Built-in Mircowave Oven Installation Issues
 

Since we were replacing the refrigerator, range and dishwasher in our 20 yr
old condo, I decided to replace the countertop microwave with a build-in
model that takes the place of the oven hood/light/fan above the range.

Think I may have made a mistake, for I am told that there are now some
additional installation issues that the salesman never told me about........

1) oven hood is "hard wired" to the source of electricity. The new
microwave has an electric plug that will need an outlet to put it into. I
assume that this wouldn't be a "big deal" for an experienced person since
the live wires would have to be directed to a new outlet.

2) I have been told that the electrical code requires a separate circuit
breaker for a built in microwave oven. IS THIS SO???

Anyone venture a guess on what it might cost to have an do the required
work? (The other alternative is to return the new microwave.)

Thanks in advance for any assistance.



--
Have a great day, except you spammers
To email, remove the obvious

.......

Also, over an above the possible
electrical problems, if you "use" your
microwave to actually "cook" rather than
just reheat and unless
you are well over 6' tall, it is
difficult to put heavy casseroles and
cooking dishes into the oven, especially
if there are hot pots on the
stove.

(definitely under 6' tall)

Les wrote:
Since we were replacing the refrigerator, range and dishwasher in our 20 yr
old condo, I decided to replace the countertop microwave with a build-in
model that takes the place of the oven hood/light/fan above the range.

Think I may have made a mistake, for I am told that there are now some
additional installation issues that the salesman never told me about........

1) oven hood is "hard wired" to the source of electricity. The new
microwave has an electric plug that will need an outlet to put it into. I
assume that this wouldn't be a "big deal" for an experienced person since
the live wires would have to be directed to a new outlet.

2) I have been told that the electrical code requires a separate circuit
breaker for a built in microwave oven. IS THIS SO???

Anyone venture a guess on what it might cost to have an do the required
work? (The other alternative is to return the new microwave.)

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Les wrote:
Since we were replacing the refrigerator, range and dishwasher in our 20 yr
old condo, I decided to replace the countertop microwave with a build-in
model that takes the place of the oven hood/light/fan above the range.

Think I may have made a mistake, for I am told that there are now some
additional installation issues that the salesman never told me about........

1) oven hood is "hard wired" to the source of electricity. The new
microwave has an electric plug that will need an outlet to put it into. I
assume that this wouldn't be a "big deal" for an experienced person since
the live wires would have to be directed to a new outlet.

2) I have been told that the electrical code requires a separate circuit
breaker for a built in microwave oven. IS THIS SO???

Anyone venture a guess on what it might cost to have an do the required
work? (The other alternative is to return the new microwave.)

Thanks in advance for any assistance.



If you look at the current drawn by the microwave you will note
that it gets very close to the practical capacity of the usual
household 15 AMP / 20 AMP circuit. This makes it a bad idea to
connect a microwave to a circuit used for another possible high
amp usage like a toaster.

I paid an electrician $230 to run the circuit for the outlet need
for the microwave / oven hood I bought in 1996.

A couple of issues you can run into replacing a hood with an over the
range micowave unit.

A dedicated power circuit.

If ducting outside will the exsisting range ductwork match the needs of
the microwave ?

Clearance between the range and the bottom of the microwave.

Stud location in the wall behind the range impacts ductwork installation
and microwave mounting points.

The cabinet above the range, is it secure / strong enough / at the right
height / wide enough / too wide to use as a mounting point for the
microwave.

I've done two over the range installs. Both were not easy but worth the
end result.

Also my current unit goes brain dead after a power glitch requiring me
to unplug it , wait awhile, and then replug it into the socket in the
cabinet above the unit. You want to have easy access to that plug.