How To Fit An Induction Hob 

Jen Hammond

May 19, 2022

Last updated on May 24, 2022

how-to-install-an-induction-hob

How to fit an induction hob may seem like an easy task – however, you’re likely going to need a trained electrician to help you. There are plenty of reasons why people believe that installing and setting up induction surfaces is simple – and compared to some household appliances, they are right.

Professionals can pretty easily install induction hobs as they are relatively lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and simple to connect to existing circuitry. However, without the proper training, what could go from being an easy installation could quickly turn into a disaster and impact the longevity of your hob

There are, however, a few things that you can do to prepare for the arrival of your new induction hob and installation that could make things a lot easier. 

Rather than fitting an induction hob yourself, no matter of the brand, be that Neff, Miele, Ikea or any other make, here’s what you can do to prepare for your engineer or fitter.

How to install an induction hob 

Installing an induction hob is all about ensuring you have the right amount of space, adequate support on your existing cooker or appliance, and that you have access to a power source that a technician or fitter can easily wire into. 

Although your induction hob may appear as though it is just a thin sheet of glass, there is an entire system underneath that will need considerable space. What’s more, you will need enough space surrounding the system in order for the induction hob to be able to ventilate properly – make room for the fan!

If you are building the induction hob onto a worktop, you will need at least 65 mm between the top of the hob and the top of the surface for ventilation. You will, of course, also need enough room on top of the surface for a comfortable fit and everyday practicality.

You’re also going to need to make sure your hob is at least 150 mm away from a wall or the edge of a worktop.

When it comes to ventilation, too, you won’t necessarily need an extractor fan or vent overhead. Some hobs come with vents built-in, so it’s certainly worth considering the specific type of hob top you are installing.

What about support?

In order for the induction hob to hold perfectly into your surface, said surface will need to be at least 20 mm thick. Whether it is a set of cabinets, drawers, or a work surface, you will need to ensure that it is thick enough and strong enough to be able to hold your induction hob and whatever will rest upon it. Remember that you are likely to have big, heavy pots filled to the top with food or liquid. All of that extra weight will need to be supported safely, which is why the work surface should be at least 20 mm thick. 

Of course, many people install induction hobs on top of cookers, too – in which case, you are likely ready to go. If you are removing and/or replacing an existing hob top, then you will need to ask for guidance from an engineer to ensure your current model is removed safely.

Positioning your induction hob

You will, of course, need to place your induction hob in a part of your kitchen where it can be plugged into a power source. If you are redoing your kitchen entirely, you may have more choices regarding where the hob can actually be placed. You will, of course, need to work with your technician to ensure that the hob can go to a place where you want it and where it can be easily wired into your house.

In some cases, induction hobs are easy enough to plug straight into a power socket – but this isn’t always a given. Look carefully at the setup and style of your induction hob before you buy. In many cases, suppliers offer installation services as part of the price you pay.

Planning to install any appliances and storage solutions in your kitchen will require careful layout consideration. You will need to place your induction hob in a position in the kitchen where it is most useful. Once the induction hob has been installed, it will be very difficult to move it. Not only will the wiring limit where it can be placed, but the work surface that will have had to have been adapted for the induction hob, too. 

Therefore, you should carefully think about where exactly you want the hob to be. Ideally, you should place it near the oven and where you plan on preparing your food so that your kitchen is easy to manoeuvre around as you make food. 

Avoid putting your hob at one end of the kitchen – and the oven at another – as this can quickly become a pain! That goes for small kitchens as much as it does larger suites.

Do I need a professional to install my induction hob? 

Given the amount of power that induction hobs draw, and the fact that they need to be so carefully placed, it is safest if you have your induction hob installed by a professional. If you install it yourself, you run the risk of placing it in an inadequate position in your kitchen or improperly wiring it. This could lead to your induction hob falling through, breaking down, or even becoming a fire risk. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

What’s more, given how often you are likely to use your induction hob, it is best to have it installed by someone who can ensure its safety and longevity within your home.

Of course, we have all seen easy to watch tutorial videos online that make us believe that we can do any DIY project within our own homes, including electrical work! However, as convincing as some of these videos and articles may be, you should never do any extensive electrical work unless you have had professional training. Induction hobs may seem simple to handle (and in most cases, this is true) – but don’t risk your safety and the longevity of your hob!

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