MattHelm

I am building kitchen cabinets, using eCabinet systems software. The standard tall oven cabinet is 24 inches deep, with a 3/4" back, making it 23 1/4" deep inside.

The built-in oven I am buying requires a 23 1/2" inside depth. That means I can use no more than a 1/2" or 1/4" back to the oven cabinet.

Does anyone here have experience with that? What is the "standard" inside oven cabinet depth?
(My wall cabinets use 1/4" ply on the back, but the base cabients are all 3/4").
Wouldn't 1/4" ply weaken the structure of a tall oven cabinet? Would it also provide enough heat "insulation" from outside the cabinet?

Thanks.

MH

firehawkmph

Hi,
The oven cabinets normally have a back on them that is less than 1/4" . The oven designers never cease to amaze me when they design these ovens. I normally install Kraftmaid cabinets. When they send out an oven cabinet, the hole in the front is too small to fit a normal size single oven. This is done on purpose. For a double oven, the hole gets cut much taller and often elimates a drawer or two at the bottom. I would use whatever you can fit in the back without going too thick. The oven has to sit on a reinforced shelf that you will install after determining and cutting out for the oven. Most of the weight will be sitting on the shelf, so build a framework under the shelf that is sturdy and doesn't interfer with the drawer below. 3/4" for the shelf. If you aren't sure, go to the local big box store and take a look at some of their cabinets on display. Good luck,
Mike Hawkins

cabinetman

A cabinet back doesn't need to be anything thicker than 1/4", unless it will be used for wall mounting. Three quarter inch backs are an overkill and would only be needed in very specialized cases. Structurally, the back keeps the box square, and maintains carcass edge rigidity. You could fasten through it to offer more fixed shelf support. If you can set it into a rabbet, that will help. As Mike said, most built in ovens require either a fixed shelf, or cleats for the oven to sit on. If you make a fixed shelf, that would add to the cabinet's integrity.

I would use the installation instructions for a guide to what is called for.

MattHelm

Thanks for your input, guys.

I do tend to overbuild things. Guess I'll use 1/4" ply with rabbets for the back, and fixed shelves with dadoes.

That ought to do it.