Lower kitchen cabinet shelf

[Denise]

Of course it's the lower one! It's starting to warp, sag, bow in the middle. The dangerous part is I'm thinking.....of removing the side panel next to the refrigerator. Then I could drill some holes and pull up and out the shelf (pieces) from that end. With the refrigerator out of the way I can have another board cut and slide it (5' long) back in and set it back on the bracing that I will buildup with some back to front bracing.
The toughest part of this to me is removing the flimsy end panel without destroying it. Not to say a piece of luan with some stain couldn't be used to replace it.

So, if you've got any suggestions, recommendations, experience, I'd sure like to read them. Thanks so much.

[Greg]

I suspect that the shelf you have now is Partical board. I would go with plywood as a replacement. the fun part as you say will be getting the new on back in place. If you can remove the side panel easily that would be the way to go. I would use care removing the old shelf, cut it out if possible - you may be working on a house of cards. Factory cabinets can be a real pain figuring out how things are attached.

Greg