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thoughts on Microwave in island or Drawer?

14 years ago

Hi! in the middle of a remodel and I really need to figure this out. Have a 4 1/2 yo and 3 yo and not sure if I "want" them to have total access to microwave. I'm not sure that I like the idea of a mw drawer and would love to hear from anyone who has one. We cook a lot with MW... our old one was the original advantium over the range (but now no place for it). Liked having a mw/oven combo - so any suggestions there would be appreciated too. Dont have a lot of depth to build one in (think Miele might be the smallest or least deep???

thanks a million. Kathy

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Comments (2)

Buehl
14 years ago
I have the MW drawer. Yes, I would rather have a regular one installed in a tall cabinet at chest/neck height, but it didn't work in our kitchen so a drawer it was/is!

The MW drawer has all the features of a countertop/regular MW (sensor cook, sensor reheat, soften, melt, defrost, etc.) so you will not be sacrificing MW functionality. A drawer is certainly better than a regular MW installed below counter. Even though we're a tall family, the MW drawer has worked well for us. The controls are angled up slightly and it's easy to lift things out of it. It's a snap if you have to stir something b/c you just open it, stir, and close it - even better than a regular MW. You also do not need a turntable or have to turn items in the MW as the technology makes both obsolete.

We also use the MW a lot...with the exception of the refrigerator, it's probably the most used appliance in our home!

BTW...The drawer does have a "child lock" so you can lock your children out for now. (It won't be long, though, b/f you'll want them to learn how to use the MW safely...probably another 5 years or so for the older child.)

Oh, and unless it's a design issue, get the 24" one, it's the same size as the 30" and you gain another 6" to use for another cabinet (make one wider or add a 6" filler pullout). [The 30" has more trim to make it 30" wide...not a larger MW.]
lascatx
14 years ago
I have one also and am very pleased with it. I got it because a micro in an upper cabinet just wasn't going to work. It was the one thing we wanted to move from it's PITA location, and I had to concede that I understood why the builder did what he did (although he had the option of tweaking the footprint a few inches here or there and having more options while I did not).

I don't miss the upper location and think I like the drawer better. I definitely have enjoyed some of the cooking features and wanted to point out the child lock as Buehl already did. The price is the only thing I'm not crazy about.

Oh -- the 24" is the same drawer size as the 30". but they apparently have a newer one that is slightly taller inside. Make sure which you are getting if that is important to you.
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I've worked 20+ years in the kitchen and bath design industry and have never done this. Base cabinets are 34 1/2" tall with a 4" to 4 1/2" toe kick (typical). That gives you roughly 30" to 30 1/2" to work with on space. Even if you are frameless with 3/4" panels in a typical Sharp microwave drawer requires an opening of 15 9/16" height. add 3/4" to both top and bottom and a 4" toe kick and your measuring up from the ground would give you 21 1/16" best case scenario. Smaller Fisher Paykel dish drawers are 16 1/8" tall. That puts you well outside your height of 34 1/2" for the overall cabinet height.
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