Sharp Over the Counter Microwave question

11 years ago

Hi all. Would have posted on appliance forum and still can, but the kitchen people are so responsive! I am considering a Sharp 1214 (?) OTC microwave. I want it to be installed so the bottom of the MW is even with the bottom of the upper cabinets. Will I still be able to see into the MW? I am 5'4". Is there anyone out there that can tell me how far off the floor the window of their OTC MW is? An issue with seeing inside? My DD is an inch shorter. Others in family are taller. TIA!

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

You will need a semi custom line that offers cabinets at 15" deep in order to get the face lined up with it's neighbors. For the height, since OTRs are anywhere from 16"-17" high, you will not only need to permanently commit to a particular model, but you will also need a cabinet line that offers customization for cabinet heights. See, standard cabinet heights are in 3" increments. Using standard height cabinets will leave the MW either slightly below or slightly above the bottoms of the adjacent cabinets. You would need a mid to upper end line to do height customization.

This isn't a hill to die on for a moderately priced kitchen. It costs too much, and leaves you too inflexible should your OTR MW. last the typical 3-5 years.

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Comments (11)

zorroslw1
11 years ago
Kelleg69

Glad you asked that question. We are building and I would like my microwave even with the bottom of the upper cabinets also. For me, it would mean the cabinet above it would be taller than those beside it unless I customized the cabinet or someone can suggest something else.
kelleg69
Original Author
11 years ago
From another thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-is-the-depth-of-the-microwave-cabinet-brand-of-microwave-thx-dsvw-vd~733098

Here is a pic of what I want.
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zorroslw1
11 years ago
Yea, I like that look too. Mine will be over the stove, but they make them as big as a stove oven anymore. I don't use mine for more than heating up foods or coffee and defrosting, I don't cook a turkey in it! But, I do use it a lot. They need to start making them smaller. My current one sticks out about 2 inches farther than side cabinets and hangs down below the side cabinets about 2 inches.

I am 5' 6" and if mine was at cabinet height, I don't think it would be a problem. I think it would work for you.
mmleach
11 years ago
We had the Sharp OTC microwave installed in our new kitchen in November. I was also afraid that it would be too high for me. I am 5'2". It is not. Maybe it could be a little lower, but I accept that it would look strange if it were. My upper cabinets are actually 19" rather than the customary 18" from the countertop. So, mine is probably an inch higher than what yours will be. I have to add that it is the best microwave I have ever owned.
kelleg69
Original Author
11 years ago
mmleach, thank you! Great information!!! I talked to my husband about it tonight. We def want it to be flush with bottom of uppers. Also, I don't really look in the MW that much--not like an oven where you want to check if something is browning. Not to say that I don't need to be able to see in, it just isn't a real issue. Thanks for chiming in. And, glad to hear that you really like the Sharp OTC.
lsnel
11 years ago
I have had this microwave for 12 years and love it! The bottom of microwave to floor is at 53". I am 5'2" and I do have to stand on my tippy toes to see in bowls. I would say my eye level is an inch below middle of window.
kelleg69
Original Author
11 years ago
lsnel, so is your MW even with the uppers around it? How much space between bottom and counter? Thanks.
tmy_jax
11 years ago
In looking at the specs online, it would appear the lower fascia of the MW is ~ 2.5". You could use masking tape or blue painter's tape to mask a line across your existing cabinets 2.5" above their current bottom edge (assuming you have 16-18" height from countertop to cabinet) .

A couple of issues to consider:
1) as zorro pointed out, the you would need a cabinet above the MW that is 14" shorter than the surrounding cabinets to offset the height of the MW.

2) standard wall cabinet depth = 12". This MW is 15" deep. So you might consider going with 15" deep cabinets for the entire run that the MW sits on.

Here's couple of previous GW threads about the Sharp 1214 OTC MW:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2335541/sharp-over-counter-microwave-r1214

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2301493/does-anyone-have-a-sharp-under-cabinet-microwave-r1214

HTH, tmy
lsnel
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Bottom of micro to countertop is 17 inches and yes it is even with the upper cabinet. My upper cabinets are 14" deep, but we also have these cabinets in between a fridge panel on one side and pantry on the other which enabled us to bring the microwave and cabinets out far enough out to allow for 1" in front as it has to in order for the door to swing. We just installed these cabinets ( not finished yet so no trim crown etc has been done yet), but it was installed the same way before. Cabinet on left is 44"H and cabinet above microwave is 30". Hope this helps. linda
jennoi222
8 years ago
tmy_jax - I see that you recommend 15" deep wall cabinets so that the microwave Is flush against the cabinets. This is what I intend to do - I have (3) 24" wide X 15" deep double door wall cabinets. The microwave would be in the center cabinet. Do you think that the microwave door would have problems opening up with the cabinet on the left hand side? Also - the microwave 14" high. My neighboring wall cabinets are 36". The cabinets only come in increments of 3" - so I would have to get a 21" cabinet above the microwave. Do you think my contractor can put a 1" filler in btwn the cabinet and the top of microwave so I can keep the microwave even with the bottom of the cabinets? last question....these would be over standard 24" base cabinets. Is that ok? My husband seems to think it will stick out too much.