New build – developer refusing to replace substandard kitchen hob

bouicca21

My local electrician explained that I’d get just that kind of performance from an induction hob as the existing circuit just isn’t powerful enough. So I agree that it is almost certainly a question of the circuit being inadequate for your needs. Therefore it comes down to just what the developer contracted to do.

I suspect the answer is either learn to live with it, or swap the hob out for a conventional electric one.

babyblade41

If it were me I'd get a sparky in to replace with one that does do the job.

The chances of Mr D ever coming round to changing it is pretty doubtful .

It's a pain in the butt but once it's changed then you will soon forget, whilst it's there it will be a constant niggle .

Life's too short and always best to pick your battles

AnotherJoe

Voxyn, is the hob plugged into a special cooker socket , Or a standard 13 amp socket?
And if the latter is there a cooker point there or not?

Slithery

babyblade41 wrote: »

If it were me I'd get a sparky in to replace with one that does do the job.

If new wiring is needed (and I expect that it is) then depending on the distance and access between the consumer unit and kitchen this could be a very expensive and disruptive job.

Hasbeen

voxyn wrote: »

Hi all!

A few months ago I finally bought my first home, a new-build flat in a small apartment block. Overall it's been going very well, but I was hoping to get some advice on a dispute I'm having with the developer about the kitchen hob they've fitted.

For some reason, they chose to select the "low-power" model for the induction hob. This means there is limited power supply to the system. I can only operate it with either: 1x ring on maximum heat, -or- 2x rings on medium heat, -or- 4x rings on low heat. Low heat is effectively pointless – it takes over 20 minutes to heat a pan of water at this temperature.

To me, it is inadequate for any new build flat to have a hob crippled in this way. And, in practice, this has demonstrably hindered my cooking since I have moved in.

I have politely complained to the developer, but after a few months of persistent correspondence they're flatly refusing to change it. Their position is that the unit is working as they intended, and that changing the hob is a matter of my own personal preference, not their responsibility.

I feel at this point I need to bring something new to my complaint with them rather than pursue the same back-and-forth.

Any advice appreciated!

Unless you specified what you wanted during kitchen install regarding hob, then developer will buy batch of most discounted and install.

What do the other people in your block of flats say about the hob?

Is the hob hard wired or as normal these days for smaller hobs have 3 pin plug?

What is the MFG name and model number?

Without more info, people cannot advise.

But suspect that it would be now your responsibility to change if you wanted a more powerful upmarket model.

They are usually hard wired 32amps rather than the smaller hard wired/plug in ones at 13 amps

If you go for one of the prestige brands and I suspect it requires hard wired 32amps then new cable from hob to consumer unit. Get quote from sparkie and chose model to get total cost.

If you are really into cooking then it will be a good investment, and you will get the hob that you want.

vw100

Check your consumer unit - the hob should be on a separate circuit and have its own MCB, the cable connected to it should be 6mm, it would support a more powerful hob.

getmore4less

Which model hob is it?

What supply is there for the hob?

AdrianC

voxyn wrote: »

For some reason, they chose to select the "low-power" model for the induction hob.

This tells us all we need to know.

If there are two different ratings of hob available, and the "low power" has been installed, then that's going to be the one rated for a 3kW (13A) supply. Because that's what's been installed.

Look at AO.com, and filter by "power requirements". There are 13A/3kW max hobs with "plug pre-fitted"...
https://ao.com/l/induction_hobs-comes_with_plug_attached__13_no_electrician_required/1-131/36-37-39/?pagesize=12
...and there are "need wiring by electrician", which go up to 32A/7.3kW or higher.
https://ao.com/l/induction_hobs-needs_hard_wiring_by_an_electrician/1-131/36-37-39/?pagesize=12

You simply assumed.

To me, it is inadequate for any new build flat to have a hob crippled in this way. And, in practice, this has demonstrably hindered my cooking since I have moved in.

Perhaps you should have confirmed the spec before purchase.

I have politely complained to the developer, but after a few months of persistent correspondence they're flatly refusing to change it. Their position is that the unit is working as they intended, and that changing the hob is a matter of my own personal preference, not their responsibility.

And they're right.

I feel at this point I need to bring something new to my complaint with them rather than pursue the same back-and-forth.

Or accept that it's not happening, and get the supply upgraded and hob changed at your own expense.

Rodders53

Make and model of this hob would allow accurate comment on the hob's capabilities. How it is currently connected to the mains supply and fuse / mcb / circuit label would allow more accurate comment on what is possible, safely. (e.g. a photo of the consumer unit).

I've just got a new Induction hob and it can be set / limited to work at different power levels from 1000W (:eek:) through 3000W for a 13A plug connection up to the maximum 7400W, needing a dedicated 32A circuit.

Hasbeen

vw100 wrote: »

Check your consumer unit - the hob should be on a separate circuit and have its own MCB, the cable connected to it should be 6mm, it would support a more powerful hob.

Sorry. Not necessarily. If hob like most small ones these days is rated at 13amps then a fixed 13A fused connection or even plugged in using the hobs 13a plug into a handy socket will suffice.

Its only the higher rated hobs that require a 32a supply back to the consumer unit.

If 13a then new cable, connections etc required for more powerful hobs.

Some sparkys would run a 6mm cable for any future use/upgrades and step down to 13amp for the smaller hob? but developers want all cheap.

So op needs to get professional advice on existing setup.