I’m working with a customer who wants to install a Microwave/Range Hood unit over the stove in their condo.
Usually, this is a no brainer, but these upper cabs are over a pass-thru to the dining area so there’s no wall to attach the sheet metal mounting bracket – just the 1/4″ back for the upper cabinets.
What we need is some kind of mounting hardware that can hang the microwave from the cabinet – if something like that can be found.
Has anyone ever done this or knows of a source?
Thanks
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Replies
Eeew.....what's the back of that micro gonna look like to the dining room side?
Is this a completely new cabinet installation, or is this micro an afterthought?
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I agree with JD, the back of that is going to look like butt.
What about putting some angled metal near the back and fastening a 3/4" thick back panel? You could then attach your microwave mounting frame to this.
You might also use pocket screws, but you'd have to use a bunch of them
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Is the micro height less than the the cutout height? IOW will it hang below cabinets when installed? If it hangs below that's a whole new issue. Exterior venting?
You could strap inside the 1/4" back with 1x, pl and brads, this would project micro face beyond cab fronts 3/4" further. Or strap it with flatbar and move it back some.
I can imagine a number of other ways, but the height issue would be the biggest hurdle.
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The back of the microwave will be hidden by the existing 1/4" back on the upper cabinet section that is seen from the dining area. That's fine for hiding the back, but requires a different mounting solution.Since I'll be modifying the existing cabinets, I can control the height of the new opening so the back of the microwave is hidden by the existing 1/4" back.I thought about adding a piece of 3/4" ply inside of the new opening but suspect that would be a problem, too. Most of these units slide onto the sheetmetal hanger and have two bolts near the front to pull the unit tightly to the cabinet. Adding 3/4" to the back will move the unit forward 3/4" which might create clearance problems with the front bolts.I guess that I'm a bit surprised that something isn't available for this kind of installation. I'm sure that this isn't the first time someone wanted to do this. - lol
In most cases they will buy a diff. microwave-suitable for shelf mounting and forego the vent feature.
Otherwise-try some sheet steel hanger that you can screw/nut that supplied metal hanger from. I would think flatstock (1/4'' would be PLENTY) straps up into the cab. above and fastened to studs/header behind that upper cab. A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
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I explained the problem to the customer and he's also searching for a unit that can be mounted in this situation.I'm sure that I can come up with some kind of solution, but creativity usually gets expensive and I'm not sure if he wants this that badly. If we can't something readily available, I guess we'll find out just how important this is to him. - lol
Most that I've messed with would not be a problem moving forward 1/2"-3/4". Top holes are typically back a couple of inches. I've gotten close to that installing tile backsplashes and remounting micro plate at new depth.
If you're modding cab anyway, adding thickness to back would seem easiest without resorting to some elaborate solution. Client finds one or two they like and gives model # to you. Go online to mfg's site and look at install templates to see if it's a problem with top holes. I'll bet 9 of 10 will be no issue.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Edited 11/25/2008 2:36 pm ET by PeterJ
GE has a microwave that is hung from a hidden bracket - we have installed several of these -- go here to get an idea http://products.geappliances.com/ProdContent/Dispatcher?REQUEST=ITEMID&itemid=31-1131-1
Thanks, Dudley. I'll check it out.
That is the way my micro over is installed. it came with the hardware. is yours made for hanging?
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The HO hasn't bought one yet, but I told him to look for something that hangs from the cabinet instead of the wall. From what I've found out today, GE and Hotpoint both make this kind of unit.
Before I started contracting my one time bus partner actually did my old kitchen. If I remember correctly, he used metal strapping to mount the micro to the cabinet. He then installed it as one unit.
We had the same situation as you describe, after the false panel was put on the cabinets it looked fine.
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