Good news! Installing a microwave oven is actually not as complicated as most people think. Trust me, with these 10 easy steps, the whole process is a breeze and you will have your microwave up and running in no time.
But before you start with the installation process, make sure you have all the necessary equipment like a measuring tape and a wall plate. Also, don’t forget the screwdriver and the screws!
Step 1: Locate Power Outlet
Now that you have all your equipment ready, the first step is to locate the nearest power outlet. Try to ensure that you choose the one that will be nearest to the microwave, especially if the microwave has a short power cord.
After all, you don’t want to install the whole thing and then find out the cord is too short! However, if that does happen to you, then the only way you can fix the problem is to get an additional outlet installed by an electrician near your microwave.
Step 2: Measure The Wall Space
After locating the power outlet, the next step is to measure the space that you have chosen for your microwave. This is a critical step, and I would recommend you use a measuring tape to measure the space above your stove instead of eyeballing it.
You will need to measure the wall space above your stove to see if there is enough space to fit a microwave above it. The minimum requirement is that there must be at least 25 inches between the stove and the microwave, but you should ideally aim for a little over 25 inches to be safe.
Step 3: Ensure Proper Ventilation
This step is extremely crucial because insufficient ventilation can be dangerous. In fact, without the proper ventilation mechanism, the microwave may overheat, so make sure there is a kitchen vent installed above the microwave.
A good kitchen vent will direct the exhaust air from the microwave fan outside and prevent it from building up around your stove and microwave so that you can cook safely.
Step 4: Reframe
When installing a microwave oven above a stove, it is highly recommended that you reframe the wall space that you have chosen for the microwave. Reframing ensures that the microwave will be securely attached and stay fixed to the wall.
The process involves removing a large enough section of the drywall so that the microwave will fit easily. Once you have removed the drywall or plasterboard, secure the area with 2×4 wooden planks. That’s it; the reframing is done and you can safely attach your microwave to the wall.
Step 5: Install The Wall Plate
Once the reframing process is complete, you can start installing the wall plate. Usually, a wall plate is provided with the microwave when you buy it at the store. If yours didn’t come with a wall plate, then you may want to go back to the store and ask them to provide it.
Instructions for installing the wall plate will also come with the microwave’s installation guideline. Make sure you install it following the steps outlined in the installation guide because each microwave model is different. You should only use the wall plate that the store provided and attach it the exact same way that the store recommends.
Step 6: Fit The Microwave Into Wall Plate
Now that you have your wall plate in place, you can go ahead and place the microwave in the wall plate bracket. The bracket will hold it in place, but to be on the safe side, ask someone to hold the microwave in the bracket to ensure it doesn’t move from its spot.
A friend or family member holding the microwave in place will free up your hands so that you can complete the final steps.
Step 7: Plug-In the Power Cord
Next, plug in your power cord into the outlet that was selected for the microwave right at the start. But make sure the power is not on. As long as the installation process is underway, the power must stay switched OFF because you don’t want to get an electric shock while installing your microwave.
Step 8: Secure It With Screws
Finally, it’s time to screw in the microwave into the wall. Attach all the screws into their designated holes.
Then tighten the screws with the help of a screwdriver and you are good to go! Ask the person holding up the microwave to slowly remove their hands and step back. This way, you will be able to check if the microwave is fixed securely and will stay in its place.
Step 9: Attach The Exhaust Fan
Keep going! You are almost there! All you need to do now is attach the exhaust fan that came with the microwave. Again, follow the instructions in the installation guide because the exact instructions may vary by the microwave model so make sure you follow the instructions in your own installation guide.
Keep in mind that the exhaust fan must face the kitchen vent so that all the exhaust air goes up the vent and the kitchen stays adequately ventilated.
Step 10: Give It A Test Run
Congratulations! You have just successfully installed your very own microwave oven. The only thing left now is to give your microwave a trial run to ensure that everything is working perfectly.
Now you can switch the power back on and heat something up to check if your microwave is actually working.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap! So how to install a microwave oven over the stove? It’s easy with the steps above! What do you think? Isn’t installing a microwave oven above a stove not as complicated as you first thought? Of course, it isn’t! These 10 simple steps actually make the whole process pretty straightforward.
And it definitely shouldn’t take you more than 2 hours to be done with the whole installation. So, what are you waiting for? Go fix up your kitchen with a new microwave oven right now! Happy Cooking!
