How to Install a Microwave on a Shelf or Cabinet

Did you get a microwave as a Christmas present? If you are looking for help on how to install a countertop microwave in a shelf or cabinet, this is the right article for you.

For a lot of people, it is impossible to imagine cooking a meal after a long working day. But thanks to the invention of microwaves, it is easy to warm up leftovers and have a hot and hassle-free dinner. But there’s more to the applications: Nowadays, there are a lot of recipes that allow you to cook a whole meal in your microwave oven, without even using your stove or oven.

So, if you are still wondering if you need a microwave for your apartment, this might have convinced you. Anyhow, installing a new appliance can sometimes be tricky. Our experienced technicians are always there to help you out if you don’t know how to install the appliance yourself or if you need to get your microwave repaired. You can contact them through our online form or find all our other contact details here.

Which Microwave Do I Need?

In case you are wondering, which type of microwave you need, you can have a look at this article where we explain all the different features. Once you’ve found the right appliance for your needs, you will have to install it. And even though installing a countertop microwave can be very, there are some things that you keep in mind, especially if you want to put your appliance on a shelf. Here are the tips from our experts.

 

1. Find a Shelf or Cabinet for Your Microwave

 

For the first step of the microwave installation, it depends if you decided to buy a countertop microwave or a built-in appliance. If you went for a built-in microwave, you probably have accounted for it when planning your kitchen. Anyhow, in case you bought a countertop appliance and you want to place it on one of the shelves or in a cabinet, you should find a shelf big enough to fit it and that has a plug close by. Before placing the countertop microwave there, make sure to remove any objects from the inside that could fall out.

2. Find the Vents

To find out where the vents of your microwave are, you can turn the appliance on and feel with your hand where it blows the air out. Make sure not to place the microwave too close to a wall or the side of a shelf so the air can flow freely. For some built-in models, it can be important to have an advanced ventilation installation, such as over the range microwaves.

3. Make Sure the Microwave has Access to Electricity

If you are placing your new microwave on a shelf or a cabinet, it might be necessary to drill a hole into the shelf or the cabinet to make sure it has good access to the next plug. Remove the microwave while doing that, so it doesn’t get into your way. Snake the wire through the hole and plug in the appliance.

Don’t forget to put all the parts back in that you took out of your microwave and test your appliance. It should now be ready to heat your leftovers or cook you a hassle-free dinner after work.

Three Common Microwave Problems

Is your microwave not working properly? Have a look at these three common problems and how to fix them – maybe that will help you out.

Do you know the feeling when you’re coming home from a long day at work and all you want to do is to sit in front of the TV, eating a warm dinner?

If you don’t feel like cooking, you can just use your microwave oven to warm up a delicious dish. Since microwaves were invented in the 1940s the appliances have changed a lot and got more sophisticated so you can use it easily to cook a whole meal.

Microwaves heat food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. If your appliance is not working, it can be hard to detect the problem. This is why we summarized some of the most common microwave problems for you in this article!

If you are not sure if your appliance can be repaired or if you need to buy a new microwave oven, get in touch with our experienced technicians. We work with genuine appliance parts and offer up to one year warranty. Furthermore, we can help you with microwave installation if you need to purchase a new appliance.

Problem 1: The light doesn’t work properly

Is the light in your microwave very dim or not working at all? Even though this doesn’t affect the way your food is being heated, it can be annoying if you can’t see what’s going on inside of the appliance.

The light can be dim whilst defrosting or heating a dish at low power. To find out if that’s the reason, you can heat a cup filled with water at maximum power and see if the light gets brighter.

If the light isn’t working at all, the light bulb might have burnt out. To replace the bulb, you should find out where it is located. If it’s easy to reach, you can replace it yourself. Be careful if it is close to the capacitor as you could damage the parts connected to it. It might be necessary to get professional help to replace it.

Problem 2: The microwave isn’t heating

A very common reason for this problem is magnetron failure. The magnetron is a part of your appliance that generates the microwave energy. If the microwave appliance is turned on whilst being empty, the magnetron might burn out. Unfortunately, once broken, the magnetron cannot be repaired but must be replaced.

Since you can get electrical shocks even if the appliance is unplugged, we recommend that only experienced people replace the magnetron themselves. If you need the help of a professional, you can schedule an appointment with our technicians online or via phone (+1 (289) 801-7857 / +1 (888) 513-0052).

Problem 3: The turntable doesn’t rotate

When the turntable of the microwave doesn’t rotate, it is impossible to heat food. Therefore, it is important to fix this problem, which mostly involves a broken motor. The good news is: A worn-out motor can be replaced.

If it’s not the motor, then a non-working turntable might be an indicator for a fault in the main control board, the touchpad or the control panel. Check these parts to find out if they are working properly.

Anyhow, these are only three problems out of many others that can affect your appliance. As microwaves are sophisticated appliances, we highly recommend that you call a technician to figure out what’s wrong with yours instead of getting frustrated.

How to Find the Best Microwave

Do you want to buy a new microwave? As there is a lot of choices out there, this guide will help you to make the right choice for your kitchen!

When you’re about to buy a microwave for your kitchen, there are some things you’ll need to consider before purchasing one. Usually, microwaves have a life-span of about ten years, so it’s not something you’ll have to think about every other year.

These days, microwaves come with a lot of different features ranging from defrosting to pre-programmed settings and sensors that will automatically know how long your food has to be cooked. So, the level of sophistication you should choose depends on what you want to cook with your appliance. Buying a fancy microwave oven with features that you’ll never use will cost you more than an appliance with simple features that can heat, melt or make popcorn.

Which Microwave Type to Choose

First of all, you’ll need to know which type of microwave you want to buy for your kitchen.
There are different types of microwaves: Built-in, over-the-range microwaves and countertop appliances.

Countertop microwaves are the most popular ones. They come in different sizes and with different features. Furthermore, they are easy to install by simply unpacking them and plugging them in. Just make sure that there is a plug close to where you want to put your appliance. Another benefit is that if you ever need to move out of your apartment, you can take the microwave with you.

If you want to go for a built-in or over-the-range microwave, things are getting a bit more complicated. You’ll probably the help of a technician to install your microwave. But don’t worry too much about that, as you can schedule an appointment with one of our experienced professionals here.  

Built-in microwaves often have benefits, for example, if they are over the range hood. They often come with a great ventilation system that can filter smoke and odors before blowing it outdoors or back into the kitchen.

How Much wattage Do I Need?

Most microwaves have power outputs between 600 and 1200 watts. More power will ensure that the food cooks faster. Most recipes that are designed for microwaves require a power of at least 800 watts. This will make sure that the food cooks evenly and it will be enough power for most households. The more often you use the microwave, the higher the wattage should be.

Which Microwave Size Should I Buy?

Next, you’ll have to decide how big you want your new microwave to be. The size of your appliance should be defined by how many people are living in your household. You’ll probably need a bigger microwave if you are a family of four and a smaller one if you are a single person. If you want a built-in microwave, the space in your kitchen will define how big your appliance can be. There is more choice if it comes to countertop microwaves.

Capacities range from 0.5 cubic feet to 2.2 cubic feet. While smaller microwaves should fit most dinner plates, bigger appliances can be used to cook casseroles and larger dishes.

Every household has different needs when it comes to microwaves and what they should be able to cook. So, before you make a decision, which appliance to buy, think carefully about what you need and how much money you want to spend on it. Furthermore, you can compare different brands and types of microwaves here.