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Stackable built-in microwaves

11 years ago

Hi, My wife and I are building a new home and are starting to think about kitchen appliances. We'd really like to have two microwave ovens built-in, since many evenings our dinners consist of re-heating various leftovers, and the line for the microwave gets long!

I haven't seen this in any homes, and have been trying to figure out the most visually pleasing way to arrange it. My thought is to have an oven with two built-in microwaves above it. Has anybody done something similar? Is this simply a matter of having the cabinetry constructed appropriately? We don't want to have a second microwave oven just sitting on the counter surface.

In our current home the microwave is integrated into the stove vent, but I assume the microwaves need their own venting?

Thanks for any thoughts on this.. Sorry if the question sounds naive :)

Comments (7)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    My thought is to have an oven with two built-in microwaves above it.

    Bad idea. The top microwave will be too high and the oven too low.

    In our current home the microwave is integrated into the stove vent, but I assume the microwaves need their own venting?

    Built-in microwaves are not vented outside. The venting they need to cool their electronics is built-in, and will work as long as you install them correctly.

    If this were my kitchen I would put the microwaves in separate places. Maybe one stacked over the wall oven, and the other somewhere else.

    That said you will not find many fans of built-in microwaves here. Prices are a rip off compared to countertop models with no improvement in function. Microwaves are not economical to repair so if it breaks, you get hosed again. A much better strategy is to make alcoves in your cabinetry to put countertop microwaves in. If one breaks no problem, go to Walmart, pick up a new cheapo, $100 later you're up and running.

  • 11 years ago

    Second the idea of combi steam oven and speed oven instead of two microwaves, if you have money to spend. plllog spelled out all the good reasons already.

  • 11 years ago

    Interesting, and thank you! I had never heard of a steam oven before. Clearly I need to do some research. The prices I'm seeing are pretty high, and I'm a little wary of a new appliance category, because of a lack of selection and the potential for maintenance problems, but the steam oven seems to be pretty ideal for our use case.

    The idea of using a cubby along with a free-standing microwave is a great one. That keeps them out of the way and looking nice, but without the expense you mention of the built-in units.

    Thanks!

  • 11 years ago

    Hello- after a year of searching, I've yet to find a wall oven of any kind (mw included) that will accept exterior venting. I'm building now after a 15 year hiatus and am pretty appalled at the quality and price of appliances....but have a look at the GE advantium double combination microwave/speed convection ovens. People seem to like them.

  • 11 years ago

    The combi-steam oven really isn't "new" (at least not "newer") considering all the new engineering that's in regular ovens, and if you follow the suggested cleaning and descaling instructions, they should last well. They've popped recently in popularity and there are quite a number to choose from. If you can even contemplate the expense, I do think one will work well for you.

  • 11 years ago

    I'd look at a combi steam for your needs also. If you're really re heating a lot of meals - it is so much better than a microwave.

    You may want to consider a drawer microwave too.