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Fill gap around oven

3 years ago

Hi all

We've just had a double oven replaced with a single oven and we need some guidance on how to best fill the gap. The new oven is substantially smaller and cannot be mounted to the existing cupboard.

We plan to have a shelf above the oven, but what might be a good way to fill the side gaps and mount the oven? I guess I could nail a piece of wood on each side, but I think it'd look awkward.

I think it won't be easy to match the current colour. How about adding a piece of wood on each side and cover them with aluminium strips?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

Featured Answer

ci_lantro

3 years ago

I can't be sure but the cut-out panel looks like MDF. And it looks like the panel begins below the door? at the top and stops at the drawer? at the bottom.

If so, then pop off what remains of the the existing cut out panel & replace the MDF and make a new cut-out to the specified size in the install directions of the new oven. Attach w/ pocket screws from behind. (Either remove the cabinet to get access to install the pocket screws or make the new cutout before installing the new panel--oven cutout will give you access to install the pocket screws.)

BEFORE installing the new front piece, you will need to install a new shelf to support the bottom of the smaller oven.

Which is going to leave you with a lot of void space and look like something is missing.

To remedy that, if you care & if you need the storage space:

Mount the oven high in the cavity (using a smaller piece of MDF) and build two drawers to fill the remaining void. Appears to be a frameless cabinet so the process would be straightforward and easy to do. (As opposed to having to build a face frame, etc.

Assuming this is budget project, take a piece of the old panel or a door, etc. to a paint store & get the existing paint color matched. Paint the entire cabinet; I would do this before the final install of the new oven.

If you don't need the storage space of new drawers--you can simply make the new panel in three pieces--a large panel that will be cut out for the oven & 2 smaller equal sized panels to mimic drawer fronts.

Or install an additional shelf to use for sheet pans, etc. and leave the opening uncovered. Or a 12-15" deep shelf unit (with a back) for cookbooks & display items--teakettle?

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Comments (8)

jennsbabysky
3 years ago
I'd probably have that entire piece remade. I'd check the oven manufacturer installation instructions to make sure the cabinet is built to the correct specifications.

Is the second photo with the microwave your kitchen? The microwave looks way too low and probably needs to be mounted higher. Otherwise it could be a safety hazard. Both the microwave and range should have installation instructions giving the required clearances.
John Munroe
Original Author
3 years ago
No, the second photo isn't mine. I was just thinking of doing something similar to what they did. I'm trying to not replace the entire front piece since matching the colour won't be easy.
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Old thread but let us be realistic about adding a drawer. 2 2.x 4's stacked is only around 3" of space. 3" minus clearance allowance for the drawer bottom. Minus 1/2" thickness of the drawer bottom. You might get a 2 1/4" deep drawer in there. Using side mount slides. And a drawer with a planted on plywood drawer bottom. Forget using those fancy Blum bottom mounts. Those require drawer bottoms that are recessed. 'In there'--means you have to pull the oven out of the hole in order to mount the drawer slides. After you get the 2 x 4's fastened down and square with the cabinet. Those 2 x 4's cost you at least 7" of potential drawer width. Then you have to come up with a drawer front that matches the cabinets. Not. Worth. It. And dang, I forgot all about needing to use at least a 3/4" wide piece of material at the top of the opening--face frame construction. Your drawer just shrunk by another 3/4". The metal trim is a good idea. Another solution is to glue and pocket screw a filler in place to cover the gap before installing the oven.
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@live_wire_oak and @weedmeister thanks for the tip. Looks like the Costco installer was an amateur. I asked him the exact same question and he mentioned the grates will be aligned and not the top of the stove. He also never checked the level. I guess I will call them and ask if they can send someone more knowledgeable over. For the back it says 1inch gap is enough but who knows, looks like no one knows what they are doing anymore. Also, I am hoping that once I install the microwave on top the vent will be pretty good and quickly remove any heat. @wacokid yeah I wish I never asked the question about cooktop + wall oven below the cooktop (instead of raised in the wall) on Houzz. After hearing it is not a popular combo in the US, I decided to demolish my current setup and change. Big mistake! Thanks for the filler options @Shannon_WI.
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Jen L
3 years ago
Can you find an oven with closer dimensions to the cutout? That might be easier than any other solution.
Jen L
3 years ago
I don’t see the edit function from my phone. Specifically a wider oven would be useful. Covering the gaps could be more awkward looking than a slight color discrepancy between a new cabinet and the rest of kitchen.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
There is no "filling the gap"; that's going to look hillbilly. You need a comprehensive solution which should have started on paper with a budget.
cat_ky
3 years ago
I would try and match the paint color with cabinet type paint, and redo it properly. It appears that it will need painting whichever you do anyway, so best to do it correct, so it looks good.
John Munroe thanked cat_ky
ILoveRed
3 years ago
Try this. I used this company once when I had a replacement oven that was narrower than the cutout where the old oven was. Worth a phone call....

https://www.microtrim.com/oven-trim-kits/

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