Don't have a "drawer" type, but we just installed a below counter KA microwave. The door opens downward - it looks like a smaller version of our KA built-in ovens. Sorry - don't have a picture yet.

I have the Sharp microwave drawer KB6024MS. Mine is the manual open close where you give it a little tug and then it opens all the way and a small nudge to get it to close. I really like it! It looks nice with the other ss appliances in my kitchen. Nothing sloshes inside as it opens/closes gently. My favorite feature is the Start/Minute Plus button. One hit for 1 minute of cooking time and add'l hits for adding minutes.

We have the 30" Sharp MW drawer. There have been a few threads here and on the Appliances Forum about them as well. As you'll see in the first thread I've linked below, Sharp is introducing a deeper MW w/expanded functionality...if you can, I would definitely wait for that one to come out!

Oh, and the interior space of the 30" is the same as that of the 30".

New deeper Sharp microwave drawer: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0213051212670.html

Anyone used the Sharp MW drawer not in an island?: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg122315559223.html

That should have been:

Oh, and the interior space of the 30" is the same as that of the 24".

FYI...my favorite feature is the Sensor Cook --> Frozen Vegetables. Sharp is the only MW manufacturer that we have found whose frozen veggie sensor cooks our broccoli perfectly! (We eat a lot of broccoli as it's my picky-eater DD's favorite vegetable...and it's very healthy...we make it plain.)

One note about the "Warm" feature...I find that it doesn't just keep things warm, it also cooks them a little more. I find that for most things our warming drawer does a much better job at keeping food warm w/o cooking them further.

I have used the keep warm feature on mine a few times and it has been fine. I have used it with casserole type dishes when the warming drawer other things in it. I don't know how it works for other types of things -- like a bowl of that broccoli, for example.

Thanks for the quick response!

Glenster - didn't know KA had the MW that opens like an oven. Will have to check it out.

Boyrus2 - I wondered if soup or a cup of liquid would slosh when opening and closing. Thanks for that note.

Buehl - thanks for the heads up about the size. I was leaning towards the 24" nice to know it's the same size inside.

I can't decide where to put the silly thing. Wanted to tweak my OTR MW and sit it on the counter but have the cabinet guy build something to make it look like it was built-in. But then you get into calling Whirlpool and asking if there's some way to make it vent frontwards since it's really na over the range venter. I wish now I hadn't put in the double oven a few years ago and moved the old MW out and got the OTR MW. Should've stayed with an updated 1 oven and MW/convection oven combo. Then everything would be encased in the same area. Now if I move the MW I'll have to get another range hood and maybe a new MW if I can't tweak this one. Nothing like helping jump start the economy! HA!

Anyone have any problems cleaning the top of the MW--the top inside that is--if something splatters? Just wondering since it's hard to see.

Surprisingly it's not too difficult to clean. I use a wet, soapy cloth, reach in, and wipe across the entire surface two or three times. Then I lean over to check how I did...usually OK b/c MWs always seem to clean easier than most other things.

I do have a policy, though, that "if you splash/splatter in the MW, you clean it up"...especially for my DS who likes to make Beefaroni for a snack when he gets home from school and used to forget to cover the bowl. It only took a couple of times b/f he learned...he's now very good at covering items in the MW.

I admit I was a little worried about cleaning since I'm fairly tall and I thought leaning over to check the ceiling of the MW would be difficult. While it isn't as easy as a MW mounted @ counter level or higher, it isn't that bad. Overall I think it's much better than a regular MW mounted on a shelf below counter level. With a regular MW, you'd always be leaning and reaching in when using it, w/the drawer it's only occasionally when you clean it.

Lascatx...that's what it overcooks. If I put the broccoli on "warm" when done, it overcooks it. If I take it out of the MW when done cooking & put it in the WD it doesn't end up overcooked. While I don't really dislike broccoli in general, I hate overcooked broccoli.

I'll agree with just about any overcook vegetable, especially the green ones.

I am also tall. I also have bad neck problems and I haven't had a problem cleaning the inside of the drawer. We do try to minimize the need and are more likely to use a paper towel or piece of wrap over something that is likely to splatter, but reaching in and wiping it down hasn't been difficult at all -- even on the top.