Ripping down the OTR Microwave

[DADoES]

 
Ka-poop after 15 years.

The idiot builder/kitchen-designer/cabinet-maker mounted it, then surrounded it with a buncha custom fancy trimwork which requires destruction to accommodate a replacement.

Pics:
1 & 2 - Looks nice.

3 & 4 - Measured carefully (via the mounting template which was left with the paperwork), drilled holes to access the mounting screws concealed under the trim.  Requires at least an 8" screwdriver to reach them, longer is better.

5 - Three mounting screws.  Note that the electric outlet was originally installed in the wall but wouldn't work that way with the cord coming out the top of the unit, so they ripped the duplex outlet out and put it loose up inside the cavity, accessible through the rectangular cut-out by climbing up on the range twisting around and wrenching one's back.

6 - The trim pieces mounted around the bottom of the cabinetry sides prevented the unit from coming down, must be removed.

7 - The old unit was unique in that had a motorized spring-loaded panel across the entire front above the door for airflow.  It opened, tilted forward when running the microwave or exhaust hood function.  There was still a problem in that the charcoal airfilter "required" for indoor venting could not be accessed for changing (which was OK because it was never set in place anyway).  See Pic 1 for the panel open, Pic 2 for it closed.  There was enough space when open for the airflow to pass.

The new unit has a fixed grill facing upward which would be obstructed by the upper trim, so no way for either the exhaust hood airflow or the magnetron cooling airflow to escape.  The cooling intake is the right side over the control panel, outflow is the section over the door.  The arrows point to two tabs depressed to open a panel at the front for access to change the charcoal filter.  And screws on top to remove a panel on front for access to change the light bulb (the bulb in the old unit didn't burn out through the 15 years, so there's that).

The cord is in a slightly different location so revision for that is required either way.

The choices (assuming I didn't overlook one) are 1) move the unit forward by adding 2x4s on the wall behind the mounting bracket, which also requires drilling new upper mounting holes (the new unit has two screws which match the existing left/right holes); 2) cut a slot in the upper trim panel so the airflow can blow into the cavity (bad idea for moisture); 3) remove all the front trimwork.

8, 9, 10, 11 - Trimwork removed.

There are still complications/obstructions happening so not yet done.

The peeps responsible for this bullcrap should be taken down to the creek and subjected to an appropriate method of torture.

 

[mattl]

Wow, quite a challenge.  Does the unit vent?  I see a slot in the cabinet for venting.  Odds are you will have to use a spacer as most OTR units now vent up. 

I did the opposite, hated it hanging out so I sunk it into the wall to keep it flush with the cabinets on each side.

 

[nmassman44]

I have that same model microwave oven that you removed. It’s getting louder now and I think it’s days are numbered here as well. We have had ours since we remodeled the kitchen back in 2004.

 

[DADoES]

 
There is no ductwork for outdoor venting.  The original installation crew either 1) originally intended to do so but decided not; 2) got confused on following the template, not understanding that the cut-out isn't required for indoor venting; or 3) did the cut-out to accommodate access to the power outlet up inside the cabinetry.

The new microwave will sit proud of the cabinetry via removal of the front trim section.

It's unfortunate the nice custom-cabinetry had to be destroyed but the original unit should never have been installed as it was.  I knew it would eventually be a problem when I saw it upon viewing the house but I didn't ask that it be redone and it's highly unlikely the owner/seller would have agreed to do so.

 

[paulg]

I remember those days...

In my prior life I would be called to consult with Consumer Affairs when an irate customer needed an OTR (over the range) oven repaired and the repairman refused.

I remember one case in a motor home where, to prevent squeaking - the installer used many wood screws drilled into the microwave cabinet. After several hours trying to remove the oven the poor tech called me (the manufacturer in this case). After hearing his plight I gave him this advice:
Put your tools back in your case and walk out the door.
We then called the customer back and advised that until the OTR microwave was ON THE FLOOR, we would not return.

Similarly we would frequently run into builders “building in” compact microwave ovens that were not designed to be built-in. To add insult to injury they would surround the oven with trim - as in your case. Of course, the customer would be calling us complaining of overheating or fogging of the door in some cases.
“Send us a picture” we would say. Customer would send a picture and once again we would send them the message of “call your installer”. Until the oven in removed and on the floor - no warranty work.
It astounds me the frequency of awful installations. It is rampant.

 

[iowabear]

"motorized spring-loaded panel across the entire front above the door for airflow"

 

Interesting, I've never seen anything like that.  I had to look carefully at the pictures.

 

[DADoES]

 
Found someone's video of the panel opening & closing.

To clarify, the panel isn't directly motorized.  There's a rotating cam that turns forward to push it open, turns back for the springs to pull it closed.

 

[earthling177]

Honestly, the builder put a much simpler OTR microwave in the home we bought.

I couldn't wait to rip it out -- I can't remember if it was one or two years, and I removed it and gave it to someone who was desperate to have one.

I just put hood in its place -- it's quieter, it actually vents everything outside.

It might also help you preserve more of the trim work, I dunno.

I got a big countertop microwave oven and I was pretty happy with it until it died a year or so ago and I got another one.

Good luck!

 

[DADoES]

 
We got the replacement up on Sat 1/25.

Lifted it up/down probably 20 times. Everything measured-out correct but could not hit the screw holes on top of the unit. Cut access holes in the remaining front trim panel to reach/aim the screws & wrangle the cord.

Repair of the damage is as-yet in progress. I have a list of the paint & stain colors. Paint is fine, have plenty of that, RJ is using the color scheme on his rental refurbs. Matching the stain, not so much ... maybe something is wrong or missing from the list.

 

[vacerator]

It's the nature of the beast

installing those. We measured twice, leveled ours, and it still isn't perfect. Slight gap on one side at top. It's not a crooked cabinet either. Most don't even notice it. It took us 4 hours though. Our previous one had hanging mounting plates that notch locked into the metal plate on the wall. The oven then hung on the protruding ones. The new one has only the wall plate, and the oven locks into it with male/female type notches at the top, and screws into it at the bottom edge. New cabinets, and very level and plumb.