(not a pro) oh wow - I'm sorry that's happening to you! Looks like you have a flush mount, and Sharp does make a deflector kit for flush mounting. Google it and ask whoever ordered and installed it for you.

Here's a link to the install guide: Deflector Kit

Chicagoans, thank you so much for that information and link! I can't believe I didn't think to Google for a deflector, even though I asked about deflectors in my post (slaps forehead). It looks like it's easy enough to install, so maybe I'll order one and give it a try. Unfortunately, our contractor has retired since we finished this project four or five years ago. He's a good guy and would definitely have had one of his carpenters come back to remedy this, so I'm lamenting his decision, though he lives in the neighborhood so I suppose I could accidentally run into him while walking the dog. :)

Our poor contractor, and former neighbor, was probably jumping for joy when we sold our home last year!!! 😂 For 14 years, my husband called him for advice whenever we had a house problem.

This post is interesting to me because we have ordered the same microwave drawer for our new build. We will have inset cabinets. Not sure if this drawer will be flush or not.

Does the reflector kit automatically come with the microwave packaging, or does it need to be ordered separately?

nhb22, it looks to me like it needs to be ordered separately. I ordered the appliances for our remodel and gave the information to the contractor (and his cabinetmaker) so they could plan accordingly, but the need for a deflector never came up, and I'm guessing if it were included with the unit they'd have installed it. Looking online, it's a separate item that's available from lots of sources. Now I'm curious if the installation manual for the microwave itself highlights the need for this. It's strange--the discoloration was very apparent when I took the photos, but now it's hard to see.

I would not bring that up to the contractor. It was up to you to buy the deflector. The cabinet dealer needs the information to order the cabinets and make the cutouts correctly to spec. Also, looks like you have a standard installation, not a flush install. A flush install means it is FLUSH with the framework....if this matters or not.

@nhb22: "Does the reflector kit automatically come with the microwave packaging"

No, and the the instructions on how to install it are included only with it, the Flush Mount Kit.

Thanks Kompy, it, strangely enough, looks like it's sort of half-flush, but maybe that's just a standard install with the overlay drawer thickness added to the face of the cabinet box. I just now ordered the deflector from the local store where I got the appliances. I can pick it up tomorrow and all will be well. :)

I'm guessing if it were included with the unit they'd have installed it.

It seems that with each home build, I find parts in appliance boxes, or other types of equipment boxes, that were never installed. 🙄

wdccruise - Thank you for the link. I will find out if I will need it.

AvatarWalt - Could it be that the wood was still hot with steam on it when you took the picture?