On 15 Jul 2006 06:00:48 -0700, wrote:

When removing the cooktop and making room, should I just cut the
cabinet at the appropriate width and cut a piece of plywood to fit on
the new end of the cabinet?

That will work as you won't really see the new end.
The question is where will you have to cut the front and the top?
You may have to remove drawer fronts and doors and you may have to cut
through stiles and maybe rails. A standard range needs 30" and
commercial models may need more. If it's a manufactured cabinet, the
current cook top may be set in a 30" cabinet already. If so you may
be able to remove the cabinet and cut the top back. Your counter top
might also have a small strip against the wall (behind the cook top)
that you will probably want to remove also.

Mike O.