Microhood Instructions

Measure the area where you will install your microhood. Purchase a microhood that fits into your area. Check for a three-prong outlet in the cabinet above where the microhood will be installed. If there is no outlet, locate the closest outlet or have an outlet installed by an electrician. Your outlet must have a circuit breaker in it. Check for studs. The microhood must be installed on studs, so if there are no studs, do not install the microhood.

Take everything out of the new microwave and upper cabinet above where you will install the microhood. Remove the mounting plate, which may be taped or screwed onto the microwave. Tape the door closed using masking tape for easier installation. Remove the damper plate. Remove the screws and slide the plate forward and lift it from the top of the microwave. Keep the screws with the damper plate in a safe place.

Unscrew the blower motor and lift it out of the microwave. Rotate the motor so that it blows out of the plate if it is a wall ventilation -- it will rotate 180 degrees -- and then slide it back inside its cavity. Rotate the motor so that the blower faces up, only a 90-degree turn, if you have a roof vent. Screw it back in place.

Reattach the damper plate to the top of the microwave.

Locate the studs again. Hold the mounting plate up to the wall and mark the corner holes. Make sure at least one of the holes goes into a stud. Mark one to two holes from the mounting plate near the center line on your wall.

Mark the studs with masking tape or a pencil. Measure the area and find the center of your space. Mark the center with a vertical line.

Measure 6 inches from the center line on each side and mark these lines for wall venting only. Measure from the bottom of the cabinets down 3/8 inch and add a horizontal line across the wall. Measure from this mark down 4 inches and add a horizontal line. Cut out the area between the 3/8-inch line and 4-inch line between the two 6-inch lines from the center line. You should have a rectangle cut out of your wall that is 4-by-12-inches. Use a keyhole saw to cut out the area.

Drill holes in the wall at where you marked the corner holes on the mounting plate. If you are able to drill into studs, use lag screws to attach the mounting plate. If you have an area without a stud, use a ¼-20-by-3-inch round-head bolt with a toggle nut to install the mounting plate. Install the mounting plate so that the top of the plate is under the front edge of the cabinet.

Tape the upper cabinet template to the underside of the upper cabinet so the center line on the template matches the center line you drew on the wall. You may have to slightly trim the template so that it fits inside the trim under the cabinet, but make sure you can still see "D" and "E" on the template.

Cut a hole for the power supply in the shaded "G" are of the template. Drill holes at "D" and "E" for two ¼-20-by-3 flat-head bolts and washers. Cut out a ¾-inch hole on shaded area "F" if you have roof venting. If you are venting through the wall, secure the damper to the back of the microwave with two screws to the sheet metal screws after you check to make sure the blade opens and moves freely.

Install the microwave. Have a friend help you lift the microwave into place. Hang the microwave on the mounting plate support tabs. Plug in the cord, and tilt the microwave back into place. Push it against the plate and hold the microwave in place. Screw it in place through the upper cabinet using a washer and flat-head ¼-20-by-3 inches bolt.

Insert the damper through the cabinet cutout if you are venting it through the roof. Secure it with screws to the microwave.