You have another choice, which is to buy an undercounter micro/hood combo and just install under a shortened cabinet in a location other than over the stove. You can do a recirculation installation instead of venting it to outdoors.

I hadn't realized that was an option before, but our next door neighbours did that with a KitchenAid vented micro and it looks great. If you went that route you could consider something like this model, which would save you ~$1000. http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/product/KHMC1857WSS/

I think you are worrying WAY too much about matching the handles. No one cares about the matchy-matchy look any more. And no one expects kitchens to have all matching appliances any more; just look at the high-end kitchens in Architectural Digest. You are a more savvy kitchen designer if you buy the appliances that have the features you want rather than match. And, BTW, stainless finishes often are not exactly the same even within the same brand, so I wouldn't worry about matching your stainless either.

And you are right--the GE Advantium is much more usable and gives you many more functions in one machine. It's also a good looking machine, with a nice clean design. KA microwaves don't have the best track record--check out reviews on Amazon for example--you are worried about the handles--I'd be more concerned whether my $600 machine will work in a year.

Alternatively, if you can't give up on the matchy handles, get a microwave drawer instead.

I think you're certainly worrying way too much about matching handles and stainless. I would never trade the usability of a MW for matching handles or stainless and I am super anal. Its pretty much a consensus on this board that no one notices or sees non matching handles as a significant issue.

After a few days in your new kitchen you will completely forget about it. However the MW is may be the most used appliance in the kitchen I will make the best decision possible for usability and ergonomics. I have a Sharp MW Drawer. We're still under construction but i have been playing with it and I can't foresee any issues.

I think placing it above the counter is going to give you the most utility (MW drawer I get under counter but not a regular microwave - wouldn't work for me). Many folks on here advocate creating an open spot in the upper cabinetry that will accommodate a countertop model - less of an investment and good functionality.

I have heard from several folks, including a friend who consulted a very experienced kitchen designer, to skip the fancy microwave. The suggestion was to get the 200.00 one and put it in an appliance garage with a flip up door. That way when it breaks (and it will) you don't have a cabinetry problem.

We have been using our Sharp MD for 3 months now & love it! My other appliances are KA Architect II series & the curve of the handle emulates KA enough that I don't notice. I agree that all handles don't have to match, but I also think it would have bugged me to have something from KA w/ the curves & then the very angular GE line . . .

Our very experienced KD also suggested the $200 GE Spacemaker if you only use the MW for heating coffee & makeing popcorn, but we do use our microwave a lot & already had problems having enough space for square rotating pans -- of course, some microwaves can "turn-off" the carrosel & the Sharp Drawer has the "zappers" that rotate & no carrosel.

I evaluated under counter, etc. & even though I am short have no desire to get on my knees to put things in the MW. One of the great pluses for the Sharpe is you can open the drawer & stir or check the food w/o taking out of the oven -- no spills, no hot foods on your knees or head.

One other comment on the KA microwaves -- the internal walls looked just like our temporary LG countertop model. It was ok, but glad I exchanged for the Sharp Drawer.

Good luck! (my apologies on the mis-spellings . . .)

Nix the fancy built in or designer type MWO.

Get a panasonic from costco and put it on a shelf under the counter. (no handles, just a push button)

It will break between 3 and 5 years :) Get another one which will be cheaper and more powerful. Goes on the same shelf.

I know this sounds very unenvironmental but MWO are notoriously prone to breaking.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg061445353301.html

Here are some pics of appliance garages made for microwaves.

The sharp drawer is very cool - agreed. It wasn't tall enough for what I microwave on a regular basis though - my Good Seasons carafe that I make my salad dressings in. I use olive oil and it gets hard in the fridge so I microwave it for a few seconds. The microwave drawer is roughly 7 1/4 inches and the carafe is almost 7 1/2.

Thanks to all who replied... regarding the handle issue, that is out of my control. The Mrs unit wants the handles ot match or no handles but in that case the SS must match the KA SS. Am sure other guys out there understand what it means having 49% of the vote ( on a good day! ).

Countertop space is at a premium so the goal is to expand the space we do have and get everything off of it!

At any rate, tonight we went to a nearby appliance store and she got to look at various options first hand. Given my 18 year old built in Whirlpool microwave/stove ahs worked flawlessly, she wants to maintain the built in look. So using a shelf, etc is not an option. Again, I only live here.. the kitchen is hers and with that in mid I respect her wishes.. especially since she is the best cook I have ever known!

She did approve of the Jenn Air drawer MW IF we decide to go under counter. Same SS as KA, no handle.

But after looking at a range mounted under cabinet and how low to th ground it actually sits ( worried about resale on that issue ), i THINK we have decided to sacrifice some counter space on the far side of the kitchen ( an area well outside of the food preparation area, where a desk currently sits ), and go with the KA combination microwave/true convection oven. It comes down to sorting through the issues and choosing the best possible compromise, especially given her restrictions on how she wants the kitchen to lok.

I perssonally like the advantium microwave/convection ovens in terms of functionality, but the KA offers a lot of features that we both value as well. This option also leaves room for a warming drawer if she decides it is worth the $$ to her.

If we sleep on this and have a chang eof heart regarding the range under counter, then we'll either find room for the built in KA microwave/convection oven or we'll go with the Jenn Air drawer model w/o convection.

Thx again for the rpelies.. they helped and seeing the various odels tonight helped her decide what features were most important and what compromises she could live with! :)

I helped my Mom do her kitchen and the "rules" nearly drove me nuts so sympathies. I'm no less nutso just different so best to role with it.

I think we all have our "quirks" :) Is only when the other person's quirks are different than our own that we get frustrated! She did at least let me know what her have to haves were and while they posed restrictions that were a little ahrd to get around, we are getting there.

The forum members here though always try to help and is appreciated as often peple say or suggest things I had not previously thought of, or sometimes say a couple things that lead me to think of another direction to go. Going to the appliance showroom last night also helped show what a range under counter would be like. While WE could use it, it was low to the ground and I fear future resale could suffer. The KA microwaves/convections thata re built in and with doors closing downward, if mounted into an upper cabinet, would be quite high for anyone 5 ft 6 or shorter. I'm 6 ft 1 but my spousal unit is 5 ft 6. If we split the microwave/range up, we could end up with a range very low to the floor and a microwave very high above the floor. Not sure reclaiming the 33 inches of counter top is worth that.

I'm learning as I go and this forum again is very helpful. We are though definitely getting closer to fializing our appliance selections! Thanks to all here!

jdavis--*sigh* what a husband! *assuming worshipful pose*

i need to get my husband to read your post!

your wife has got a keeper!!

;-)

Thx lol I'l pass your comments to her! But, have a feeling she will just roll her eyes and say Puhlease! We form an odd alliance on this project, sometimes not as good as I wish! I tend to do a lot of thinking, research,planning, asking questions and she tends to lay back and once absolutely ready to do it, let's get it done! Sometimes her getting involved late results in major changes and often times her wanting things that aren't feasible.. for example, she now wants a range cooktop rather than a surface mount cooktop but doesn't realize it will have an impact on the cabinet beneath it.

But in the end I do TRY to accomodate her needs in the kitchen as she really does love to cook and i really do love to eat what she cooks :) I try to know when to say No, that won't work but need to get a little less matter of fact in how I say it!

This balance between wanting more counter top space and having to decide between that and going with a combination mico/range has been interesting. When the kitchen is done we will still have almost 5 feet of additional counter top as compared to present layout and things will be arranged in a much better manner. We wil also have a knee wall and counter top we do not have now so I think the compromise on the micro/range is the best choice.. 33 inches of countertop isn't worth her having to get on a stool to get into the microwave or going with a drawer micro under counter and not having the convection part of the micro. The savings will almost pay for a warming drawer!

You might want to consider the Sharp convection microwave (link below). It has no handle, and it can be installed with a trim kit to make it "built in" or placed on the counter. I have it sitting on a shelf above the counter, about shoulder height for me. We have been really happy with the performance for both general microwaving and also for the convection features.

I have a KA range and the stainless matches fine. I don't know if the Sharp has all the features you want out of the advantium, but very comparable to the KA - and less expensive. BTW our previous Sharp mw lasted over 20 years, still works great and if DH had more than 49% vote it would still be in the kitchen today, LOL!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sharp convection microwave

Have you considered a micro drawer? Many of them do not have handles. They are all made by Sharp but some are rebadged and trimmed out to match other appliance lines. They don't have one that is convection (yet?), they are pricey, but the drawer location solved a lot of problems for us. They work well and even though more expensive than other micros, cost less than any of our other appliances.

I am in love with Jrueter's kitchen! Love the kitchen cabinets, the hardware on the cabinets, the counters, the backsplash, and that adorable Sharp Microwave on a shelf. I have to look up information on your kitchen since it is so stunning. Thanks for sharing. What model is your microwave?

lynne - glad you like our kitchen - there is more information in the finished kitchens blog (coming soon kitchens). We couldn't be happier with how it turned out! Our microwave is the Sharp R-930CS. We used it quite a lot in convection mode before the new range was installed, although less now that we have the range as well. The MW baked cookies much better than I would have thought possible and the delay cook feature was a lifesaver - put some chicken or a casserole in, head to baseball practice and come home to dinner ready to eat!

Here is a link that might be useful: sharp R930CS microwave with convection

jrueter, I finally found the details about your finished kitchen and I really appreciate you sharing this information. I also thank you for sharing the microwave you have since it is so cute and it seems to have good ratings. Again thank you so much.

Here is a link that might be useful: jrueter's finished kitchen

I bought a Panasonic countertop microwave from costco ($140) and put it under the counter in my island. Then I ordered a trim kit from Micro Trim ($120), which was made to the exact dimensions of my cabinet opening and microwave. It looks great -- has the built in look, but for a lower price than ordering a higher end microwave and trim kit. Panasonic actually makes a trim kit for my microwave but it would have required us to trim the cabinet opening. Micro Trim made a kit to the exact dimensions of the existing opening so there was no need to alter the cabinet. I have the microwave in the island facing my kitchenaid architect II fridge and dishwasher. The steel tones & colors all look good together (although the microwave and trim I think are actually a brushed aluminium).

So, lots of info but the bottom line is that I think just about any microwave will look fine with your KA appliances. I like the microwave low in the island. We used to have one over the range which was horrible (worried I'd set myself on fire leaning over the cooktop to get to the microwave). It's very unobtrusive in the island.

I wanted to post a follow up as I appreciate all the helpful suggestions posted.. hopefully this thread will help others in the future as well. We visited a local store and looked at many options, including the drawer model ( the Jenn Air stainless matches perfectly, no surprise since theya re owned by same company! ). My wife wanted the appliances to match so that meant either a matching KA handle or no handle. After looking at ranges mounted under cabinet and considering where a seperate microwave would mount, she decided to sacrifice 33 inches of counter top and went with the combination microwave/range from KA instead. They are willing to significantly discount the price. Now, she is debating whether or not to go with a warming drawer beneath the range section or to simply use a regular drawer there!

Very nice of everyone to offer their solutions. Shows there are manyw ays to solve these issues and posting solutions will certainly help others. I exercised the full power of my 49% of the vote on this one and agreed with her decision :) Thx again!