Empty area above microwave

[LiteFoot]

Hi everyone,

In my Cougar there is an empty space above the microwave(in theory) where I could put a few things. What's the best way to "knock out" the piece of wood covering the opening? I'm afraid to just give it a shove unless that's the standard way to remove it. Your input is appreciated!

Ryan

[GaryWT]

Look for screws or something holding it in place. Don't just push it as there could be something tucked away back there but it is probably a nice storage spot.

[JRTJH]

Our XLite had a panel above the microwave. I removed the microwave (4 screws and one plug) to be sure there was nothing behind the panel, used a 2x4x6" block and a hammer. I tapped lightly around the perimeter of the luan panel until it started separating from the framework. It is held in place by staples and with Keystone's fond love of staples, there were probable 75-100 holding that panel in place. After removal, I used the space to build a spice rack.

[ReadyToRoll]

Ours has a cabinet above the microwave but is so high that it required a stool to use. So, purchased a swing down spice rack and after installing a false floor (1/2" plywood), mounted the rack. As there was still about an 18" space above the rack, put up two upright pieces of 3/4 board about 6" width. Drilled 1" holes about 1 1/2 inches from the top and installed a 1" dowel with hooks fashioned with 1/8 inch welding rod to hang all of our pans. I can reach the pans with a grabber. Put the cupboard shelf non slip fabric over each pan by cutting a slot in a folded piece at the center to fit the pot handle. Last trip through the mountains, everything rode like advertised.

[LaTundra]

I have the same empty space above my microwave. DW put a large gumbo pot on the stove, but couldn't stir because there was not enough room. I'm planning on moving the micro/power vent up 6 inches. This will give DW plenty of stirring room.
Gotta have my gumbo!

[JRTJH]

LaTundra,

If your range hood is vented to the outside, you'll have to reposition the vent hole in the outside wall. That may prove to be an issue. Have you thought about how you'll work around that? Our range hood is also just a tad bit too low and we're unable to use our Coleman coffee maker on the stove, but we worked around that when dry camping by just perking coffee outside every morning.

I just couldn't devise a "simple" method to cover the existing hole and move the vent up 6", cut a new hole and make the outside wall look like it didn't have a big "patch job" on it.

[Steve S]

John that's a really nice spice rack that you made, it's giving me ideas

[LaTundra]

I pulled out the micowave. Both the micro and stovevent are vented inside, no outside vent.

[LiteFoot]

Thanks for the posts everyone. I'm going to give it a shot in the next few days and see what happens. That area is probably too high for the wife to reach, but well within mine. May have to keep my chocolate stash up there.

Ryan

[dwayneb236]

Here's mine. Not as nice as JRTJH but the wife likes it.

[LaTundra]

Showed DW John's spice rack. Big mistake! Now she wants a spice rack instead. She says that if I want gumbo, I'm gonna have to stir the pot myself!