Electricals kitchen Peninsula sink cab; no space for pony wall

last year

last modified: last year

Doing a remodel for my small kitchen. We had a peninsula with a raised bar side, now demo'd. See pic of the adjoined cabinets that make up the peninsula counter that is about 46" deep, I can go up to 48". I am asking about plumbing and electrical in that "island" area. Changing the general kitchen layout to allow more space for this counter area is not feasible. House is on a foundation. Thanks in advance!

The QUEST: I am looking into options to hanging the electrical and NOT building a pony wall. I am in discussion with electrician and plumber about code, placement, etc., but I want to know what other people do. The electrician is willing to put electricals in the sink cabinet but he thinks it "looks bad" and it isn't "roomy" there. Apron sink with framing, RO water system and Dishwasher will be under sink. I am aware that a GC would normally be navigating this and I am missing out on that expertise since we are choosing our own subs. My cabiner maker strongly advises against unceccesary MEPs in the actual cabinet (all those holes!)

Cabinet A has apron sink and DW and is 24" depth.

Cabinet B will, hopefully, be 2 long rows of DRAWERS 21 inch deep (30" wide) with a 22" depth to the cabinet.

Considerations are:

Make sink Cabinet A deeper to 25 (or 26") inches to allow more space for electrical and plumbing in the cabinet (no pony wall).
Build a thinner 3 inch framing (metad studs or plywood) in between cabinets A and B for electrical and have plumber put plumbing in the sink cabinet. Keep Cabinet A at 24."
Surrender and Build pony wall with 2x4's and lose space on back cabinet - go to 18" drawers.

Vent plumbing options:

AAV Studor vent (in sink cab)
Combo vent and drain as per code
High Loop vent(required to be accessible, so inside sink cab or pony wall with door). Talking with plumber tomorrow to see if high loop vent will fit.

Added question: Can one build access to the pony wall area, like a door in the sink cabinet?

Featured Answer

John Liu

last year

last modified: last year

I don't see why you can't run electrical inside the sink cabinet. It's already going to have plumbing in it, thus already "looks bad". Probably need to run the wires in conduit (flex conduit) fastened up off the cabinet bottom (so not in water should sink leak bigtime).

You could also space the cabinet backs 1/2" apart and run the NMC (Romex cable) in the gap without conduit , but I would not as it would be hard to access for later work.

Anyway, I don’t see the need for a pony wall. Are you worried cabinet boxes will not be stiff enough without being screwed to something behind? Can simply put some 1/2” plywood between the cabinet boxes and screw cabinets to that, will be stiff as heck.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Jeanette Mieko
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
John Liu I appreciate your comments. Cabinet maker will use 3/4 plywood on those cab backs which I believe is enough for support but I like your plywood suggestion in case more is needed. Also, the idea of spacing the cabs apart was echoed by my firend, who is a builder. The reason I am asking is that 2 plumbers and 1 electrician seem insistent on pony wall and my cabinet maker as well. I think it makes everyone's job easier because it is obvious where everything goes, less creative problem solving. I started worrying that there were complex technical reasons, but they haven't stated so. Also, I'm told access won't be needed because everything will be updated and to code, but things change and stuff breaks. I guess access is avail. from crawl space, but I like making MEPs as accesible as possible for future issues. Thank you for an answer that is geared toward me reaching my goals.
Related Professionals
Fresno General Contractors · Davenport Home Remodeling · Lexington Bathroom Remodelers · Detroit Bathroom Remodelers · Clarksdale Home Remodeling · Lawrence Home Remodeling · Elmira Home Remodeling · Joplin Bathroom Remodelers · Las Vegas Bathroom Remodelers · Sanford Bathroom Remodelers · Gary Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Brainerd Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Annapolis Kitchen Remodelers · Fort Worth Kitchen Remodelers · Sacramento Kitchen Remodelers
John Liu
last year
No additional support needed if cabinet backs are 3/4". I guess if needed cable can be fished and pulled through the gap. Sounds like you are all good.
Jeanette Mieko
Original Author
last year
John Liu

I just corrected my post, the pros are insistent on pony wall, is what I meant, but they will just have to deal with what I decide upon. I may have Cabinetmaker put in the front cabinet and then have the electrician do his work and I'll pay Cabinetmaker to make a return visit to attach the back cabinet (which will be on site already). That way we can make adjustments if needed.
John Liu
last year
Would be interested why they insist - what is their reason.
Jeanette Mieko
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
John Liu thank you for asking. I asked plumber today! First, he says it makes their job clear cut, but he admitted that he can do it in the cab, no real structural issues. Second, the vent pipe is in the wall there and at the same plane as the previous pony wall, so plumber said the same pathway is desireable for least amount of pipe turns. So, I am going to push the front sink cab further back, which will give me a little more kitchen space. He is agreeable to fitting it in the cab or into a channel behind the cab (as you suggested). Eletrician was fussier, (mentioned it's "too industrial" within the sink cab) and Cabinetmaker doesn't approve of extra holes in the cabinets (a craft issue) and holds the belief that the 2 x 4 support is better for the countertops (which is IMO uneccesary).
badgergal
last year
I have a Studor vent, electric outlet a a garbage disposal under my sink. Code here required an air gap for the dishwasher so I dont have a high loop but the diswasher drain hose runs across the back of the sink cabinet to the air gap on the opposite side. Code here also required 2 outlets on the outside of my island cabinetry.

Conduit and outlet box in one cabinet

This outlet is behind the dishwasher and the electrician had to use a shallow electric box

Just showing you some ways the electric and venting can be done
Jeanette Mieko thanked badgergal
Jeanette Mieko
Original Author
last year
badgergal That is very helpful!