Over the Range Microwave Installation

To go over the steps on how to install a GE over the Range Microwave. Open the box–there's a cut line all around the bottom–and just take a utility knife and cut through the cardboard. This allows you to easily open the box.
This project we're going to remove an existing microwave and see how it's connected. When you're removing the old microwave, you can use the styrofoam that came in the new box to protect the oven or throw it down a drop cloth on the new microwave. The mounting plate that's going to hold it to the wall is already on the back of the microwave. We're going to remove two screws that hold it in place to remove it, and I would set the microwave on the second piece of styrofoam that's in the box.

The New Mounting Plate Doesn't Match the Old One

The new mounting plate doesn't match the old one, so we're going to have to remove the old one. The mounting plate needs to be secured to at least one stud, so take a stud finder. Locate your studs. In this case, it's going to be easy because we're replacing a unit that's very similar. Put up the mounting frame. We're going to push this up against the bottom of the cabinet and then we're going to mark hole A and B. If it's over a stud, we're going to use the wood screws they provide. If not, they include toggle bolts, and then we have a variety of other options.
We're going to add two more screws, making sure one is in a stud. This is a level just to double check that your cabinet is level. If not, then you're going to have to adjust the mounting plate depending on your model.

How to Flip a Blower Around

It's either going to be vented up through the cabinet or out through the back. In this case, it's being vented out the back. For this model, it's already set up to be vented out the top and we're going to have to change this to vent out the back. To flip this blower around first, we're going to remove this plate, justremoving these three screws. This plate just pulls straight back and lifts out. There's going to be one or two screws on the back that hold the blower in place.
Just take the blower out and rotate it so that the opening is facing towards the back. Make sure your wires are tucked in this channel to hold them in place. We're going to put the screws back in the blower. Now we're just going to snip out in four spots, the covers on the back. We're going to replace the vent cover and put it right back on the top and install it with a couple of screws. The damper slides into a couple of slots to make sure the hinge is up.

How to Replace an Existing Microwave

If you didn't have an existing microwave that you're replacing, they have a template to lift the cover. If you don't have an existing microwave that you're replacing, they have a template to lift the cover. The cover is going to be in the back. If you didn't have an existing microwave that you're replacing, they have a template to line up your vent.
I'm going to mount my mounting plate and I'm going to predrill a hole for my wood, And because they have wood blocks up here, I'm going to create a hole about half the size of my wood screws. I'm just going to use a level of double check this before I screw it in place. The microwave is going to be held in place on the bottom with that mounting plate and on top we're going to have to drill three holes in the upper cabinet to put our screws through and they provide a template.
Because I was having a hard time holding the template in place and the tape wasn't sticking because of the layout of this, what I did was I took this upper template. I taped it to a piece of cardboard I cut out and now I'll be able to hold this in place while I drill my pilot holes. Along the pilots for the holes, you're also going to have to drill an opening for the cord if there's not one there already. When you're placing the microwave in place, you're going to be taking these openings on the bottom edge of the mounting plate and then pushing it up so that you can put the screws into the top.