We installed our Velos finally sometime in August 2007. We have loved it for its versatility and we use it as a microwave (usually) (including its steam capacity and sizzle cook - which can also use the "grill" function) a convection oven (putting in a whole chicken in it is a delight), and the "grill" function. There is probably not one day when it isn't used for one thing or another. However, we, too, have had problems, albeit (knock on glass) nothing as bad as described above. Other than sometimes questionable design, the problem is that the technicians are simply not trained how to repair the Velos. The first problem we had was that the convection oven wouldn't ever stop preheating - and if I forgot about it preheating, it would just stop! At least the technician tried hard and installed and uninstalled the beast twice to get the various parts in it. It never solved the problem, but the thing does heat, it just doesn't know that it's at the right temperature (something I could easily check if I could at least remember to get an oven thermometer). The second problem we've had is that when we open the door, the Velos resets itself (clock included). When we had the guy come repair it, he claimed that it was because it wasn't plugged all the way (which it appeared not to be) and he plugged it in and it appeared to have fixed the problem. He also tested it and said it was heating fairly well (although probably not to 400 degrees). What was interesting is that he said straight out that he'd never worked on a Velos, that he wasn't trained to work on a Velos, and that whatever the problem was, he wouldn't really need to fix it anyway because there probably was some workaround. He then went on to tell me that the charge to come plug in the Velos cost more than our howmany ever year warranty we'd purchased! Of course, it's still a problem - and the Velos is still plugged in. My consolation is that I look at some of the other posters who couldn't even use the thing - and I just don't bother setting the clock - and I oftentimes have to reset automatic functions because when I open the door (sometimes as instructed), it "reboots". To go along with that, we purchased the thing in a scratch and dent - even though it probably cost as much or more than our Whirlpool range. I, too, am waiting for someone to develop a cookbook. Although the automatic settings are usually great, there are sometimes when I would like to convention bake something - and there's no automatic program for it. One other note: it tends to overcook frozen veggies and asparagus. So check them every now and again (although it does tend to disrupt the sensor - although it's not a huge deal). With regard to the Velos, I find it very interesting that there seems to be no upgrades to it and not a lot of information on it. The whole thing tends to be very low key.

Thank laxsupermom! I keep going around in circles...I'm on layout 17 now. I generally use the pennisula as a landing space for the fridge now. I like having the DO out of the walkway, more room to get the stuff out of the oven and to get people around the oven when it's open. I'm thinking putting the MW in a shelf below the counter. Then I would have my cookbooks in the shelf above. Maybe the phone and message center (don't have a new place for that stuff) could go over there on the counter area. Malhgold -I don't like the stainless steel hoods, too modern for me. I'm trying for a beach cottage feel. I did think that since I could direct vent out the back of the hood, I could put glass cabinets above the hood. Or consider stacking the mass of cabinets on the left with glass on top.

Thanks la-koala, the information you provided is very helpful! We don't have a butler's pantry or a walk-in pantry but it is nice to know that some people put them so far away (although they probably don't have kids, can't see a child using the m/w in a pantry and walking around with the hot food or milk) claire and rhome, I like that location too, except after going through the threads about installing a microwave into an upper cabinet and using/not using a trim kit, it is still not very clear to me. My biggest questions are the following three: 1. do all countertop models have the door hinge on the left side? In our case the landing space is on the left so not sure if the left hinge is ok. 2. If we do go with a countertop model in a 27" cabinet, I wouldn't want to have "air gaps" around it because my house tends to get dusty and we can hardly keep up with the dust in easy reachable locations, let alone such a narrow space. I really like how perqqderqq's or jtsgranite4us's is installed, with wood trim around them almost with no gap. Their photos are in this thread: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1010264129049.html So I called GE customer service today and asked about installing the GE Spacemaker this way and they told me it is not an approved installation (no room for venting) and would void the warranty. I am guessing it might also void the homeowner's insurance if there is ever an issue which they can blame on the mw. So, is there a trick to making it an "approved" installation without using a bulky trim kit? and lastly, #3, what are the rules which would make the m/w behind a door to be an approved installation? Would it need even more space around it for venting because it would be recessed more into the cabinet?

I like that setup you have, bbtrix. Our toaster and blender sit under the MW cabinet -- and a warming drawer below that. That corner does see a lot of action. I forgot to mention that my biggest concern in going the door route was that these MWs seem to be all different sizes and shapes. I was concerned that when the MW fails (and it will, and usually it is the first thing to fail), that a fully built-in space would be too inflexible. I see bbtrix's, though, seems to have room for expansion. We left a little room horizontally, vertically, and in depth to accommodate future replacements.