Front bezel on my microwave convection was broken and the fan and light no longer could be used so while the microwave itself continued to work well it was time to change it out.
Sharp Model 1874t from Lowe's $550. Almost the exact same replacement as the one hanging now. Only this one is stainless steel. Removing the old microwave involved taking out a few screws that or screwed into the top cabinet and two bolts one on either side that screw into the back mounting plate. Those screws are under the grease filters. Once they're loosened the microwave hinges down and you remove it. the new back plate was the same as the old back plate but I changed it out anyway. Putting the new microwave on involved the reverse. You hinge the microwave back and up and then tighten those screws. However I had a heck of a time getting them to line up properly and actually stripped out the ones that came with the new microwave . These were cheap zinc coated soft metal screws. I went down to the old one remove the screws from it and all was well. These screws are about 18 or 20 in long I guess at least. Once in I had to put three screws up into the wood cabinet there were no holes for that so I just used the screws that I had and it drilled right through the metal. All in all it was a fairly easy job but I had my son Luke there to help me and he's pretty strong. Took about an hour and a half total maybe although I wasn't really watching the time .
For what it is worth:
The DW has always disliked stainless steel appliances due to their propensity to show fingerprints whenever they are touched.
I showed her how to NOT leave fingerprints on our new microwave.
USE YOUR KNUCKLES (less oil than fingertips)
Yeah the previous one didn't show any fingerprints but it also broke very easily the bezel was thin plastic and because of that I had to change the microwave. But that's okay. I really like these Sharp convection microwaves so they can do a lot. Just if you do buy one look at the instructions in the directions but repeat what you have already installed. It can be installed with a exterior vent in a house but of course in the coach can't do that, but it comes out of the box equipped for recycling versus venting the air . Also remember that there is a carbon filter inside there that's supposed to be changed every 6 to 9 months I think. I don't know when the last time mine was changed but it certainly wasn't the last few years.
I installed the aforementioned Sharp 1874T 3years ago or so. It's on the 2nd touch pad and it's not working now. Not too happy with Sharp. Customer service is non existent.
I didn't know about the carbon filter. Why can't it be exhaust to the outside.
Very timely. I'm about to replace ours that just quit on Monday.
Rich
Beautiful job and exactly what I want to do...getting rid of the white ugly one and going with stainless. Although the fridge still works, I suspect I will have to change out the fridge too. I will go with the 18 Cu Ft Samsung IN STAINLESS as well. By the way your backsplash looks fantastic. Any more pics and rebuild info on that ?
Peter
Thanks Peter. I got it from Lowe's. There is a thread on it if you search on my thread on changing countertops. I believe I put the info in there although I'm not too sure now.
As far as exhausting it outside I guess you could if you wanted to cut a hole in the side of your coach but they're not set up for that. I guess you could also exhausted into the refrigerator vent but again it's not set up for that and you would lose the storage above the microwave. That's why they recirculate and then get sucked up by the fan above the microwave. I've always liked sharp products and haven't had any issues necessarily with it but Samsung makes a great product as well. I wouldn't like the handle on it though sticking out I prefer not to have that.
There's a recent threat about changing out the convection microwave to just a plain microwave. Not really sure why you would do that unless you already had a oven in your coach. I find the convection extremely useful. All my sticks and bricks house that I just sold I put in a Bosch 800 series convection microwave that thing was nothing but trouble. I had to replace the micro switches three times. The sharp stay last for a long time
Very happy with our Samsung Convection/Microwave! Easy change out! Now, it matches our new Samsung residential fridge!
?
Our (now Dan's) 2003 was/is definitely exhausted to the outside. I seem to recall it was one of the 2 roof ducts, the other being for the fridge. Perhaps FT changed installation practices at some point?
Yup, ours vents out the top and has its own roof duct for it. A very nice feature of this era coach. Just replaced ours with the GE Advantium to replace the original Advantium that died.
I guess you learned something new everyday huh? For me to vent mine to the roof I would have had to give up a cabinet and I don't really see the need for it since the fan is Right above it vents just fine that way.