Replacing Built-in Whirlpool Microwave using same equipment

[@rz5541]

Thanks a ton for this video! I might be needing to do this soon and this was incredibly helpful

[@josephbrott8045]

I have the WMC30516HZ (built in, with trim kit like yours) and looked everywhere for a microwave that would fit in the cavity within my cabinets, but continued to run into the issue of the depth of the cavity being 18". I have been told by several people that microwaves are getting bigger and the ones that are built-in need more depth than that. I was at a loss until I came across your video. I just purchased a Panasonic NN-SC73LS from Home Depot, am going to install it tonight with the old trim kit from the Whirlpool model WMC30516HZ, just like your video. If it does I'm going to buy an extra Panasonic NN-SC73LS so I don't run into this issue again in 8-10 years! Thank you for the video, even if it doesn't work out.

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@josephbrott8045 hope it works

[@josephbrott8045]

@@InfiniteMishaps Update: this worked perfectly! I ended up buying an extra Panasonic NN-SC73LS so I can keep using the same trim kit and not run into this issue down the road! Appreciate your video!

[@360misc]

Thank for this - doing the same thing today! appreciate your real-time approach vs. fast forwarding too much.

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@360misc glad it helped!

[@360misc]

@@InfiniteMishapsconfirming all worked perfectly - thanks again!

[@Altim-lu5nx]

freaking unbelivable - had the same microwave and the lights died...went to home depot and got the panasonic. my wife and I had it changed out in 15 min. than you so much

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@Altim-lu5nx glad it helped!

[@jessicalnicholas]

I am a single Mom hoping I can do this by myself! My Whirlpool WMC30516AS died and I just bought the Panasonic NN-SC73LS to replace. I am a little worried because I'm not very "handy" and the Panasonic says it's a countertop and not a built-in? (It isn't returnable either!) It gets here tomorrow - wish me luck and thank you so much for posting this video and helping an old lady out!

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@jessicalnicholas good luck. It’s pretty easy compared to other appliances I’ve done before. Both the model I replaced and the model I replaced it with are considered countertop models.

[@LelandF.Willis]

This was a great video and exactly right, Everything fit just right! Holes lined up -- everything was as shown on the video. Just remember to unlock the door on the Panasonic , The directions are glued to the outside of the door. It comes with the child lock on apparently. I bought the Panasonic at Home Depot for $239 on 10/08/24 and installed it on 10/09/24 . Noo Issues at all!. for $239. for $239. Thank so much.

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@LelandF.Willis glad to hear 👂 it

[@berts4877]

You are lucky it was that easy. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the 2.2 Cu Ft microwaves. I have a KitchenAid (which is a brand of Whirlpool) KMCS3022GSS microwave with a similar trim kit as in the video. The turntable didn't work and some of the digit segments on the display don't light up. I bought a Panasonic NN-SN97HS microwave attempting to replace it. What I found is that the height of the Panasonic was about a 1/4" too tall so it wouldn't fit through the trim piece opening. The feet on the bottom of the Panasonic were spread a bit wider than the Kitchenaid. Faced with either trying to somehow modify the existing trim kit or spend an additional $240+ for a Panasonic trim kit (about 50% more than the price of the microwave itself) and still having to modify the cabinet opening to use it, I decided to see if I could fix the KitchenAid. I ended up getting a replacement turntable motor (about $13 on Amazon) which fixed the turntable, and we will live with the display as I didn't see anything simple to solve that short of replacing the control panel which would have cost over $100 if I could even find a good source. Looking online it seems that even Similarly sized Whirlpool / KitchenAid microwaves available now are taller than mine and use a different trim kit. The Panasonic is being returned to Costco.

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@berts4877 sounds like I got really lucky 🍀. Hope you are able to get it figured out over time.

[@Ram-i3y3l]

PPanasonic NN-SC73LS is a counter top model with restriction on the space around it. Would it work okay as built in with those restrictions?

[@InfiniteMishaps]

I didn’t show it in the video but there is quite a bit of extra space around it. Also, the model I replaced was the same type of counter top microwave.

[@SaraMcGee-kd4ke]

Was your whirlpool microwave the WMC30516HZ

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@@SaraMcGee-kd4ke from what I gathered WMC30516AS and/or WMC30516HZ are the same size. One is a newer version than the other. I can’t remember which one was first, but I believe mine was the older version: WMC30516HZ. Shouldn’t make a difference for the install. If you find that it does, please let me know. Thanks

[@Ram-i3y3l]

@@InfiniteMishaps WMC30516AS is the older version of WMC30516HZ as I understand.

[@InfiniteMishaps]

@ I believe so, in my case the old and still old but newer version were no longer for purchase. Which is why I had to find a replacement that fits the same space and hardware. I got lucky with it I guess, as counter top microwaves greatly in size.