Getting range hood - where do I park microwave? ASAP Pls.

14 years ago

So, because I love the look, I'm considering getting a range hood and a slide in range. Then the question is - where do I put my microwave? I use it a lot.

I don't want to just leave it on the counter. Looks like an after thought and I don't like stuff to permanently live on my counters. Plus, a microwave on the counter takes me back to college days. But, I'll probably be getting a Keurig so I need to think about that too. I'd be less opposed to that sitting on counter but if you have a creative way to hide that I'd love to hear that too.

I don't like cabinets that go all the way to the counter very well. And, it makes the microwave hard to see/read. I'm tall and don't want to have to bend over to see the thing. OK... so off the counter it goes. Right?

I'd be fine with hiding it in a cupboard. I think I like (thanks for posting the pics in another thread andreak100! Stolen straight from there.):

They don't have to vent, right? Will those style doors hold up to daily use? Gentle use, but daily. Where would I put that? My kitchen has a symmetry to it... or did before I got to messing with it! =) (And most or all of the bottom cabs are becoming drawers.)

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Kitchen in model:

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread on appliance garages

Featured Answer

lavender_lass

14 years ago

How about changing to a cooktop and moving an oven/microwave to the end of the cabinets? Or keeping the range and having a second oven? If you do a lot of baking or entertain on the holidays...the second oven can really come in handy!

Otherwise, I'd put the microwave by the fridge, much like your first picture. I don't know if you need a door to hide it, but I like it on the shelf...so you don't lose any counterspace.

Of course, you could do it all...move the microwave by the fridge, use a cooktop with 'pots and pans' storage underneath and have double ovens at the end of those cabinets. That would give you prep space between the fridge and cooktop, a baking area between the cooktop and ovens and clean up on the island.

Sorry to offer so many options...it just depends on how you will use your kitchen :)

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Comments (13)

gwynnie8
14 years ago
I just went through this dilemma. After ordering a new micro for over the stove, I started thinking - maybe a range hood instead but then where to put the microwave? The cabinets had been ordered (coming tomorrow!) so too late to have one of these hidden shelf type and I learned to late about those housed ina drawer. I, too, don't want to clutter up the new countertop, so after back and forthing a lot, I went ahead with the over the range but got a slide in instead of the one with the controls at the back, so it's looks sleeker and not as "crowded" even with the micro. Good luck to you - let us know what you decide!
prospect711
14 years ago
Here's ours. We are both tall and it works great for us.
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labbie
14 years ago
Don't have a photo at work, but similar to prospects, we had cabinet maker mount under cabinets to appear built in.
it looks great. we wanted a range hood since we had zero ventilation in the kitchen before, unless you count the window!
ginny20
14 years ago
Did you see this thread on Appliances Forum?

There are probably other discussions over there, as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: in cabinet microwave
bill102
14 years ago
I am putting in an Over the Stove speed oven over a counter in the upper cabinet and a hood over the 48'' range. The fan in the speedoven will vent counter top cooking. Both will be ducedt to the roof.
Annie Deighnaugh
14 years ago
We went with a cooktop and separate oven with the mw over the wall oven. Your kitchen is certainly large enough to do an end stack...would balance the fridge on the other side, lending symmetry.

And if you haven't investigated induction cooktop, you might take a look. We love ours.
karen_belle
14 years ago
We put our microwave in a tall cabinet by the pantry. Since we use the microwave mostly for reheating, it is close to the breakfast table and serves us well. It is out of the main cooking triangle, which I like a lot.
beeps
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for all the pics and suggestions!

Your idea is the simplest fudgie - I was planning on a slide in anyway, but hadn't thought about that making it look less crowded. I was thinking of it more in that it wouldn't break up the continuous run of the backsplash. But, you are right it would look better just with that. But the hoods like I like are so sexy I just *need* one in my kitchen. =)

I think your changes are a bit more extensive than they would go for lavender! :) I'm so pushing the limit already!

Sent my designer an email with what I'm hoping to see. Will see what her cab design people come up with! Then I can deal with the builder about the range hood - which preferably will vent out and not have to be recirculated.
weissman
14 years ago
Yes, a MW needs to vent. Some vent on the bottom, some on the side. The specs for the microwave should state the required clearances. The advantage of a trim kit is that it enables the MW to vent out the front.
andreak100
14 years ago
beeps, I'm glad those pictures were helpful to you. I can remember when I was first coming up with the idea that I was having a tough time explaining to people what I wanted to do and I wasn't finding a lot of pictures of them...you'd better believe when I found them, they went in my (rather extensive) inspiration file :)

You do need to have a bit of room for the MW to vent, so you don't want the cabinet to be just-large-enough for the microwave to fit. Also, make sure that you allow for enough room in case you get a different sized one in the future since MW seem to have a rather limited life now.

You definitely want your hood to vent out and not recirculate. Recirculating hoods are fairly worthless IMO - they don't get rid of the smoke and all they wind up doing is pulling the grease up onto the cabinets above. Note that it will probably cost more to have your hood vented to the outside.

Beeps, I keep thinking about how you must have thought that you were going to be done with all this planning, and how you've wound up with a bunch more decisions that you're trying to make and make quickly. I think it will all be worth it - you're going to be so much happier with your new kitchen than what you would have been with what was going to be previously. But, I bet your head is spinning right about now!
beeps
Original Author
14 years ago
So that's what a trim kit is weissman! I wondered. =) So much to learn.

My head has been mush for days andreak100! :)

I've been told I can do a range hood but it has to vent out the side where the microwave would have vented. Started a new thread for that. And I have to be done with this. This is my last change. Builder is getting impatient with me. Thanks!
friedajune
14 years ago
Like Karen_Belle posted above, I have mine in a pantry. I don't use a MW that often, and that location is perfect for me. I adjusted the shelf height to be where I want it (I am somewhat vertically challenged).