We looked at two houses for our daughter just recently that had an over-the-range microwave not over the range. We all agreed that it looked noticeably weird. If it were me, I would consider a microwave drawer or just putting the microwave in the pantry.

If you do an over-the-counter microwave like so:

it'll mess up the continuity of your under-cabinet lighting. Plus, I think it just looks kinda weird.

Here are some alternatives:

I'm struggling to see how an over-the-range microwave looks better than a built-in. You mention: "....the shelf seems sloppy and poorly integrated into the design..", but the built-ins I've seen have no visible shelf. Sure, the unit is resting on a shelf, but the opening is covered by a unit-specific trim piece from the manufacturer (usually called a "trim kit") that covers any gap and provides a well-integrated look.

This is what I mean by a shelf:

The reason I don't like the built-ins is because the trim kits always look cheap and gaudy to me. But if that's what most people like best, maybe it would be better for eventual resale if we do that.

Here are a few more OTC microwave installations. Again, notice the dark areas beneath them:

Sammy, what if we're not installing under cabinet lighting? I agree if looks super weird to have the dark spot, but I don't think we're going to do under cabinet lighting.

Built-in is the way to go.

They have combo microwave and convection that are pretty cool. These look more like built in ovens, so less trim.

Those are much more expensive though from what I've seen. We're not heavy microwave users, so it seems silly to pay so much for one of those.

You might find you use it more with the convection option. Some also have a steam function.

This is my favorite and i would do this if I had the room - no reaching up, which gets harder as you get older, and plenty of area to set things down. You could also do similar with a door - then you can hide it since you don't use it often.

FWIW, if you get an OTC microwave they have lights beneath, I think more light area than the OTRs do, because they don't have to leave room for the vent. In the photos posted here, those lights are off. So while they definitely would not be the same as your regular undercab lighting, they do have lights there, not a pit of blackness beneath them.

However, I agree that they are stupidly expensive and personally would prefer a countertop micro if the kitchen allowed the space for it.

I've done it as a request for a convection MW that they wanted to keep. I increased the depth of the side cabinets here to the same 15" as the OTR so that it didn't stick out like it would over a range. Yes, they do have lights for below. You should NOT skip UC lighting. It's one of the best things you can spend money on in a kitchen besides proper ventilation.

Beachy Morning Kitchen · More Info

Beachy Morning Kitchen · More Info

It's missing the horizontal piece of trim at the bottom that would make it be more built in looking. The homeowner eventually got around to installing it, but never sent me a good pic of it.

Sharp has an over the counter MW and GE has hanging kits for several MW to do this. Using an OTR MW instead would work fine, just look kind of dumb. you know, like you used something in a place it doesn't belong, which is exactly what you did... I don't find UCL very useful myself but maybe it's because I don't have many upper cabinets.

I believe the Sharp R1214 is a great solution for you and has lights underneath. It seams to me GE also had what they called a Spacemaker

Think over the countertop MW's look fine.

Do not have undercab lighting and do not miss it.

I think what you propose is fine, especially if you don't have under cabinet lighting. However the OTR microwaves usually stick out from the cabinets by a couple inches.

Do you need a large OTR microwave or can you do with a 24" microwave mounted under a cabinet? We have a 24" under the cabinet and that setup works very well.

The shelf microwave would be least expensive. When the microwave goes out, you find another close to the same size. This is probably why some shelves have gaps. With built ins what do the do when the microwave goes out? Your cabinet is built to those exact specs. You hopefully find a trim kit which may or may not look nice. Hard to know what to do.

Plus, if you use a regular (countertop) microwave on a shelf, you can run your lighting under it just like all the other cabinets. No problem!

The convection microwave my grandparents bought in 83 is still going strong. The just plain microwave my parents got the same year made it until 2011. Everything recent is garbage.

I think its a good option to have an OTR microwave located somewhere other than over the range. Not everyone who wants a raised and enclosed microwave wants the bulky piece of equipment over the range, and the only real options for achieving this are a built-in microwave or OTR format. Problem is, the counter top microwaves you'd build in all appear to be 19 3/4" ish deep which can't be built into standard 15" cabinets, whereas OTR microwaves are 15" deep by default. I think it's definitely a good option to build a housing around an OTR microwave. The only downside I can think of is having a fan randomly over the counter, but personally I can live with that.

I'm surprised by your comment about microwaves with trim kits looking gaudy. I've never seen one that looked terrible. Many companies sell them and they go hand in hand with specific models of microwaves so that it is a custom looking fit made to fit into a standard size opening (24", 28", 30"). GE, LG, Panasonic etc - they all seem to have them. Have a look and see if you can't find one that suits your fancy. They aren't expensive ($70-$120) for most that I've looked at and give a really nice finished appearance.

Another option is the microwave drawer - the most common one is made by Sharp. I think they look great and many people like them at the lower level. That way, especially as you age you aren't lifting hot items down towards you, rather up onto counter level from the drawer. They are not an inexpensive item but look and function well and can be quite hidden if you put them on the backside of an island configuration.

leaschweitzer, I am looking to do the same thing! DId you end up putting an OTR over the counter??

• I have a Sharp microwave drawer in my island that I bought in 2013. Sometimes, when I press the button to open the drawer, it makes a noise and doesn't open. I can still open it by pulling on the handle though. Then it works correctly tor some reason. It is more difficult to clean the "ceiling" inside, but if we use covers, there is no mess. You have to bend over to see the ceiling. So 7.5 years old and still going strong. I think we paid $800 for it, but it is considered a built in appliance not a countertop microwave so the expense is worth it to me.