Installing a new electric range is something that most home owners can do themselves with just a few simple tools and depending on where you purchased your range it may save you upwards of $150 on labor costs.
The hardest part physically will be moving the new range into position and removing the old one. Many appliance centers will have a free pickup service for old stoves so you have to take that cost and the cost of getting your garbage man to pickup the range into consideration when making your purchase.
If you are now making your purchasing decision please read the Power Cord section below before you make your order.
Delivery Of Your Appliance
When your range is delivered to your home the company delivering it may have a number of different rules about where the item is your responsibility. Some delivery companies will require Freight on board which means they drop it at the end of your driveway. Others will deliver it to your door and some will actually place it in your kitchen. Ask before you order especially if delivery is not free. And usually by offering the moving men $15 you can get them to take it to your kitchen.
Disposal Of Your Old Appliance
A way to get around the disposal cost if the range is still in operating condition is to offer it for free to anyone willing to pick it up. Even if one or two elements are not working but the range is in good general condition you may find someone willing to take it off your hands for free.
Installing Your Electric Range
Before you begin installing your range you want to read the unpacking instructions in your manual.
The unpacking instructions should have a diagram of where different pieces of cardboard or foam are placed to protect your range elements and you should remove them before you begin work. If you forget you may attempt to operate the range and they will begin to burn.
Once your range is unpacked I suggest that you cut a piece of cardboard that can fit under the feet of the range and use it to slide the range partly into position later. This will reduce scratching of your tile or vinyl floor.
Adjusting the Feet To Level The Range
Although the range will most likely need additional adjustment when it is put in place you want to adjust the feet on your range to make it level before you insert it in its opening.
Most feet can be adjusted by unscrewing or screwing in the feet to make the range level and you should also take counter height into consideration when making the adjustment.
Your range cook top should sit slightly higher then the counter top when installed.
Use a small hand level to check that the range is level both left to right and front to back. If when you install the range in its final location it can not be leveled by full adjustment of the fee then you can place a small piece or two of luan plywood under the foot that is out of adjustment. This will probably only be necessary in an older home.
Anti Tip Foot Lock
While you are making adjustments to your feet you want to install your Anti-tip foot lock. This device is mandatory on every range because when the oven door is open a slight amount of downward force will tip the whole range.
This could happen if you pulled a turkey out and the oven shelf was fully extended or if a child opened the door and climbed on it while you were cooking food on the cook top… it is very dangerous so read the instructions and install it with the included lag bolts.
To install the anti-tip plate you measure out from the side of the range to the center of the back foot and then install the plate against the back wall of the range opening.
This will allow the foot to slide into the opening in your countertop and into the anti-tip plate.
If your power connector is in the way you may need to position the plate farther away from the wall to allow it to securely hold the foot.
Most manufacturers will include a paper template.
Power Cord
Most ranges will not include a power cord because the outlet in your home is likely to have one of at least two or three different prong types.
The connection on the other side to your Range is very similar no matter what cord type you need to order.
The wires in your cord will be color coded and they will match a diagram on the back plate of the range or near the mounting connection.
Mount the power cord to the Range with brackets that restrict movement of the cord and then make the attachment to each prong.
Note most models can be installed with 3 or 4 wire power cords.
This is a very simple process but if you don’t feel you can do it yourself then hire a professional.
If you have a relatively new range that you are replacing then you can probably reuse the power cord that is on your old range.
If you are installing a new range from a remodel then make sure that you order the power cord at the same time you order your range or you should be able to pick one up at any store that sells appliances.
The YouRepair Store Sells A full line of Kitchen Appliances and Parts.
Delivery to your home is FREE for most orders over $25