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Can I mount and OTR microwave under the counter ?

16 years ago

Hello. I really would like to get the kitchenaid OTR microwave - their top of the line OTR model with combined microwave and convection and steam cooking.

Link to microwave is found below.

I am getting a hood over my cooktop so I don't need the vent function of the microwave.

I was just wondering if there is any reason why I can't mount this under my counter. I would get my cabinet maker to cut an appropriate sized hole undercounter and mount the microwave there. Does the microwave need space on the underside of it to release heat from convection element?

I was going to initially mount it right next to my hood, but that might look a little funny because the microwave is 18" and would protrude out a bit from the wall cabinet. If I mount it under counter, it would be flush to the base cabinet.

Also, if anyone knows of an alternative microwave that can do combined convection oven + microwave and also has sensor cooking ability (for steam cooking etc), I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Aid Microwave + Convection Oven

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Comments (3)

glennsfc
16 years ago
Simply download the installation guide and look at ventilation requirements. If you can meet these, then you could install the thing anywhere you might want.
cpovey
16 years ago
Some people don't like to mount that type of oven below waist level for safety reasons. MW oven's sometimes produce lots of steam unexpectedly when the door is opened, enough to cause safety concerns.

Obviously mounting them at eye level can cause problems too, but you can move your head out of the way a whole lot faster and farther than you hips.

So, if you want to do this, place it in an area where you can stand back to prevent injuries when opening the door.
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It'll work, but be sure to take the lightbulbs (meant for illumination of the cooking surface) out from underneath it before you put it in service. The bulbs are commonly halogen and they get very hot, hot enough to burn the counter underneath the device. The problem is these lights can be accidentally turned on by someone unfamiliar with the controls of the unit but you may not even see that they are on with the microwave sitting on a flat surface, especially in daylight. I found this out the hard way when my aged mother managed to turn the lights on with an old OTR MW we had replaced with a hood but kept in service on our countertop. The thing burned a hole in our old formica counters. Don't leave those bulbs in!
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When we had the kitchen torn out, we took our OTR MW outside to our kitchen tent and set it on a table. They do need to vent at the bottom so we put scrap 2 x 4s under the two sides. An extension cord trailed across the sidewalk to the outlet on the outside of the house. It worked fine and is now back OTR in the new kitchen. I trust you can do better than random scrap 2 x 4s and a long extension cord. The MW itself didn't look bad sitting on the table and functioned fine. I don't know that using an OTR MW on the counter permanently would be my first choice, but I do believe it would be functional and safe.
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mccall
16 years ago
I mounted my OTR Micro/convection next to the range under a over refrigerator style top cabinet, mine sticks out a bit but not much, what I would do is mount the cabinet out from the wall 6" by extending the wall behind it and then mount the OTR under that. It is great to have the micro still at OTR level and have the ventilation and light on the counter, I use that area to chop onions and such and the fumes are vented to the outside, no tears. It really looks good as well.

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