How much clearance do you need to allow when installing a panasonic microwave inside a cabinet and installing a trim kit. The specified cabinet opening only allows about one half inch clearance top and bottom.

feel your way around with a fine blade

You will see two indentations on the left and right plastic pillars that join the top and bottom plastic grilles together. Insert a flat head screwdriver into these slots and gently prise the pillar away.
Both pillars simply slot into place and can be pulled off and pushed back on when you have replaced the microwave.
Once the two pillars are out, you will see the four retaining screws that will allow you to take off the top and bottom heat grilles. Job Done. Hope this helps

most over the range micos are secured by either 2 or 4 screws from above usually inside a cabinet or storage above remove those disconnect or pull away venting if vents above,, u willl need two people sometimes to help hold micro..... i would have to see the unit some might also have trim pieces if its more of a built in situation hope this helps

Sharp has a model 1214 that could work, but it is a little over 15" deep and will therefore not recess entirely into a 12" deep upper cabinet. I believe the install kit comes with it?

Head over to the manufacture's website.

www.searspartsdirect.com

Typically - they have a SUPPORT section that you enter your full model number in, and you can download the manual for free.

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Finally built up the courage to call GE Appliance number and weave my way through the phone menu system. Pressed the right menu option (sales) to speak to someone about trim kits. Found out that the trim kit model number is JX1527MWW. Then called back to select a different menu option (other) and learned from someone else that since the trim kit model is more than 1-2 years old, there's a slim-to-none chance any new microwave models will work with it, and even if there was they couldn't easily cross-reference against a model that old to tell me which one (or something to that effect). So I hit a dead end. Only option for me at this point is to buy a new microwave with new trim kit.

(Personal note: I think the trim kit business is a racket, in bed with the microwave manufacturers. Why else would there be no standard dimensions for microwaves by now--like refrigerators have--and why is it a few pieces of sheet metal cost over $150? Pretty convenient that every microwave model needs its own trim kit model!)

I would suggest that you contact GE Customer Service here.

We're happy to help you and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

You need the "Some Other Solution". Do Not mess with the MW Door Hinges! They have been set by the factory to safety requirement to prevent MW Radiation Leakage. Altering Door Hinge could place you and your Family in harm.

These are countertop units. If you do enclose it, be sure you ventilate it adequately. If is not designed to be enclosed.

The trim kit would be passively vented. I would contact the manufacturer's customer service peoiple for details. You may also need to ask to speak to a technician if the customer service folks can't fully answer your inquiry. See http://www.baumatic.co.uk