How to replace an old electric hotplate?

[Stary]

Hello group, I'd like to replace this old Chef hotplate 63.5×51.5cm with perhaps an induction hotplate but impossible to find size , the cutout size is 61.5×49.5cm approx, I don't know what to do am I limited to buying a second hand one same style

 

, thankyou 

[EricL]

Hello @Stary 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your electric hotplate.

If changing the benchtop is out of the budget at the moment, I suggest the following technique. Your current cutout is 615mm x 495mm, I propose installing the Bellini 60cm Induction Cooktop. It requires a cutout of 560mm x 490mm, since you already have 495mm front to back there is no need to make it bigger. 

The cutout for the sides is currently 615mm, the new cooktop only requires 560mm. To fix this, I suggest installing pine moulding on both sides of the cut out to the size of 27.5mm x 40mm x 495mm. This will reduce the size of the cutout to 560mm which is what the new cooktop needs. The pine moulding can be painted dark or light that's up to you, but it can serve as a decoration to your new cooktop. 

This would be the economical solution for you to change your cooktop without changing your benchtop. When the time comes, and the opportunity presents itself you can then change your benchtop for a new one. I've placed some images below to give you and idea of how it can be done.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know. 

Eric

[Stary]

Thankyou very much that will work, looks like the old sizing just doesn't exist anymore 

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @Stary 

I have the same issue with my very old school hotplates (much worse state then yours, embarrasingly worse ) The one that is in has pretty much a manufactured washer around it to cover the difference in size of the hole to the hotplates. 

I would suggest the same as @EricL  to fix the size issue, and if the extended pieces can be seen still then id would stain them something that watches what you have with the bench and teh new hotplates, make it a feature type deal. (And just realsied I have said teh same as @EricL lol)

Im actually holding off on replacing mine (yep down to two hotplates left working atm) as the replacement cost verse a new one is very close.

Dave

[Nailbag]

HI @Stary 

I think @EricL has provided a great economical solution, though I have two points that might need to be considered. 

1. Any safety requirements to have exposed timber with a cooktop. Contacting the supplier would confirm this and could advise.

2. You may need to make some change to the hotplate wiring back to the main board and or the breaker due to an increase in power. I had a mate who just last week upgraded to an induction cooktop and it required both new cabling and its own breaker. In fairness, his was a wider 900mm model with lots of extra features. The product specs will have electrical information and again the supplier or sparky can advise the rest.

Nailbag