[torontokate]

Hello everyone

In our new kitchen we would like to put a microwave over the range to save on precious (and limited!) counter space. I have been looking into microwaves online and some reviewers complain that the lighting from the microwaves down to the cooktop is poor. Can anyone comment on this issue with the Framtid microwave?

Thanks!

[cflann]

I have the Framtid OTR MW and I find that the lighting is poor, not because of the light level, but because the light is right at the back of the MW. So the light shines down on the very back of the range. Since we do most of our cooking on the front burners, the lighting is fairly useless.

The same applies to the fan. The fan inlets are too far back for the mediocre fan power to pull the steam to the inlets. So the steam tends to just drift up the front of the MW.

In terms of the microwave itself, it cooks great. But I'm not too impressed with it otherwise. Hope that helps!

	OTR OTR means Over The Range, usually in reference to a microwave

[pjungwirth]

Hey there, we have the Framtid too - the lights are far to the back, but I like it - especially how it looks when all the other lights are off - we put white subway tile behind the stove.

We have undercabinet lights and those + the microwave light are all I ever really use, so I have no complaints. Same goes for the fan, we didn't have an exhaust fan before, and I CERTAINLY notice a difference, and if you are outside while we're cooking where it vents to, it's clearly working.

It's not a high-end appliance, so, you know, but I'm really, very happy with the microwave.

[HappyGrrrl]

How did all of you mount yours? We did most of the kitchen install ourselves, but we're leaving the electric to a pro. We originally bought a Samsung OTR microwave, but once he looked at how the cabinets are hung, he didn't think it was safe to mount the microwave, so we scrapped the idea. I'm really disappointed because I needed to save space.

Does the IKEA model come with some way to attach it mostly to the wall, instead of putting all the weight on the cabinets? Any advice/comments would help. Thanks!!

	OTR OTR means Over The Range, usually in reference to a microwave

[Fraoch]

I know this is an old thread, but if this question ever comes up again:

Originally Posted by HappyGrrrl

Does the IKEA model come with some way to attach it mostly to the wall, instead of putting all the weight on the cabinets? Any advice/comments would help. Thanks!!

There's a big, heavy-gauge bracket which you secure to the wall where the bottom of the microwave will be. You need to hit at least one stud (it's 30" wide, so you should). The bracket has tabs which fit into slots in the back of the microwave. When the tabs are in the slots, you then pivot the microwave up into place and secure it to the underside of the cabinets. The cabinets aren't supporting much weight, they're merely keeping the microwave from tipping forward. Most of the weight is on the bracket.

Yes, the light is very dim, it's not very useful as a range hood light, sadly.

If you're "converting" the squirrel cage fan to vent out the wall, be careful, it's a bit tricky. You can lose the screws inside the microwave backing plate, and the electrical connection is tough to figure out. You have to reroute the cable or else it will be too short. Thankfully the plug can only be inserted one way, so just unplug it, remove the fan, reorient it, reroute the cable to where it will fit, then plug it back in.

[jmartin44]

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