How To Remove A Built-In GE Electric Oven

If you are remodeling your kitchen or your built-in GE wall oven is malfunctioning, you may wish to remove it. Though built-in ovens may seem as if they are a fixture, they can usually be moved without the help of a professional. Proper safety procedures are essential, however, because ovens can be hardwired into the wall and require altering your circuitry.

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Before you attempt to remove your wall oven, turn off the circuit breaker to the kitchen or whichever circuit the oven is on. Do not attempt to do anything until you have completed this step.

If the oven is hardwired, you will need to locate the electrical junction box for the appliance. Most likely, this will be located in the cabinet above your oven.

Next, use a no-contact voltage tester to check the voltage of the wires. Press the button on the tester to each of the wires. If the sensor beeps or lights up, your circuit is still live, and you will need to disconnect it. Do not skip this step as it is critical for your safety.

If you have experience doing electrical work and feel comfortable doing it yourself, unscrew the cover to the junction box and remove any clamps connecting the wires to those in the wall. Before proceeding, check your oven manual to determine which colored wires are the grounding wires. If you have any doubts, contact an electrician.

Single ovens are typically held in place with either two or four screws. Double ovens are more likely to have six screws. You will need to unscrew these before moving the oven. Once the screws are removed, enlist the help of a friend to steady the oven before lifting. Prepare a place to set it down and be careful not to let it drop, especially if you have tile floors.

If your oven plugs into the wall, you will need to pull it out part of the way once the screws have been removed. Check to see the length of the cord before trying to set the oven on the ground. If the cord is shorter than the distance from the oven's shelf to the ground, it may help to use a sturdy object the same height as the oven's shelf to temporarily set the oven on while you remove the cord.

Once the oven is removed, you will need to cap circuit wires and enclose the junction box if your oven relied on hard wiring. Use caps that grip wires firmly once you screw them on to ensure live wires won't be a danger. You can also terminate single live wires using wire nuts. If you don't have prior experience with this sort of electrical work, it's best to seek help from a professional.