I'm curious too.

We are placing it below but not building it in permanently (just using our current one in that place for now) until we have a chance to see if we can adjust. If not, I have other options for the micro and for using its current under the counter space.

We were in the same boat, and noted the same problems as you did for both above and below countertop positions. Wound up biting the bullet and getting a drawer MW below the counter, which is accessible for everyone!

What does your husband say? Mine is 6' tall, and complains about having to reach down for dishes in a dish drawer instead of an upper cupboard. It never occurred to me to discuss this before the kitchen was completed. I KNOW he'd hate having the MW in a base cabinet.

Can you post a copy of your kitchen layout? Then maybe we could help suggest a solution with better information.

Anne

i currently have a below counter microwave (not a drawer one though). it gets messy and difficult to clean because you have to get on your knees to clean it out. another issue i have right now is my toddlers get into too easily. if i do another undercounter, i would definitely do a drawer microwave instead since you load and unload it from the top. but right now, over the counter is looking better to me.

I really do not like regular microwaves below counters. It gets messy and seems to be more prone to spills while placing in or taking out. Also I realized that most people who microwave tend to eyeball things which is harder if not at eye level. I would rather put over underneath and keep microwave above. A lot of people like drawer microwaves. That reduces the spill likelihood but I still would prefer to see things in the microwave and we heat liquids sometimes and I worry that would spill with the drawer motion.

We have both; upper cab level at the coffee station and drawer in the cooking area. In our cooking area we didn't have anywhere else to put it, and I like the drawer micro for looks and it works very well. But I do slightly prefer the usability of the upper-cab micro.

So if you have a good upper-level spot for your microwave, I'd go that route both for slightly better ease of use (imo) and for cost.

Ours is below the counter and we like it a lot. I was leery at first but I think it depends on what kind of use you need maybe. Ours is popcorn and reheating for convenience. Probably light use. But I prefer lifting the hot items up rather than bringing hot items down to the counter. Again that is preference. Because our microwave is used less than heavy microwave users I can see that it would be more difficult if you had to bend down to clean it often. I like the look of it being under the counter too. When my grandchildren are over I just lock it. Takes seconds and it's locked. So I can see both sides and only wanted to say it works great for us under the counter.

Nice to know I'm not the only one who worries about these things!

jimandanne - no layout yet; just in planning stages - you know - where you stand in your kitchen and stare off into the distance, picturing in your head how you want your new kitchen to look and your kids looking at you like you are crazy!

lalitha - I have looked into the drawer microwave also; but I have the same thoughts as you about the spills and not being able to see things in the microwave.

I had not thought about how hard it would be to clean an undercounter model. Looks like above counter is the way to go! Thank you all for your input!