Install electric hob above washing machine?

Jan 30, 2018 37 Replies

The only way I can get the kitchen layout to work is to install the electric hob above the washing machine. I can see it's not ideal, but is it allowed? Any extra precautions I could take, eg install some sort of vapour barrier?


I personally can't see why it is any worse than installing it under a food preparation counter-top, which is what most of us do.

I'd be surprised if there'd be enough clearance with all hobs and all w/ms to leave the manufacturer's minimum clearance. So might constrain your choice of replacements.

I didn't even know the manufacturers specified a minimum clearance!

What is the floor made of? In my kitchen I have a microwave above the washing machine, but due to wooden floors the worktop the Microwave is on is in fact supported on the wall by brackets and not touching the machine or the floor. I guess it could be good for meals that require agitation but its timing the spin cycle just right for that to work of course!

Brian

And for bouncy things like washing machines it is probably quite a good idea.

looking for something else last week, I came across an installation manual with large letters on the front "DO NOT LEAVE WITH CUSTOMER"

What outrageous secrets did you get from it?

I would have thought leaving with the customer would give some security for the bill being paid.

Thanks for the advice. I have had a look at a few hobs now - I hadn't got to the detail of the installation manuals previously - and you're clearly right that there's a potential problem.

It looks like it might be a good idea to extend the legs on the base units a bit when installing them. And choose chunky worktop.

If all else fails, you can get height reduction kits for washing machines - a flat metal plate to replace the normal lid. I actually have the T shirt for that one already.

I don't see a problem with a hob above a WM. If you don't like the resultin g height you can get reduced size WMs if necessary. If you mount the hob on the machine it can stir while you cook.

NT

These days washing machines don't bounce much. The only downside I can see is that your worktop might have to be half an inch higher than normal. (And IMHO there is a reasonable case for slightly higher worktops).

That was printed on the installation instructions for my Gloworm boiler.

Something like "Not to be read by the patient" used to adorn medical notes hanging from the foot of hospital beds.

The NHS still applies that policy.

NT

Most hobs don't protrude below a 30 mm worktop and I have not seen one that protrudes below a 40 mm worktop.

You might struggle with a 20 mm "granite" one like mine.

The kitchen units usually have adjustable legs so increasing the height isn't difficult when fitting.

1) Are you expecting steam off the washing machine? If it's a condenser dryer or plain old washing machine, there's generally none IME. 2) The worktop mounted induction hobs have fans and expect a certain amount of clearance underneath - it's quite small (a cm or three - check the manuals online) 3) Induction hobs are very thin - the one's I know of more or less sit within the thickness of a 40mm worktop. 4) They usually expect the bottom not to be exposed.

So you could build a box container under the worktop like this with the front and back open - say a 2cm air slot or something like that

=====INDUCTION HOB HERE======= ||slot to the front and back||

------------------------------

WASHING MACHINE

Does that make sense?

I refuse to buy anything where I can't download the installation manual in advance :)

try getting a schematic of anything in your car.

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