Outside mount hinge might work, it looks like a framed cabinet. Get a decorative one. You Have to be careful with Another hinge the doors won't meet in the middle when they close. Also if you mess with the hinges too much you will strip the holes. You could also leave the one hinge one and attach the doors together to make it a bifold door. That is a long shot. The weight on the hinge is probably too much but it may work. Finally he may be able to put a lift on the door. I can't see the rest of the kitchen. It's unlikely if it's framed but maybe.

Talk to your cabinetmaker about the hinges. Consider ganging the 2 doors together so they open as one, hinged on the right. You might gain enough clearance.

It sounds like the cabinetmaker may owe you another cabinet if this one does not meet the requirements you provided.

My new smaller microwave is just as efficient as my old over the stove one.

Piano hinges would probably work.

I don't think you will be happy with something less than 1000watts. Can you use a piano hinge?

Looks like the height of the space is much taller than the microwave. Can you do either:

1) Instead of the microwave sitting on the bottom of the cabinet, install a shelf for the microwave to sit on, a few inches above the bottom of the cabinet. This would allow it to clear the hinges. You might want to move the hinges as far down as they will go, but you might not need to do that. I have shown that option in black, with the hinges moved down.

2) Leave the microwave sitting on the bottom of the cavinet, and move the hinges up so they are just above the microwave. I have shown that option in red.

It's a poor concept overall. And dangerous. At a minimum, the doors should be pocket doors like on an armoire and there should be an automatic shut off for the electrical if the doors are closed. It is a fire hazard if done as you designed it.

Do you actually need a door on the microwave cabinet? We had our kitchen guys hang one of the kitchen cabinets with doors for the top half, leaving the bottom half open for the microwave. Practical, looked fine, and not the safety hazard Sophie is describing. And it kept the microwave off the countertop.

Great suggestions, everyone. There's hope that we can work around the problem! I need to look into piano hinges--brilliant! The cabinets get painted Tuesday (in 2 days), so we need to work fast.

The one thing we can't do is turn this into one door. It's hard to tell, but to the right of the MW cabinet is the refrigerator. When the MW is running (and the cabinet doors are open), it's important that the right-hand door opens against the adjacent fridge cabinet without jutting out into the aisle as people walk by. That's the main pathway through the kitchen, and we're asking for head-on collisions if the door stick out 11 inches past the counter into the aisle.

We're heading out for a while, but I hope to post a better picture later so you can better visualize it.

Like Sophie / seems I read it's not fully safe for that kind of MW to be inside a cabinet. This page has their route for venting it:

http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/12/goodbye-microwave-hello-microwave-cabinet/

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2275682/can-i-put-my-microwave-in-a-cabinet-behind-door

What if you take the doors off, put the microwave in and put the doors back on... With microwave buttons on the right panel you have about 3-4"... Would that work?

According to the NFPA, During 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,100 home* structure fires per year in which a microwave oven was involved in ignition. These fires caused an annual average of less than 10 civilian deaths, 150 civilian injuries and $31 million in direct property damage. One in every six (17%) of microwave oven home structure fires cited appliance housing or casing as the item first ignited.

So, why not have the top half of the cabinet with doors, and leave the bottom, with the microwave, open. I know it doesn't hide the microwave, but it will keep it out of the way.

It makes no sense to have a door on the MW cabinet and infact it is proably a MW that is not meant to be built in MWs need clearance all around them unless thy are specificaly made to be built in

Your microwave manual will tell you how much space you need around it for venting. I believe you will be able to find one that fits your needs. What is the difference whether you have doors that you close, when the microwave is in use, versus leaving the space in front open? My cousin (an architect) put her microwave in a cabinet too.

As far as Sophie Wheeler's excerpt from the NFPA, all it really says is that in 17% of fires, the microwave housing is the first thing that ignites. I don't see that as relevant to your dilemma. (If we looked at how many fires are caused by stoves, we'd all be eating raw.)

Just follow the manufacturer's directions and you will be fine. I still think my suggestion above is the simplest approach. Move the hinges to clear the microwave, and/or add a secondary shelf.

A trim kit will reduce the space you need around the microwave, by directing the air flow differently. http://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=21841

Alternatively, you can hang your microwave under the cabinet. It doesn't hide it from view, but gets it off the countertop. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/microwave-dilemma-dsvw-vd~3847319

Not a good pic but appears you have 2 piece clip on hinges. If you buy a 1 piece hinge it would only be about 3/8" thick on the frame side which might give you the clearance you need. They are readily available at any supply house or Rockler.

Look up Blum compact soft close hinge.

As for hiding it in a cabinet? Not sure why that is being done but? Is it illegal? That is a god question as you have to open the doors to use it so that would eliminate any venting issues. I am sure though with the ability to close it you would then create the hazard.

Leave it on the counter it isn't that big of a deal. By the way your outlets aren't sensing heat. People don't realize a lot of insurance Co's are denying claims based on illegal or not to code repairs.

I have never seen a microwave in a closed cabinet....I have seen them above the stove, under cabinets, on cabinets and built in like yours but with no door. I would be afraid it would be turned on (some one putting food in it) and the doors closed. Our above the stove MW has a vent in the top front as well as a vent out the back. Of course ours is used every meal and between...

GE MWs are noted for spontaneously turning themselves on. And fires from doing that. I would think really long and hard about putting any cooking appliance behind cabinet doors. I personally would not do it and have refused to design kitchens that wanted that in them. It is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I also have to ask why your cabinets have been installed unfinished?? Cabinets should always be finished off site, in a clean room, with a catalyzed varnish, by a specialty cabinet finisher Never painted on site by a painter.

Answers:

1. Yes, it would work on the counter, and that still remains an option. We put it behind closed doors b/c we wanted to hide the microwave when it's not in use. After 40 years of having a MW on the counter, I'm ready for a change. But I want to be wise, cautious, and safe. If we can't make it work in the cabinet, I'm willing to choose Plan B!
2. Partim, moving the shelves is a good tip. We could try that!
3. We use the MW a couple times a day, mostly to melt butter or chocolate, defrost something, or reheat leftovers. It wouldn't be running for long periods of time.
4. Cabinets are installed unfinished b/c that's the way our cabinet maker does things, and his (and his finishers') work is beautiful.
5. We don't own a GE and aren't looking at GE replacements. Even so, it seems to me that if a microwave is going to spontaneously turn on, it will be a fire hazard whether or not there is a door on the cabinet.
6. I'll look into that Blum compact hinge. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm not sure why some of you felt it was helpful to thread me onto a skewer and roast me over an open flame. What happened to community? There are nice ways to make recommendations or ask questions about why we made the choices we did, and I appreciate each of you who did so in a kind and respectful way. I'm open to re-thinking placement of the microwave, but geez. Cut me some slack.

We need Fred S and his codes , here. He would tell you what is legal or allowed.

There may not be municipal codes around this, but I would be comfortable complying with the manufacturer's specifications.

teamaltese, thank you for a fresh perspective. My back went out yesterday and I'm traveling tomorrow to a trade show this weekend, where I will be a vendor. I don't know how I'm going to manage it, and I'm feeling peevish and miserable.

At this point, we can't do anything new to the cabinets, so we may just leave the MW on the counter. It's not awful, and we do have ample counter space.

Hi Kim, lots of ibuprofen, ice, stretch and move if you can, and if you need one get yourself a cane at the drugstore to help get around. From someone who's been-there-done-that with throwing my back out several times over the last 10+ yrs. It sucks. Mine usually feels better within a week.

Re the microwave, can you remove the door altogether and have open shelving for the micro and above?

Safety first!

This might be helpful for those of you who have never seen a concealed microwave. It's also where some of my ideas came from.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/hidden-microwave-phbr0lbl-bl~l_1999

One thing about microwaves - they're extremely good for heating up heat-packs for bad backs. Ibuprofen and a heat pack at night will do your back a lot of good. Been there, done that.

Houzz frequently showcases idiotic health and safety hazards. Probably because they do not have a trained designer on their staff. They are all about website hits and selling adds. Not actually giving good usable and safe advice. Using anything on the site as a direct inspiration for DIY design is about as smart as using pictures of Neolithic caves as inspiration for your new rustic living room. You always need a local design expert involved. Kitchens have the most health and safety codes per square inch of any room in the house.

That would explain why they're running yet another divisive thread on removing shoes. The last one was only last month. Attracts a lot of comments.

Mainline Kitchen, Sophie Wheeler, and teamaltese: Yes! Thank you. Excellent insight into the "oh, so pretty" that may or may not be "oh, so functional." I appreciate your continued input!

This is what I did...left doors off and stenciled back wall of cabinet

Have your cabinet maker make new smaller doors that only enclose the upper shelves, leaving the microwave exposed. You should check with your local electrical authority, as far as I am aware, here, you can not have a plug in a closed cabinet. This solution would take care of both issues. good luck.