How to remove a stripped screw?

[wendell]

Just found out my new stove is already going to be here tomorrow morning so started taking out the old one this morning and found that the installer stripped out the head of one of the Phillips head screws that has to come out before I can take the soapstone sides off.

I used to know how to do this but old age is taking it's toll. How do I get it out?

 

[dougand3]

Drill a small pilot hole in the stripped screw. Then use a "screw extractor" - tapered bit with ridges that bite into screw and will back it out - counter clockwise

 

[BrotherBart]

Or just use a drill bit a little smaller than the screw head and drill down to the shank of the screw. The head will be easy to pop off of the screw and then after you take the soapstone off use a pair of pliers to unscrew the shank.

 

[wendell]

Thanks. It is a recessed screw holding in the draft reducer so I will need to go with the extractor in case both the bracket and reducer are threaded.