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Thanks in advance for any responses... the forum looks great. I've searched, but haven't found a definite answer to my microwave install problem...
As you can see in the pics, my cabinet area above the range is exactly 30", which I know this is the minimum recommended space for an
OTR
MW install. In my opinion, installing a normal 16 1/2" OTR microwave here, would make the stovetop almost impossible to use!
Also, since there is so little clearance, installing a space saver micro under the cabinets won't be of much help, either.
My questions are
1) Can I install a regular small MW above the range, provided it is less than 12" in height, and I put in a wood or metal shelf that it would sit on (thus separating it from the range's heat)? Can I do without the odor extractor? I could install some lights on the shelf, above the range.
2) Should I cut the cabinets to make more room?
3) Does IKEA or anyone else make OTR microwaves less than 15" high?
4) Any other, better suggestions?
Thank you guys very much!
OTR
OTR means Over The Range, usually in reference to a microwave
1) Can I install a regular small MW above the range, provided it is less than 12" in height, and I put in a wood or metal shelf that it would sit on (thus separating it from the range's heat)? Can I do without the odor extractor? I could install some lights on the shelf, above the range.
No. Really bad idea to install a shelf above the range!
OTR
microwaves have special shielding and sensors that will turn on the fan when too much heat is generated. I seriously doubt you could pass inspection with a shelf over your range, unless it was specially designed for that sort of application. I know I've seen some appliance shelving that was used in this way, but I don't know if it still exists.
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2) Should I cut the cabinets to make more room?
Are you replacing your cabinets with IKEA cabinets, or are you talking about changing the existing cabinet?
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3) Does IKEA or anyone else make OTR microwaves less than 15" high?
There are a couple of slightly shorter OTR microwaves, but I don't think there are any that are less than 15". Whirlpool makes one that is 15 1/4", but I don't know how high over the range it needs to be installed.
My OTR is 16" above the range top, and the bottom of the cabinet is 32" above the range top.
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4) Any other, better suggestions?
Maybe you should redo your entire kitchen in IKEA! You'd be surprised how many kitchen remodels have started with something small like this!
You could remove the cabinet altogether and use something like this
Wow! Thank you for such a quick response! Actually, I'm on a super low budget right now, so replacing all the cabinets is out of the question. We painted all of them white, so they look pretty decent now.
I would definitely consider getting one Ikea cabinet to go above the range, BUT - I think that little gadget Eva suggested might do the trick! It looks really cool. Would it be a bad thing if we did without the odor extractor? I really don't mind the lingering smell of food (actually I love it, he he he)
Thanks again!!!!!! Really appreciate the input, Eva. When is the Charlotte, NC store opening? Right now we'd have to drive to DC from Raleigh to go to IKEA. We still might do it... hmmm
just wanted to give an update, we've decided against the cool oven apparatus you suggested Eva, just because it's 100 dollars, and we figure it might actually be a minus to a potential home buyer if there is no extraction fan.
So, we're back to square one. Our options are
1) get a compact counter microwave, or
2) Install it under the countertop above the sink
I think 2 is a bad idea, because how close it is to water, etc.
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OTR Microwave Problem
