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I am replacing my existing gas oven with an induction range and need to run a new circuit for the appliance. The range fits between two small (less than 2'-wide) cabinets, and for a number of reasons, and I'm hoping to take advantage of this to save space behind the range.

Is installing a NEMA 14-50 in a kitchen cabinet a code violation? I don't see any issues with this practice in the NEC, but I am not an expert.

My current plan is to

  • run THHN in EMT from the basement up through the base of one of these cabinets
  • have the EMT terminate in a 2-gang electrical box that is surface mounted to the back wall of one of the cabinets
  • create a small "door" in the side wall of the cabinet to allow the range's plug to pass through and plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet in the electrical box.

Assuming the EMT and electrical box are affixed to the wall (through the rear wall of the cabinet) and the rest of the circuit is code compliant, are there any issues with this approach?

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    A slide-in range normally has some void space near the floor to allow room for either wall- or floor-mounted outlet, plug, and power cord, while still sliding the range "all the way in" up to the wall. Are we to assume that your new range does not have space at its rear for these things?
    – Greg Hill
    Commented Sep 23 at 23:35
  • Model # of new appliance?
    – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
    Commented Sep 23 at 23:56
  • Is mounting the junction box flush in the cabinet side not an option, for that matter?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Sep 24 at 3:02
  • I'm with @GregHill—is there any reason not to just put the box/outlet at the base of the wall behind the range? You can see the cavity the manufacturer leaves for such an outlet in the back in aaaaa's answer, below.
    – Huesmann
    Commented Sep 24 at 14:07
  • @GregHill: Yeah for the sake of argument, I would assume there is no space behind the range (or just enough for the range cord). The range is against a solid exterior brick wall (old 1880s construction). The gas range I'm replacing is connected to an outlet whose box is embedded into the bricks and a cable run through a chase in the bricks to the basement (which was subsequently filled in with plaster AFAICT).
    – Dan
    Commented Sep 24 at 19:05

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Summary: you are solving wrong problem. Outlet usually is placed behind the range close to the floor. From Samsung manual:

samsung range wiring

Is installing a NEMA 14-50 in a kitchen cabinet a code violation? I don't see any issues with this practice in the NEC, but I am not an expert.

Per code all junction boxes (including outlets) need to be accessible without tools. So there should be no problem there. People often put outlet for overhead microwave oven in the cabinet above

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  • Thanks for your answer! It's good to know that this wouldn't be a code violation. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be enough space behind the range for a NEMA 14-50 plug, receptacle, and electrical box (even taking advantage of the recessed area in the back of the range) unless the box is embedded into the wall, and I don't think embedding into the wall is going to be an option.
    – Dan
    Commented Sep 24 at 19:20
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    @Dan many ranges also support hardwiring...
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Sep 25 at 1:46
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    @ThreePhaseEel yeah i think running wire directly to the stove is the answer. Potentially through the floorboards is OP is worried about having the stove stick out by romex thickness
    – aaaaa says reinstate Monica
    Commented Sep 25 at 4:34

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