Microwave Coming Loose

[Suzie]

Has anyone experienced their microwave coming loose when going down the road? I have fixed this two times now and am looking for a permanent fix.

It shifts and then the door won't open.

I am wondering about building something to prevent movement, but want to make sure there is still air flow.

If anyone has had this problem and solved it, I would love to know how.

Thanks, Suzie

[Rockhead]

I’d take the trim off and mark the shelf where the microwave sits correctly then fasten a framework on the shelf so the microwave doesn’t shift anymore. Then reinstall the the trim

[hondasaurus]

Originally Posted by Suzie

Has anyone experienced their microwave coming loose when going down the road? I have fixed this two times now and am looking for a permanent fix.

It shifts and then the door won't open.

I am wondering about building something to prevent movement, but want to make sure there is still air flow.

If anyone has had this problem and solved it, I would love to know how.

Thanks, Suzie

Hi

I had a similar problem in my last trailler. I've use some expansion insulation foam in a can to squeeze everything tight. Caution before, apply some duck tape on the oven were the foam gonna be shoot if you want to remove it and have a nice oven and rescrew everything. Also only use the foam that is for MINIMAL expansion like less than one inch otherwise you will deform the cabinet.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by hondasaurus

Hi

I had a similar problem in my last trailler. I've use some expansion insulation foam in a can to squeeze everything tight. Caution before, apply some duck tape on the oven were the foam gonna be shoot if you want to remove it and have a nice oven and rescrew everything. Also only use the foam that is for MINIMAL expansion like less than one inch otherwise you will deform the cabinet.

Microwaves have a relatively short life. Expanding foam can be a mess to remove. And you'd probably need to remove it to replace the microwave. I wouldn't use it for this solution. YMMV

[hondasaurus]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Microwaves have a relatively short life. Expanding foam can be a mess to remove. And you'd probably need to remove it to replace the microwave. I wouldn't use it for this solution. YMMV

Yup I agree foam can be messy but you can cover the part in contact for easy removing with tape (on the cabinet and on the oven). Use only tab of foam in spot like the 4 corner in the front and in the rear.

There more than one way to resolve problem...

[Ron in BC]

I don't know how the current microwaves are installed but on my Gen 1 19 it was held in by the face plate. Very little support for the weight at the rear. I inserted a piece of wood for it to sit on and that made it more secure.

Ron

[Rockhead]

One needs to take care if using foam n not block the exhaust vents on the microwave

[Don Flamenco]

Expanding foam makes a huge mess and controlling where it expands is impossible.

Instead, get a pool noodle (or foam pipe wrap) and cut sections to wedge between the cabinet & microwave.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Don Flamenco

.... Instead, get a pool noodle (or foam pipe wrap) and cut sections to wedge between the cabinet & microwave.

... and tack in place with contact cement
_____________

Could be wrong but I suspect your 'wave is missing some anchor / mounting screws .... do you happen to see unoccupied holes in the 'ceiling' of the cabinet below where they might have vibrated-out?

[DT6]

Depending on how much room you have there are a few things you can try. My original idea was to mount the microwave on a cutout piece of plywood and then secure the plywood from underneath with some wood screws.

However I could not drill and attach the bottom of our microwave directly plywood as the "feet" were just stamped in the metal bottom and were not removable. So I did two things.

1. I got some velcro and attached that to where the "feet" were stamped into the bottom of the microwave.
2. I cut some slots into the plywood and got some straps to wrap around it (side to side) and cinch it down.

I did it this way to create about 5 to 6 inches of storage space between the microwave and the cabinet door. But with the way yours is mounted, you might just try adding velcro to the bottom of your microwave feet and see if that holds. In my case the straps won't hold the microwave by themselves (but almost) and the velcro adds just enough friction to keep it solidly in place.

[Suzie]

Originally Posted by Centex

... and tack in place with contact cement
_____________

Could be wrong but I suspect your 'wave is missing some anchor / mounting screws .... do you happen to see unoccupied holes in the 'ceiling' of the cabinet below where they might have vibrated-out?

I have not seen any missing holes and I have had it out multiple times to fix the shift and again to allow for the stove top replacement recall. I will look at the bottom of the microwave to see what is going on there.

[Suzie]

Thanks for all the responses.

I am going to try constructing a frame work around the sides and maybe the back to see if that stops the shifting.

I will be sure that the vents are clear.

[DanK]

If you are considering using the foam method you can spray the foam into a plastic bag .

[jjdeluca]

Great idea to avoid the mess!

[hugh]

That actually looks like it's a convection oven, not just a microwave. If that is the case then ventilation around the oven is even more important.

[RF Paul]

I cannot tell from the photo what brand your microwave is, but it looks very similar to the Contoure convection microwave that Escape installs. If so, there are supposed to be four screws that fasten the trim piece to the side of the microwave before the trim piece is fastened to the face of the cabinet. As long as those four screws are secure, the microwave cannot shift in the way your’s has. The screws are 8 X 1/4”, or 8 X 1/2” pan head screws. I purchased the Contoure microwave separately, as I wanted the air-fry option (the dimensions were the same as the one Escape installs (non air-fry). When I went to install mine, the four screws were missing, and I had to email Contoure to determine the correct size to purchase at a local hardware store.

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by RF Paul

I cannot tell from the photo what brand your microwave is, but it looks very similar to the Contoure convection microwave that Escape installs. If so, there are supposed to be four screws that fasten the trim piece to the side of the microwave before the trim piece is fastened to the face of the cabinet. As long as those four screws are secure, the microwave cannot shift in the way your’s has. The screws are 8 X 1/4”, or 8 X 1/2” pan head screws. I purchased the Contoure microwave separately, as I wanted the air-fry option (the dimensions were the same as the one Escape installs (non air-fry). When I went to install mine, the four screws were missing, and I had to email Contoure to determine the correct size to purchase at a local hardware store.

That would explain it.