Home › Appliances › Guides › KitchenAid and Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave Installation
KitchenAid and Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave Installation
An over-the-range microwave hangs 50 to 65 lb off a wall plate and a couple of bolts through the cabinet above, right over your cooktop. KitchenAid and Whirlpool OTRs (the same platform underneath) install well, but only if the wall plate goes into studs, the blower is set up for how your kitchen vents, and the unit is held level while it's bolted. This is a two-person job, and it's the one where DIY most often goes wrong.
Price
| Service | Starts around |
|---|---|
| Over-the-range microwave install | Quoted by phone, (905) 518-7853 |
| Haul-away of the old unit | $70 |
Most standard installs start around this price. Your final quote depends on access, haul-away and what's already in place, and we confirm it before booking.
What to have ready before we arrive
- An existing outlet in the upper cabinet above the range space (that's where OTRs plug in)
- A 30 in. wide opening with the right height above the cooktop. Check the guide, usually 66 in. or more from the floor to the cabinet bottom
- Your vent setup: ducted outside through the wall or roof, or recirculating. If it's ducted, the existing duct should line up with the microwave's exhaust
- The paper template from the box. We use it to drill accurately
How we install it
- Remove the old unit or hood. With two people and the power off.
- Wall plate. Using the template, the mounting plate goes into at least one stud, plus the supplied anchors.
- Set the blower. The blower is rotated to match your venting: outside through the top, out the back, or recirculating with a charcoal filter.
- Cabinet bolts. The holes in the cabinet above are drilled from the template. The unit hooks onto the plate, tilts up and is bolted from inside the cabinet, with the cord routed through.
- Level and test. Checked level, then the fan, light and cooking all tested.
Common problems we see
- No stud. Anchors alone don't hold the weight long-term.
- Blower facing the wrong way. Out of the box it's set to recirculate. If you have a duct, it must be rotated, or you're just blowing grease into the cabinet.
- Low cabinet. Too little clearance over the cooktop is a heat and safety problem. Check the guide before you buy.
- Mismatched duct. If the existing duct doesn't line up, the fix is ductwork, which needs to be done before install day.
What's not included
We install appliances into spaces and connections that already exist. We don't do rough-in, new plumbing or gas lines, new circuits, or cabinet and renovation work. If your space needs that first, have it done before install day and we'll take it from there.
Related pages
- Hamilton Kitchen Appliance Installation
- Delivery And Installation
- Appliance Installation Prices
- Will it fit? checker
- Will It Fit? appliance size checker
- All appliance install guides
Book or get a quote: call or text (905) 518-7853, or use the quote form. Serving Hamilton, the GTA, Halton, Brantford, Guelph, Niagara and Durham from Hamilton, ON.
FAQ
How much is an over-the-range microwave install?
We quote OTR installs by phone. Call or text (905) 518-7853 with your model and a photo of the space. Haul-away is $70.
Can you vent my microwave outside?
Yes, if there's already a duct at the space. We set the blower to match it.
Is a KitchenAid OTR the same as a Whirlpool?
They share a platform, so the mounting and venting steps are very similar. We follow the guide for your exact model.
What height should an OTR microwave be?
Most need at least 66 in. from the floor to the cabinet bottom, and the guide gives the minimum above the cooktop.
Want an exact price?
Text a photo of the space and the model number to (905) 518-7853. Mon–Sat, 8 AM–6 PM ET · Based in Hamilton, ON