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I've been trying to figure out the best microwave placement for months and have seen multiple variation here but still haven't settled on the right one for us.
Here's what I do have figured out:
I do not want one over the range because it's very difficult for children to use.
I do not like it in the base cabinets because that seems very awkward for even me to use
Having a micro shelf would involve lots of adapting as we're using Adel MB
Having a countertop model seems wrong somehow after spring for a complete kitchen remodle.
So the most obvious choice is to buy a built in and place it over the wall oven. But with this option I still worry about my children using it. Wouldn't it still be fairly high? And there wouldn't be a landing zone for taking things out.
Then today I wondered if I couldn't just place an OTR micro under the wall cabinets without hooking out the venting. I'm ordering 39" wall cabinets so maybe I could add the micro to a 30" and thereby lower the level of the micro while still having a landing zone in front.
Weird, just plain stupid, anything I'm not considering properly???
They make undercab micros--I think that's what you want for your wall cab idea. You don't need the extra heat shielding and venting of an OTR . Or you can do a built in or you can put a counter model on an open shelf in an oven cab. Lots of options but don't buy the OTR type unless you're using it OTR .
Thanks. I wasn't aware of OTC micros. I've spent hours in the appliance section of Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and Best Buy and all you find there are OTR ones. Many of those seems much more reasonable than the few built in ones I've seen.
I need to make a trip to a much bigger appliances store with more choices but I know that will be so overwhelming that I'm trying to learn what I can with fewer choices first.
Sharp makes an OTC microwave, but we were unable to find one available at any bigbox retailer, even in Atlanta. I finally found one by accident on a home shopping website and got a decent price on it, with free shipping. We wanted to use a nice range hood, did not want want a "built in" or one on the counter, and due to my husbands height, he ruled out under the counter. It seems like a great idea to me but apparently we are kind of in the minority. I love it by the way.
Um... could you mount an OTR micro just underneath any ol' cabinet? If an OTR were mounted under a standard-height wall cab, it would just barely be off the countertop I think.
I have an OTR that's actually functioning as the vent hood, but... It's just mounted underneath an 18" cabinet. There's 4 big screws and a metal plate holding it in. Really, all that was required was putting the paper template in place, drilling the holes, and then (awkwardly) holding it place while fastening the screws.
I might also wonder about getting a countertop model, since they're smaller, and just putting it on a raised shelf attached to the wall. At least it'd be off the counter (technically) and the kids would be able to reach.
We have an OTR at my office which was installed as an OTC. I think I'm probably the only one who noticed that there's a light and fan underneath it. If you're willing to disconnect the power to the light (so it doesn't overheat - or simply remove the bulb!) and the blower (don't want to overstress the motor), you could probably even put a coverpanel across the bottom. Call the MFG before doing this, though, to ensure you'll have adequate air flow for cooling.
sorry - didn't see these - No, I mean Sharp makes a OTC microwave specifically for the over the counter and NOT over the stove (has lights underneath for the counter, but no vent fan). You use the same kind of cabinet over top of that as you would over the range (I think ours is a 24 inch cabinet). you can look them up on the Sharp USA website.
I just finished my Adel Md. Bn. kitchen and I wanted the same thing since I really wanted the look of the range hood instead of the OTR microwave. I used a GE JEM31 OTC microwave special ordered from Lowes. More expensive than a standard countertop microwave this was made to be mounted under the cabinets ($260). It worked well with a 30" cabinet while other cabinets were 39" tall. Also, this microwave perfectly fits under 24" width. Vents under oven so you cannot install lighting here. Also, need to use side panels and trim to extend cabinets if you want the bottom to be flush. Cam bolts in rear of cabinet above are exactly in the way of the mounting brackets, so you need to shift it foward about an inch, so it is not perfectly flush with the front, but it still looks nice. I like this solution better than my last IKEA kitchen where I used a microwave cabinet. I never liked seeing the birch insides, even though my cabinet doors were lighter with that kitchen. I noticed that you posted a while back, but figured there is a chance you are still planning or others might benefit from my post.
Last edited by clemson94; Dec 8th, 07 at 1:14 pm.
Reason: add photo
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