How to Remove a Range Hood

Besides filling in the gap between your cabinets and your oven range, range hoods serve three primary roles in the kitchen. They're a source of light above your range, they help to eliminate the heat, steam and odors and they help prevent grease from accumulating in other parts of your kitchen--but, if you are updating your kitchen's design--the last thing you want is for that old range hood sticking out like a dirty thumb. Here's how to remove it so you can either install a newer model or replace it with an over-the-range microwave and move forward with your brand-new kitchen design and makeover.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdrivers
• Voltage tester
• 2-by-4 (about 50 inches long)
• 2 clamps
• Cordless drill
• Knife

1. Turn off the power to the range hood by turning off the circuit breaker in the electrical panel.

2. Remove the filter, the light cover and the light bulb from the range hood.

3. To the left or right of the light you should see a metal plate cover. Remove the screws and take away the cover. Underneath should be the wiring assembly.

4. Test the wires to make sure the correct circuit is off. For this job, a touch-type voltage tester works best. All you have to do is press and hold the button on the tester and hold it up to the black wire inside the junction box.

5. If the line is dead, disconnect the wiring by removing the wire connectors and pulling the wires apart. If the circuit's ground wire is held under a ground screw, loosen it and remove the wire.

6. At the back of the range hood wire assembly box you will see where the feed wires enter the body of the unit. Remove the lock nut that is holding the wires in place.

7. Take the 2-by-4 and span it across the front part of the range hood, using the clamps to secure it to the cabinets on each side of the hood. This brace will act as an extra pair of hands when you are removing the screws that are holding the hood in place.

8. Before you begin removing screws, check to make sure that the bottom of the range hood was not previously caulked. If it was caulked, take a sharp knife and score it all the way around so it will be easier to remove.

9. Remove the screws that are securing the range hood to the cabinets. This is when having a cordless drill at the ready could greatly improve your efficiency.

10. Hold the hood up and have a helper release the clamps and remove the 2-by-4 brace. Then, remove the range hood carefully, making sure that the wires come out of the backside.

Tips & Warnings

• Always turn the power off before working on any electrical appliance or circuit.
• If you have any reservations about working on electricity, even when it is off, please call an electrician to do the job.

[karileighk]

on 6/24/2009 I'll remember this..