Microwave range hood install -- stud in middle of exhaust

When you say "outside vent" do you mean horizontally through an outside wall? If that is what you are trying to do having the 2x4 in the way does not make much of a deterrent. But if it makes you feel better, moving over a bit and not have the 2x4 in the way, that certainly would be better.

Installation of an over the range microwave is not a very difficult task as long as electrical work to provide power is not needed. If no outlet exists then an electrician will be required.

Tools that may be needed for the installation include a cordless drill, drill bit, measuring tape, masking tape, stud finder, razor knife, pencil.

A template is commonly provided for mounting hole locations that need to be drilled in the cabinet. These holes are the top mounts.

An additional template for the wall bracket is normally supplied as well. Here you will need the stud finder, it is important to locate the studs and mount the wall bracket to them.

The wall bracket serves as the bottom mount and aids in the final mounting of the microwave.

Depending on the oven's size and weight a helper may be needed to complete the installation.

Remember to be safe first and seek advice/help with any step you are unsure about.

Good luck.

HI,

Frigidaire makes several over-the-range microwave models that are all installed in the same manner. To install correctly, you must have at least 45 1/2 inches from the bottom of the top cabinet to the cooking surface of the stove to provide enough clearance for the microwave. The top cabinet must also be at least 30 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Find someone to help you, then follow the steps below to install your Frigidaire microwave.

Things You'll Need:

• Stud finder or hammer
• Screwdriver
• Drill

Instructions

Pull your range away from the wall so you can work comfortably. If this is not possible, cover it with a drop cloth. Find and mark the locations of the studs in the wall behind the range. They will be either 16 or 24 inches apart.

Follow the instructions on the wall template to mark the location of the mounting bracket and the four anchor holes on the wall and the bottom of the cabinet. Drill the anchor holes. Follow the instructions on the top cabinet template to mark and drill the two holes in the bottom of the cabinet.

Attach the mounting bracket to the wall studs using the six wood screws included with your microwave. Screw the toggle nuts onto the toggle bolts and push one through each of the four drilled holes. Screw each toggle bolt until the nut is snug against the inside of the wall.
Pick up the oven with your helper. Plug the oven into the outlet and slide the oven onto the mounting bracket arms. Push the oven back against the wall. Tighten the two screws on the microwave faceplate to fasten the microwave to the mounting bracket arms.
Attach the louver to the top of the microwave with the three provided screws. Insert the two top cabinet screws and washers from the top cabinet into the microwave and fasten tightly.

Take care.

Since you can't get a paper template for remounting your microwave, I can offer you my tips for doing this, as I've had to reinstall many of my customers microwaves, after they've done a kitchen remodel.

You can use the metal mounting bracket as your "new" template. Just unmount the micro and remove the metal bracket and you can then position it on the wall or under the cabinet where you are looking to mount the microwave. However, before you remove it from the wall, simply measure the distance from the edges at the top and both sides of the bracket, where it is presently mounted and you'll be able to easily remount it in a new location.

If you've already removed it from the wall, not to worry, simply place it on the back of the microwave and measure the distance from the edges of the bracket to the top and both sides of the microwave's canbinet edges. Allow for 3/16" additional distance and you should be able to then remount the bracket at the new location with ease.

Please remember that you want to get the bracket secured into a wall stud so it can hold the weight of the microwave once it's installed and fastened to the bracket. I also recommend that you use wall anchors at the side edges at both the top and bottom corners to help secure the bracket IF there are no wall studs behind the predrilled holes for mounting the bracket to the wall.

If you have trouble using the metal mounting bracket, you can always trace the entire bracket onto a piece of heavy paper or cardboard, but frankly, I find this unecessary and time consuming, since you've already got the mounting bracket right there with all the holes and such.

Also, don't forget to measure the location of the power cord at the top or back of the microwave and remember you'll need to drill a hole in order to be able to pass the cord thru the cabinet. If your microwave has screws at the top front edge that help secure it to the cabinent above it, again, simply measure the distance of these mounting locations from the sides and back of the microwave cabinet and drill holes thru the cabinet, using a drill bit that is twice the diameter of the mounting bolts. You should add washers to these bolts to help prevent the bolts from pulling thru the cabinet bottom.

Mounting a microwave is best done with at least two people, as holding it in place while someone else puts the bolts in it isn't easy to do by yourself. Also, it is much easier to do, when installing it over an existing range, if you move the range out of the way first, so you can stand under the microwave, instead of having to lean over the range while trying to install it. Not to mention the fact that should you drop the microwave, you'll not only damage it, but could destroy your range at the same time.

Hope you find this Very Helpful and best regards!

i had the same trouble, yes i used a solid bolt to hold the microwave bracket in the stud then used the biggest toggle bolts that will fit, also the cabinet will not have to be changed. it works fine, if you had a vent a hood dont forget to hook up the exhaust vent. i figure your old exhaust vent is in the cabinet like mine was

Her is a link that I hope with work that shows the bracket and how it was installed.

PDF]  JVM1850BH/CH/SH/WH – GE Spacemaker Over-the-Range Microwave Oven File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML

You need to have studs where the installation instructions specify them.

If they are not there, they will need to be added.

With the weight of these units, proper support is critical, and drywall anchors are not at all sufficient.

You should run 12-2 wire from the breaker panel to the new outlet box in the cabinet above the microwave.

I just took out the range and made an outlet out of the existing wiring.

Your model weighs 41 pounds empty.

That - plus maybe adding another 8-10 pounds for safety - us what your installation needs to be able to handle.

I would think the average cabinet could handle that, but it may be better to add a small steel plate or large washer surrounding the mounting screws to help disperse the weight load.

The owner's manual describes the installation kit you can use to mount it in a cabinet or in the wall, etc. That may be helpful.

If you don't still have your manual you can download it here.

We're happy to help and we appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.