I have countertop microwave installed with a trim kit in 2002, which replaced the previous, bulkier microwave that was installed when the home was built in 1989. I'm looking to update it before it dies of old age, but find that the dimensions for current products don't work with the existing cutout. I have LOT of woodwork in the kitchen, and am looking for a solution that won't involve thousands of dollars to paint the cabinets and millwork. To complicate issues the interior of the cutout and about 1/2" along the top edge was painted black to prevent contrast with the microwave and trim kit. I highly doubt that trying to match the wood finish on a new door or wood trim piece would be successful.

I've had no luck so far finding a microwave that either would fit in the space, or has a trim kit that would make it work. I do have room for a microwave under a cabinet or on a countertop, although I'd rather not go that route. But even if I did, I'd be left with a gaping black hole to fill... We have double 30" wall ovens, so really no reason to try to install a convection or combo unit here.

( And yes, the far left column of cabinets don't have the same vertical dimensions as the rest of the wall. That does bother me, but not enough to spend thousands of dollars to tweak them,)

The cutout is 24-1/4 wide x 18-1/8 high x 16-5/8 deep at the top, where there are two wood cross pieces in the back; if the lower one were removed I could gain a little more depth but not much because there is a stud behind the cross piece. The current microwave is a KitchenAid KCMS185J, 23-7/8 wide, 13-9/16 high and 18-13/16 deep ( including the door, which sits outside the cutout). The outer dimensions of the trim kit are 19-1/2 high x 26-1/2 wide. Most microwaves I've seen are either too deep, or if they are shallow enough to fit then they are not as tall as the current unit and the trim kit pieces won't fill the overall height of the cavity.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!