I redid my kitchen last year. went from an OTR micro to this built in. I had to find a spot deep enough (about 23" or so,) and this was the best spot, under the oven.

I literally researched every built in microwave on the market.

The expensive (1800 bucks or) are the drawer built ins and were way too much for what I use this for.

I got the GE Profile, 1.5 cubic inch model. I love it. has convection, and all the bells and whistles.

I also got the trim kit for it as the width on the outside is only 24" or so. If you have a bigger space, get the bigger model.

I wanted black, so I may have been a bit more limited on options.

thank you! I think we need a drawer built-in since it's in an island, but I will ask my designer!

Beth H, you are such a wealth of information! Is there a thread you can link to, where you detail your entire kitchen renovation?

Do you really want a heat producing appliance -- stove or oven or cook top -- beneath or even adjacent to your microwave or, for that matter, adjacent to your refrigerator?

Do you really want your microwave any place besides eye level?

An open shelf sized for the microwave you want could be a better option and it would certainly be a more affordable option ... not just now but a decade from now when you decide to replace your microwave.

https://www.homedit.com/microwave-shelf/

Thanks for the images. I can't see the make and model. Can you provide?

We love our thermador undercounter microwave. Zero issues.

I’ve used the sharp drawer micro several times. I know they seem to get a bad rap.

I’ll circle back tomorrow with make/model and pictures but it’s their newest model. It is super powerful, quiet, and has a large capacity. I find undercounter way more convenient than reaching up. It never spills my coffee which I reheat 49393 times a day because I have two little kids.

Every microwave drawer is made by the same company, Sharp. Other manufacturers have Sharp modify the control panel a bit and jack up the price which is already very high compared with other microwave oven designs.

• Microwave drawers
• Sharp 30 in. W 1.2 cu. ft. Built-In Microwave Drawer - $1299
• (For comparison: Sharp 1.1 Cu. Ft. Mid-Size Countertop Microwave - $120)

I would not want a microwave that was below counter height. Can't you find any room for the MW?

Sharp makes most, if not all, the drawer microwaves. From what I've seen, stick with the the "Sharp" name as that is the least expensive. All others are really re-badged Sharp with a tweak or two in looks and an inflated price tag.

Not sure where you saw $1800 MW drawers, they're not that expensive. They're around $1000. When we priced out MW drawers vs built-in MWs, the costs were about the same when you include the trim kit for the built-in MWs.

My experience is that MW drawers last much longer than "regular" MWs - at least twice as long.

We have a Sharp micro drawer in our island and LOVE it! We had one in our last house and installed one in our current house. No complaints! Just like @Buehl said, Sharp makes most of the micro drawers on the market. The Sharp brand should cost around $900-1000, all others are inflated to have Wolf or some other name slapped on.

Circling back. Here is our thermador.
It’s completely flush (though I think other, but not all brands are)

@wdccruise except not really as the handle on that sharp juts out and looks pretty terrible on an otherwise built-in and integrated kitchen like mine (any many other kitchens with more narrow clearances). And I didn’t pay anywhere close to that. Might not relate to the OP, but when you are spending a boat load of dollars in my market, buyers give you side-eye when you don’t put in high-end appliances.

@and if you want to compare further, based on the site you provided, the cheapest fully integrated sharp is $1200. So not really a perfect example.

Inside a pantry cab

Ikea, customized by me

@NYCish: "but when you are spending a boat load of dollars in my market, buyers give you side-eye when you don’t put in high-end appliances."

That's the point. It's not "high-end". It's a Toyota Corolla with a Lexus badge slapped on it.

thank you Mary Elizabeth. I haven't made a post yet because I'm still deciding on my backsplash, so no finished pics yet!

Beth H, I know I have seen several comments on how you did your cabinets and a few other things, so wondering about all the details! Also, wondering if you ever sleep!

There is only one drawer microwave as I understand. Sharp makes it and other brands put their names on it. My DD has one in her island and it is constantly in use-her DH works late and reheats dinner, her two teens use it all the time, and, moi when I visit. I would never consider one that is like a regular door installed below counter height because of stooping to put thing in and out. The drawer mw was about $1500 when I checked two years ago. Because of other issues with my kitchen layout, I opted for an under the cabinet, eye level Sharp. It is not under the range model. My sister has the same model. It installs on a wall mounted bracket and cost about $350 two years ago. If I had the space in my island, I would have preferred the drawer. It is safer to pick up casseroles.

@NYCish, my Sharp has no handle. I know what you are saying, though. The less expensive model does, I believe. We just installed ours last Fall and ours is fully flush with the cabinets, no handle. There is a little pop-out screen with a touch pad and button to open / close the drawer. But the pop-out screen sits flush with the drawer when not in use.

https://shop.sharpusa.com/24-in-1-2-cu-ft-950w-sharp-stainless-steel-microwave-drawer-smd2470as/

IMO an under the counter MW would never be my choice just like the ones built in above or below an wall oven. I like them on a shelf where when it dies I can get whatever one I want next without it having to fir in the old space. and honestly$1200-2000 for MW is insane.

I really like my drawer microwave! I love that it doesn't take up counter space, that it's easy to look down on the contents for stirring etc., and I personally don't want one at eye-level when pulling out hot items. Mine is a Sharp 30" like this (no handle; it has a little panel that can be flipped open or closed.) It replaced a previous (10 y-o) drawer MW that stopped working about 4 months ago; I posted some pics and info here as did a few other Houzzers.

@chicagoans thx! I checked the link but didn't see the exact model. Do you have that?

Thank you everyone. Very helpful!

I really only see three types of answers for this sort of question:

1. Put the microwave into a space that is less "valuable". This usually means the island. And as an undercounter appliance, by far the best choice is a drawer microwave.
2. If the main driving force is the fact that the microwave is only use infrequently, buy a cheap compact countertop model and hide it in the pantry.
3. If you want a built-in model, but you don't like permanently using so much space for a rarely used appliance, then consider getting a SpeedOven (e.g. Miele) instead. This option is much more expensive. But it means you gain another fully-featured oven. That can make a huge difference in usability of your kitchen and might sway your decision. It did for us, and we love the fact that we now have more oven space.

I switched laptops and couldn't easily find my receipt. Here's the info I have: Abt Model: SMD3070ASS | UPC: 074000619579 Link to what I purchased