How to Remove Old Metal Kitchen Cabinets

Remodeling your kitchen can be an exciting project that allows you to update the look and feel of one of the most important rooms in your home. However, removing old metal kitchen cabinets can be a challenging process, especially if they are outdated or damaged. With some planning, elbow grease, and the right tools, you can successfully remove your old metal cabinets and prepare your kitchen for a whole new look.

Assessing Your Old Metal Cabinets

Before you begin demolition, take some time to fully assess the state of your old metal cabinets. Here are a few things to evaluate:

• Age of the cabinets – Older metal cabinets from the 1970s or earlier tend to be made with thinner gauge metal that can dent and warp more easily. Newer cabinets may be easier to remove intact.
• Installation method – Were the metal cabinets installed right on top of flooring or mounted on a base? This will impact how you need to remove them.
• Damage or wear – Check for rust, dents, broken hinges/doors, and separation from walls. This can make removal more difficult.
• Cabinet contents – Remove everything from inside the cabinets and drawers before starting demo. This includes shelves, racks, and other hardware.

Taking stock of the current state of your old metal kitchen cabinets will help you plan out the best method for removal and ensure you have the right tools.

Gather the Right Tools and Materials

Removing metal kitchen cabinets requires some specific tools to avoid injury and unnecessary damage. Having the right equipment on hand will make the process smoother. Recommended items include:

• Pry bar – A sturdy pry bar is essential for loosening cabinets from walls and prying off any nail strips or metal edging. Look for one 24 inches or longer.
• Hammer – A claw hammer helps knock cabinets loose and remove any stubborn nails or screws. Use a heavy 16 oz or larger size.
• Screwdrivers – Have Phillips and flat head screwdrivers on hand to remove any screws securing cabinets together or to walls.
• Reciprocating saw – For cutting through cabinet nails, screws, or metal brackets, a reciprocating saw with metal blades is extremely helpful.
• Safety gear – Wear goggles, work gloves, dust mask, and ear protection when demolitioning cabinets.
• Drop cloths – Lay drop cloths below and around your workspace to catch fallen debris.
• Trash bags/bins – Have plenty of large garbage bags and a bag or bin nearby to quickly clear away cabinet pieces.
• Touch up materials – Filler, spackle, primer, and paint for patching holes or gashes left behind.

With these tools for removing metal cabinets, you’ll be fully prepped for the demolition ahead. Ensure any power tools are in good working order before getting started.

Shutting Off Water and Power Connections

Before removing metal kitchen cabinets, you need to locate and shut off any water lines or electrical wiring running to them. This is an essential safety step.

Here’s how to safely disconnect cabinets:

• Turn off water main – Locate the shut-off valve for the main water line entering your home and turn it to the closed position.
• Unplug appliances – Unplug any appliances integrated into your cabinets like dishwashers, garbage disposals, or specialty sinks.
• Shut power off at breaker – Switch the circuit breaker off for power running to cabinet lighting, outlets, or other electrical features.
• Disconnect plumbing and electric – Detach any water/drain lines, wiring, or conduit snaking into cabinets. Consult a pro if unsure.

Taking these precautions ensures water and electricity are safely turned off before removing metal kitchen cabinets. This prevents leaks or electrical hazards.

Taking Cabinets Off Walls and Out of Corners

With prep work complete, it’s time to dismantle the metal cabinets from your kitchen walls. Focus first on detaching any corner cabinets or problematic spots.

Removing Corner Cabinets

Corner cabinets can be tricky to remove due to their angled installation. Here are tips for taking them down safely:

• Use a pry bar inserted at the top corner seam to gently pop the cabinet off the wall. Take care not to bend the metal sides.
• Check inside upper and lower corners for any screws, brackets, or nails. Remove these first with a screwdriver or reciprocating saw.
• Once freed from the corner, carefully tilt and twist the cabinet to dislodge it. You may need to pry off trim or drag the unit along the wall to maneuver it out.
• Remove any screws left behind in the wall and cover holes with spackle. Sand smooth when dry.

Detaching Tricky Sections

For problem cabinet areas like around windows, ranges, or behind plumbing, use these techniques:

• Cut through any caulk beads, trim, or brackets surrounding cabinets with a utility knife.
• Use a pry bar to gently pop the cabinet free along the edges. Apply pressure evenly to avoid denting.
• If a cabinet will not detach from the wall, check inside for additional screws or nails to remove first.
• Use a reciprocating saw to cut through nail strips, metal edging, or screws that won’t budge.

Work methodically around problem areas to carefully free cabinets for removal before moving onto general demo.

Removing Remaining Cabinets

Once problem areas are clear, shift focus to systematically removing the remaining metal kitchen cabinets. Take these steps:

Step 1: Clear Cabinet Contents

• Remove all shelves, drawers, racks and other items from inside cabinets so the empty cases can be lifted out.

Step 2: Detach Door and Drawer Fronts

• Unscrew door and drawer fronts so they detach from cabinet frames. Set hardware aside for potential reuse or salvage.

Step 3: Unfasten From Neighboring Cabinets

• Locate all screws, nails, or brackets securing cabinets together. Remove these to detach units from each other.

Step 4: Lift Cabinets Off of Base or Wall

• For standalone cases, lift directly up and lower onto dolly for removal. For wall-mounted units, pry away from top first, then lift out.

Step 5: Remove Remaining Nails/Screws

• Pull any remaining nails out of walls with hammer or pliers. Remove all screws left behind.

Step 6: Clear Debris

• Dispose of removed cabinets and debris promptly to avoid clutter. Check for any hidden screws or hardware among fragments. With these steps, your old metal kitchen cabinets should lift free from walls and bases, allowing you to thoroughly clear the space.

Patching Up Walls and Flooring

Now that the demolition is done, you’ll likely have holes, gashes, nail marks, or other damage left behind on kitchen walls, flooring, and the cabinet base. Here are tips for patching things up:

Filling Holes

• Use spackle or drywall compound to fill any holes or gouges in walls left from removing cabinets. Allow to fully dry then sand smooth.
• For larger holes, cut and insert a drywall patch secured with drywall screws. Mud over seams and sand once dried.

Touching Up Trim

• Inspect wood trim around the cabinet area and use wood filler to patch nail holes, gouges, or missing chunks. Allow to dry then sand.
• Prime and paint trim once patched up to match the rest of the kitchen. This helps create a seamless look.

Repairing Floor Damage

• Check flooring below removed cabinets for any tears, gouges, staining, or missing pieces. Consult a flooring pro on best repair method.
• You may need to cut out and replace certain flooring sections if the damage is severe. Match original flooring type as closely as possible.

Covering Base Cabinet Spots

• For visible areas where base cabinets were removed, cut pieces of 1/4″ plywood secured with finishing nails to cover the spots until new cabinets are installed.

Blending Exposed Areas

• Prime and paint any drywall or unfinished areas exposed by removing cabinets to match surrounding walls for a uniform look.

Patching holes, repairing floors, and blending exposed spaces helps make the kitchen look neat and complete again in the interim before new cabinets go in.

Disposing and Recycling Old Cabinets

Now that the hard demolition work is complete, the final step is to properly dispose of the removed metal kitchen cabinets and debris. Here are some options:

• List for free pickup – Oftentimes scrap collectors or renovators will take cabinets from you for free if listed on Craigslist or Facebook. This saves a trip to the dump.
• Bring to a metal recycling center – Dismantle cabinets and transport the metal pieces to a local metal recycling facility. Many scrap yards accept metal.
• Hire a haul away service – For hassle-free removal, hire a junk hauling company to dispose of the cabinet debris from your home.
• Use heavy duty trash bags – Break down cabinet pieces to fit in large contractor bags for disposal. Many haulers have weight limits.
• Rent a dumpster – For large wholesale cabinet removals, consider renting a dumpster to toss debris and haul away at once.

Be sure to check with your local waste authority on any restrictions around cabinet or metal disposal in your area. Handling removal thoughtfully keeps your kitchen demo project tidy from start to finish.

FAQs About Removing Old Metal Kitchen Cabinets

Removing metal kitchen cabinets on your own can be daunting. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do I remove old cabinets without damaging walls?

• Go slowly and use a pry bar to gently ease cabinets off the walls. Stop to remove screws or nails when finding resistance. Use painters tape along the edges to prevent drywall gouges.

What is the easiest way to get cabinets out of a corner?

• Corner cabinets are easiest to remove by first tapping a pry bar along the top seam to pop it off the walls. Then check inside for any screws to remove before gently twisting the cabinet out of position.

What should I do with old cabinet doors and drawers?

• Detach all doors, drawers and hardware to recycle or resell. Use filler to patch over any unused hinge holes left behind. Repurpose salvaged doors to build a workbench or shelving.

How do I remove the cabinet base or flooring underneath?

• Use a pry bar and hammer to detach and pry up any fixed cabinet bases. For flooring, use a utility knife to cut out vinyl or linoleum flooring around the base area so new flooring can be installed.

What’s the easiest way to patch holes in walls after removing cabinets?

• Use painter’s putty, spackle, or drywall compound to fill any holes or gaps left behind. Allow patching materials to fully dry, then lightly sand until smooth. Wipe away dust before priming and painting.

Conclusion

Removing old metal kitchen cabinets takes time, patience and physical effort. But with the proper tools, safety precautions, and step-by-step process, you can tackle this kitchen upgrade project – then enjoy the satisfaction of a cleared space ready for a fresh new look. Just be sure to properly patch and repair any residual damage left behind for a seamless finish. In no time, you’ll have a kitchen cabinets makeover completed and well on your way to achieving your dream redesign.