OTR Microwave Installation - Height variations make it much more difficult!

[Don2222]

Hello
The widths have to be the same to fit between the cabinets, and the depth is not too critical. However the high has to coincide with the back wall mounting bracket and vent cut in the house if there is one. So why are they all different heights!#%@$!!??
In this case the old LG Microwave was 16-5/8” high and the new Kitchen Aid is 17-1/4” Heigh or 5/8” higher!! The mounting bracket for the LG was mounted to wall and the tile backsplash is tiled right up to it so the bracket could not be moved down without breaking the tiles!
Yes, maybe plywood could be placed above the tiles and fastened to the wall so the bracket could be moved down and overhang the plywood and the bracket could still be attached 5/8” lower.
I went with a faster and cheaper option of carefully removing the cabinet screws and outlet in the cabinet and the cutting the nails with a saws all to remove the cabinet from the wall and remove the doors so 5/8” of the bottom could be cut off and then re-installed on the wall.
The Microwave could then be installed on the old bracket and new holes had to be drilled in the bottom of the cabinet and the new microwave could then be installed!! I may add a trim board along the top of the microwave later, just doing this took 2 days
Anyone have this problem? What did you do?
Pic 1 - Old LG Microwave
Pic 2 - new Kitchen Aid Microwave
Pic 3&4 - Change Blower to blow out back of house from blowing down onto range.
Pic 5 - Remove upper cabinet to cut 5/8” off the bottom edge
Pic 6&7 - New LG installed

 

[firefighterjake]

The other day my wife mentioned that it may be time to buy a replacement microwave . . . I had a bit of dread for the exact reasons you mention . . . a concern over whether mounting a new microwave will be a royal pain in the buttkus.

 

[Highbeam]

I would have cut the tile. Every time. Cut the tile.

I’ve done this a few times and the location of the big bolt holes through the upper cabinets are not standard either.

 

[Dobish]

i would cut the drywall, move up the vent, or get rid of the OTR microwave and put in a hood.

I hated my OTR microwave, I was constantly bumping my head and could not get a big pot underneath it!

 

[zrock]

Maby its just the pics bot the old and new looked way to close to the stove top not to be a real PIA when cooking

 

[The.Devo]

Maby its just the pics bot the old and new looked way to close to the stove top not to be a real PIA when cooking

I agree! 4" tiles so that is not even 12" above the stovetop

 

[paulnlee]

As someone who does repair I agree, way too close to cooktop.

 

[zrock]

i did not even count the tiles..LOL ... Definitely not to code Don2222 you should look into your building code as if its not to min code and you have now replaced it. Your insurance could be void if anything ever happens especially if no permit was ever pulled.

Im surprised your wife let you put it back that low..LOL

When i replaced a range hood i had to do alot of modifications to bring it up to code and vent properly.. All that work just because i wanted it to match the stove..