How to Mount a Microwave on the Wall

If you have been thinking about buying and installing a new kitchen appliance, you may wonder how to mount a microwave on the wall. If you need a guide for removing a built-in microwave, that’s another article entirely. The best microwaves, after all, come in a wide variety of styles, with some allowing for wall mounting. Keep reading to learn all about affixing a microwave oven to the wall or inside of a dedicated enclosure.

How to Install a Microwave on the Wall

You cannot simply hang a microwave on the wall, as with television sets. Instead, these built-in microwaves require a dedicated enclosure in the form of a cabinet, a drawer, or another type of pre-existing space. These microwaves typically rest above the oven range, though they can also hang out in upper cabinets.

Tools Needed: Phillips screwdriver, flat-blade screwdriver, measuring tape, level, drill, various drill bits

STEP 1Prepare the Microwave

1. Prepare the microwave oven for installation by taking it out of its packaging, setting the instructions aside, and disposing of all packing materials.
2. Be sure to hold onto any screws and mounting hardware that comes with the microwave.
3. If you are looking to mount a used model, be sure to learn how to deodorize a microwave beforehand.

STEP 2 Measure the Cabinet or Enclosure

1. No matter where the microwave oven will be placed, you will have to measure the cabinet opening before installation in order to ensure compliance.
2. Remember, microwaves cannot just hang on a wall and must be mounted to a pre-existing enclosure.
3. Use your tape measure to size out the depth, length, height, and width of the cabinet.
4. You may want to do some research to learn how to measure cutout depth for a microwave cabinet.
5. Make sure to include around three inches of clearance above the cabinet opening and one inch of clearance below.

STEP 3Install the Spacer and Trim Kits

1. Built-in microwaves and over-the-range models typically ship with a dedicated spacer kit so as to allow it to sit comfortably in a cabinet or related enclosure.
2. The specific process of building this spacer kit will differ depending on the make and model of your microwave oven.
3. The process typically includes aligning a spacer bar at the bottom trim and securing it with screws.
4. Do the same thing for the opposite spacer bar and, eventually, the trim kit.
5. Drill through the mounting holes in the spacer bars to create pilot holes using whatever method indicated in the instructions.
6. Insert the appropriate screws and tighten with a screwdriver.
7. Exercise caution to avoid overtightening the screws.

STEP 4 Hook up the Wiring

1. Some built-in microwaves can simply be plugged into a power outlet, while others will require some light electrical work via the voltage box, fuse box, or junction box.
2. Wear safety gloves and turn off the power before messing with actual electrical circuit boxes.
3. Secure any wires to the junction box as indicated in the instructions, or simply plug the power cord into the extension cord or into the power outlet itself.
4. Allow plenty of room for the power cable to hang slack inside of the enclosure and behind the microwave.

STEP 5Affix and Install the Microwave Oven

1. Now it is time to gently insert the microwave into the cabinet or enclosure.
2. Have two or more people for this process, depending on the height of the cabinet and the weight of the microwave.
3. Align the microwave oven with the spacer bars.
4. Open the microwave door and push against the front frame until it is fully inserted into the cabinet, taking some time to ensure that it is centered.
5. Affix the microwave to the mounting bracket via whatever method is indicated in the instructions.
6. Insert the rotating tray according to the instructions, having cleaned it beforehand via the manual.

F.A.Q.S