What Is Trim Kit For Microwave Oven? Definition & Top 5 Best Microwave Trim Kit

Microwave ovens come with Trim Kits to give them a neat arrangement and aesthetic appeal after mounting. The design also promotes airflow, which is required for all microwaves for effective operation. This guide will discuss the microwave oven Trim Kit, its purpose, sizes, and whether you need one for your appliance.

A Trim Kit is relevant if you install a built-in microwave in your new kitchen. Also, if you want to change your microwave oven from a countertop to a built-in design, you will require the Trim Kit to give your installation a clean finish. But let’s first understand what a trim kit for a microwave oven is.

What Is A Trim Kit?

A Trim Kit is a small frame that includes three ducts; the upper, lower, and rear, which attaches to and encases your microwave inside the cabinetry cutout. It comes unassembled with several other parts discussed further in this guide.

Before we move on, you need to understand that Trim Kits are not standard and come with different designs which match specific microwave models.

So, when looking out for a Trim Kit, you must first consider the model you have in your house. That gives you the right design, dimensions, color, and aesthetics. 

Also, you don’t have to worry about the Trim Kit for a built-in microwave as the manufacturer includes the equipment in the appliance packaging.

The correct Trim Kit will match your countertop or built-in microwave oven and provide you with the required airflow.

That said, A Trim Kit is a corresponding attachment that gives your built-in microwave oven an integrated flashy look in the cabinetry. The Trim Kit also helps you transform your countertop microwave oven into a built-in range.

The Trim Kit design flawlessly arranges a microwave oven inside cabinetry to give you the desired built-in effect. This design includes panels with side, bottom, and down layers that, when you assemble, give you a box with a space for fitting in your oven. 

To emphasize further, built-in microwave Trim Kits are readily available for all models. However, if you want to convert your countertop microwave oven into a built-in, you have to consider the model as some countertop models cannot transform into built-in ovens. 

With such a microwave in your kitchen, you have limited choices. You may have to put up a countertop design until its life ends or upgrade to a newer built-in model.

At A Glance! The 5 Best Microwave Trim Kit

Trim Kit – Is It Really Necessary?

If you intend to have a built-in microwave design or convert your countertop into a built oven, you will require a Trim Kit. The built-in microwave comes with the equipment necessary to finish the edges. 

Countertop microwave ovens do not come with Trim Kits. You have to make a separate order. The model’s availability will depend on microwave ovens that do not have Trim Kits

If you are lucky to have a Trim Kit design available in stores, you will flawlessly transform your countertop design into a built-in appliance. But what are the benefits? Is it really necessary? Have a look;

To Improve Ventilation

Microwave Trim Kits come with ventilation, so you do not need to install extra vents. Once you buy your equipment and install it properly, it will work effectively as a trim frame to give your oven great aesthetics and ventilation. The air will vent out through the top and from the sides.

During installation, take care not to block the vents. Blockages can cause your microwave to malfunction and even cause extreme damages to your appliance. Be sure to provide a one-inch clearance beyond the edge of the frame. That allowance will allow proper airflow.

If your microwave oven is the 27″ model, give 1 1/8″ allowance at the top,1 1/4″ at the bottom, and 1 1/16″ on the sides. The allowance will allow an overlap of the Trim Frame over the ends of the cabinet cutout.

On a 30′′ model, allow 1 1/8″ at the top, 2 1/16′′ at the bottom. The same applies to the sides for the overlap of the frame over the edges of the cabinet cutout.

To Give Your Microwave Oven The Built-In Effect

You do not have to stick with your countertop microwave oven design. It is possible to upgrade to a built-in effect.

To give your microwave oven the built-in effect, you need a frame known as a microwave Trim Kit. The kit is available in major home appliances stores and comes in many models and brands.

Whether it is Samsung, LG, GE, or any other type of microwave oven, you will find the right size and design to fit your appliance. 

To Create More Counter Space

A typical kitchen worktop has got several appliances, including a blender, toaster, microwave, and many more. Every time you add a new device to the already existing ones, the arrangement consumes counter space, leaving you with no room for preparing your ingredients. 

A Trim Kit for a microwave oven will solve this puzzle. It converts your countertop microwave to a built-in type, giving you a cute kitchen design and more counter space. Designers execute a Trim Kit in a simple installation on a cabinet opening in your kitchen.

Once the oven is out of your worktop, you will find it easy to maneuver around and enjoy your kitchen experiences.

  • Aesthetics

Your kitchen looks neat and flashy when you incorporate your countertop microwave in your cabinetry. The arrangement itself is aesthetic and considered is one of the most beautiful modern kitchen designs. 

  • Worktop space

No one likes working in a crowded kitchen worktop. A worktop with more than two appliances can be confusing and dangerous to work around. Plus, the sockets may not be enough to hold on to all the plugs. Mounting your microwave is necessary as it is compact and perfectly fits a cabinet.

  • Airflow

The fact is, you cannot stash your microwave in a cabinet and assume that you have a built-in effect. Apart from the aesthetics, your appliance has to vent. A failed ventilation damages microwaves as there is no sufficient airflow. You will find the vents on the sides and top. A Trim Kit will allow your microwave to vent appropriately.

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What Do You Get With A Trim Kit?

A Trim Kit comes as a trim frame with upper, lower, and rear ducts for attaching and encasing your appliance in your kitchen cabinetry cutout. 

When you buy the Trim Kit, it is usually unassembled and comes with several parts;

  1. Trim frame
  2. Bottom duct
  3. Anti-tip bracket
  4. Screws
  5. Side duct
  6. Bottom bracket
  7. Upper duct.

Assembling the above parts depends on the manufacturer’s guidelines. That shouldn’t be demanding. The results will be a box structure for fitting in your oven. First, go through your users’ manual to do the easy assembly as processes differ.

And as we mentioned earlier, Trim Kits are specific to models, but you will still find some microwaves sharing this piece of equipment. 

When buying the kit, ensure that the dimensions and color match your requirements. We recommend that you go for a specific brand that matches your oven model. You will find perfect Trim Kits for LG, Samsung, GE, Ramtons, et cetera. The ideal equipment will fit snuggly and give you a flawless look. 

Trim Kit Sizes

Major brands built-in capable countertop microwaves are available in 24″, 27″ and 30″ sizes. The Trim Kits also come in different sizes to fit your oven.

Usually, the opening of the assembled frame should be shorter in height than that of the oven. The reason is that only the oven’s face, excluding the feet, will be visible on the frame’s opening.  

Determining The Trim Kit Size

Most microwave brands offer 27″ and 30″ wide Trim Kit options. These measurements will always reflect on the Quick Specs or the online product guide.

To get the right trim frame size, consider the width from one side to the other and not diagonally. That is the 27″ or 30″ width of the outside dimensions of the Trim Kit.

Note that the difference between the 27″ Trim Kit and the 30″ one is only the frame. Everything else, including the upper and lower ducts, are the same.

As you consider the microwave installations, be careful with the Trim Kit width, matching the ovens. And that includes 27″ or 30″ wall oven installations. 

We hope that will help you determine the right Trim Kit size for your oven. If you cannot capture the measurements adequately, contact your technician or us to get you the right fixture.

What Is Included In A Microwave Trim Kit?

A standard microwave Trim Kit is a frame that comes with several components. Each manufacturer tries to have the best pieces in the packaging as much as possible. But there are several parts that you will find included in a microwave Trim Kit;

  • Trim frame
  • Bottom duct
  • Anti-tip bracket
  • Screws
  • Side duct
  • Bottom bracket
  • Upper duct

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Conclusion

A Trim Kit for the microwave oven gives your appliance an excellent finish. The kit allows you to mount your oven and, at the same time, saves your kitchen worktop space.

If you opt to have your microwave on a shelve or cabinet, the kit offers sufficient ventilation to allow airflow. With the provisions, your appliance will enjoy a long life and at the same time give you tranquility as you don’t have to keep on moving your oven.

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