How to Move a Microwave Hood

Unplug the microhood from the outlet in the cabinet above it. Locate the two screws that secure it to the cabinet; they are inside the cabinet above the hood. Remove the two screws with a manual screwdriver while someone else holds the microwave from below. Tilt the microwave forward when the screws are removed, pull the power cord from the cabinet and set the microwave aside.

Unscrew the smaller screws from the mounting plate and set them aside. Remove any wall anchors by unscrewing or unbolting them from the plate. Often, toggle anchors are used with microwave hoods; there is no easy way to get the whole anchor out of the wall, but you can remove the long screw and allow the metal anchor to drop into the wall. Be careful to not damage the mounting plate.

Move the mounting plate to the new location after the power has been wired and cabinets have been placed. Mark the bolt and screw locations if the factory-issued template is available. Center the mounting plate on the wall and use a pencil to mark the large holes in the upper corners, the center mark on the plate and any other locations from which you removed anchors.

Remove the mounting plate. Drill large enough holes in the upper corners to just barely push the toggle anchors through; this depends on the size of your mounting plate holes and anchors. Hold the mounting plate against the wall and insert the toggle anchors through the plate. Tighten them most of the way with a manual screwdriver. Use the power screwdriver to put screws through any smaller holes on the mounting plate that line up with studs. Push screws through remaining holes on the opposite side of the mounting plate if studs are not found on both sides of the plate. Tighten the toggle bolts completely.

Cut a hole that is 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide through the cabinet that will be above the microwave to correspond with the location of the microwave power cable. Drill two small holes where the mounting screws will penetrate the cabinet; these should be just large enough to pass the mounting screws through.

Tilt the microwave forward as you lift it toward the mounting plate. Fit the tabs of the mounting plate into the slots on the bottom back of the appliance. While feeding the power cord toward the new designated outlet, rotate the microwave upward until it makes contact with the cabinet. Carefully slip the washers between the cabinet and the microwave and screw the large screws into the top of the microwave with a manual screwdriver.