Some ovens have really nice full-extension racks (and I can't remember which--maybe Electrolux?). I wonder if that would be enough?

But my advice, if you really are concerned about back problems, is to redo your plan until you get that oven up higher. (Might want to raise the dishwasher as well.)

Those under-the-counter ovens are just asking for back trouble if you bake much, even if you start off with a good back!

I agree! I tested some in the store, and all of them were back breakers. I found that the small difference between them and a range was that you have to bend knees to access the under cabinet models.
My plan calls for me to scrap the wall oven too, just not enough room for it and good counterspace too. I LOVE my wall oven, and hate this but I had to decide, and honestly I need more counter space than I access the oven.
Either way, good luck!

The Electrolux Icon has full extension racks and on ball bearings. It is under the counter yet it easy for us to use (we are mid 60's). We do use our speed oven the most, that is at eye level, and since there are just 2 of us, we rarely have something so big, that it wont fit in the speed oven, alto wife, being "Old fashioned" does tend to use the regular oven for baking (like a tamale pie) even thou it could be done in the speed oven.
The Convection oven is well lit with a big glass front door, so all that helps too.
Both ovens trouble free for 3 years now.
Good luck on your choices!!

Gary

Thanks for your responses.

Fori, if I do go with the undercounter oven, I will most likely want one that will glide in and out easily. In fact, I tried another layout which brings the oven up to eye level, but counter space and storage was hugely compromised. So am back to my original layout. And since I'm getting close to the day when we have to order cabinets, I may not be able to play around with the layout anymore.

SouthernSticher, it was the same dilemma ; I think counterspace will win.

Dodge1959, a speed oven instead of a microwave is certainly on my mind. If you don't mine me asking, what brand of speed oven do you have? And does it microwave as well and as easy to use as a regular one? I foresee using its microwave function a lot more than the baking and other functions.

Is it worth Miele because of the shorter door drop than most other brands?

We have the Electrolux Icon Speed oven. It defaults to the microwave mode--so no menu to go thru if you want to microwave something--ie to heat my coffee cup I press 6 & a 0, then press start(IE 60 seconds).
There are other touch buttons on it for grill, roast, bake, convection even a "Popcorn button".
I do my toast in it, coffee, baked potatoes, etc etc.
It does run off 230 volts so it is not a "Plug In"
Really like having it up high too, due to the fact, as I mentioned, it is our most used appliance.
PS You will love the fully extending racks on the convection oven, I still forget they are there, but that is due to my age, and the fact we use the speed oven so much----Heck, I've had a solatube in my bathroom for 3 months now and I "Still" reach for the switch to "Turn the lite off: LOL

Gary

Well, "Super after thought"--so here I am again.
What I would do is download the opertator's manual for any appliance you are considering. Most of the operator's manuals are free for downloading at AJ Madison--for example, See the link below for the operator's manual on The Electrolux Icon Designer Series Speed oven.
The manual give you all the info needed for installation(space required power requirements etc etc) It also takes you through the procedures for it's different operation capabilities---so get the manuals and compare.
That way you see which ones have the features you want etc etc.
By the way, The icon received a 5 out of 5 star review by the buyers of the speed oven on AJ Madison site--so another goood source of info.

Anyway Here is the Manual

Gary

Here is a link that might be useful: Electrolux Speed Oven Op Manual

Gary
thanks a ton! The manual really explains the functionality well.
It sounds like I can get 90% of my baking in the speed oven. And for the 4 or 5 times a year,I'll use the main oven, the undercounter should not be an issue, especially with the rollers. I don't think I can fit a 30" Electrolux Icon (which doesn't come in 27"), but am looking at the regular Electrolux 27" which I think also has the fully extending racks.
Thanks everyone!

You might want to look at some of the Bosch ovens. IIRC they are shorter in height than many of the major producers and so can be mounted higher in the cabinet.

If you are not putting your oven underneath a cooktop, most of the ovens can be mounted so that they are higher off the floor than similar range ovens.

I have a DSC 30" oven mounted under a gas cooktop and the oven is 2" lower than the oven in a DCS range.

We also visited a showroom that had wall ovens mounted under the counter and we decided against that configuration based on our experience there. Wall ovens mounted under the counter are lower to the floor than an oven in a range. As a matter of fact, the handle just barely cleared the floor when the oven was open. For us, it was an instant "no way!"

I think you have a valid concern and encourage you for your own sake to try posting your layout here to see if anyone can come up with something you (or your KD if you're working with one) hasn't thought of. There are a lot of creative people here and several who are very good at "thinking outside the box". At least give it a shot...you might be pleasantly surprised. Even if no other layout option is presented, then you will know that you tried everything you could to come up w/a better design.

(If you've already posted your layout here for a critique, then you've already taken that step.)

Good luck!

I just remembered that this is the Appliances Forum. If you do post your layout, post it on the Kitchens Forum! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchens Forum

There was a good thread on this called "If Miele breaks the budget...". I'm posting what Mindstorm said because I can't say it any better. She loved her Bosch 700 but thought it wasn't on the market. However, you might be able to get it on eBay or Craigs List.

From Mindstorm: I have a Bosch oven. My two finalists were the Miele Novotronic and the Bosch 700. I eventually chose the Bosch for a variety of reasons (price difference between those two was small at the time - perhaps about $200 if that). I absolutely ADORE my Bosch oven - just I as I know I would have the Miele (I've cooked with them and really like them). My oven is dead-on precise in temperature, very responsive, very even and I love its convection functions.
BUT that was then. If I were in those shoes today I would not get a Bosch on the market today; I would suck up the couple misgivings I had about the Miele 27" and go with it. I wouldn't bother with ELectroluxs and GEs and KAs and whatever else.

Here's the reason - I have my Bosch installed undercounter also. The Bosch 700 ovens (the one I have that is no longer on the market so probably not an option for you) as well as the 27" Mieles are about 24" TALL. That means that you can install it just under teh counters about 6" above the bottom of the cabinet. That 6" makes a world of difference - you can get a drawer under the oven and furthermore, you won't be kneeling on the floor to get things in and out of it. Here's a link to a picture of mine - hopefully you can see what I mean. Its a very practical 5 or 6"!

Now the new Bosch as well as all these others are full 30" tall ovens and personally I think they are all dreadfully awkward for an under cabinet installation. Only the Miele 27" has retained these sensible dimensions so if I may be so bold, I'd say to you that your options for an UC installation are - well, the Miele 27" w/ self-clean or the Miele 27" w/o self-clean ;-)