I can do all the math; I understand volts and amps and Ohm's Law and all that stuff, but actual electricity scares the crap out of me. Last time I changed out a light fixture I shut off the main circuit breaker to the whole house because I was afraid the electricity would leak out and get me. So I'm no help here.

but yeah that might work.

I assume you can find shallow boxes that leave a space between them. If they actually touch, use a Romex connector through the back knockouts and run your jumper wire though it. If the space is too large, connect them with a short conduit nipple.

use Madison straps on the one receptacle. They are "F-shaped" strips of steel that are bent in such a way as to hold a box in wall where there is no way to screw or nail the box. Not to be used on new construction ... ever.

If you have 2" of space in the wall, you could have side by side outlets one facing one way one the other but not back to back that I know of. Codes say they have to be mounted in an electrical box. You could have two doubles side by side or a quad box open on both sides.

There's a lot you can do safely. Most hardware stores can help.

I think I will just cut a hole on the kitchen side and offset it from the other one. I might get a different box for that one that fits a little better if they are cheap enough, but no big deal. my lazy ass was just hoping there would be something I could use for both sides in the same hole.

They have how to books that show you how to remedy this. No biggie,what you have a old outlet box with a cover on it. Believe the best book is by Stanley Tool,it's title is Home Improvement 1-2-3. Ask if they will Copy the pages for you.

Another source is Google,pictures and videos are more than helpful.

I'm thinking I will just switch the old box to something that fits better and have the new one off set to the side.

You Tube it,there are people who have videos of how too or even short cuts. Just type in what you are looking for.


BTW,your ACE in Tucson should fill the bill,take a Phone Pic with you.

but I didn't find anything with what I was asking here. there were a few old discussions in a couple pro forums but the only one that mentioned a part that might have been it went to dead link since it was from 2008. LOL

I think you need to run 2 circuits. Freezers and Fridges draw a lot of power.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-8-cu-in-Flanged-Shallow-Old-Work-Box-B108R-UPC/100404058

when we had most of the electric redone about 20 years ago, he put in dedicated circuits for stuff in the kitchen. now that old freezer is gone and I have moved a cabinet in the space and want to put my mixer and ice machine there (and a bookshelf above them which I just finished. should have been a 5 minute job that ended up taking all freaking day because of that damn 1/4 inch plywood. thought it was 1/2 at least since the whole area there is made out of that, but no somebody actually lined the space with thinner stuff when they built it! (probably in the 40s)

Given the age of the house, it might have old wiring that is both dangerous and not allowed under current code. If you're not sure, please have a real electrician take a look at it and determine whether you can make the fixes you want both safely and legally.

we had most of the out buildings and the house redone about 20 years ago when the nail holes in the metal garage were glowing. there are just a couple lines (probably all on one circuit) that are old that didn't get done. they are on three walls of the living room embedded in adobe walls. and they are in conduit. we didn't do them at the time because my poor Grampa was suffering from severe dementia and was starting to freak out about the people tearing his house down. he carried a .45 until he died. LOL

I am 20 miles from town and we are pretty much do-it-ourselves or it don't-get-done. if I have to call an electrician to add a couple of outlets, I might as well call it quits. We wired the yard for a hot tub and above ground pool, hooked up pumps and various other projects. I just didn't know if there was such a thing as a two sided box for situations like this. Apparently not.

doing yourself. Plumbing and electricity suck.

The plumbing because of the no standards or requirements - parts that require extra parts to fit new parts with old parts. And because of the stink that goes with opening some pipes. I literally gag and can't stop the reflex once I get a whiff.

The electrictricity is because I've shocked the crap out of myself one too many times and I damn near started a fire once.

The plumbing I'll do if I don't have to get into any major pipes and if it doesn't have anything to do with the garbage disposal.

The electricity? Never again. I won't even try to repair a simple lamp cord.

I really have no help to offer other than please be careful.

to keep 6 miles of pipe functioning. THANK DOG plastic was invented. my sons have no freaking clue what working with galvanized pipe was like! most of the electric got updated 20 years ago, so I haven't really done much here in the house yet. I really want to put in some ceiling fans next.

That said, back-to-back receptacles violate NEC code. Even in boxes with closed backs.