How to Install a Microhood Combination

Preparing for Installation

• 1

  Turn off the electrical circuit powering the existing vent hood and remove the existing vent hood from above the stove. The hood is held in place with four screws into the bottom of the cabinet which is above the stove.

• 2

  Trace the outline of the electrical box onto the back wall of the cabinet above the stove. Trace the electrical box directly above the spot where the Romex electrical wire comes through the wall for the vent hood. Cut out the hole for the electrical box using the jigsaw and reroute the electrical wire from the range hood into the new electrical box in the cabinet. Mount the box into the cabinet. Connect the electrical line to the duplex outlet and mount the duplex outlet into the box. Install the cover on the electrical outlet.

• 3

  Take the mounting template out of the manufacturer's box and hold it along the back wall, above the stove. Align the template in the center of the space between the cabinets on the left and right, and align the height according to the instructions included with the kit. Mark the holes on the wall indicated by the template.

• 4

  Fasten the mounting bracket to the back wall with four large, butterfly anchors. Use the stud finder to find the studs in the wall behind the bracket and then use the four large pan head wood screws to anchor the mounting bracket to the wall, into the wall studs.

• 5

  Place the mounting template onto the bottom of the cabinet above the microwave-hood combo. Use the template to mark two screw holes on the bottom, toward the front edge of the wall cabinet and a larger hole for the microwave's electrical plug toward the back corner of the cabinet. Drill these holes according to the instructions. The size and placement of the holes will depend on the brand of microwave.

Installing the New Appliance

• 6

  Finish the installation of the microwave-hood combo with two people. These appliances weigh between 40 pounds and 50 pounds and are difficult to mount if you are working by yourself.

• 7

  Remove all the parts from inside the microwave oven. The appliance is shipped with many of the parts inside the unit and is easier to install when its empty.

• 8

  Lift the microwave into place, tilting the bottom back corner upward toward the wall and allowing the appliance to lean forward. Slide the oven downward, onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket locks positively into the appliance along the bottom back corner of the microwave.

• 9

  Thread the electrical plug through the hole in the bottom of the wall cabinet and then tilt the microwave upward. You drilled two holes in the front corners of the cabinet. Drop the mounting screws into these holes. As long as you used the template accurately, these holes will align perfectly with the threaded mounting holes in the front of the microwave. Match the screws with the threaded holes and slowly tighten the microwave into place. Do not over-tighten these screws.

• 10

  Plug the microwave hood combo into the electrical outlet you installed in the upper cabinet, and you are ready to use the appliance.