Wall Oven - A Necessity For The Disabled

 by: Allan Wilson

Wall ovens, available in electric and gas forms, are best ovens for the people with disabilities. The ovens can be placed considering the required height of the user, and the controls can also be placed within the reach of the standing or sitting user. The wall ovens usually have three types of doors: side-hinged, drop-front and swinging doors.

Features of Wall Ovens

Following are some of the features of wall oven that make it a convenient one for disable people:

Knee space: knee space is very important for wheelchair users to access ovens in their own way. For side hinged and swinging doors, knee space should be available under the oven or side closest to the door handle. For a drop hunt door, the knee space must be on either side of the oven.

Height: the height should be appropriate for the user. The lowered wall ovens are usually installed 30” to 40” above the ground.

Installation Methods of Wall Ovens

Electric wall ovens are often safe and more widely used because there are no combustion products like carbon monoxide used. Moreover, people with the disability in smell, will not be able to detect a gas leak. However people without these disabilities can easily install the gas wall ovens also.

Following are the ways Electric wall oven and gas wall ovens are installed:

Electric Wall Ovens Installations -

Tools needed: Flathead Screwdriver, Straight Edge, Ruler or tape measurer, Drill, Saw and Straight edge.

Electrical Requirements: 3 wire single phase- A.C. 208Y/120 Volt or 120/240 Volt, 60 Hz electrical system is needed. It should be connected to a properly grounded branch circuit, protected by a fuse.

Other requirements: the wall ovens should be securely fastened to a cabinet which in turn should be fastened to the house structure. The flexible medium must be attached to the junction box and to the connector.

Gas Oven Installations -

Tools needed- Flathead screw driver, Straight Edge, Ruler or tape measurer, pipe wrench and open end or adjustable wrench.

Gas requirements- normally installed to local gas codes. In the absence of local gas codes, the installation must conform to Natural Fuel Gas Code.

The wall ovens can be double or single types, with or without convections and self-cleaning or manual types. You can easily install them at a height of the eye level or waist level. The width available is usually 24, 27 or 30 inches. Since these ovens have maximum flexibility of space, you can place them in your kitchen or other places where the installation requirements are met. You should clean it regularly. There is an added advantage of a light burning to indicate the heat generated, which saves children and old people from burning themselves.