A MW on the counter is fine. Most of us don't put it on the counter b/c it takes up too much room and isn't easy to move out of the way.

If you have plenty of counterspace, don't sweat it! It's fine if it's located properly...preferably near the refrigerator and a water source but on the periphery of the working part of the kitchen so it's easily accessible from both the kitchen and outsiders w/o those outsiders getting in the way of those working in the kitchen (prepping, cooking, baking, cleaning up).

Personally, I would not put the MW in an under-counter alcove...I'd rather have it on the counter. We had our MW on a chair during our remodel (at least at first) and it was much too low for us. It reaffirmed our decision to get a MW drawer instead of an under-counter alcove. But, we're a relatively tall family (shortest, me, at 5'10", to tallest, my DS at 6'6" so far), so that definitely affects our thoughts/feelings on anything under the counter!

We put a countertop model built - in under the counter. It's a pain to be bending down to get stuff out of it. I'm shorter than Buehl at 5'8" and tallest is 6'4". I wish we had spent the extra money and gone for the drawer. It is a good option.
The MW caused me the most angst when designing our kitchen.

We got a wall mounted micro shelf in stainless steel from the webstaurant store. It is higher than the counter, but lower than an OTR setup. It is nice because we have room below and it does not accumulate odds and ends on top as our old one on the counter did. Our 7.5 & 9 y.o.s can reach it easily. It does look sleek and modern because it is a streamlined look.

Here is a link that might be useful: micro shelves

I have mine on the counter in a corner and it works out fine. My kitchen is *so small that building it in would've taken up too much cabinet space. We do occasionally move it if we need the extra counterspace for larger scale baking or something--but 99% of the time it is fine where it is, in the depth of the corner.

Help from the super experts out here on GW, what a great treat!

I'd love to have one of the mircrowave drawers, but alas it's not within our budget.

Sounds like under the counters is a back pain waiting to happen.

Diannalo, thanks for the link. I never even knew something like that existed.

No one commented about the pantry option. Am I kidding myself as this even being a viable option? I'd like to have a backup plan, if I end up designing around putting it on the countertop and then find out I hate it.

Re the pantry option: I have a friend who has a toaster oven. She doesn't like to see it on the counter. Her son uses it at least once a day. Everyday, he has to take it out of the pantry to use it. Someone puts it away once it cools down. For me, any appliance that I use every day, I want it to be convenient. For you, decide what is more important - looks, in which case you can leave it in the pantry, or convenience, in which case you can consider the counter. I've always had the microwave on the counter. When we redo our kitchen, we will have an Advantium. If I find I don't need the separate microwave as well, I'll get rid of it, otherwise it will sit on the counter in a corner.

I had a very similar issue and once I posted to the GW crew and got everyone's opinions, I went with a microwave drawer.

It was supposed to go over a counter (17" above the counter under a smaller cupboard) set into it's own "hole"

But I'm short and hate getting hot things out of a tall MW so I was opting for a hole under the counter but bending to look in seemed like an eventual PITA.
So we decided to pay more for the micro drawer and have it built into the lower cabinet. Win-win. Get to keep precious counter space.

A friend has no door on her pantry. It's only visible from the cook's area, anyway, but the riches of goods on display is very appealing. Lots of canned goods, containers, boxes. No bag of dog food on the floor, but also no carefully color-coordinated selections of dishes, crockery, etc. Just not needed to be attractive.

That's probably the direction I'd go, at just the right height. Getting the MW off the counter was on my very short list. I've always liked busy working kitchens with tools out and ready, but not having to move that thing to get to the dust and crumbs underneath, or controlling the clutter that tends to gather on top. My fault, of course, but it was definitely easier to change the MW position than change myself.

Elbal, with the pantry having it's own outlet, I was thinking we could actually use it while it is in the pantry. Taking it in and out is not an option.

Thanks Buehl for reminding me that a water source close to the MW is best. If it remains on the counter the sink would be nearby. The pantry though would be about 10 feet ish.

Celineike, I'm a shorty too (5'3") but everyone seems to not like the microwave under the countertops. Being I use the MW so infrequently though, I was considering it some.

We were supposed to have the option of putting the microwave either in the pantry or on the counter and had an outlet put in the pantry in case we wanted it there, but the KD ordered 14" instead of 15" deep pantry cabinets by mistake so the microwave was too deep. I was told there would be no problem using a microwave in the pantry (with a toaster oven there would be because of the heat generated) and that it would not harm the cabinets.

Ours ended up on the counter back in a corner by the wall ovens. It is a corner that would not have been useful counter space anyway, but I would have liked to see how we liked having the microwave in the pantry.

We have our microwave in the corner on our counter top, which would otherwise be awkward space. It's there all the time, gets used at least once a day, and works out great for us. We have very little counter space, but the microwave is an important appliance for us. It's worth the (otherwise unusable) space for us.

We're building new and will have much more counter top space. We're planning to put the microwave in the corner on the counter again. It's comfortable for us and we like the convenience of it. Both GWers and KD tried to talk us into a microwave drawer, but we just don't "get" it. It seems like having it on the counter would be more convenient for how we live.

Personally, I would not give up my pantry space for a microwave. I'd rather give up counter top space than my tall pantry space. :)

We have our MW on a shelf under the counter and we don't have any problem with it at all, despite being tall (I'm 5'11"). Perhaps it's because, like you, I only use the MW once or twice a day.

We did have the shelf opening built to the specs of the Sharp MW drawer, thinking that we'd get one some day when the sting of the other remodel costs had worn off. Three years later, I'm still in no hurry to get a drawer MW, and if my current one broke tomorrow, I'd probably replace it with another countertop model on the shelf.

It's clearly a matter of personal preference, so you'd probably be well served by doing a mock-up of the under-counter height and living with it for a bit. Buehl's experience with hers on a chair convinced her that height wouldn't work for her family. We didn't do a mock-up, but having ours at that height for three years now has convinced us it works great for our family. Try it and see whether it would work for you.

I have both - a microwave on a shelf under the counter (next to the range) and a 2nd microwave on the counter (in the kid's area for lunches, snacks, etc.) I looked into the drawer and just didn't like them. We use the micrwaves all the time - that's why we have 2. Yes, I'm short (5'3") but don't have a problem with the undercounter one. When I look in I don't stoop but back up a half step - I'm not really bending down. The 2nd one is for the kids. Once they leave (many years from now) that microwave will disappear. I also use the microwave next to the range as my timer and clock. I'm not sure you can do that with the drawer ones.

I have some counter space for the first time in my kitchen now, albeit an old cupboard with a flat top and drawers below. Before this, the microwave sat on a small low table and I would have to bend down and peer in at the food cooking, plus it was inconvenient for me to reach in and lift up hot food and transfer it to another table.

I can't get over the difference in having it at a proper height and within reaching distance of the stove.

Re: microwave in the pantry
We are starting a total remodel and that was something that came up. Ours is not a walk-in pantry. At first I loved the idea, but once I thought it through it wasn't for me.....another area to clean daily, steam, smells and food bits near food packages sounded like a roach magnet. And when you need to stir and zap some more, where do you set the spoon?
For a big walk-in pantry with a counter-top like some of the beauties I have seen here on GW, it would work beautifully, for my space it wouldn't.

Hi:

Your question interested me. When we moved into our house 10 years ago, we had a countertop microwave. It did take up needed space. When we replaced the stove with a ss one, we updated the fan to be a microwave/fan over the stove deal. I thought I was all set. Boy was I wrong.

The door pull on the microwave has broken twice. To pay the appliance guy to come out, I might as well get a new one. For this appliance, that I use pretty frequently, it is a pain to see it broken in the center of my kitchen. I swore I would never again get a built in microwave. Why spend $1000 when you can get one for $100 and replace it whenever you want.

Well, now I am getting my kitchen remodeled. There is no built in microwave in the new plan. I will have one sitting in a pantry, out of sight. When it breaks, I can get a new one at Target.

I just dont think they build these microwaves well anymore. Think wisely before investing in a built one. I think a better idea would be is to have an open "microwave" shelf where you can interchange the microwave when it breaks down. I think that is a better move.

that's my humble two cents...

Ours is in the pantry and stays there. It is a small walk-in pantry and the shelves are metal. The MW has plenty of space around it for ventilation.

If you have a modern style and want minimal items out, definitely stick it in the pantry!! :)

This isn't necessarily meant for OP, since I know Aloha2009 wants a modern look and probably has the budget for many diff options, but for any other lurkers on much tighter budgets who are also debating the MW question, consider a MW cart. I'm too short for over the range, but have hardly any counter space. I bought a Target cart and put it in a dead space corner of the kitchen. Awesome: holds MW on top, toaster oven middle and george foreman grill on bottom. So I can use MW or toaster and someone else can get at the stove without getting in each other's way. I have to move the George to use that, but the others have enough ventilation to use right on the cart safely...that's three bulky apps out of the way! The cart is black mesh (baker's rack style) and light hardwood...love it!

I interpret "... pantry (which will have electricity) and have the pantry door to open when it's needed (not a walk in pantry)..." as meaning you would open some kind of door to reach it, and not have to move it.

That seems good.

If this is right, then perhaps it only gets my vote because others saw it differently. Please clarify.

MrsHanson's post above is EXACTLY why my microwave was designed to be in our pantry in this house.

At our previous house, the OTR microwave broke and was a huge pain to replace. I wanted the flexibility to buy a small, cheap micro that I could replace five times before buying another OTR option :)

"...I also use the microwave next to the range as my timer and clock. I'm not sure you can do that with the drawer ones."

Yes, you can use a drawer for both options. It's really no different than a countertop model...timer, clock, various cooking options (sensor and not), etc. The differences are (1) obviously, it's a drawer (soft-close, btw, with both manual and auto close) and (2) the control panel is on the top of the face and across (not the middle and down) and is angled up so all you have to do is glance down to see the time, the controls, etc.

Pantry...yes, it's an option and one we looked into for a second MW (until we realized the pantry was sized & configured such that the MW door wouldn't be able to be open fully). [Ours is a step-in pantry.]

You say it's not a walk-in pantry....what type of pantry is it that you could put a MW in? A tall pantry? If so, that's even better than a walk-in...I envision a fixed (and possibly braced) shelf in the middle of the tall cabinet at just the right height with doors sized just for the MW alcove that open out and in (so they're not sticking out into the aisle while the MW is in use).

I then see drawers below and stationary, adjustable shelves above (or possibly a pullout contraption of some kind attached to one or two doors...better than roll out tray shelves, IMO)

Just be sure you have:

(a) Plenty of air space above/behind/on the sides
(b) Counterspace right next to it or across from it (no more than 48" away)
(c) A fixed, sealed shelf above that will prevent steam from traveling up the inside of the pantry cabinet.

HTH!

Thanks for all the inputs.

It's funny when all four of our kids lived with us, we had 2 microwaves going. The kids would compete as to who could get the timers to go off at the same time. Now we hardly use the one.

The pantry will be about 4 feet across the front. We're making this area into a pantry for 2 reasons. One it's a great place and 2 because the back of it on the side is angled and cannot be used for any traditional cabinetary (custom only). It will be about 30" deep and will go to the 9' ceiling. (We're moving the frig next to it so it recesses in which I love). I'll have to rethink the doors on the pantry. I was going to have double doors that open out, but if that's where the MW ultimately goes, that would be ackward.

Buehl, I'd love to have a custom pantry like that, but again it's not in our budget. A kitchen desk is currently in the pantry to be area and we figured we can majorily use all the electrical circuitary in there. Thanks for letting me know about installing a fixed sealed shelf, I would not have thought about moisture and smell issues. The island will be within 48" so we're ok there. The water will be a distance, so that will be a deterant.

Davidrol. You understand exactly what we're considering.

MrsHanson. I'm with you too. I don't want to spend a ton of money on something that does basically the same thing for a whole lot less.

Holligator & Buehl. Though I'm shying away from the undercounter one, that's a great idea to do a mock up. We have an OTR microwave and an extra one (DD was to use at college) that now that she's back for the summer, we can test it out. Since we will have to build in a special spot of the MW into the cabinets, we'll have to decide to go with this option or not.

I've read all your comments and though I may not have mentioned you by name, all the comments have been incredibly helpful. We probably won't know for awhile which way we'll go but thank you for all your time.

A to the counter cabinet with adjustable shelves will give you a more built-in appearance. When the MW dies and the new one is a different size, adjust the shelf to fit. I couldn't get into my Photobucket account to post a pic. There is one in the finished kitchen pics below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchen

i'm also putting my mw in the 'corner' space of the counter top. I'm only 5' and can't reach back into that corner anyway. It's just the place for the mw! It's movable to clean under and behind when needed (with use of a step stool).

I like the idea of a shelf under an upper cabinet for the mw and might do that in the future if I change the cabs.

We just finished our remodel and have been living in the kitchen for a few weeks so this is my first post based on actual experience (so excited to finally being able to contribute!).

We put our MW in a pantry where we store other small appliances, so we affectionately call this pantry our appliance closet. The MW sits on a fixed shelf at a convenient height and gets plenty of ventilation. It's also in a convenient location close to the fridge and sink. Our electrician wired the proper outlet for use in the pantry.

If we're using the MW for more than a quick warm up, we close the door to the pantry so as not to block the hallway to the butler's pantry, but that doesn't bother us much.

In a kitchen in an old house where counter and cabinet space are at a premium, putting the MW in the pantry was a great compromise for us and is turning out to work out just fine, too.

We used 16" deep uppers on one wall. Added an electric outlet inside, and then put a small counter top sized microwave on the bottom shelf. Looks great and works like a charm. Of couse you have to leave the cabinet doors open when the M/W is in use.

The extra storage one gets from the deeper cabinets was also a plus.

Cotehele, I couldn't find the picture with the shelf (but I might have missed it).

If anyone else has a picture of this shelf installed it would be great too.

I have my MW in my pantry, which is not a walk-in pantry. As mentioned by others, my electrician installed the receptacle for it, which was an easy job. I don't like the looks of a MW, and didn't want it taking up space on my counter, didn't want to reach high for it, and didn't want to reach low for it. Since my pantry shelves are adjustable, I found the perfect shelf height for my MW. Having said all that, I am not a frequent MW user. I use it once a day to heat milk for coffee, and then may or may not use it one more time a day to heat a potato or the like. I leave the pantry door open while I use the MW, but my pantry is in a corner so the open door is not in anyone's way. Smells or steam in the pantry have not been a problem. I really like this arrangement of MW in pantry. However, if I were a frequent MW user, or had kids constantly heating stuff, I would likely place the MW on a counter or use the shelf Dianalo linked above.

Although you didn't ask, but for anyone reading this thread and contemplating a built-in MW, I would add that I would never have a MW built into my cabinetry. MW's these days unfortunately have short lives and planned obsolescence. Expect to get 3-5 years out of them, no more. (To that point, don't spend a lot on a big-brand-name MW. With the exception of the GE MW's, almost all MW's are made by Sharp and Panasonic, then rebadged, so you will be getting no additional value if you buy a Dacor, Electrolux, Viking, etc., but you will be spending double what a Sharp or Panasonic would cost.) Given the short lives of MWs, the built-in idea is a poor one, because when you have to replace the MW in a few years, you may not find one that will fit in the space, you'll have to get new trim, etc. Better to have a location where it's an easy swap-out.

I've got mine in a reach-in pantry as well. I've always had a countertop MW before, and really wanted to eliminate it in this kitchen reno. We considered the MW drawers, but felt it was a lot of money for what it was, and that with our luck it would break, anyway. We considered just tucking a regular MW on a shelf under the countertop, but didnt want the lean-over factor. And we didn't have in our plan anything like a wall of cabinetry where it could be tucked in. So into the pantry it went.

It has worked out well for us. We use it maybe 5 days a week. We do leave the pantry door open when we're using it, which could be a hassle if you have a lot of people coming through the kitchen. But it is just DH and me. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

We've got a reach-in pantry on either end of the kitchen, so added an outlet inside one of them. It works great.

Here is a close up:

The upper cabs hutch/cabinet:

The entire hutch/cabinet:

Cotehele. Sorry about that. I was thinking one thing and looking for another. Beautiful kitchen BTW. I wish I had enough upper space to have an adjustable shelf but I opted for more window space.

I really like that there are several reasonable options.

I keep mine on a shelf above the counter. It was the easiest appliance to buy. I went to the store, found a microwave that fit the shelf, paid $100 for it, took it home and plugged it in. When it breaks, I'll repeat the process.

We have lots of counterspace and had planned to put it over blind corner. Didn't intend to angle it but that's where it sits now, across the corner, because the door is easier to wash and we can reach in easier. We had space for a good-sized model and we use it many times a day now that we are retired. I would not consider an expensive built-in; I've ruined at least 4 of these babies over the years. I like looking into it without bending or reaching high and the adjacent heatproof space is right there to accept hot stuff at removal.

Buehl's recommendations are spot-on. Love having ours where we can reheat beverages and leftovers and melt cheese on crackers without entering the busiest cooking&prep zones. We do a lot of defrosting also.

Cotohele. I love your kitchen and am very interested in your microwave/tea cabinet. Do you mind providing the cabinet's dimensions, including the width, height and depth of its microwave shelf? Also, does the cord for your microwave run behind the shelf to the plug that is above your toaster?

you might want to post a separate thread addressed to her so she sees it. She might not come back to this one.