Changing a gas hob. Will a new one fit in the same size cut out in the worktop?

[Daftapath]

We need to replace our gas hob but probably need to keep the same worktop.

If I choose a new hob with a similar size and layout (4 gas burners and knobs on same side), will it definitely fit in the hole? Are they all a standard size?

The old hob is about 13 years old, will it be a big job to change it?

Not necessarily but shouldn't be too different. If you still have the original installation instructions (or if you can find them on the web) it will give the cut-out needed for your hob. You can then compare this with the size needed for the new one.

I've been looking at this. THey are pretty standard and most places give measurements. Some of the larger 5-6 burners also fit the same recess so a 4 for 4 should be no problem!

I think very old hobs can sometimes have different piping on them which can be a nightmare. I read about someone having to have all the piping changed back to the where it came off the main pipe into the house. I don't think it would be that common. I've been getting quotes of around £80-130 for a straight switchover.

I don't have any of the installation instructions for the old hob unfortunately. I did have a good look earlier. I don't know the model of the current hob, just the make.

That is just my fear Hops! I put off these things for years and then when I get around to doing them, there is always hassle like having to change pipes, etc.

The saga of changing my oven last year . . . at one point they were talking about having to remove the whole cupboard unit!

separate hobs don't have a flexible rubber gas-hose like cookers do, so will need a gas-safe engineer to install them and possibly change the pipe layout.

Meaure the old one and compare it to new. Like sinks, they usually have a hole an inch or so smaller that the top, so the rim sits on the worktop. If old/new has different shaped corners that may matter.

p.s. new worktops are amazingly cheap if you buy 3-metre lengths of an ordinary laminate.

bliemy, I've changed our oven twice and it was 5 minute job each time! Though our oven is electric of course.

You should be able to lift the hob up if you want to and measure the recess. There are also nationwide companies that install for a fixed price but not sure if that would include additional pipe work.

Yes, the oven (also electric) should have been a 5 minute job but the new oven was slightly deeper than the old one and the gas pipe from the hob above was in the way. So I had to get another person out to move the pipe and they ended up having to take the back off one of the cupboards next to the oven. If this had not worked, they were talking about removing the cupboard unit to get to the pipe more easily!

Hence, now thinking that these things are never easy in my house!!

Avoiding replacing the worktop is not necessarily because of the expense but the hassle of having to empty all the cupboards for it it be done [lazy emoticon]

I may now bite the bullet and order a new hob in the sales then. No doubt it will sit in the sitting room as a feature for a while until I find someone to ft it!

Many thanks all.