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Microwave doesn't fit! Help!

bluekitobsessed

15 years ago

I gave my KD the dimensions of my planned Panasonic MW, and the MW cabinet is custom built. It has a very small bit of trim on the face. When my kid & I tried to put the MW inside the MW cavity, it didn't fit in either height or width. I am not sure if I should take the rubber feet off the MW to reduce the height, but that still doesn't account for the width. The cab has a very, very tiny piece of trim around it, which by now I've banged up trying to get the MW to fit (grrr!). The MW is officially 23 7/8" wide but I'm measuring 23 15/16, and the cab is 23 7/8 wide. My measurements MIGHT be off, and my GC was able to get another MW in the cavity that also measured 23 7/8 wide, so maybe it's just me....

Is the best option: trying to remove the tiny bit of trim; buying a smaller MW (luckily Panasonic has a look-alike in the next size down, which is 2" smaller all around) and framing the face; wait for GC to show up, call KD, and cry on their shoulders; or other? This is a big MW (2.2 CF) and I honestly think I'd be ok with the smaller (1.6 CF) MW. Is trim usually added after the fact? This must be a very common issue. TIA.

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Comments (9)

saskatchewan_girl
15 years ago
I would ask the cabinet maker to see if taking off & replacing the trim would do it. I wouldn't take off the rubber feet......because of cirulation purposes.
In the mean time I would also check out the Panasonic web site, and maybe Sears too, to check on some dimensions of other MW you may need if it doesn't go in your favor : )
HTH
lisapico
15 years ago
Don't you hate it when those things happen?? I'm sorry about that.

If it were me, I'd buy a smaller microwave and put your old one on Craig's List and sell it. They should have no problem with retrimming that cut out as I'm sure you are right in that this is a common issue.

Good luck.
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lascatx
15 years ago
If the dimensions of this micro are off from what was stated, it might be worth trying another unity of the same model before you start making changes. Maybe it is off.

Microwaves can be the biggest pain in planning a kitchen - they don't fit anywhere and there is no standard sizing. Not even close. What would do if they made DWs that way?
giacomo_it
15 years ago
bluekitobsessed,

read the manual of the panasonic, because you will see that need at least 1 or 3/4 inch left and right (don't rememebr of top of my mind) to air ventilation, or you will kill the MW.
I suggest to go a MW size smaller.
alku05
15 years ago
I was going to point out exactly what Giacomo did. Even if you could get that micro in there, you wouldn't have the ventilation room. You're going to have to downsize to the smaller one.
mygar
15 years ago
The same think happened to me. I bought a smaller microwave.
raehelen
15 years ago
Hey,

If you really do need the ventilation room around the MW, maybe it was the kitchen gods smiling down on you making the oversized dangerous one not fit!?! Cuz you never would have inquired if it slid in there fine!
kitchenredo08
15 years ago
sorry - I disagree - if you gave the measurements to your KD, then I know who I would be going back to. Yes - you could go with a smaller micro, but would that serve your families needs. If my micro cabinet is too small, after providing the proper dimensions, I'll have the cabinet re-made.
smilingjudy
15 years ago
I'm with lascatx. Stupid microwave makers need to get with the program and come up with some sort of standard. Nothing else in a kitchen varies so much in sizing. Yet they've become an important part of modern life so we have to work them in with a pleasing look.

I've never been happy with where my micro ended up in my plan. I just KNEW that I would go to put it in the deep upper cabinet and it would still stick out too far because of the stupid giant plug. So, today, I said screw it. I moved the outlet to the base below (finishing rough wiring today) and just emailed my cabinet guy to ask him to make the change. I can't believe how much I was stressing over that thing. Wish I could get rid of it completely but I am sometimes a lazy eater and I couldn't give up my popcorn.

Errmmm....sorry for the blathering.

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