A couple of wall oven questions

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lookout

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#272349 21-Jun-2020 08:48

Hi guys,

Wall oven has given up. Time for a new one. This one has a regular 3 pin plug connected to its own outlet with a 20amp circuit breaker at the board.

Looking around at new ovens, it seems they mostly want to be hardwired. I've seen a few cheap brands with plugs. First question is do wall ovens have to be hardwired these days? Can I reuse the cable from the current oven - connect the 3 wires to the new oven's terminal and plug into the wall?

Second question is about venting. The is in a tall cabinet with a microwave shelf above. There is no gap above the oven / behind the microwave. I wondered if I should drill some venting holes in the shelf above? Do wall ovens need venting behind them?

Thanks in advance.

snnet

1410 posts

Uber Geek

#2509047 21-Jun-2020 09:38

Ovens don't HAVE to be hard wired, and the plug and lead could be used. Just be aware that an electrician or at least someone with an appliance service license is supposed to do this legally.

Depending on how much room you have with your new oven you may need to have it hard wired. Not all ovens are the same in this respect. In recent times I've been finding cabinet designers/makers are making the compartments smaller and smaller! so hopefully yours has lots of room.

As for venting you'll have to look up the specs on the model you're looking at. Instruction manuals will inform you of venting requirements, but, as someone who installs a lot of ovens, as long as there is an air gap somewhere (typically back or bottom) it'll be alright.

Ovens are usually designed to do most of their venting through the front.

Just be aware of the cheaper brands - parts like elements which seem to go very quickly (on them) are either very hard to obtain or very expensive in relation to the cost of a replacement!

Delphinus

611 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2509077 21-Jun-2020 11:07

I've also found that cheaper brands take a long time to heat up. Or struggle to maintain a reasonable temperature.

lookout

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2525167 18-Jul-2020 13:33

Well, I finally purchased a new oven today. A Robinhood on clearance at Mitre 10. It even came with a plug so I figured it would be an easy plug n play. However, the plug sticks out too from the wall so the oven wont push all the way in.

Should I just replace the plug with a flat top like this? Can I do that myself?

Or should I get a sparky in to hardwire the oven?

Froglotion

208 posts

Master Geek

#2525178 18-Jul-2020 13:57

Won't be a 10A plug. I don't know the legalities of DIY, someone else can comment on that. I personally would get a sparky to do it, legal or not, I just like to know everything is done right.

richms

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#2525193 18-Jul-2020 14:21

Gutless ovens are only 2000w and just plug in. Friend got a clearance crap one for his garage to heat things up and it just came with a standard plug on it. Seems there are very few that are over it when you are looking at the 600mm wide ones suitable for builder grade kitchens.

Richard rich.ms

Froglotion

208 posts

Master Geek

#2525209 18-Jul-2020 14:56

Oh right, learn something everyday eh.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2525275 18-Jul-2020 17:09

A lot of ovens come with a 15A plug (they have a fatter earth pin) - this is likely what your old one was. Some are more than this, or just don't come with a plug. Checking the nameplate will tell you if it can be put on a 15A plug.

ECP50 only allows you to do things like replace plugs on 10A appliances, so you will need a sparky.

Another option is return the oven and get one with a 15A cord pre-attached. Check the socket is 15A too.