I've heard very good things about Sharp Microwave Ovens. We have an Amana that has seen daily use for almost twelve years with zero problems.

We hid our cheapo countertop MW behind cabinet doors that open and then slide in. Our MW is in a base cabinet, but there's no reason why you couldn't do the same setup above your oven.

Doors open:

Doors closed:

Many of the regular sit-on-the-counter microwaves have nice looking trim kits available that you can use in your situation for a built-in look. They require a 27 or 20 inch cabinet opening, usually.

meant 27 or 30 inch opening.

fahrenheit451 , alku, writersblock: you guys rock. Thanks a ton. My cab guy actually showed up today, ahead of schedule, so I was literally looking over your posts while we discussed the MW situation. We discussed options, looked at alku's photos, and are now planning to do doors to cover an alcove. May use a top hinging door. Really helped to get some rapid feedback.

If you like the Miele lift up why not get this and a door front from you cabinet maker?

http://www.richelieu.com/produit/popupImg.php?no=149530&key=listeImg&i=0

its product # 149530 if the link doesn't work. Other co.'s make them too.

Just curious why you drew the line at the $900 microwave. Others may argue that the Miele oven is not going to cook any better than a 900 dollar GE. And I can tell you with certainty that a Lacanache is no better a cooking tool than a cooktop that costs 500 bucks. They may be more stylish to some and faster, but that doesn't make them better as a rule.

Clinresga, glad I could help! We would have preferred a flip up door but our particular cabinet company didn't offer that option. Just be sure that whatever style you pick slides into the cabinet cavity so that when the door is open, it doesn't block aisles or adjacent cabinets. This is really imporatnt b/c the door(s) need to be open when the microwave is running so that it has proper ventilation and doesn't overheat.

antss: great questions. The Lacanceh is totally emotional. i just love the way it looks. And, I don't expect it to die in the next few years so at least my investment is (hopefully) stable for some reasonable length of time. But, in the end, it's about the look, and the fact that it's not just the same old Wolf or Bluestar like everyone else. Total ego trip.

The Miele oven? Combination of looks, performance (subtle, but I do think there are enough advantages in terms of convection cooking, software capabilitiers, etc as well, reliability (I hope), customer service (hope I don't need it) etc. You've seen the same threads here about ovens to know the issues. Yes, ZET1/2's get great reviews but I'm not willing to buy from a company likely not to exist (at least as we know it) in a year.

The Therms? Fully integrated (what we wanted), and came in the right sizes (18'' and 30''), unlike the SZ 700's (27'' for both R and F units--too much freezer, too little fridge). Nothing else came close, esp at the price. Considered the Gaggs, but SS interior not enough to balance the lack of any factory authorized dealer in Atlanta. Miele columns--like I trust them to actually ship them when they've promised them. LOL.

But........in the end, a kitchen redo is all about emotion. A good friend of ours is a professional chef. He can make an exquisite souffle in his 20 yaer old POS electric range that will exceed anything I'll ever do in my $$$$kitchen. Doesn't matter. I LOVE this kitchen that we're doing, LOVE the Lacanche, and in my weak moments gloat over how much cooler this stuff is than, let's say, an "All Viking Kitchen" like some neighbors have recently done.

alku: great advice again. Much appreciated!! Mark

I'm a little late to the table, and I wish I could figure out how to post a picture, but we went with the lift door. I could not believe the 900 price either, but we love the look and friends love when I pop open the door and they see the MW behind it.

clinres....thanks for your candor. Most luxury purchases usually boil down to emotion. I just can't believe you don't want an all Viking kitch. like every builder of 1.5m starter castles loves to put in with the accompaning builder grade cabinetry.

There are Gaggenau dealers in the ATL. I can name at least 4 off top of my head: Bulthaup & RAO Design in midtown, Howard Payne 285 & 85, and SieMatic in Buckhead. Gaggenau's parent BSH maintain a substancial presence in the Sandy Springs area. Not trying to talk you into it, but thought you should have the full story.

antss: I just called Payne last week. They said they no longer carry Gagg. Had perused Bulthaup's website a while back when looking for ideas and they have no mention of appliance sales at all, so like Siematic I dismissed them as essentially high end cabinet companies, not applicance sellers. Haven't dealt with RAO but based opinion on the Gagg website. If you use their "find a dealer" search, it returns none in the state of Ga. I'll give the others a call on Monday to see what the scoop is, but my builder is champing at the bit to place our order and I can get Therms everywhere.

PS: I'm impressed. Either you live around here or you know a LOT about appliance sales!

clinres........didn't know the Payne's dropped Gaggenau. Funny, the website has no dealers in the ATL. 5th largest population center in the U.S. and they can't find anyone to sell their stuff??? I think Payne's website still says they carry Gagg. - so go figure. I thought the internet was supposed to be current.

You are correct , Bulthaup and SieMatic are design firms / cabinet makers first, but they sell counters, apppliances, hardware too. It's pretty much up to local mgmt. whether or not they sell you 20 knobs or a single refridgerator. 5-10 years ago they would have fought hard to holdback the laughter if you walked in to ask them to sell you a DW or an accessory pole, but times have changed and neither is lighting sales on fire these days so they may be more willing to have any customer even if it's only an appliance sale. I know for a fact that SieMatic and RAO both have working Gaggi ref. units in their showrooms, not sure if Bultahup does. Appts. necessary.

BTW ................what did you decide on the micro concealment?

antss: we're going with a MW recessed behind a panel to match the other cabinetry. We're debating over the type of door to use. I checked the Riechelieu hinge system you suggested: it's cool, like the Miele lift door but allows us to use our panels. Alternative our cab guy suggested is a top-hinged door that will slide into the recess above the MW, kind of like a garage door. Like the idea of having no door protruding when open, but am concered it will compromise clearance and limit us to a very small MW. Should have a decision in a day or two as deadlines loom.

PS: DW still wants to see the Gaggs so will likely try to visit SieMatic or RAO. Thanks for the tip. Still want to know how you know so much about the appliance market here! Thanks.