I want to upgrade my kitchen range. I currently have an old 1987 kenmore drop-in. The manual lists it as a "30 inch drop-in", but when I lift up the cooking surface, the distance from counter top to counter top is about 29.5 inches (give or take a few cm). I spoke with several appliance retailers and I get varying answers. Some say that the cut-out should be slightly less than 30, others say they won't install unless it is 30 or more. Which is it? Also, I want to upgrade to an induction cooktop. The circuit breaker for the stove is rated for 50 amps, but my old stove is only 20 amps so I don't know if they installed the proper gauge of wiring for 50 amps or cut corners and used wire that was rated for 20 amps.
Kitchens – the proper way to measure the cut-out for the kitchen range
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Best Answer
Typically a "drop-in" range will rest on the adjoining counter top surfaces. That the actual cabinet is narrower, gives you the wiggle room you need to drop in the unit to install it.
If you want to change to a cooktop installation, that is something that is only supported by the counter top, then you'll need to build a cabinet, and provide a counter top with cutout to fill that space.
In any case, as others have suggested, check the exact measurements of any product that you select. In this age of the internet, most manufacturers have their Installation Guides online, you can pull a copy in spite of the retail staff.