Rhonda, I'm thinking you'll have to remove the cabinets above the stove so you can install the microwave so it's bottom is 18 inches above the stove top and box in the area above the microwave. If you can take a straight on photo of each the microwave and the stove area I'll see what I can mock up for you so you have a visual.
~Becky

anyone DIY remove a cabinet? UGH.. I think we are for now going to pass on the ORM...

here is a picture of what's there now, and it should be similar in at least flush or just slightly above the countertop.

{{!gwi}}

Rhonda, that should be doable. Let me get back to you tomorrow on this. I'm working toward bed now, but I'll look at our cabinets and ask hubby a few questions since we installed our own cabinets. If I remember correctly wall cabinets are attached to each other at the front braces so you'd have to remove the doors, or at least open them, to see where to unattach them. They are probably attached to the walls/studs too. The fan is most likely attached to the side cabinets and the one above it too. It being already hard wired would make it easier to hard wire you'll microwave if it's one ten.

Its a lot of work

We have paid extra for installation for this thing, like $200 extra!! BUT that would NOT include any carpentry work, so if I can talk to the installer and see what he thinks, maybe we can still do it. Just seems like a boat load of money to pay to have the range hood removed and the new one installed. BUT I admit that I actually did not ask the question about what if anything he'd do to the existing cabinets to make it work. It might? be why they charge so much to install it??? I dont know. I've got TODAY to figure it out, as they are supposed to deliver it all tomorrow and install saturday. I know as it is, it would NOT work, the Micro would be way too low.

rjinga - I doubt that there's anything you can do short of raising the cabinet. If it were me, I think I'd take the path of least resistance and ditch the ORM.

yep homersmom, that is clearly showing to be the answer. I will shop for a stainless hood to match and call it a day :)

thanks to all, I guess I knew the inevitable to be true. Without a major overhaul to cabinets and doors, there is no way it would work.

Good call. I can't imagine paying that much for an install the didn't solve your dilemma. In this home we have a wall oven with an open cabinet above it for a standard microwave. I'm cheap and built in micros are so very priced it's ridiculous. Good luck!