Getting cabinet drawers out typically involves disengaging them from their glides or runners. The method largely depends on the type of slide mechanism installed in your cabinets. For drawers equipped with side glides, which is a common type, the process often involves releasing specific clips or levers.
Understanding Drawer Slide Types
Before attempting removal, identify the type of slides your drawer uses:
- Side Mount Glides: These are the most common, with slides mounted on both sides of the drawer box and inside the cabinet.
- Under-Mount Glides: Hidden beneath the drawer box, these are often found on higher-quality cabinets and provide a cleaner look.
- Center Mount Glides: An older style with a single slide mounted under the center of the drawer.
The following instructions focus on Side Glide Drawer Removal, as referenced.
Side Glide Drawer Removal
Side glide systems often use a mechanism to lock the drawer in place and prevent it from accidentally pulling all the way out. To remove the drawer completely out, you need to disengage this lock.
The typical process involves these steps:
- Pull the Drawer Out: Extend the drawer as far as it will go until you meet resistance.
- Locate Release Mechanisms: Look for small levers, clips, or buttons on the sides of the drawer slides, usually near the front or middle when the drawer is extended. These are often plastic and color-coded (like black or orange).
- Disengage Clips Simultaneously: This is the crucial step. Side glide systems commonly have a clip on each side. You usually need to manipulate both clips at the same time.
- One common configuration requires pushing one clip down while lifting the clip on the opposite side up.
- Another type might require pushing both clips inwards or outwards.
- Pull Drawer Free: While holding the clips in the disengaged position, gently pull the drawer forward. It should slide completely out of the cabinet glides.
Reference Note: The process for reinserting a drawer often involves reversing the removal. As highlighted in the reference, putting a drawer back involves inserting the rail guides into the glides and gently pushing a side clip down, implying these clips are key to both locking (in reverse) and unlocking the drawer.
Important Tips:
- Examine your specific slides closely to identify the release mechanism.
- Don't force the drawer; if it's stuck after manipulating the clips, double-check that you've disengaged both sides correctly and simultaneously.
- If the clips are different on each side (e.g., one lever goes up, the other goes down), remember this for reinstallation.
Other Glide Types (Briefly)
- Under-Mount Glides: Often have levers underneath the front of the drawer that need to be flipped or pulled.
- Center Mount Glides: Usually just lift up sharply at the end of the glide's travel.
Always use caution and avoid excessive force to prevent damaging the drawer or the glides.
