aelita

Mostly because I want to maximise the space. The current kitchen is the cheapest the builder could get away with. Was fine while I was renting the place, but now that I've bought it, I want better spec and minor layout changes.

Looked at the instructions for Bosch induction hobs. None appear to specify the minimum clearance. I'm keeping the existing integrated extractor and assuming it was fitted within the manufacturer's guidance, seeing as it's been here from new. So it must be to protect the cabinets... Now, how can I get around this and still get the kitchen I want? Would ordering from an online place be a solution?

Off me goes to research the safe zones and electrical regulations... And still nothing ? Safe zones apply to wiring - not an issue in my case as the wires are all in the right place already and there are no adjacent sockets, switches etc. I'm just trying to figure out if the layout I already have is compliant, and it seems that it is.

Thank you, SteamyTea! The only reference to the hob clearance I can find in them is this: Cooker hoods should be 650 mm to 750 mm above the hob surface (or follow manufacturer instructions). Searching for "hot zone" reference yielded no results. My current clearance is 20mm short of the requirement but I could put a reduced height unit there if necessary. I can't find anything about the 100mm clearance to each side of the hob though. Also, the regs are dated 2010, which precedes the completion of the building I'm in. Does this mean I'm being told porkies by the kitchen designers? Or am I missing something? I am in Scotland, in case it makes any difference.

I’m embarking on my first kitchen renovation project and facing a bit of a dilemma (well, multiple dilemmas, in fact, but I shall start with this one). Very much hoping that some of you wise people will know the answer. My kitchen is relatively small and open plan with the living room. It currently has 600mm electric hob which I will be exchanging for an induction one of the same size. There is no gas connection to the kitchen at all. In the existing setup there is line of wall units at 630mm clearance above the hob. The one directly above it is 600mm wide and houses a built-in extractor. The existing setup works well for me, both esthetically and ergonomically. I’ve now been to several kitchen planning appointments, and in every single one of them the designers insisted that the unit above the hob must be 800mm wide to allow for 100mm clearance over the hob on each side, quoting the building regulations for the ‘hot zone’. This, unfortunately, messes up my wall unit layout quite significantly. The building I’m in is less than ten years old, and the current layout must have been compliant when the kitchen was put in by the builder. I’ve been trying to locate the regulation they are all quoting but all I have been able to find is some guidance specific to gas hobs. Hence my questions: - Is it indeed true that I can’t replicate my current layout because it is no longer compliant with the regs? - Does anyone know what specific regulation applies here and where I can have a look at it? - If there is no regulation covering it, any ideas why do the kitchen planners insist on it? - Is there such a thing as the mandated minimum hob to cabinet clearance or is that dictated by the maximum recommended between the hob and the extractor?