand that the new butcher block countertop might not align perfectly with the existing granite countertops. Is this a major concern from both a visual and functional standpoint?
  5. Eliminating OTR Range: My aim in pursuing this project is to eliminate the OTR range, giving me the opportunity to integrate a microwave/oven combo into the cabinet while also setting up a more efficient exhaust system. Do you think this approach makes sense in the long run?

I'm really excited about the prospect of transforming my kitchen with this upgrade, but I want to make sure I'm heading in the right direction before I begin. Any insights, advice, or experiences you could share would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

Comments (18)

  • 3 years ago

    Why not an induction range - one for one swap.

  • 3 years ago

    Like i said i need to install an exhaust vent, this would require me to remove my micro wave. Do the rangers come with a microwave?

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I have no idea why the swap but the induction cooktop will have all the info you need. I never understand a wall under a cooktop whay not just get a range . No it will not have a MW IMO MW best sitting on the counter they do not last forever so not ideal for built in IMO. The venting is a must for sure . I do not understand the issue with the new cabinet. Where do you plan to put that ?

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Yes you could do what you are suggesting- 30” cabinet, a section of counter, a wall oven, and an induction cooktop. You’ve now built a range and your kitchen looks like a hack was involved. Buy a range, get a hood, find a spot for a microwave elsewhere.

  • 3 years ago

    Why not buy an induction range instead? It sounds like what you want (stove over oven), and you could still install the exhaust system (range hood) you want. Find a spot for your microwave somewhere else (or consider getting rid of it entirely, if you don't use it a lot).

  • 3 years ago

    (1) The induction cooktop may have to specifically allow this configuration. They are several inches below the counter and need a few inches of air space, at a minimum.

    (2) Get the installation directions for cooktop and candidate oven and determine whether anything written in them precludes your plan, which is highly dependent on selection of induction cooktop and selection of wall oven stuffed underneath. I would put the latter somewhere else so I could use the entire cabinet as part of the cooktop cooling air supply.

    (5) I'm not sure what an OTR range is, but OTR microwave ovens have insufficient actual ventilation air flow for searing, wok cooking, or other hot oil cooking tasks.

  • 3 years ago

    Since you are already set up for a range configuration, I would just get an induction range.

    I like cooktop over separate oven in a small kitchen because I like the continuous counter, the no crevice down each side of the range, no open floor underneath the range. It's very clean. But the cooktop and the oven have to be compatible with each other to be mounted this way, and really if you have a separate cooktop and oven, functionally it makes sense to completely separate them if you have the room.

  • 3 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the suggestions, Looks like a lot of people misunderstood what I am trying to achieve. My idea is to move the microwave below the cooktop and get a microwave that can also Bake, This way I don't take up space on the counter and I can remove the microwave above my range and get a new hood.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Not gonna have clearance for that. Plus, you will be cutting away most of the countertop to install a cooktop into it, and the remaining thin rails around it will not have the stregth to hold it.

    You need an induction range. With a countertop MW elsewhere.

  • 3 years ago

    Oh, when you said "oven", I didn't realize you meant a microwave. Will you have an oven elsewhere? Otherwise you're doing a disservice to your food by having only a microwave, IMO, and killing a lot of the resale value (if you care about such things). You could put a cubby for a microwave there, so it would open at the same height as the bottom of an traditional oven.

  • 3 years ago

    Because what you wrote is confusing, perhaps take a photo of your current setup and post it here.

  • 3 years ago

    Is microwave baking a thing? I find that microwave heating of bread-like products seems to degrade them unless done very carefully. I have wondered whether the microwave energy interacts badly with the gluten when the power is high.

  • 3 years ago

    I have a speed oven that bakes pretty well. (I guess it microwaves too if you ask it.) You can't do Thanksgiving in it due to the small size but I use it for about 85% of my baking.


    Show us what you have and what you want, Stevenson, and I'm sure it'll get figured out.

    Stevenson S thanked Fori
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    While there are microwaves that can be used to bake, I am not sure how good they are. They also are not typically used for roasting a chicken or turkey. How do you plan on doing that sort of cooking? I would rethink that appliance.

    If you are not doing a full remodel, how do you expect to get a cabinet to match your existing cabinets?

    Mixing countertop material is fine, however, I'm sure your current stove is 30" wide. The new cooktop will be 30" wide ( opening cut maybe28 1/2 - 29" ) . That only leaves about 1/2" of material on each side. That will crack and come apart pretty quickly. You need more material on the sides than that. Replacing the range with a range is the best option.

    Good luck

    Stevenson S thanked Debbi Washburn
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Agree with Debbi. You won't have enough clearance on either side of the cabinet for the oven, unless you get a "speed oven" that is basically a combo microwave and convection oven. Those are about the same size as a microwave, e.g. ~24" wide.


    I think the induction range idea is your best bet, and then get a countertop microwave.

    Stevenson S thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
  • 3 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the answers, I was planning to go all contrast for this cabinet, and regarding the oven need, I don't need a regular full-sized oven as I don't eat meat and I feel a speed oven would be good. Thank You anyways, based on everyone's opinion I will get a new range.

  • 3 years ago

    And thanks to those who brought to my attention that the term 'speed oven' implies both heat and microwave cooking.