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Richard Trethewey makes a house call to Philadelphia. There, he helps a homeowner upgrade her oven as well as install a new microwave with ventilation. Partnering with a local licensed plumber, the pair remove the old units, modify some plumbing and ductwork, and install new units that the family can enjoy for years to come.
Do You Need Ventilation in the Kitchen?
Ventilation is always important in a kitchen. It prevents unnecessary humidity from building and can help eject smoke if that casserole gets away from you. But, when it comes to gas appliances, a properly-exhausting hood or microwave is critical for keeping potentially harmful contaminants out of the house. Here’s how to install a vented microwave.
How to Install a Vented Microwave
- Microwave kits typically come with two templates: one for the wall bracket and the other for the underside of the cabinet. Locate both templates.
- Tape the wall template to the wall and use a drill to pre-drill the holes for the bracket. If you’re venting directly out the back of the microwave, drill a hole with the pilot bit at the mark on the template. If not, remove the template. Attach the wall bracket to the wall using the drill and the supplied anchors.
- Attach the cabinet template to the underside of the cabinet. Drill holes for the mounting hardware and mark the underside of the cabinet for the top-mounted vent. Cut the access for the vent out with an oscillating multi-tool.
- If you’re using a top-mounted vent, test fit the vent flange and mark the location for the vent to exit the home. If possible, check for any studs or potential obstructions with a stud finder. Consider using an elbow to redirect the exhaust around the obstruction if there are obstructions. Drill a pilot hole through the wall at the center of the vent location, then continue drilling with the 4-inch hole saw from the inside. Finish by drilling with the hole saw from the outside in.
- Place the bottom back edge of the microwave on the wall bracket and tip the microwave up and into place. Fasten the microwave by dropping the bolts through the cabinet and into the threaded holes in the top of the microwave. Tighten to secure.
- Drop the vent flange through the cabinet and attach it to the microwave using the hardware supplied in the microwave kit.
- Slide the 4-inch ductwork through the wall and mark it to length. Remove it, cut it to length with a grinder, attach it to the flange, and secure it in place. Attach the louvers on the outside of the wall to keep pests out.
- Plug the microwave into the wall outlet in the cabinet.
Resources
Richard heads to Philadelphia to help a homeowner with a leaking gas oven. Richard teams up
with local plumbing expert, Kelly Ireland. Together, they install a new gas oven and built-in vented microwave.
To install the microwave, Richard and Kelly drilled in the mounting brackets into the wall using an
electric drill. Richard uses a hole saw to cut an access hole to run the plug into the receptacle in the overhead cabinet. He also cuts an access hole for the ventilation duct to come through the overhead cabinet using an orbiting sawzall.
Richard offsets the exhaust by installing a double elbow ventilation pipe. Kelly uses an auger drill bit to drill the pilot hole to the exterior. After, Kelly uses a hole saw to cut an access hole to the exterior of the house. Richard cuts the exterior access hole with the hole saw and installs the exterior exhaust vent.
To install the gas stove, Kelly has to allow space for the gas connection. She partially modifies
the wall by cutting into it with a sawzall behind the connector. To ensure the stove is secure,
Richard and Kelly install an anti-tip bracket. Once secured, Richard and Kelly check the level.
