Hanging microwave from cabinet?

[KillerCharlie]

Is it possible to hang an over-the-range microwave without wall mounts? My cabinets hang over the slide-in range and there's no wall. I'd like to replace the hood with a venting over-the-range microwave, but they all seem to require both a cabinet and wall mount.

 

[F1N3ST]

I just did this a few weeks ago.

Said microwave should have some holes on the top for bolts or screws.

Just drill a hole through the cabinet and screw/bolt into those.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I just did this a few weeks ago.

Said microwave should have some holes on the top for bolts or screws.

Just drill a hole through the cabinet and screw/bolt into those.

But I thought that the wall mount actually carries most of the weight? I looked at a friend's microwave before he installed it and there were only 3 screw holes on top - all in a line. I'm worried that it wouldn't be adequate to hold the weight from above.

The only thing I can find online is the opposite - wall mounting with no cabinet. When I google cabinet mounted, I come up with this atot threat... hahaha.

Next time I'm going to buy a normal house.

 

[:emaN resU]

I just did this a few weeks ago.

Said microwave should have some holes on the top for bolts or screws.

Just drill a hole through the cabinet and screw/bolt into those.

The over-range microwaves are very heavy. I wouldn't trust mine to hold it up. Wouldn't be fun to replace the microwave, range, and cabinet if it breaks and falls.

 

[DrPizza]

Before saying "yes", I'd be concerned whether or not the cabinet can carry the weight (including the weight of the stuff you put in the cabinet.) My best guess is "yes" - microwaves really aren't that heavy, compared to what could be put into cabinets. But, I don't know what the quality of your cabinets is, whether they might sag over time, etc. What's directly above the cabinet? Can you reinforce it all the way up into the ceiling or soffit or whatever's above the cabinets?

edit: OP, search for information related to mounting microwaves under cabinets that are in a kitchen island. They make special mounting kits (if your microwave doesn't have one). I realized that this sounds like what you might be trying to do. Another thing to factor in - is your cabinet mounted correctly? That is, are all of the screws/bolts firmly anchored into structural members?

edit edit: if mounting to the bottom of your cabinet, those screws/bolts better penetrate into the cabinet and have large washers to distribute the weight. Else, you're going to have some holes in the bottom of the cabinet where they pulled through (which will be the least of your concerns at that point.) Googling for some weights - I'm seeing 50-60 pounds. I'm pretty sure I have that much weight in the cabinet with my dishes in it; I just don't know how much more weight that cabinet can take. Thus, the weight, okay - but once you include the weight of what else is in the cabinet, and weight of the food in the microwave (I can't think of any time I have more than 6 or 7 pounds in the microwave)...

 

[quikah]

A normal OTR microwave requires the wall mount part. AFAIK the top mounting holes are only in the front, you would need holes in the back also to distribute the weight properly. I have never seen any other way they do it, but it might exist.

That said, before you proceed down this path know that the vent in OTR microwaves are pretty much useless. Are you SURE you want to replace your hood?

There are smaller sized microwaves that are cabinet mountable, but those don't have vents, they are intended to be mounted over the countertop.

 

[KillerCharlie]

There are smaller sized microwaves that are cabinet mountable, but those don't have vents, they are intended to be mounted over the countertop.

Pretty sure I'm going this way. I don't have a lot of counter space but oh well.

 

[EagleKeeper]

The vent will just flush into the room unless you hook it up with a decent fan to an external opening

Those cabinets need to be double checked as to anchor points. May be put a brace and re-anchor through the brace. Load distribution. Depending on quality of cabinet, you may want a brace on the inside of the bottom if the use of large washers does not give you a warm fuzzy.

 

[KillerCharlie]

The vent will just flush into the room unless you hook it up with a decent fan to an external opening

Those cabinets need to be double checked as to anchor points. May be put a brace and re-anchor through the brace. Load distribution. Depending on quality of cabinet, you may want a brace on the inside of the bottom if the use of large washers does not give you a warm fuzzy.

It already has external venting as there used to be a hood. The first problem to solve is the mounting system, not the anchor quality. All the over-the-range microwaves I've seen to not have adequate mounting points to just hang from above.

 

[EagleKeeper]

It already has external venting as there used to be a hood. The first problem to solve is the mounting system, not the anchor quality. All the over-the-range microwaves I've seen to not have adequate mounting points to just hang from above.

Attach a shelf to the underside of cabinet.
Slide nuker onto shelf.

 

[DrPizza]

They sell kits online for mounting them to the bottom of a cabinet.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I've yet to find an kit online for mounting a venting over-the-range microwave from only a cabinet.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I've yet to find an kit online for mounting a venting over-the-range microwave from only a cabinet.

Jury rig

 

[Lounatik]

Nvm

Peace

Lounatik

 

[Greenman]

Pretty sure I'm going this way. I don't have a lot of counter space but oh well.

If the cabinets were set up for a standard hood, it's likely that the microwave will hang down to low. Measure before you buy.

Personal opinion: I HATE microwave hoods. They don't draw for shit, and the microwave is far to high to use safely. Also, when you take something out of it, you have to search for a place to put it down.

 

[Quakester]

Attach a shelf to the underside of cabinet.
Slide nuker onto shelf.

What he said.

 

[Greenman]

Attach a shelf to the underside of cabinet.
Slide nuker onto shelf.

That ain't going to help the exhaust fan much.

 

[Shirls]

Is it possible to hang an over-the-range microwave without wall mounts? My cabinets hang over the slide-in range and there's no wall. I'd like to replace the hood with a venting over-the-range microwave, but they all seem to require both a cabinet and wall mount.

Did you ever find a way to mount your microwave without a back wall? We want to get an over the range microwave but have the same problem.

 

[Greenman]

Did you ever find a way to mount your microwave without a back wall? We want to get an over the range microwave but have the same problem.

Six year old thread is six years old. My guess is the op has starved to death by now.
To answer your question, yes, they do make microwaves that will hang from an upper cabinet. I don't know if the make them with a vent as well.
Before you start down this road, make sure you have room for the microwave, they hang down a lot lower than a hood.

 

[Darwin333]

But I thought that the wall mount actually carries most of the weight? I looked at a friend's microwave before he installed it and there were only 3 screw holes on top - all in a line. I'm worried that it wouldn't be adequate to hold the weight from above.

The only thing I can find online is the opposite - wall mounting with no cabinet. When I google cabinet mounted, I come up with this atot threat... hahaha.

Next time I'm going to buy a normal house.

A really good quality epoxy, use a metric fuckton and you will be all good!

 

[Darwin333]

Six year old thread is six years old. My guess is the op has starved to death by now.

Dammit! I always bite on necros. I agree though, RIP OP. Poor bastard couldn't even heat up his cup-o-noodles.

 

[BoomerD]

Dammit! I always bite on necros. I agree though, RIP OP. Poor bastard couldn't even heat up his cup-o-noodles.

That might have saved his life...cup-o-noodles are nasty...

 

[KillerCharlie]

This thread is so old that I read the title and thought "hey I want to know this too!" Then I realized I wrote it.

I gave up on the idea. I put the microwave on the counter in a corner and still have enough counter space.

 

[ImpulsE69]

This thread is so old that I read the title and thought "hey I want to know this too!" Then I realized I wrote it.

LOL. That's funny...

 

[Shirls]

Six year old thread is six years old. My guess is the op has starved to death by now.
To answer your question, yes, they do make microwaves that will hang from an upper cabinet. I don't know if the make them with a vent as well.
Before you start down this road, make sure you have room for the microwave, they hang down a lot lower than a hood.

Thank you for your input. I see KillerCharlie decided to put his microwave on his counter, I might be doing the same.