There’s nothing more annoying than trying to sauté onions or simmer a sauce only to have your entire cooker wobble and shake with every stir. That uneven cooker isn’t just a nuisance; it can be a safety hazard, cause uneven cooking, and even wear out your appliance faster. The good news? Leveling a freestanding cooker is one of the most straightforward DIY fixes you can tackle. With a few simple tools and a bit of patience, you can have it sitting perfectly steady in no time.
First things first, let’s talk safety. This is the most important step. You must ensure the cooker is completely turned off and cool to the touch. If it’s an electric model, go to your main fuse box or circuit breaker and switch off the power to the cooker circuit. For a gas cooker, turn the gas supply valve off at the wall or the cylinder. This isn’t just about avoiding a shock or a gas leak; it’s about giving you peace of mind while you work. Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe, gently pull the cooker away from the wall just enough to access the back and sides comfortably. Be careful not to strain the gas hose or power cable—they should have a little slack, but don’t yank the appliance.Now, let’s identify the problem. Grab a carpenter’s level and place it across the top of the cooker, first from side to side and then from front to back. Watch the bubble in the vial. If it’s centered, that axis is level. If the bubble drifts to one side, that’s the high corner. You’ll likely find it’s uneven in one or both directions. Most freestanding cookers have adjustable feet, which are the key to our solution. These are usually found at each corner of the base. They might look like large screws, plastic knobs, or threaded metal legs. Sometimes they have a locking nut that needs to be loosened first.Here’s where the magic happens. For the corner that’s too low, you need to lengthen the foot. For the corner that’s too high, you need to shorten it. If the feet are stiff or haven’t been moved in years, you might need a pair of pliers or an adjustable wrench to get them turning. Turn the foot clockwise to raise that corner and counter-clockwise to lower it. Make small adjustments—just a quarter or half turn at a time. After each adjustment, nudge the cooker back into position and check your level again. It’s a bit like tuning a guitar; small turns make a big difference. Don’t forget to check both directions with your level repeatedly as you go.Once the cooker is perfectly level in all directions, take a moment to secure your work. If the feet have locking nuts, tighten them against the base of the cooker to prevent them from shifting over time. Give the cooker a firm but gentle rock with your hands to test its stability—it should sit solidly without any movement. Finally, carefully slide it back into its final position against the wall, again ensuring you don’t pinch or over-stretch the gas hose or power cable. For electric models, you can now restore power at the fuse box. For gas cookers, turn the gas supply back on and do a quick check for leaks by applying a soapy water solution to the connection points; if you see bubbles forming, there’s a leak that needs professional attention.And there you have it! What was once a shaky, frustrating part of your kitchen is now a stable and reliable workhorse. You can celebrate your success with a meal that requires some vigorous stirring, confident that your cooker won’t dance across the floor. This simple repair not only makes your kitchen safer and more pleasant but also saves you the cost of a service call. It’s a perfect reminder that many home maintenance tasks are well within your reach.
