You would need to use a short cabinet above that spot. It might be difficult to get it in place because it hangs on a backplate and you need room to tilt it. The OTR has a vent on the bottom that takes up room, I don't think you can remove it.

If you are putting it under a tall cabinet it would cut your counter space. Most OTR's are around 18" high and would take up all the height under the cabinet.

Sharp has "Over the counter" microwave that rests between cabs..it vents down...no clearance needed at sides-so will slip into a 24 in opening-15 inches deep with no rear clearance needed.I think it is a good machine as far as functions. The other regular "over the range" microwaves would be much wider I think and look oversized unless placed over a range. I would look at the Sharp website at all their mwaves.

steff_1: Thanks for your reply! Yes, we would put it under a short cabinet so there would be enough space above the countertop. I have my eye on one that is 16.5" tall. I'd love to get an over the counter microwave/convection oven without the vent for a stove (that isn't too deep), but it does not seem to exist.

herbflavor: Does it have a convection feature as well? Thank you!

In that case I think you really can do it just like it was over an existing cooktop.

If you have a good spot under the counter you might want to seriously consider it. Your toddler will grow up fast and there are ways to make it safe in the meantime.

We have a counter microwave/convection oven in an upper cabinet. Its a Sharp R-820-BK. Had to do a deeper upper cabinet. Hope this is helpful.

I have the Sharp Over the Counter Microwave. No, it doesn't have convection. I like it's features and have been happy with it's performance (have had it only for a few months). I considered a lower cabinet installation too, but didn't like the way I had to stoop down to see see the control panel.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sharp OTC Microwave

We did a Kenmore Elite microwave with convection. We chose to do the trim kit. It had to be 21 inches deep. Ours is in a bank of cabinets that is floor to ceiling, next to cabinets with a counter.

When planning for a microwave, sometimes, you can "borrow" a couple of inches. Ask your GC if the wall would allow you to build out a box into the framing.

prospect711: Thanks for your reply! I had my eye on the Sharp R-820JS, which is the stainless steel sister of your Sharp! (It sounds like an amazing appliance that pretty much does it all!) I just couldn't figure out how to get the size to work. Having a deeper cabinet is a Very interesting idea! I'm going to show this to DH to see if we can somehow swing it with our Ikea cabinetry. Thanks again! (Love your cabinets and beautiful backsplash!)

Luv2Laf: Your photo is Exactly what I wanted it to look like! And right next to the fridge seems like such a perfect spot! If only it had convection too - I was really hoping for a little back up oven to cook and reheat small meals. Hmmm... Thanks so much for your reply, gorgeous photo, and the food for thought!

colorfast: Okay, so it seems that the microwave/convection combos, unless they are the very wide OTR type, are pretty deep. I'll stop hunting for one that isn't. (No more wild goose chase!) We were planning on having 15" wide cabinets flanking the fridge on either side as a pantry (floor to almost ceiling height), but, maybe we should make one wider set of cabinets instead, where we can put the microwave/convection oven. I love how you have yours next to a counter. That seems to be an ideal setup to me. As for recessing it into the wall, I think we're out of luck, since the wall backs a stairwell leading to the basement as well as the stairs leading upstairs. I'm not sure that we can mess with that. I will share these ideas with DH. Thank you for your reply!

Silly? Absolutely not! I put a GE Advantium OTR over a counter. If you search for posts with my ID, I think I have a picture posted in a thread. I have 15" uppers on that wall and it fits nicely. Pay attention to the specs though. I had to put 2x4s behind it to give it clearance for the door and the exhaust vent in front. One of the benefits is I now have a heat and moisture tolerant area underneath for a coffee maker or a rice cooker. That's in addition to the lighting that comes with the appliance.

jscout: Can I hug you? Thank you SO much for your reply! And I did not think of the added benefit of having a coffee maker or rice cooker under it (both of which we have, and I was struggling trying to figure out a place for them). THANK YOU!!!! And thanks for the warning about door clearance! I didn't think of that. We will definitely buy the unit before committing to the exact cabinet dimensions. So fantastic! The only downside to our setup is that the base cabinet needs to be rather shallow (16" or so) to allow for a walkway. (I just posted my concerns about that here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1110411413569.html), but hopefully it will still be a useful setup.

Thanks again!

Bella - I basically asked the same question a few months ago. I saw what jscout did and am doing something very similar. It actually sounds like it is even more similar to yours b/c our base cabinets there are only going to be 18'' deep. Anyway, I am a long ways off from being able to post photos but you can look at jscouts. The only think I came across in my research was that an OTR model has to be open under neath for heat venting purposes - like you can't just build it it, which I considering b/c the price difference between the two models I was considering was almost $1000. I'm getting the GE Advantium 240v, which will also act as our second oven.

NewSouthernBelle: Thanks for your reply! I'm exited to hear that you are going with an OTR over the counter too! Best wishes with your kitchen reno! I look forward to seeing pics in the future. :)

shelayne: Love your coffee/micro station! (As well as all of your kitchen choices!) The Jenn Air looks terrific! Putting the coffee maker under it is perfect. We are definitely going to do that as well! Thanks for replying!