Saves on counter space I don't have one but have worked on homes that have them they are usually on the island

I have a Sharp drawer style microwave in my island and I love it! It has a child proof lock out, if needed.

I was going to also say drawer type I think that's a pretty awesome idea

I really wish drawer microwaves were available here in Australia. Having a microwave above shoulder height is an occupational health and safety issue. I've worked as a caterer - you don't have ANYTHING hot above shoulder height. My microwave is on the kitchen bench (read 'counter' for the non-Aussies). Yes, we call them kitchen benches and no, we don't normally sit on them, unless of course the party's ended up in the kitchen !!! :) The best parties end up in the kitchen.
I may even put my microwave in my pantry (when it gets built). I have paid attention to my own cooking habits and they have changed considerably. I tend to only use the microwave to reheat my cup of tea. With everything else, I either use the top of the stove, or blanche things in boiling water.

Microwave drawers are a great idea (especially with child lock) but I priced them out and in my area they are north of $2000. I'm not a huge microwave user - just to warm up yesterday's soup - so thats a bit steep for me. I found a picture of a microwave cabinet on Houzz that I like - I'll see if I can attach it, I'm not fond of a wall of steel appliances. Is a microwave below waist height any safer than above chest?
PS nope, can't attach it. My 7 year old will surpass me in computer skills in about 5 minutes. Thanks for your input!

I, too, have been looking into drawer microwaves. While you can find ones for $2000, in fact its easy to find them in the $750 - $1200 range. This sounds expensive to me, although built-ins are also expensive. Least expensive is a stand-alone unit in the pantry. This is my mother's strategy, and for those lucky enough to have a real pantry, its an excellent idea. We don't have a pantry, and I'm trying for a really clean look, so will probably opt for the drawer microwave.

But - does anyone have experience using one, and keeping it clean?

It really depends on how much you use your microwave. Mine is a glorified tea kettle and occasional popcorn popper ... I'd hide it in the toekick if I could ...

But I ended up buying a Dacor convection/microwave built in wall unit, and have it mounted under the counter on a bar height section of cabinetry.

Here's a photo of a simple one (not a drawer model) below counter level:

We just installed one at counter height in a pantry/full height cabinet. So far I love it!

I agree with feeny, I would hate to have to bend over to use the microwave!

lk - have you done a good search around Oz for a drawer one? Being lazy here, I was about to go looking for one, couldn't find anything online. I am converting everything to drawers as the old bones don't like getting down to floor level, but I'm stuck with the microwave and this would be a perfect solution. I cook in bulk and freeze individual meals so I use mine a lot to thaw and reheat as well as making tea and coffee.

We've had a "below counter height" microwave in our kitchen for the past seven years. The microwave in the kitchen of the new home we are building will be installed an upper enclosed cabinet . We're tired of having to bend over or kneel down to use it.

So I assume cleaning it would be a nightmare.

I would hate one that is not at eye level - I like to keep an eye on my melting butter, etc. in the micro.
It is an eyesore, but I'm a cook & function takes precedence at my house!

I think that the drawer version is a vast improvement over the regular microwave installed below the counter. It really is like night and day. Having a drawer makes it easy to access the food you are cooking, to stir it, and to remove the hot food. I do not really bend over the microwave when using it - at least not any more than I do when using any under counter drawer. And I can easily see the food cooking through the window just by taking a few steps back from the microwave. I really wasn't sure how well it would work when I purchased it but using it has made me a believer LOL.

We have done several below counter. As with all things there are advantages and disadvantage to this location. You have to figure out what works for your family.

Under the counter only if its a drawer unit, regular micro under counter is silly, awkward and a bit dangerous. Much better to have one in a cabinet at counter height .

I've heard that they aren't functional. Imagine putting a bowl of soup in a regular drawer. What would happen when you open the drawer again to get soup out? It will have sloshed everywhere creating a terrible mess. Additionally, it is important to look at the dimensions - specifically the height as I'm told they don't fit many items (too short). Hate to be a negative Nancy, but sometimes things look beautiful but are a giant pain. Better to know before you buy.

The majority of my clients want their microwave installed below counter height. I also recently renovated my own kitchen and placed it beneath the countertop.

There are various types of microwaves and speed ovens and they are often times packages together with a traditional oven unit. I would put the microwave where it is most functional for you.

Just did drawer microwave and love it! I have a 3 and 5 year old and they don't mess with much.

Microwave drawers don't spill because the drawer mechanism is operated automatically and is buffered. They also fit similar size plates and bowls to countertop microwaves. They can be more inconvenient to clean though.

Do your items shift more since it is in a moving drawer? How do things stay in place? I haven't used one before, so I was just going off of the feedback I had received a couple months ago.

You don't open or close the drawer by hand. It is opened by touching a button that causes the mechanism to be set in motion and the acceleration and deceleration is buffered so nothing is likely to spill.

I have the Sharp model, and you can open it automatically or manually. It is a very smooth mechanism. I have put my tall latte coffee mug filled to the top and haven't spilled a drop in the opening or closing of the drawer. The only part of the cleaning process that is a bit more difficult is the ceiling of the microwave - but even so, it is quite doable.