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dhz200

Double wall oven or separate microwave+single wall oven

last year
last modified: last year

Hi there, I'm deciding on the final layout of my kitchen remodel in a contemporary home. Seeking advice on the double oven wall space for a separate top microwave, bottom single wall oven as I don't use two ovens much. Or re-locate the oven, so that I have more countertop space? If I keep the double wall oven, where should I place a microwave? What about potential home buyers? Also, any design critique on the refrigerator side wall is appreciated. Thank you!





Comments (13)

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Do you have any better renderings because it is very difficult to see. An overhead 2D layout is best.

    One thing I will mention is that most people here are going to tell you that the cooktop on the peninsula (especially without the minimum safety clearances) is a very bad idea.

    You do not have enough counter space behind the CT or landing space to the left of it on the end of the peninsula. I also do not see a hood above for capturing cooking fumes, etc...

    Below is except from this thread explaining the recommended safety clearances for a stove on an island or peninsula.

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5972404/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-2020-interim#n=11

    Cooktop/Range...

    • Open-ended kitchen: at least 9" of counter space on one side of the cooking surface and 15" on the other, at the same counter height as the appliance. [We recommend at least 18" on the open end for safety reasons.]
    • Enclosed kitchen: at least 3" of clearance at an end wall protected by flame retardant material; 15" on the other side of the appliance, at the same counter height as the appliance. [Be sure there is sufficient space for elbow room and pot/pan handles on both sides – we recommend at least 9".]
    • Island or peninsula: Countertop should extend a minimum of 9" behind the cooking surface, at the same counter height as the appliance, in any instance where there is not an abutting wall/backsplash. [We recommend 18" to 24" behind the cooktop/range for safety and aesthetic reasons]

    Combined countertop for 2 adjacent locations...For two adjacent work centers or landing spaces, determine the longest of the two required lengths and add 12".

    NOTES on cooktop/range spacing:

    • Experiences here have shown some of us that the above is actually too little for an island or peninsula setup or when the cooktop/range is at the end of a cabinet run.
    • For safety reasons, you need at least 18" on each side. This does not include workspace -- 18" is far too little for workspace.
    • For behind the cooktop/range in an island or peninsula, there should be a minimum of 18" behind if there is no seating behind the cooktop/range and 24" behind if there is seating.
    • For functionality, at least 24" on each side is better, regardless of location of cooktop/range. This space can be shared with the Prep Zone on one side; if it is, then there should be at least 48" on the side shared with the Prep Zone. [36" + 12" = 48"; 36" for the Prep Zone + 12" for the overlap with the Cooking Zone. See above about "combined countertop for 2 adjacent locations".]
    • In the case of a range/cooktop next to a door or wall, check your local Codes, they may dictate more space b/w the door or wall and cooktop/range.


    Is there a reason you don’t want to put the CT on the wall where you have the double ovens? That would be a great place for it. Then you could put a 6” wider hood above it. You would move the oven stack over to the fridge wall. The DW would go on the left side of the sink in order to be out of the main prep zone that is between the sink and stove.

    Another idea is you could go with a range instead of the separate cooktop and then add a drawer microwave either on the peninsula or on the fridge wall.

    I am not understanding the cabinet right next to the fridge. It looks bumped out and lower then the rest of the upper cabs. I assume it is supposed to like an appliance garage to the counter?

    I can see the potential for a very functional and beautiful modern kitchen, but this layout is not good. IMHO of course…😕


    ETA:

    I forgot to mention, the angled upper in the corner is a very dated look. For a contemporary home, I would go with Slab style cabinets instead of Shaker style. Hard to tell in the pictures, but I think it is showing shaker style?

    Also I was wondering who drew up the layout and did the renderings? It does not seem like a certified kitchen designers’ work. Where are you buying the cabinets from and what is the brand of cabinets if you don’t mind sharing.

    dhz200 thanked rebunky
  • last year

    Built-in microwaves, are generally not a good idea. Should the mw fail…and most do after a while…it may be hard to find a replacement in that exact size in the future. Better to get an under counter mw (which many people prefer), or do what we did…put the mw on a shelf:



    dhz200 thanked darbuka
  • last year

    Single oven, countertop oven and microwave on a shelf. If you use the MW mostly for heating up leftovers, position it close to/ next to refrigerator.


    dhz200 thanked ci_lantro
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Thank you for the feedback, very much appreciated. Attached is a 2D plan. Below plan is what is setup currently, cooktop is a downdraft vent system at the peninsula. My remodel is replacing with new cabinets and possibly changing the placement of the double oven and separate cooktop, and removing MW from the countertop to some other place. Do I go with a single range unit?

    Note: There is no flush ceiling above this kitchen area, it's angled following the roof line. So limited to downdraft or putting the hood by the window wall.


  • last year

    If you're redoing the cabinets etc, you might as well get the layout working better. Below is a layout that would get the cooktop off the peninsula.

    Realize that when we cook, we spend about 70% of our time prepping and only about 10-20% of our time actually standing over the cooktop cooking. We spend the remainder of the time at the sink cleaning up. So with those statistics where would your window work best? Where you prep.

    When we cook, we ideally take food out of the fridge and/or pantry, bring it to the sink to rinse and then prep between sink and cooktop. This layout below allows for that.

    Plus it gives you wider drawers on the lower cabinets which allows for more storage. The left corner is a drawer that opens into the other room and the right corner is a dead corner to allow for wider drawers versus a lazy susan cabinet.

    I would do a separate oven and a drawer microwave if that's possible.


    dhz200 thanked cpartist
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Considering that my contemporary home is in a neighborhood market with dual ovens. I may have to accommodate.

  • last year

    Regarding venting...as long as the range/cooktop is against a wall that leads to the outside, you can vent outside. It's much easier to get more effective venting and generally less expensive when the cooktop/range is against a wall.

    dhz200 thanked Buehl
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    How long do you plan to live in this home? If < 5 years, then I would consider resale. However, if more than 5 years, then I would remodel for YOU, not some unknown future buyer with unknown "trendy items" at that time.

    If you need/want double wall ovens, fine. However, if you don't really need or want double wall ovens and you plan to be there for many years, then I would not bother with the ovens.

    ETA: If your market is for older people as opposed to young people or families, then you may want to consider at least one wall oven that is installed with the middle of the oven around counter height.

    dhz200 thanked Buehl
  • last year
    1. Where does the doorway on the right lead to?
    2. Where is your family entrance - the entrance close friends & family use?
    3. Is the family entrance where you bring groceries into the home from?
    4. A full-floor sketch would be helpful. It lets us see how the Kitchen relates to the rest of the home and how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen.
  • last year

    @Buehl,

    Attached the current (at that time messy) kitchen. I appreciate yours and everyone's insights, decisions, decisions...I have cabinet ideas and countertop. I struggling on deciding layout and reconfiguring the appliances. @cpartist, provided thoughtful advice regarding the flow.


    1) Doorway to the right leads to the rest of the house second dining room, bedrooms

    2) Family entrance for friends/family come in from the right of the kitchen

    3) Family entrance bringing in groceries, etc. is to the left.

    4) I attached photos of the kitchen. High traffic flow is through this kitchen. There is another hallway on the other side of the kitchen wall, but less traffic flow.





  • last year

    Show the floor plan how the kitchen relates to the rest of the floor. It doesnt have to be with accurate measurements, just so we can see how everything relates to one another

  • last year

    Now seeing that the kitchen has those room divider pony walls (Sorry I forget what they are called) on the three sides, I would rip those down and open it all up in a heartbeat!

    Of course, I am assuming money is no object for you! 😂

    If that was possible, I would then move the kitchen to where the formal dining room is with the crystal chandelier, so it could become an L-shaped kitchen with an island.

    I would move the larger dining table to the space in front of the sliding glass door. Maybe with a coffee bar in between the slider and garden window.

    Way off on scale, but something like this?