Hi Reader,
A quick note before we begin...
Summer’s on the way and it’s the season of home improvement projects. Whether you’re working on a simple project (like replacing your stove, our topic for today) or a full-on renovation, sometimes you just need a second opinion or an outside perspective.
If that’s you, come join me for a free live Q&A at 9AM PT (12PM ET) Saturday, June 20 — that’s two weeks from tomorrow. I’ll be hanging out for an hour to answer your questions and help you make decisions about your home projects.
Registration opens next week, so keep an eye on your inbox for that.
Okay, on to our regular programming…
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I recently had a client who did a fairly simple kitchen renovation in an older home — he kept the location of all of his appliances but wanted to upgrade to an induction stove. Because of the older electric setup in his home, he found that he wouldn’t have been able to run his stove and washer/dryer at the same time.
Ultimately, he decided to go with a different stove.
This is a great example of what seemed like a simple appliance purchase becoming a much bigger research project than you might expect.
So I have a new blog post up on the site breaking down what you need to know about replacing your stove. You can go here to read the whole thing, but here’s the Cole’s notes version:
Swapping your range for a newer one of the same type and size is one of the easiest ways to upgrade the functionality your kitchen.
But the moment you want something different — either a bigger unit or switching from your standard electric model to something else — you’re opening the door to bigger changes than you might have thought.
The good news is that doing a little homework up front will tell you how simple (or complicated) that dream stove will be to install.
So before you make any buying decisions…
Make sure your electrics will work.
Induction ranges and double wall ovens pull a lot of power — more than an older panel or home may be able to handle. A quick chat with your electrician will tell you exactly how much power your electrical panel can handle before you need to upgrade, and whether you have the wiring to support the change.
Measure the space your range will go in.
Most ranges are 30 inches across, but don't assume yours is standard. Measure carefully, then measure again. Buying a larger stove means you may need to adjust your cabinetry to fit — and now you’re in reno territory.
Be clear on the structural impacts of switching things up.
Electrical, gas, induction, and cooktop/wall oven combos all come with different pros and cons, including the stuff behind the walls. You need to know in advance what your new stove will need and whether your kitchen can handle it.
If you’ve got a new stove in your future, check out the new post! We’re covering:
- Is it a “stove” or a “range”?
- The different types of range and their pros and cons
- What to know about the behind-the-walls stuff: gas lines, electrical panels, and more
- The most ignored appliance in your kitchen: the hood fan
And as always, if you have questions about replacing your stove, your fridge, or anything else renovation-related, hit reply! I’d love to help.
Have a great weekend,
Gerald
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