All pullouts need to be anchored to something or they will tip over. Pulling out the pullout changes their center of gravity. You especially do not want that if you plan to put a heavy MW on top of it!

One solution might be a restaurant wall mounted stainless MW shelf. Or modify a base cabinet to accept a MW drawer. Or place it on on a shelf in a pantry area. There are lots of choices, but without a layout, it's difficult to be more specific as to which might work in your case.

Please post a picture of your current Microwave situation.

I have a similar issue and was wondering if one can use a microwave/hood to build it in somewhere else.

Here is a link that might be useful: built-in microwave

I put my microwave inside of the pantry cabinet.

Here is an image of a slim line KitchenAid Hood that can be installed under cabinets and over a range. Maybe that would provide enough room without removing the cabinets.

Also, the microwave doesn't have to be installed over a cooktop. This one was installed under cabinets in a different location in the kitchen. Though the light is hooked up the fan is not hooked up to a vent.

I have my small corner style microwave in my appliance garage. When I ordered it I must have measured 4 or 5 times to make sure it would fit. It has worked beautifully and I am very happy with it.

Beverly27 thanks for posting the pics! Beautiful backsplash btw!
Do you know the output of your burners?

I called my sister to supply those pics of HER kitchen. As for the backsplash, she purchased the tile at her local Lowes. Good luck.

Beverly,
do you think that pretty much any OTR microwave can be installed under cabinets? If yes, would it go on a shelf, be attached to the cabinet, or would it be attached to the wall?

OTR microwaves, at least the ones that we've had, have a wall bracket to mount to but also have a couple of bolts that secure it to the cabinet that it hangs under.

gpraceman is correct about how to do the mounting for an over the range microwave.

You can also purchase cabinets designed to receive a microwave with a built-in framing kit.

In terms of $$, it's easier to purchase a cabinet with a shelf that holds the microwave and simply slide one on the shelf and be done with it.

Personally, I like the microwave with trim kit option. It is a regular counter top microwave that sits on top of a shelf in the cabinet and the trim kit gives it more of a built-in look. That is what we did for our microwave.

This post was edited by gpraceman on Fri, Aug 9, 13 at 13:11

I'm just wondering if I can recycle an OTR microwave, or what are the cons?

As long as you have a 30" wide cabinet that can work with the height & depth of the microwave, & electric hook up it should be reasonable to reinstall.

Found this pic on another post, though this is some type of special microwave that is deeper.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about microwaves

Hadn't thought of the depth requirements, so maybe too much of a hassle.