Please help with microwave location

12 years ago

The microwave was originally to be housed in a 21'' wide pantry cabinet -- an ideal location right next to the fridge and prep sink, but out of the primary and secondary prep zones. Unfortunately, the pantry cabinet has to be reduced to 16'' and therefore the microwave has to be moved elsewhere. I really like our kitchen layout and want to change it as little as possible.

We don't use the microwave that often -- we are mainly concerned with the functionality of the prep zones.

The microwave could be moved to the following three locations (we have electrical outlets for all three options):

Option 1: microwave drawer in the primary prep location
- Advantages: close to fridge & pantry, flatware would be stored next to cleanup zone
- Disadvantages: prep utensils (i.e. knives, measuring cups, etc.) would have to be stored (a) above trash pullout, (b) with cooking utensils in the drawer stack to the right of the range, or (c) below the microwave drawer.

Option 2: microwave drawer in the secondary prep location
- Advantages: prep utensils not stored above trash pullout
- Disadvantages: flatware stored in island, in the primary prep zone and further away from cleanup zone and dining area

Option 3: microwave on the counter in the corner of the secondary prep location
- Advantages: most cost effective, frees up storage space in bottom cabinet drawers
- Disadvantages: takes up valuable counter space in secondary prep zone, not as visually pleasing

Please see the original plan with 21'' wide pantry below:
(The dining room table is on the same side as the island seating)

Please see below a rough illustration of what Options 1 and 2 would look like:

We are struggling with this decision... what would you do? Thank you in advance for your help!

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Comments (9)

sjhockeyfan325
12 years ago
You 're taking votes? I vote for number 1 and I'd store the utensils per a) or b) (definitely not c - I have a microwave drawer and it's better to store less-often needed items below - I store plastic containers there. (Disclaimer - Under no circumstances would I elect to have a seldom-used microwave on the counter).
sarah_ch
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for your comment!
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sarah_ch
Original Author
12 years ago
* bump *
desertsteph
12 years ago
I'd go with the corner. I don't use that space much anyway.

maybe get a smaller one?
2ajsmama
12 years ago
Are you planning anything for that corner? I think I'd rather get a small MW (see the little Whirlpool one discussed in a couple of threads, it's made to fit in a corner) rather than spend the money on a MW drawer if you don't use it often.

I wouldn't store flatware in the primary prep area - very inconvenient to have someone trying to get at it to set the table while you're cooking. We use our MW mostly for steaming veggies and I like it out of the way where DH can get them out and not be in my way as I'm taking something out of the oven and trying to plate it up.

I don't see any problem storing utensils over a trash pullout - there is a drawer bottom there. Unless you overstuff the drawer and are worried about losing something in the trash (DD's paper, crayons, etc. are above our recycling bin pullout and sometimes stuff ends up in the back bin, or the cabinet floor underneath).
sarah_ch
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for the replies.

Ajsmama:
We don't use the microwave that often but I think I'd rather keep the microwave off the countertop in favor of additional prep space. Thank you for your comment RE: flatware in the prep area... it was also my feeling that it would be preferable to store flatware near the sink and out of the main prep area.
ControlfreakECS
12 years ago
My vote is for Option 1. My knives are over my trash and it seems perfect for me. My most used prep tools are right in the middle of my primary prep space. I also like the microwave to be near the fridge since ours is most often used for leftovers. The only negative might be if you use it a lot during cooking and a second cook might need to get in there. But I think I'd still choose that location over the others.
2ajsmama
12 years ago
If you can live with a small MW could it still go in the pantry cabinet?
sarah_ch
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for the comments.

Ajsmama - my pantry cabinet will only be 16'' wide (around 14.75'' interior width). I'm not aware of any microwaves that small...

Also, even when we had the pantry cabinet at 21'', we didn't have the 2-3'' of clearance on both sides recommended by most manufacturers. We figured it would be alright given we rarely use the MW.

I asked the electrician to put an electric outlet in our bigger pantry (closet). Unfortunately, it is against code in our area to have an electric outlet in a closet.