So after much debate, we thought we had found the perfect solution for our wall cabinet vs. microwave drawer debate. We'd put a countertop microwave on a shelf in a base cabinet like this:

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in a 24" cabinet with a finished shelf and interior, so if we didn't like the location, we could just move the microwave to the counter and use the space for cookbooks. To further increase our flexibility, we'd ask for the height of the shelf to be placed such that we could put a microwave drawer there in the future in case we liked the location but not the ergonomics.

When I explained to our kitchen designer what we wanted, she insisted on knowing what model microwave we were planning on buying so she could make sure that it would work because it wasn't as straightforward as it seemed to put a countertop microwave in a base cabinet. When I explained that we wanted the shelf placed at a height to allow for the drawer in the future, our kitchen designer totally balked and said that swapping out for a microwave drawer wasn't that easy because it was like an oven cabinet where the cabinet had to be cut to fit the drawer and there had to be support underneath.

Now, I totally think she's off her rocker or has no concept of how a microwave drawer is installed. We've looked at the spec sheets and installation, which seems pretty straightforward, and all it requires is an opening of a specified size, a shelf to support 100 lbs, and an outlet. Isn't this exactly what we'd be getting when asking for a cabinet with an open shelf for a countertop microwave?? And when I was flipping through the cabinet catalog (Executive Cabinetry) looking at accessories, I saw that they had a base cabinet called a "microwave drawer base cabinet" and the line drawing with dimensions even stated "Sharp microwave drawer."

So my plan to get what we want is to tell her that we are getting the microwave drawer and want the microwave drawer cabinet with a finished shelf and interior (and let her think we're crazy). We've browsed enough countertop microwaves that I'm pretty sure we can find one that will fit the space and allow venting. Am I totally wrong about what is required with regards to the cabinet to install a microwave drawer? Will I be totally screwing us over if I go this route with our kitchen designer?

Ugh, I wish cabinet catalogs weren't state secrets so I could just go look at this cabinet specs again on my own, but the cabinet industry is almost worst than medical pricing.