Is it possible to place a cooktop above a washing machine?

Owners of small apartments have to find a way to fit all the necessary appliances into their limited square footage. It's important not only to find a place for each appliance, but also to arrange them harmoniously so that one doesn't interfere with the other. A common challenge is the washing machine, which has to be installed in the kitchen instead of the bathtub. Often, cabinet space is insufficient, and a cooktop needs to be installed above the washing machine. Let's take a closer look at whether this arrangement is acceptable and safe.

Technical feasibility

The first step is to determine whether the washing machine will fit under the cooktop. Most often, installing the appliance requires using standard kitchen cabinets, where the cabinet height is the same as the washing machine's. Often, the washing machine is even taller than the countertop, requiring the top cover to be removed and the feet to be fully tightened to accommodate the appliance.

A full-size front-loading washing machine won't fit under the cooktop—you'll either need to raise the countertop or buy a compact machine.

When installing a built-in cooktop, the space for the washing machine will be even smaller. This is because both electric and induction cooktops are recessed into the countertop by at least 3 cm, and more often by 4-5 cm. Furthermore, it is recommended to leave a small air gap between the cooktop and its neighbor. Clearly, in this case, the washing machine simply won't have enough space, even with the top cover removed. This is especially true for a full-size model with a spacious drum. There are two ways to solve this space issue:

• raise the countertop higher;
• choose a compact washing machine model.

The raised countertop option is an acquired taste. Firstly, you'll have to pay the cabinet maker extra for custom dimensions. Secondly, using the tiles will be difficult if you're not above average height. Compact washing machines also have their drawbacks, such as limited functionality, high cost, and a small capacity of 3-4 kg.

Is this safe for devices?

It is not recommended to place the washing machine under the hob for safety reasons. In simple terms, these household appliances are considered incompatible – they should be placed away from each other. There are several reasons for this:

• the tile gets very hot, which is dangerous for the washing machine;
• the washing machine vibrates, damaging the hob;
• The machine emits moisture that is dangerous for the tiles.

The negative impact of one unit on another must be taken into account. Any cooktop, whether electric or induction, becomes very hot during prolonged use. For example, during an hour of cooking, the bottom of the hob reaches temperatures of 60 degrees Celsius or higher. The fans provided only moderate the heat, but they don't eliminate it. As a result, hot air easily penetrates the washing machine and dries out the rubber components: the hoses crack and become unsealed, and the pressure switch malfunctions. All this affects the machine's performance, as the board receives incorrect data from the sensors and freezes. Repairing the control board is very expensive, especially when it involves replacing the hoses and the level sensor.

The washing machine "responds" with increased humidity. Some of the water taken from the water supply, albeit in small quantities, ends up on the bottom of the hob. If the tile body is made of plastic and stainless steel, then damage is minimal; otherwise, corrosion, structural damage, and other defects are possible.

The hob will negatively affect the washing machine installed underneath – when heated, the hot air will damage the pipes, hoses, and pressure switch.

The third issue is vibration emanating from the washing machine. All front-loading machines vibrate heavily during the spin cycle, and older models are especially unstable. The vibrations are transmitted to the cabinet walls, then to the countertop and cooktop. A stovetop isn't designed for such stress: the structure becomes loose and quickly fails.

The conclusion is clear: installing a cooktop above a washing machine is strongly discouraged. Such a placement will lead to disastrous consequences, including the death of both appliances. It's better to avoid the risk and waste money, and instead design the appliances differently.

   

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