Cooktop cord behind wall oven?

11 years ago

We are in the midst of a kitchen remodel. Halfway through, the plan got changed from a slide-in range to a wall oven with a cooktop over it. Unfortunately, the wiring was mostly complete at that point, and the outlet for the cooktop was added in a rush and in a poor location.

The outlet is located behind the wall oven. As I understand it, there will only be a 1/2" gap behind the wall oven where the cooktop cord will have to run. Is this okay, or do we need to have the cooktop outlet moved? Will it get too hot behind the wall oven for a standard cord? We aren't excited by the idea of having to pull down drywall, splice in more wire, and move it. However, we definitely want it to be safe.

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Comments (5)

geoffrey_b
11 years ago
The cooktop installation instructions will tell you where the outlet can be located. You may be able to down load them from the internet.
Ron Natalie
11 years ago
Are we taking about a receptacle or just a place where the tie into hardwiring is taking place? In either case, it's probably not technically illegal to have to move an unrelated appliance to get to the junction, though it can be inconvenient.

Most ovens don't have any restriction on wiring or other combustible materials behind them, but you should confirm that with the installation instructions.

How much room the wiring is going to take up depends on whether we're talking an actual plug (which tends to be larger) or just having to route the whip from the appliance to the actual box.
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jkuns7ty
Original Author
11 years ago
The appliance has a right angle plug, so will technically fit in the 1/2" gap behind the wall oven. I just wasn't sure it was safe to have it essentially touching the back of the oven.

The instructions suggest having the outlet in an adjacent cabinet, but as I mentioned, the outlet is already installed, and I'm just trying to determine if it has to be moved (which would involve removal of drywall, splicing more wire, etc.).
jkuns7ty
Original Author
11 years ago
The appliance has a right angle plug, so will technically fit in the 1/2" gap behind the wall oven. I just wasn't sure it was safe to have it essentially touching the back of the oven.

The instructions suggest having the outlet in an adjacent cabinet, but as I mentioned, the outlet is already installed, and I'm just trying to determine if it has to be moved (which would involve removal of drywall, splicing more wire, etc.).
brickeyee
11 years ago
Recess the plug into the wall further.

No one is going to see the oversize hole in the drywall back there.