Installing a built-in ceramic hob

[braychurchmouse]

Hi, its not actually an electrical question, but I can't see quite where to ask this otherwise.

Just wondered what the pros do when installing these hobs. I am just updating my kitchen with a new worktop and noticed the hob was previously installed without the protective foil covering the edge of the cut-out in the worktop. Also there wasn't a seal. Unfortunately I don't have instructions for the hob ("Diplomat")... I think it was a B&Q "own brand" cheapie so I'm not hopeful of getting much sense out of them!!!

My searching on the web leads me to believe that I need a "heatproof seal" between the hob and worktop, and heat reflective tape around the cut edge of the laminate...or am I being too fussy...clearly the previous installer wasn't .

Any advice from the professionals would be most appreciated..and also any clue as to what type/brand of sealant and reflective tape I need to look for...I can't see anything in the Screwfix catalog that seems to fit the description

btw I'm happy to have this question moved to a more appropriate part of the forum if the moderator deems it sensible. Cheers and thanks for yr help.

 

[H&J]

Diplomat is MFI's own brand. I have never seen a foil, there is usually a strip putty or some sort of self sticky strip to go around the edge.

I would not worry about heat, they don't get very hot around the edge.

I do loads of worktop changes and quite a few that I take out have no sealing and there is no ill effects on the worktop.

 

[braychurchmouse]

Many thanks H&J, that's reassuring!
Just cut the new aperture last night. Did a marvelous job with downcut jigsaw blade ... took about 15 mins... but being ultra-cautious I made it about 5mm too small, so it took me another hour with a 1/2" router to get it cut to the right size . So the morale of this story is measure a bit more accurately and have confidence in your measurement! I've varnished the cut edges so if any spills do penetrate it should hopefully not swell the chipboard. I'll probably put a bead of silicone sealing around the underneath of the hob lip for the same reason. (OK this is not "electrical", and a bit off topic but I figured it might help someone in the future browsing thru the archives!!! ).

 

[H&J]

Better to be too small than too big and I speak from experience.

The silicon around the edges is a good idea, just try and be neat, it's a real job trying to get it off after.

I always put a thick bead in the grove that's intended for the supplied strip.

 

[Diyisfun]

If no foam sealing strip, you can use plumbers mait under the trim this will hold & seal.
There is also no heat problem using plumbers mait.