Expert: Jamie Yocono - 7/13/2007

Question
We have taken the exhaust fan/light down from above our stove and we now want to install a microwave/fan in  it's place. How do we go about cutting the kitchen cabinet shorter to allow for the clearance needed for the microwave to stove ratio? Do we have to take that section of cabinet off the wall and shorten it or do we somehow shorten it while still attacked to wall?
Thank You, Susan and Jim

Answer
Hi Susan and Jim,

Without seeing your kitchen, it's a little difficult for me to give you exact advice regarding the cabinet above your stove. I have that exact setup above my stove, so I am quite familiar with what you want to do. But cabinets are installed differently, depending upon who is doing it.

I have a couple of ideas. First, it's pretty much impossible to shorten that cabinet in place, so you're going to need to remove it. If you're lucky, it's screwed in place. Screws are obviously easier to remove than nails. So look for some screws that hold it in place. Those screws would be along the back, in the upper horizontal area, which would hold the upper rail in place against the wall. Look for some sort of fasteners that line up with your studs, if you can figure out where they are. Studs are usually located right next to an electrical box, so that's a good starting place.

Next, there are probably some screws into the cabinets on either side.  These are to hold the cabinets all together, so there is no gap in between them. Remove those.

Last, there could be some fasteners in the lower rail. These would also line up with the studs. And- just to be sure, look at the interior of the cabinet for fasteners that might go up into the ceiling. I've seen that a few times.

Before you cut that last fastener loose, make sure that you've braced that cabinet so that if it falls, it doesn't land on your foot. I don't think it's going to come out that easily, but just in case......

If you manage to remove all these fasteners, the cabinet will be free to be removed. Sometimes, grease, heat and grime will fuse the cabinets together, so it may take a couple of wacks with a mallet to loosen it. If not, try a pry bar along the back, using the stability of a stud, to tip it loose.

Once you remove it, you'll need to shorten it. I have no idea if you have access to tools, nor did you mention if you have the skills to build a new one. These cabinets are usually 30" wide, and 12" deep. The height depends on if you have a soffit or not.  If I were doing this, I would remove the doors, and then take the "box" to my tablesaw, cutting it down. I would probably shorten it from the bottom. That way, when you put it back in place, the upper rail screw holes will be reusable.

There are two types of cabinets- face frame cabinets, and euro style, with no face frame. If you have a face frame, I would remove it first, and then cut it down and use it for the new, shorter cabinet. Obviously, the bottom of the cabinet should have a strong joint, like a dado. In fact, what you're cutting off from the bottom probably is a dado. But it's going to be hard to build the shortened cabinet properly, like the original. You're going to need to be resourceful, because it's hard for me to give you exact advice without actually seeing it.

You might even consider buying one, they are usually available at home improvement centers, like Home Depot or Lowes. Basically, this cabinet is just a box with doors on it. You won't see very much of the cabinet, just the doors. So shortening it (luckily) doesn't take a great deal of skill, just some tools and some courage to cut the thing up!

Remember- if you shorten the cabinet, you're going to have to shorten the doors, too. I think working on the cabinet will be easy compared to altering the doors. If you're lucky, the door design will be one that's readily available. You didn't mention where you both live, but if you're in the western part of the country, you might check out California Doors (www.caldoor.com) and se if then have a design that might work for you. I've purchased many doors from them, and the build great doors, for a fair price. I'm just guessing here, but I would say those doors will run you about $40-50 a piece. It's based on door complexity, wood specie, and size.

If you're closer to the east coast, check out this door company- www.maplecraftusa.com. They're located in Pennsylvania. I used to use them when I lived in Ohio. Remember, shipping is expensive, so it's wise to buy doors from a supplier close to you. I'm just using these two examples, but there are hundreds of door companies out there. Let your fingers do the walking!

If this answer doesn't help, write back at tell me (more precisely) what information you need, and I'll try to help again. Good luck, it's not a difficult job, just a pain in the neck! Remember- the doors will make or break the "look" of this job. So do what you can (by yourself) and let the pros do what they do best.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com