How to Install Side Brackets on a GE Dishwasher

How to Install Side Brackets on a GE Dishwasher

Dishwashers are normally mounted to the underside of a countertop to stop them from tipping forward onto the floor when the lower dish rack is pulled out, but if you have a countertop made of granite, marble or another type of stone, this may not be advisable. Stone countertops are difficult to drill into and crack easily. A better way to keep your GE dishwasher in place and your granite countertops intact is to side-mount the appliance to adjacent cabinets with side brackets.

Turn off Power Supply

1. If your dishwasher is already under your countertop, remove it before installing the side brackets. Turn off the water and electrical supply to the appliance. Open the dishwasher door and locate two plugs inside the compartment at the door opening. Use a utility knife to take the plugs off and take out the screw from either side with a Phillips head screwdriver. Replace the plugs and close the door. Slide the GE dishwasher out from under the countertop enough to give you access to both sides of the appliance.

Measure Cabinet Opening Height

2. Measure the height of your cabinet opening from the floor to the underside of the countertop where the dishwasher is to be installed. This lets you work out the right position for the side bracket's screw holes.

Line up Mounting Holes

3. Align the two mounting holes on the bracket with the two holes on the side of the dishwasher. If your machine has a long door and toe kick, position the bracket so the hook is pointing up. If it has a short door, toe kick and access panel, the hook of the bracket should point down.

Attach Side Brackets

4. Secure the side-mounting brackets to the dishwasher with the mounting screws, using the Phillips screwdriver.

Put Dishwasher in Place

5. Carefully slide the dishwasher back under the countertop, making sure the side brackets do not hit the cabinets on either side. If your bracket hooks are pointing up, position the dishwasher so that the door is flush with the front face of the cabinets. If your bracket hooks are pointing down, position the dishwasher so that the wood-mounting screw as it passes through the slot in the side mounting bracket, hits the center of the cabinet wood.

Attach Dishwasher to Cabinets

6. Use your drill to make holes in the cabinet in position with the mounting holes on the bracket. Screw the screws you removed in Step 1 through the side brackets and into the holes. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes 1/2-inch deep into the cabinets. Fasten the brackets to the sides of the cabinets using the wood-mounting screws.

Warning

Wear safety goggles and gloves when using a drill.

Drive screws straight and flush to avoid protruding screw heads, which may scratch the top or sides of the control panel and can interfere with the door closing.