How to Install an Undermount Microwave

Remove the mounting bracket and any mounting hardware from the microwave before you begin. You will need the bracket and hardware to properly install the microwave.

Measure your mounting area to ensure it is the proper size. Then, measure to the center of the area where you will be mounting your microwave. Mark the center so that you will be able to see it under or over the top of your template when it is applied.

Locate and mark the studs in your wall. You can knock on the wall to find the studs, but to be sure, use a stud finder. Mark your studs with a pencil. You can mark them in any way, using an "X" or a line.

Position your wall template so that its center is over the center mark you made in Step 2. Tape the template into place. Mark all of your holes on the template with your pencil. Be sure that at least one of the male support holes will go into a stud. This will provide security and stability for the microwave. Position the under-cabinet template at the same time and mark each of those holes also. Mark the 2-inch hole and the 3/8-inch holes under the cabinet.

Drill the holes. Drill the holes into the studs with a 3/16-inch drill bit. If you are not drilling into a stud for any of your holes, use a 3/8-drill bit for any screw not going into a stud. Drill the 2-inch hole under the cabinet for the cord and the 3/8-inch holes for mounting the microwave under the cabinet. Remove the templates once your holes are drilled.

Position the mounting plate onto the area and match up the holes you just drilled. Screw the mounting plate in place using a screwdriver or drill with the appropriate drill bit.

Lift the microwave into place. The mounting plate has tabs that it can rest on, but you may consider having someone help you lift it or supporting it on something else. Feed the cord through the 2-inch hole under the cabinet and then lift the microwave completely into place.

Screw the microwave into place under the cabinet. Tighten the screws at the base of the cabinet so the microwave is secure. Make sure the microwave is sitting securely against the cabinet; there should be no gap between them. Then you can remove any supports you had in place while you were lifting the microwave into place.