Microwave Drawers

18 years ago

My kitchen has been designed and there doesn't seem to be enough counter space for my huge microwave. I have the choice to buy a small one and put it on the counter or my cabinet maker suggests I get a microwave drawer put into my island. Is this worth the $800.00 they charge? I do like the idea of it being built in and out of the way. I notice the display screen tilts upwards for easy programming and it should be easy enough to open the drawer and place my food right onto the island, but....is this a luxury item to own? Thanks for any input you might have.

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Comments (5)

mary_in_nc
18 years ago
There was a thread recently on the Kitchen Forum regarding MW drawers. See the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: MW drawer thread on Kitchen Forum
writersblock (9b/10a)
18 years ago
You can also get an OTC micro for significantly less than that (Sharp and GE make them). You'd probably have to redesign a cabinet, though, to allow space for mounting it below.
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alku05
18 years ago
We just couldn't justify the cost of a microwave drawer, especially when countertop microwaves run less than $100. Also, historically speaking, microwaves have shorter lifetimes than other kitchen appliances, and we were concerned about whether the drawer would still be available years from now.

So we opted to put a regular microwave undercounter and hide it with cabinetry when it's not in use. It's no harder to get to than a range oven, and because we're not heavy microwave users, this was the perfect solution for us. Let me know if you're interested in pictures.
mary_in_nc
18 years ago
Alku05- My last GE over the range MW lasted 19years.
oskiebabu
18 years ago
I have a summer house with the Sharp drawer microwave. In my "regular" house I chose a triple Thermador Masterpiece oven stack, composed of either a conventional microwave on top or a convection microwave on top, 30" convection oven with huge cavity 4.7 cu. ft., and a warming drawer on bottom.

Nothing saves room and is more convenient than the triple stack. The microwave is below eye level, so access and safety is great. The oven is perfectly placed so bending over is minimized. And for the few times I use the warming drawer it is no big deal to bend down.

The drawer microwaves are usually much more expensive, harder to clean, anything with more moving parts are far more likely to need repair, and it takes up a lot of space that can be used for storage. They don't open and close immediately like modern microwaves. And you are far more likely to spill something that is lower than countertop or even chin level. You just slide out the plate of whatever--no lifting involved.

Other than the "coolness" factor, I'm no big fan.

I love "coolness" factors, but I demand they be at least as useful as the more bland. In this case I don't find they are.

But, to each his/her own.

Greg