Induction Cooktops are becoming increasingly more popular in modern kitchens. They’re not only great for homeowners that don’t want a free-standing range, but they’re also becoming more of a go-to for those looking for an electric alternative to a traditional gas stovetop. But not everyone knows how to install an induction cooktop.
It certainly can’t be as easy as cutting a hole in your countertop? We called up our friends over at Appliance Educator, who are highly knowledgeable appliance experts, to get all the details and we’re surprised to find out it can be as easy as that!
Induction cooktops are actually a pretty easy installation from start to finish! Thanks to induction cooktops just using electricity, your biggest step involves hooking up your wiring, but let’s not jump ahead just yet!
If you’re doing a fresh install, you’ll need to cut out a spot in your cabinets for your induction. In most cases, the manufacture of your appliance will include cut-out dimensions to help ensure a smooth and accurate installation. It’s important to get this step correct! As it can be a very expensive thing to fix.
If you’re unsure, we always recommend hiring a professional. Also if this is a fresh install we advise calling an electrician to make sure you have a junction box (similar to a wall outlet, but with direct lines to your appliance instead of plugs) installed that can be properly used on your induction.
If you already own an induction cooktop and are upgrading to a newer model, your first step should be to turn off the power to your kitchen and locate the junction for your existing induction cooktop.
Remove the faceplate to the junction box. You should see three separate wires connecting your junction box to your current induction. Take a picture of how the wires are set up, as it will help you out when you’re hooking up the wires to your new induction.
Remove the wire cap connecting the wires from your old induction to the house wiring. Set aside your wall cap, you’ll need this later!
Now that we’ve removed the power from the existing induction cooktop, detach any clips holding your cooktop to your counter. Once you’ve confirmed that all clips are detached, lift up the cooktop evenly from the underside.
Now it’s time to install your new induction cooktop. Most induction cooktops will have a pretty similar installation process. We’ll be basing our installation on an induction cooktop from our friends over at ZLINE Kitchen and Bath.
The technology in the ZLINE Induction Cooktops is next level. There are no external knobs or buttons on this cooktop. That means that you don’t have to worry about wear and tear and needing to replace them in the future. No knobs or grates also make this cooktop extremely easy to keep clean! Everything is controlled through an LCD that is directly on the glass. Speaking of glass, the glass in this induction is made in Germany with high-quality materials, so you know it’s going to last a long time!
One of our favorite perks on this induction is the power option. This lets your induction cook at its absolute max, perfect for when you’re in a pinch and need dinner cooked as soon as possible!
Let’s get back to the install. We suggest completing your wiring before you install the induction into the cabinet. Take the wiring from your new induction down to the junction box, remember that photo we had you snap earlier? Now is the time to pull that up!
Oftentimes, the wiring in your junction box can be confusing to label, so it’s important to know what wire is your ground, your neutral, and your live. Having a photo on hand can be incredibly helpful when trying to figure this out. The last thing you want to do is have to go back later and correct this!
With the wiring finished, reinstall the cover to your junction box. Carefully take your new induction cooktop, and place it inside the cutout. With the cooktop inside the cutout, install any brackets that came with it.
Just like that, your new induction cooktop is installed and ready to go! Big thanks to Appliance Educator for walking us through the steps needed to install. If you aren’t already, be sure to give them a follow on YouTube , and don’t forget to check out their website! They’ve got great how-to’s, before you buy guides, and recommendations for every aspect of your home!
If you have any questions about the installation process or need help finding the perfect induction cooktop for your home, please feel free to contact us! Our knowledgeable team is always ready to help.
