Over the Range Microwave Question

11 years ago

We are designing our kitchen cabinets and my wife would like a separate range hood, rather than have over the range microwave. What we are considering is putting an over the range microwave under a cabinet next to the range, but it would be enclosed under the bottom. We would not use the light or vent function. Our thoughts on this is that most counter top microwaves do not look that nice and they are very heavy to just rest on a shelf built under the cabinet. Has anyone enclosed an over the range microwave in a separate cabinet away from the range? If not, does anyone think there would be any issues doing this? I have attached a pic to show something similar to what we are talking about. Thanks

This post was edited by sirraf69 on Thu, Jan 1, 15 at 18:51

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Comments (9)

Olychick
11 years ago
Why not just use an above the counter micro? Here's one but you can find others.
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Here is a link that might be useful: above counter microwave
User
11 years ago
You can't enclose the bottom of an OTR, but you can do a faux built in with one. Bear in mind that this is missing the horizontal filler piece across the bottom.

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[Beachy Morning Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Memphis Kitchen & Bath Designers ProSourceMemphis

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[Beachy Morning Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by ProSource Memphis

I designed the install with side panels, and hung the OTR from a 15'' deep cabinet. The homeowner was supposed to install the filler across the bottom and light rail, but he never got around to it.
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sirraf69
Original Author
11 years ago
live_wire_oak,
Thanks so much for the pics. Why is it that the bottom cannot be enclosed if we would not use the vent or lights? I understand your filler strip across the bottom. Does that allow the homeowner to use the vent and light if they wish? Thanks again.

olychick,
We have looked at those, but there is not much options with them and we like the looks of the OTR microwaves.
User
11 years ago
The MW needs ventilation from below to keep the electronics cool. It's why you need to use a trim kit when building in a countertop MW into a cabinet, or else leave air space at the sides, back, and top.
sirraf69
Original Author
11 years ago
live_wire,

Makes sense. Thanks. So as long as we use an OTR in a separate cabinet, and use the front filler strip, we should be good to go? Personally I think it would be handy to have an extra vent and the light. We are going to place it in the cabinet next to the range.
funkycamper
11 years ago
Have you considered a microwave drawer? The people that have them really seem to like them. At least from what i read here on GW. I'm contemplating one myself. Although I use my MW so seldom, I'm considering just getting a mini-sized one to put in my pantry.
User
11 years ago
You could go ahead and hook a vent pipe up to it too for those times when you've got a rice cooker blowing a bunch of steam, or a crockpot full of brats and sauerkraut steaming all day. Small appliances sometimes need a bit of ventilation, and it beats sitting them on the range and turning on the hood.
sirraf69
Original Author
11 years ago
funky,
We did look at those, but my wife wasn't crazy about them.

live_wire,
We would probably just use the recirc mode in the OTR.
weedmeister
11 years ago
I'm not entirely sure, but I think the bottoms of OTR units are not flat. They slant slightly upward from rear to front.