Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet

shapeshifter · 10-17-2007, 06:16 PM

I finally snagged a dishwasher and we need to know how to go about removing the existing kitchen cabinet. I can post pictures later if needed. The cabinets are site built and there are no seams between the individual cabinets. It has a drawer and a middle and lower shelf.

Any advice or 'thou shalt nots' will be appreciated.

[Water supply and electrical are no problem.]

MinConst · 10-17-2007, 06:57 PM

Well, basically you need to cut out a 24" section. You say they are built in. Is that last year or 40 years ago? With no joints you will need to make one or two pretty precise cuts depending on if your DW placement is in between cabs or at the end. You can also cut the opening an inch larger and cover the cuts with corner moulding. Depending on the top is fastened could present another problem. Many tops were nailed screwed into the cabs from the top. If this is the case you will either have to break away the cabs (bad idea) or cut the fasteners with a sawzall.
Once you have the opening it jut a matter of running the electric and plumbing. You said no problem there.
Don't forget to support the counter top if this DW is going on the end.

shapeshifter · 10-17-2007, 07:32 PM

I really appreciate your feed-back. Actually the house is 24 years old. The D/W will be sitting between two cabinets so I hope the counter top won't be an issue. Anyway, it's a cheezy old formica top and will be replaced next year. And I'm thinking the sawzall will be what we have to use.

I would expect we would 1st remove the drawer from the cabinet, draw our horizontal lines on the shelves and vertical lines cabinet face [minding the bubble, of course.] Then I would expect we would 1st remove the middle shelf. Since the shelf is one long piece that extends into the next cabinet, the remainder will have to be braced some how. Will it be enough to just add a cleat to the back side of the front of the cabinet beneath the shelf? All it holds is some bake ware, no great amount of weight.

I would expect that actually removing the cabinet face would be next and the lower shelf, and kickspace last.

MinConst · 10-17-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shapeshifter

I really appreciate your feed-back. Actually the house is 24 years old. The D/W will be sitting between two cabinets so I hope the counter top won't be an issue. Anyway, it's a cheezy old formica top and will be replaced next year. And I'm thinking the sawzall will be what we have to use.

I would expect we would 1st remove the drawer from the cabinet, draw our horizontal lines on the shelves and vertical lines cabinet face [minding the bubble, of course.] Then I would expect we would 1st remove the middle shelf. Since the shelf is one long piece that extends into the next cabinet, the remainder will have to be braced some how. Will it be enough to just add a cleat to the back side of the front of the cabinet beneath the shelf? All it holds is some bake ware, no great amount of weight.

You will want to fasten this shelf support in the front and rear. You can screw right through the front by counter sinking the screws a bit and filling with wood putty, if you want to paint this after. Or you could use some small angle irons with short screws from the back of the front panel.

I would expect that actually removing the cabinet face would be next and the lower shelf, and kickspace last.

Sounds like a plan. Just go slow, try not to break anything that has to stay. Also you can cut the fronts a bit over if you have a sander and then sand to the line to make a nice clean line.

My comments are in red. I had to add this to make the forum software happy.

shapeshifter · 10-18-2007, 10:27 AM

This question is probably a little late to ask but when the dishwasher is described as 24" wide, is that the part that fits into the cabinet, or the part that you see from the front? [We are purchasing the dishwasher 2nd hand, it was a deal we could not refuse!]

Thanks.

Cole · 10-18-2007, 04:50 PM

On a job next week, we are retrofitting a dishwasher into existing lower cabinets.

I will post pics during and when we are done!

shapeshifter · 10-18-2007, 05:01 PM

Wow, that would be great! If possible, can we see before-and-after pix?

Cole · 10-18-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shapeshifter

Wow, that would be great! If possible, can we see before-and-after pix?

Sure can, I will take before and after photos.

shapeshifter · 10-18-2007, 06:46 PM

I just noticed, you guys are just up the street from me, IH 35, that is

Knucklez · 03-16-2008, 02:05 PM

where did you post the before/after pics?

10-17-2007, 06:16 PM	#1
shapeshifter Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Texas Posts: 246	Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet I finally snagged a dishwasher and we need to know how to go about removing the existing kitchen cabinet. I can post pictures later if needed. The cabinets are site built and there are no seams between the individual cabinets. It has a drawer and a middle and lower shelf. Any advice or 'thou shalt nots' will be appreciated. [Water supply and electrical are no problem.]

10-17-2007, 06:57 PM	#2
MinConst Remodeler Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Spring Hill FL. Posts: 436	Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet Well, basically you need to cut out a 24" section. You say they are built in. Is that last year or 40 years ago? With no joints you will need to make one or two pretty precise cuts depending on if your DW placement is in between cabs or at the end. You can also cut the opening an inch larger and cover the cuts with corner moulding. Depending on the top is fastened could present another problem. Many tops were nailed screwed into the cabs from the top. If this is the case you will either have to break away the cabs (bad idea) or cut the fasteners with a sawzall. Once you have the opening it jut a matter of running the electric and plumbing. You said no problem there. Don't forget to support the counter top if this DW is going on the end. __________________ Minichillo's Construction I will never leave you hanging! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-17-2007, 07:32 PM	#3
shapeshifter Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Texas Posts: 246	Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet I really appreciate your feed-back. Actually the house is 24 years old. The D/W will be sitting between two cabinets so I hope the counter top won't be an issue. Anyway, it's a cheezy old formica top and will be replaced next year. And I'm thinking the sawzall will be what we have to use. I would expect we would 1st remove the drawer from the cabinet, draw our horizontal lines on the shelves and vertical lines cabinet face [minding the bubble, of course.] Then I would expect we would 1st remove the middle shelf. Since the shelf is one long piece that extends into the next cabinet, the remainder will have to be braced some how. Will it be enough to just add a cleat to the back side of the front of the cabinet beneath the shelf? All it holds is some bake ware, no great amount of weight. I would expect that actually removing the cabinet face would be next and the lower shelf, and kickspace last.

10-18-2007, 10:27 AM	#5
shapeshifter Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Texas Posts: 246	Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet This question is probably a little late to ask but when the dishwasher is described as 24" wide, is that the part that fits into the cabinet, or the part that you see from the front? [We are purchasing the dishwasher 2nd hand, it was a deal we could not refuse!] Thanks.

10-18-2007, 04:50 PM	#6
Cole Mod / ArchiBuilder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 263	Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet On a job next week, we are retrofitting a dishwasher into existing lower cabinets. I will post pics during and when we are done!

Install a dishwasher in an existing kitchen cabinet