Replacing 17 year old GE Cooktop - all new ones are different dimensions

[Rickoven]

Model Number

JGP979SEF2SS

Brand

GE

Age

More than 10 years

Our GE gas cooktop is done as far as we are concerned. Grates have been chipping for many years ($200+ shipping to re-porcelain them). Igniters on one side are iffy. Burners have discolored over the years. Wife wants a new one. We removed the top trim to measure the hole and found that the hole measures 21" deep. In checking the installation specs, it says +/- 1/16th of an inch.

I mention that tolerance because clearly seems to be intended that the unit rests on the countertop on all 4 sides. Makes sense.

So we start looking at new units, and discover across brands a commonality of the depth being 19 and XX inches, no where near 21 inches. In other words, the unit won't be supported anywhere besides the left and right side. So we contacted Best Buy and setup a meeting with an appliance "expert". He consulted with an installer, who said "yeah, we just install them with the sides holding it, and the two bolts and brackets secure it." Given that these units are heavy, and the you add pots to them, that seems risky. We contacted LG, but they had zero info. We contacted GE, who said that all 4 sides should be supported. Oh, and the Best Buy appliance expert was never heard from again.

So, for cooktop installation experts, two questions:

1) Do you agree that the unit needs to be supported on all 4 sides?

2) If yes, what can be done to shrink the side of the hole depth-wise, remembering that whatever you do has to support all that weight?

 

[Dan O.]

I am not an installer but I suggest you check with a counter top dealer. It may be possible to add a small section to the top to make up for the slight difference in opening. The full weight of the appliance would never be on just that section.

You might also be able to use something like at the following web site:

Cooktop Trim Kits - Micro Trim

Cooktop Trim Kits are used when installing almost any desired cooktop into an oversized, existing countertop opening. Call 800-338-8746

www.microtrim.com

Dan O.

 

[Rickoven]

While the full weight would not be on it, it would have substantial weight on it. Any piece fitted in (granite) clearly wouldn't support weight. As for the link you provided, they note they are cosmetic only - not worried about cosmetic.

 

[Dan O.]

Can the new top be installed toward the front or rear of the opening so it is at least supported on 3 sides? Toward the front might be best as most use and thus additional pressure applied to the cooktop might be in the front area?

Hopefully others will offer suggestions as well.


Dan O.

 

[Rickoven]

Can the new top be installed toward the front or rear of the opening so it is at least supported on 3 sides? Toward the front might be best as most use and thus additional pressure applied to the cooktop might be in the front area?

Hopefully others will offer suggestions as well.


Dan O.

Even if it could, I don't feel comfortable without support on 4 sides. The chance of a disaster (spilled boiling liquids, gas line broken, etc. is not worth it.

 

[paulhl]

New will be supported by 3 not 2 sides. With cabinets on each side you can erect a rear support. They did it with my sink that fell thru after 13 years. The issue I see is the gap in the rear
https://www.sinksetter.com/ Take a look

 

[Rickoven]

Yes, clearly someone could make a filler, that could take weight, and use support legs. Or, assuming they could find strong enough support on side cabinets that are 4 inches away.

 

[paulhl]

Did you go to my link. a filler would not be a support

 

[Rickoven]

I am looking at the PW-140-P to see if that could work, thanks.

 

[Rickoven]

It doesn't attach OVER the sides, it screws into them. With granite countertops, I would have to attach wood, with epoxy? underneath the granite and screw into that.

 

[paulhl]

What is it? your cooktop overlaps both sides and the front. You're only supporting the rear. I'm done.

 

[Rickoven]

I sent a note to sinksetter and the owner said to call him. He said he feels that a modern cooktop would be fine with support on 3 sides only. He said the we could use his product to go under the opening to the cabinets on either side, but it would be a challenge to find the proper height to mount them so that his supports met the cooktop's supports at the right point. Interesting.