Tricks to remove old cooktop

[StartAgain]

Probably an easy obvious thing, but before I go out and do it I thought Id use past peoples experiences to achieve the best result the easiest way and ask you lot.

Ok, so i have an old electric cook top, that sits on grantite benchtops. Its stuck down with some sort of adhesisve all the way round (does not appear to be silicone though - probably the self adhesive rubber that comes with them).

My question: whats the easiest/cleanest and best way to get the old cook top out without causing too much stress on the granite.

My thoughts, lots of thinners - turps, a spatula and perserverence.

Thanks in andvance

[Sybarite]

Probably stating the obvious, but just in case - make sure any and all clamps holding the cooktop underneath the top are undone.

Then start working on the (dessicated) rubber gasket with a soft plastic spatula/broad knife (credit cards are good for this...kill two birds with one stone) and lots of thinners or turps...whichever does more damage to the rubber.

Any remaining adhesive/rubber can then be rubbed off with a cloth and more solvent.

Cheers

[pharmaboy2]

whats wrong with a sledge hammer?

and a new kitchen?

[StartAgain]

Cause the kitchen all wood and has beautiful granite and looks a million bucks. Just the previous owners didnt upgrade the cooktops... i know.. half assed. Out with the elctric coils and in with the 900mm induction cooktop (which is the price of a new kitchen).

If I wanted a new kitchen I wouldnt of posted the orginal question here now would I...

[Barry_White]

Hi StartAgain

You will probably find that it is just the foam tape gasket as Syabrite says that has a mixture of grime with it that is holding the cooktop down. I lifted mine using a wide metal spatula but a plastic one maybe better to protect the granite benchtop.

[pawnhead]

If I wanted a new kitchen I wouldnt of posted the orginal question here now would I...

You've got to admit that it would be a quick way to get the top out though.