measure it in all dimensions. then go to the store or website for your favorite appliance store and find one that will fit into the same space. in a pinch, you can use Lowes or Home Depot to start, as they usually allow you to limit your searches by as many dimensions as you need to.

According to the Thermador MCES webpage on appliancesconnect.com, the replacement unit is the Thermador MBES. If you are using one of the trim kits for the MCES, I'd save it and see if you could reuse it with the MBES. The MBES trim kits have different part numbers but the installation instructions for the two microwave ovens appear are similar.

I would check out the Frigidaire FGMO226NUF (and its 27" and 30" trim kits), before I purchased the overpriced MBES, particularly if I also had to purchase one of it's ridiculously-overpriced trim ($400!) kits.

I can't wait to try this Panasonic model. Thank you HU-123894023! This model Thermador has been nothing but trouble for us. I just got an estimate to fit it for almost a thousand. Thermador should be responsible but they won't do anything about it. Will not buy Thermador products ever again.

unfortunately after struggling with the trim kit tracks, this Panasonic model nn-t945sf unit was not able to just slide in. Feet too wide and not able to sit securely on the tracks and leveled. We have to return it. If anyone else has success fitting this in the existing MCES trim kit, please let me know. Thanks!

Of course you have to buy a new trim kit to make it fit. Trim kits are designed to specifically fit hand in glove specific appliances.

It fit nicely in my surround

Anyone has a MCES available, I have a 30" trim kit, and I don't have the right microwave. Need a MCES to fit. Let me know Thanks! 911231051@qq.com

I now have the same problem. MCES/01 died a horrible power surge death. I was reading a related thread here. There people suggest a Panasonic model and an LG model. Has anyone had any luck with a replacement that allows me to still use my original 30" trim kit?

@Matthew Glotzbach: "Has anyone had any luck with a replacement that allows me to still use my original 30" trim kit?"

No. The 30" Bosch HMB50152UC (no trim kit) is about as close as you're going to get to match the dimensions of the Thermador MCES with the MCT30JS 30" trim kit. Compare the dimensions on the linked spec sheets.

This illustrates why no one should have a microwave built in. Just stick an $100 microwave on a shelf, and that's it. This advice is given a lot on this Houzz page, but people still insist on a microwave built-in.

@RoyHobbs: "This illustrates why no one should have a microwave built in."

Over-the-range microwave ovens also don't have this problem as they are standard width: 24" or 30", and a common depth.

I ended up buying the Panasonic NN-SN96JS and now I have to work on creating a revised shelf / footing and using existing pieces to vent correctly so that my existing MCES trim kit fits and looks right. The opening of the trim kit is nearly perfect for the Panasonic, so I'll just need to do some reworking on how the new microwave sits above the oven. I'm likely going to simply install a shelf above the oven and then modify the brackets that hold the existing trim kit so it's the right height in the opening with the revised shelf.

I completely agree with the thoughts/advice of not doing built ins. What a pain. And Thermador is NOT my favorite vendor these days.

From the Panasonic NN-SN96JS Owners Manual:

• "For proper operation, the oven must have sufficient airflow. Allow 3 inches (7.6 cm) of space on both sides of the oven and 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space on top of the oven.
• "(a) DO NOT block air vents. If they are blocked during operation, the oven may overheat and be damaged."

Based on the photo of the old MCES, it appears that the trim kit will block airflow to the sides of the Panasonic oven.

Thermador MCES