Hood, there it is. For the past few weeks our kitchen has been in a bit of a “hood… there it isn’t” state.
We removed the over-the-range microwave before painting the kitchen and planned to replace it as part of our Phase 1 refresh. The microwave was the only appliance we intended to change right away because it dominated the space above the stove and we prefer the performance of range hoods to microwaves with vents. For now we switched to a stainless countertop microwave that we’ll eventually install inside the pantry once an outlet is added there. That left us without over-the-stove ventilation.
Because this hood would be temporary—we’ll likely install a more permanent exposed hood in Phase 2—we didn’t want to spend much. Craigslist turned up several affordable options under $30, which fit our plan to resell it later if needed. When a clean white 30-inch hood listed for $25 appeared, it seemed like the perfect fit: the right color, the right size for our cooktop, and a top-vent configuration that matched our ductwork.
The hood didn’t include the usual mounting hardware, so we had to engineer a mounting solution. That was intimidating at first, especially after the extra work involved with a previous Craigslist hood. Thankfully this install aligned well with our existing setup: the hood could vent out the top or the back, and the rectangular opening on top lined up with the existing duct opening inside the cabinet. I sealed the unused rear vent opening with proper silver HVAC tape.
There were already wires in the wall where they needed to be, so no electrician was required. I popped out a small metal tab to create an access point and pulled the wires into the hood’s electrical box for connection.
One small complication was a lip under the cabinet that prevented screwing the hood directly into the cabinet bottom. My solution was simple: I built a pair of wooden mounting blocks from scrap wood and screwed them into either side of the cabinet underside. The hood could then attach to those blocks and look flush from the front.
The part I was most worried about was holding the hood in place while fastening and wiring it. I found a helpful how-to tip: clamp a thin 1 x 2″ scrap across the opening to support the hood temporarily. It required removing one cabinet door briefly, but that made the install manageable and much safer—no sweaty juggling required. The hood rested in place well enough that I didn’t need a screw-in back brace, which avoided extra holes in the wall.
With the hood supported, I raised it until the top sat flush against the wood blocks and verified from inside the upper cabinet that the duct sat correctly over the exhaust collar. After sealing the joint with more tape for a secure fit, I fastened the hood through its keyhole openings using screws and washers. These attachment points were accessible after removing the two filter screens.
Once the four mounting screws were secured (front and back on each side), I completed the electrical connections inside the hood’s junction box. The entire process—from cutting the blocks to final wiring—took about 45 minutes, not counting time spent taking pictures. Most of that time was spent finding and sizing scrap wood for the mounting blocks.
This isn’t the most elegant installation on the internet, but for $25 and under an hour of work we’re thrilled to have functional ventilation again. The bulky microwave is gone and the stove feels less cramped. We plan to sell the microwave, likely recouping the hood’s cost, so this Phase 1 swap stays budget-friendly.
We both love the little halogen lights built into the hood—they throw a nice glow until we add under-cabinet lighting. It’s a small detail, but it brightens up the work area and feels like a real upgrade.
In short, this tiny corner of the kitchen went from cluttered and cramped to clean and functional. Next up: floating shelves along the sink wall and tackling cabinet painting, which we hope to start over the holiday break and finish in the new year.
Have you ever swapped a vented microwave for a hood? Was the process stressful or straightforward? It’s always a relief when a project you worry about turns out to be simple and effective—far better than those “easy” projects that derail halfway through.