The wall oven is almost a must-have equipment for modern-day kitchens. The convenience of use, aesthetics, and many more things pretty much depend on the size of the cabinet where you put your wall oven.
As you are here looking for what size cabinet for the wall oven you need, we understand your concern. We are here to aid your search and save you a lot of money that you could spend buying the wrong cabinet.
You will get everything here, from choosing the right size cabinet to every relevant aspect.
What size cabinet for wall oven?
For a standard wall oven, the cabinet width typically measures 30 inches. However, cabinet dimensions can vary based on the oven’s size. the bigger your wall oven is, the bigger the wall oven cabinet you need. Always consult the oven’s installation manual to ensure a precise fit.
Wall oven cabinet sizes
If you don’t know already, there are mostly 3 types of wall ovens according to their dimensions. You have a 24-inch option, a 27-inch option, and for a bigger pick, you have your 30-inch options.
Wall Oven Cabinet Size Chart:
Oven Range | Oven Size | Cabinet Size |
Small | 24 inches | 24-27 inches |
Medium | 27 inches | 27-30 inches |
Large | 30 inches | 30-33 inches |
The thumb rule for oven cabinet sizes: The above chart for oven cabinet sizes already demonstrates the thumb rule for oven sizes. Yes, you know it already.
According to the general rule of thumb presented in installation guidelines, the cabinet needs to be 3 inches more spacious than the wall oven in all measurements.
That’s why when you have a 24-inch wall oven, the most ideal pick for you is a 26-inch cabinet.
But don’t be confused. A lot of people install their 24-inch wall oven inside a 24-inch cabinet.
So, when you take the height, width, and depth measurements of the oven, add three inches to each of those measurements.
Doing so will ensure the optimal ease of use, overall convenience, and aesthetics of your kitchen.
What Size Cabinet For A 24 Inch Wall Oven?
So, if we go back to our thumb rule, we can conclude that the desired size of your cabinet for a 24-inch wall oven has to be 24 inches.
But for some people, a 24-inch cabinet does the job. However, you have to be aware of certain facts.
Presently, these 24 inches cabinets are most likely to have an opening of smaller than 24 inches.
So, there is a problem If you buy a 24-inch cabinet. So, eventually, your last resort will be a 27-inch cabinet.
What size cabinet do I need for a 27 inch wall oven?
To understand this, you can simply use the thumb rule. But to clarify more, let’s understand this with an example.
Let’s say you have a 27-inch wall oven. So, what are the dimensions of your oven for which you need a cabinet?
According to the industry standards, the following are the measurements for typical 27 inches wall ovens.
- The cutout height is 27 and ½ to 28 inches.
- The cutout width is 25 and ¼ to 25 and a ½
- And, the cutout depth is 23 and ¼ to 24 inches (it excludes both the handle and the door frame)
So, now, can you guess what size cabinet you need? You will exclude the 27 inches cabinet in the first instance.
Therefore, a 30-inch cabinet for your wall oven will be your best pick.
What Size Cabinet Do I Need For A 30 Wall Oven?
You already know the answer to this question, don’t you? Yes, exactly what you are thinking, the ideal pick for your 30-inch wall oven is a 33-inch cabinet.
However, our experience says, that for a 30-inch wall oven, a 30-inch cabinet may be enough.
To ascertain if any carpentry work is necessary, you must know the oven’s cut-out width as provided by the manufacturer and the size of the aperture in your cabinet.
In the market, especially, among the old models, there are a lot of wall ovens that come with a 28 and a ½ inches cut-out width.
In that case, a 30-inch cabinet can also be a perfect fit for your 30-inch wall oven.
Know your wall oven measurements
The standard width
The most commonly used sizes for any wall oven are 24, 27, and 30 inches.
The depth of the wall oven
The depth will be somewhere between 21-24 inches. If you take the door and handle into consideration, the depth is 27-28 inches.
The capacity of the wall oven
According to the size of the oven, the capacity varies. For instance, a 24-inch wall oven offers 2-3.5 cubic feet of space inside.
On the other hand, there will be 4-5 cubic feet inside the 27-inch or 30-inch wall ovens.
The height of the wall oven: For most wall ovens, the height is somewhere from 26.5 to 29.5
Measure Wall Oven Cabinet Dimensions
Width (W)
Measure the distance between the inner edges of the left and right cabinets using a measuring tape.
Here you will understand if the oven you have will fit inside the cutout of the cabinet rather snugly.
Depth (D)
Take the measurements starting from the rear of the opening and working your way forward to the cabinet front.
Remember that the oven door length will cause it to extend beyond the cabinets.
In the front of the oven, it is important to provide at least 20-25 inches of clear space.
You have to load and unload food conveniently, right? So, consider this into the measurement as well.
Height (H)
Take a measurement spanning from the cabinet opening bottom to all the way up to the cabinet opening top. To emphasize, a snug fit is preferable.
Door Clearance (C)
When you open the oven door, the entire depth will be increased by around 24 inches.
In order to load and unload your wall oven in a comfortable manner, you will need a clearance of roughly 20 to 45 inches.
This door clearance is of utmost significance if your kitchen is a galley, or if there is an island directly opposite the wall oven in your kitchen.
Apart from the usual cabinet measurements, the cut-out dimensions may sometimes be important. This also helps if you just want to change your present wall oven.
So, how will you measure the cut-out dimensions of your wall oven cabinet? Here you go.
Wall oven cabinet cut-out dimensions
Set Aside The Existing Wall Oven
Remove your existing wall oven from the cutout or cabinet if it is still there in order to get an accurate measurement of the available area.
Doing so will guarantee that the measurements you obtain are as exact as possible.
Calculate The Width Of The Cutout
Remove your current wall oven If your current wall oven is still installed in your cutout or cabinet, remove it so you can measure the space. This will ensure you get the most accurate measurements.
Calculate The Width Of The Cutout
Using a measuring tape, calculate the cutout width by measuring from one edge to the other.
Determine The Depth Of The Cutout
Measuring the depth is easy but can be complicated if you miss the vital details. You have to calculate it leaving the cabinet door out of the equation.
When recording the depth of your wall oven cutout, set the measuring tape to the front of the cabinet face. Then, calculate the distance from there to the wall.
Determine The Height Of The Cutout
Here, you will have to take measurements starting at the entrance of the cutout and going all the way down.
The distance between the cabinet opening to the bottom is the height you are looking for.
Also, keep in mind that there are double and single wall ovens.
So, based on this primary classification, the height varies a lot. Take the measurements with optimal care.
Buy The Ideal Size Cabinet For The Wall Oven
Always remember the general rule
According to standard installation guidelines, there is this 3-inch thumb rule that you know already.
So, the cabinet needs to be 3 inches wider than the wall oven in all three measurements, e.g., depth, width, and height.
When you are done measuring the width, depth, and height of the wall oven, don’t forget to add three inches to each of those measurements.
The new models come in bigger sizes
Nowadays, in general, newer models come in bigger footprints than their predecessors.
Even while a new wall oven could have the same width as an older one that measures 30 inches, the modern model might be deeper and taller.
If you want to make better use of the available space, frameless cabinets are an option to consider.
Manufacturer’s preferences
Referring to the specifications provided by the manufacturer is always the best method to ensure a proper fit.
It is preferable to remove the present wall oven and measure the opening in the cabinet if you do not have any specifications for the oven.
If the sizes of modern-day wall ovens do not quite correspond to the opening in your wall, you certainly need a bigger wall cabinet.
Wall cabinet too small vs too big
When The Cabinet Is Too Big
If the model of cabinet you are after is bigger by 1 inch or 2 inches than the dimensions of the wall oven you’re considering, you have a fix.
You can fill in that gap by simply using a trim kit. Remember, it is only for minor gaps.
When The Cabinet Is Small
Sometimes, you may be stuck with a smaller size cabinet compared to what you need for your wall oven.
If the entrance to the cabinet is too narrow, the cabinet will need to be modified. which is often a more expensive choice.
If you don’t like any more trouble or remodeling, it could be in your best interest to choose a wall oven that has a lower capacity and size.
FAQs about what size cabinet for the wall oven
Why Do I Need 3 Inches Wide Cabinet?
The wall ovens need enough space for both the electronic parts and their cooking chambers. So, wall ovens have to be installed inside cabinets and in built-in portions of the wall. So, having the needed space is very significant.
How Much Space Is Needed Behind A Wall Oven?
The ideal space necessary behind any wall oven is 3 inches. That’s why we keep suggesting any cabinet that is 3 inches wider than the wall oven. This is the thumb rule.
Can I Modify Cabinet Opening Sizes?
Yes, this is possible nowadays without a bit of a problem. You just have to hire an expert in this field, and he will do the rest for you. But, considering aesthetics, it may not be recommended.
What Happens If I Use Too Big A Cabinet?
This will eventually disrupt your ease and soothing cooking experience. With a big cabinet, the oven will not fit inside the cabinet, and it will move here and there thus causing a serious inconvenience.
Final Words
So, you already know what size cabinet for the wall oven you need. To further clarify it, ideally, we are recommending a 3 inches wider cabinet than the wall oven.
These extra inches may not be important sometimes considering the cut-out. But we believe that ease of use, overall convenience, and safety shall always be our priority.
So, eventually, the 3-inch thumb rule matters as you consider the ease of use and everything else.