Kitchen Oven and Fridge Min Clearance

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outdoorsnz

674 posts

Ultimate Geek

#289621 17-Sep-2021 14:54

Replacing existing kitchen space with a kitchen removed from a demolished house - new not old (guy pulled the pin on house do up).

Just mocking up a drawn plan so I can visualize the layout.

I have a westinghouse oven model 4U612W and LG GN-253VW fridge.

The back of fridge will be up against a wall, one side to wall with 20 mm space and other side 20mm next to cabinet.

The oven will have custom wood or similar behind to avoid back being on view to lounge. Clear gap one side and other next to cabinet.

What would be a typical space between walls / kitchen cabinets / joinery? Thanks.

openmedia

3324 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2779945 17-Sep-2021 15:37

The manuals usually have recommendations for rear/size/above gaps. Also with devices like fridges they recommend that any cupboards above aren't full depth for additional airflow.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

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#2779948 17-Sep-2021 15:43

Regarding the fridge gap - I asked a similar question on GZ last year, so that thread may be worth a read, especially given the required gap stated by the manufacturer is typically quite significant: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=279563&singlepage=yes

11 months later and everything seems to be fine, even with that very similar spacing to your plans (2cm each side; next to nil at the back) being so much less than the stated minimum. [Edited to add that, like the post above mentions, that there's a decent gap at the top as the cupboard above is not full depth.]

Time will tell how long the fridge actually lasts, but that could well be a sign of the quality of contemporary appliances more than anything. (I sold my mother's fridge/freezer to a repairer/dealer last week, and he was scathing of modern fridges, saying components are built to very low spec.)

As for ovens, I'd be interested to know if there's a required minimum gap to the sides or if next to a cupboard whether there's a requirement to have the wall surface made of something fire retardant as the idiots who put our kitchen together did this, which places the (gas) hob incredibly close to the cupboard wall (with pots sitting on top easily able to touch the wall if not placed carefully). Certainly something I'd avoid!