How to Remove and Install a Gas Oven

Learn how to remove and replace a gas wall oven; includes details on modifying the opening and working safely with natural gas.

Back in his own home, Ron decided that his kitchen was overdue for a new oven. He selected one that was approximately the same size and style as the existing oven so that he would have only minor modifications to fit the new oven. Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

1. Turn power off As in all electrical projects, it is essential to begin by turning off the power at the circuit breaker. As an added precaution, put a piece of tape over the switch in the off position. Note of caution: If you're not familiar with basic electrical work, or your local codes don't allow you to do this kind of project yourself, ask a qualified electrician for help. 2. Remove old oven Begin by removing the oven doors, then remove the screws and take out the oven. There are usually only four screws holding the oven in place. Remove the screws and the oven should come out. Cut the wires to the old oven. The new oven should come with it's own wires already attached.

Note: Normally there's an electrical junction box attached to the wall behind the oven. If this is the case, proceed to step 4. But in Ron's kitchen, the box was hidden inside the wall and he had to cut away part of the drywall to locate it.

Ron used a wallboard saw to cut into the wall. The box that he found was not anchored to the wall as it should have been so he wanted to replace it.

3. Electrical box (when necessary) Install a wooden brace inside the wall to hold the new box. Cut a small section out of the wood, equal to the depth of the box. This will recess the box into the wall.

Punch out one of the plugs in the new box, and attach the connector. Slip the house wires through the connector, and then tighten it around the outside of the armored cable.

Attach the box to the brace with a couple of screws.

Frame the inside of the hole with wood strips, which will provide a solid backing to which the new wallboard can be attached.

Attach clips to hold the electrical cable in place along the inside of the wall.

Cover the opening with wallboard. The joints should be taped to provide a tight seal. It's not a good idea to have any openings into the wall cavity, especially since this is an oven installation and fire is a potential hazard.

First fill the gap with wallboard compound and smooth it out evenly with a putty knife. Wet a strip of paper tape and then center it over the seam. Use the putty knife to press the tape firmly into the compound. Since this is in the inside back of the cabinet and will not show, no further finishing is necessary.

4. Modify opening (when necessary) If the rough opening required for the new wall oven is wider than the opening left by the previous oven, you will need to divide the difference in two and then cut away half of this measurement from each side. Measure and draw lines that go from the top to bottom along both sides of the opening. Cut along the lines with a circular saw.

5. Wiring new oven The new oven probably comes with about 5 feet of armored cable, which should already be attached. Attach a right angle clamp to the armored cable. This will connect to the box cover.

Twist together the house wires, and the wires from the new oven, secure each one with a wire nut, and then fold them neatly inside the box and attach the cover.

6. Install oven Lift the new oven into place and then attach it with the four screws that will hold the new wall oven in place. Attach the oven doors, and add any remaining trim, etc.

Before After