How To Make A Template For A Microwave To Replace A Hoodn Above A Stove

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An over-the-range microwave oven makes efficient apply of space in your kitchen, while also incorporating lighting and ventilation. Later on you make sure you have the supplies you demand for installation, double-check that your microwave will fit properly above your range. Mountain the microwave in identify using a template and bracket, and a few unproblematic tools.

1

Plough off the ability. Since a microwave is an electrical appliance, y'all will demand to accept care to avert electrocution or other harm. Before y'all first installation, go to your circuit billow, and flip the breaker for the range to the "off" position.^[1]
2
Make sure in that location's an outlet nearby. Most over the range microwaves include a short power cord that is designed to feed upwards into the cabinet that the appliance will sit underneath. Ideally, in that location will be an electrical outlet within this cabinet that you can plug the ability cord into.^[two]
- Your microwave's installation instructions will specify whether there are acceptable culling locations for the electrical outlet.
- If at that place is not an outlet in a convenient location, contact an electrician for help installing one before y'all put the microwave in place.
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Check to make sure your microwave can be installed at the proper height. ^[iii] In full general the lesser of the microwave should be no higher than 54 inches (140 cm) from the floor. In addition, there should be approximately 20 inches (51 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm) between the lesser of the microwave and the top of the range. This will allow you to use both the microwave and the range safely and comfortably.^[4]
- Use a tape measure to verify the height of your microwave.
- Measure from the bottom of the cabinet you volition install the microwave below to the tiptop of the microwave. Brand a mark at this spot.
- Measure the distance between this marking and the floor, and the summit of your range, to make certain that the microwave will be situated within the acceptable height range.
4
Determine the ventilation direction. The microwave itself will have a fan, and since it sits in a higher place the range (where a range hood would unremarkably go), both appliances will have to ventilate outside together. Ordinarily, there are ii options: either the appliances will ventilate horizontally through a tube in the wall, or vertically, first through the cabinet above the microwave and then the ceiling or in a higher place on the wall.^[5]
- Your microwave may accept additional fittings which you lot should set in identify in lodge to allow it to ventilate properly. Check the installation instructions that come with your particular model to be certain.
- If you do not already have a ventilation system in place, contact a contractor to have one installed.^[6]
5
Reframe the opening, if necessary. If your kitchen cabinetry and framing are sturdy, they may be sufficient to support a relatively heavy over the range microwave. If the materials are less robust, reframe the surface area where you will install the microwave with 2 by fours. Some experts recommend reframing in all cases.^[vii]
- Your microwave should come with a kit that has a framing template. Place information technology where you want the microwave to sit, and follow the guidelines to cutting through the drywall.
- Remove the drywall and pull out the insulation from the area within the wall.
- Secure ii by fours between the wall studs. Check the instructions provided with your microwave for the verbal dimensions.
- Fill in any empty space with new insulation.
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i
See if your microwave has an installation template or wall plate. Your model should come with a template to help guide you lot when installing mounting hardware. Place this on the wall, and the template should tell you where to identify the hardware. Some models also come up with a mounting bracket that will have pre-drilled holes and so yous can hands screw it in place.^[8]
- Use a level to make certain that the template is foursquare and that the microwave volition sit properly in place.^[9]
2
Find at least one stud. If you didn't reframe the installation site, you'll demand to attach the mounting hardware to at least ane stud in the wall. Use an electronic stud finder, or gently tap on the wall with a hammer. When the taps sound dull instead of hollow, y'all have located a stud. Mark the site on the wall.^[10]
- Studs are usually 16 inches (41 cm) inches apart on the wall. Once you find one, measure 16 inches to the either side to marking others.
- Using your template, make sure that the hardware will be mounted on at least one of the studs. If not, reframe the site or contact a contractor for assistance.
iii
Drill holes in the template or attach the wall plate. ^[11] Normally, over the range microwaves volition be installed using toggle bolts. Predrilling holes for these bolts will make installation easier--only follow the guidelines on your template. If yous are using a wall plate, go ahead and install that using the hardware and guidelines given in your model's instructions.^[12]
- Most probable, y'all will need a couple of drill bits: smaller ones for the toggle bolts, and a larger one to make a hole to feed the microwave's power cord through the cabinet above the appliance (if there isn't already one). Check your model'south instructions, and ever utilize the recommended tools.
4

Set the microwave into position or onto the wall plate. It will assist to have some other person to aid yous concord up the microwave.^[13] Button it up and bring information technology up to the bottom of the cabinet. If your model has a wall plate, fit it into the bracket that will help agree information technology in identify. Make certain that someone keeps belongings the microwave in place for at present.^[14]
5

Plug in the microwave. Feed the microwave's ability cord through the hole drilled in the bottom of the cabinet above the apparatus. Plug the string into the outlet within the cabinet, just don't turn the ability dorsum on all the same.^[fifteen]
6
Thread bolts through the bottom of the cabinet. Feed the bolts (or screws) supplied with your microwave (or recommended past its instructions) into the holes yous previously drilled in the bottom of the cabinet. They should skid into slots in the top of the microwave. Tighten them using a wrench (or screwdriver) until the microwave is securely held in place.^[16]
- Carefully let go of the microwave at this betoken to make sure that information technology stays in place.
vii
Connect the blower. Slide the exhaust fan supplied with your microwave into place at the ventilation site. Specifications will vary from model to model, so read the instructions provided with yours. Most manufacturers likewise recommend using an approved sealant effectually the edges of the fan'southward housing to make the connectedness impervious.^[17]
- Y'all may demand to take the fan out and change its management, depending on the orientation of your ventilation system.
eight
Exam the microwave. At this point, y'all can finally flip the circuit for the range back to the "on" position. Verify that your microwave is getting power, and test it by heating something to brand certain that the apparatus is working properly.
- If your apparatus does non seem to work properly, read the troubleshooting department of the manual, if it has i, or contact the manufacturer.
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Can I install an over-the-range microwave by myself?

Gevorg Grigorian is an Apparatus Repair Specialist and the Owner of Thousand and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Gevorg specializes in residential and commercial apparatus repairs as well as heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) services. Gevorg holds a BS in Business organization Assistants and Direction from California State Academy-Northridge.

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Things Yous'll Need

A drill and set of drill bits
A stud finder or low-cal hammer
A screwdriver
An adjustable wrench
Toggle bolts
A level
A tape measure
A drywall saw
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Article Summary X

Before yous install an over-the-range microwave, brand sure it will be 20 to 24 inches above the stovetop so they are both easy to use. Then, utilize the microwave'due south installation template to marker where the mounting hardware should go. Next, attach the mounting hardware to at least ane stud, which y'all can find using an electric stud finder, and elevator the microwave onto information technology. Send bolts through the cabinet above the microwave and slip them into the slots on top of the microwave to secure information technology. To learn how to install the ventilation organisation, go on reading!

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