I vote for c) use small MW without any additional framing for two reasons. First, I think of ventilation. Second, if it breaks you can get another mw that isn't the same mw. Oh, and third, if you move you can take it with you. It looks fine like it is.

Check out the clever velcro-attached frame in cade's post in this thread.

We just bought the same microwave:) We do have a little bit of space around our MW - don't you need to, for ventilation purposes? Why would the framing look piecemeal?

I vote for C as well...it looks great the way it is, and if the MW works for your family no need to go bigger...and as Mary said, you can easily replace it if/when it breaks...

You can get a trim kit for the smaller microwave - that will enable it to vent of the front and give it a built-in look.

I'm surprised KD didn't suggest a microwave trim kit. Maybe it won't work in your case?? This is what I've always seen around microwaves that are set into a cutout like yours.
Monica

Here is a link that might be useful: Microwave Trim Kits

My contractor put trim around mine. It's got about 1/2 inch space on the sides, and 3/4 on the top and bottom, that way I can take it out if I need to.

Personally, I'd go for the bigger one. Your needs may change as your family size changes and grows up. It's just two of us, but I use my big MW all the time for casseroles and large dishes. Power wattage also comes into the equation. I'd much rather have a MW with more power. It's just more versatile.

I clicked on this thread just in the hopes of eyeballing your beautiful granite again! I think if you can find a matching MW trim kit; I'd go with that. Otherwise, it looks fine and would absolutely go with what works best for your family.

I like the idea of the trim kit that Monica suggested. It makes it look like it was planned, rather than the mistake that it was. It looks more finished. Good Luck!

I dont like the built in look for MWOs. So my vote is for no trim.

You will most likely have to replace it in a couple of years as the cheap parts break :)

Unless it's hermetically sealed, dust/dirt/grease *will* get into that cab. If you trim it out so that the micro is not easily movable, you're sunk.

I still think the larger MW just gives you more options...Fitting a 9x13 pan, for instance. It's not like a too-big oven that you have to preheat, but it's your choice. If you prefer the smaller MW, I'd just leave it, as is. I think from the mix of opinions, it's probably one of those things no one will question once the room is finished, no matter which option you choose.

I would go for the larger one with the true built-in look. A microwave won't heat up the room the way a larger oven would, so there's really no harm. Go for the one that the cabinet was designed to accommodate.

Well, if the smaller one works, I don't see any reason to waste energy just to have a larger one she doesn't really want, myself.

>Unless it's hermetically sealed, dust/dirt/grease *will* get into that cab

Totally agree, which is why I thought the velcroed facing was so cool.

As someone who is not crazy about built in microwaves, I like C. It looks like what it is - a freestanding MW, not built-in. Maybe the one thing I would do is see if you could get a matching platform (just a board?) to raise it up just a bit so it is better centered in the opening.

I will stay with small MW and check the TRIM KIT from Panasonic, they start making. or from MicroTrim.

Trim kit!

I would personally vote for getting a trim kit that has the metal baffles that direct the exhaust out from the back and the air inflow from the side so the microwave will have adequate ventilation. I would be concerned that the set up that patti821 and cade have may lead to microwave unit overheating and premature failure.

Trim kits usually have a support device as well as the baffles that allow air movement and the from metal trim have vents in them to allow air exchange with the kitchen environment.

Unfortunately it is difficult to find trim kits from the manufacturers for microwaves that are older than 2 years, but the link in monicakm's message leads you to a company that will make one that will fit your existing opening and microwave.

Good luck!

Mine's been sitting in the hole like that for 5 years, doesn't bother us and will probably remain that way through our reno.

d) get cabinet doors to fit over that opening and then don't worry about whether it looks finished or not.

We went with edlakin's d) option. We have planned an alcove with a door matching our cabs to conceal the opening when not in use. The door will be left open when the MW is in use, but closed for company etc. There are several styles of doors that can be used.

antss had replied to an earlier post I put on the Appliance forum asking essentially the same question. He gave a link to a very neat hinge system that you could consider:

Richelieu hinge system

To me this is the best of all worlds: completely hidden, but easily accessible, allows use of any MW that will fit your space, and thus allows replacement if/when one MW dies with another inexpensive one, rather than a pricey built-in model, or finding a new trim kit.

"I don't see any reason to waste energy just to have a larger one..."

Am I misunderstanding the way microwaves work? Doesn't it concentrate on what is in there, so that if you 'use too much energy' you'll be overcooking the food, but if you use just what would be correct for the amount of food, no matter how large the box it's in, shouldn't it be the same energy use? You can still have whatever size makes you happy, but I didn't think this was an issue. Maybe, like I said, I misunderstand the technology.

I ended up with the smaller MW. The contractor will install one piece of trim at the top only so the space at the top will be the same as the sides. I found myself nodding my head when reading pharaoh's comment, even though I hope that the MW will be good for many, many years. It may end up as a dust collector, but at least I can easily remove it to clean inside the cab. Even though I've called it the smaller MW, the turntable is 15" and it will easily hold a 9 x 13 pan.

Thank you all GWrs who responded!

A note on technology: I don't understand it either but it seems that heating the same cup of water in a smaller oven means that the microwaves have less distance to travel and thus work faster. Here are my very unscientific test results for heating one mug (12 oz or so) of water to a full rolling boil:
-- My mother's enormous 650 watt MW that should be donated to the Smithsonian: 4 minutes or never
-- Developer POS MW, 700? watts circa 1988, largish size: 3 min. plus
-- Whirlpool, 1100 watts circa 2002, approx 1 CF: 2:45
-- Panasonic 2008, 2.2 CF: 2 minutes
-- Panasonic 2008, 1.6 CF: 1:50 or possibly less

Maybe it's my 9x13 pan...It has handles on the end that 'catch' when turning in the smaller one. I also fit 10x15 pans in the larger one, if I place them just right.

I wouldn't say that the comparison with other brands and ages of micros would convince me, but the direct comparison between the 2 sizes of Panasonic should be 'scientific' enough to hold up. ;-)

bluekitobsessed, slightly OT, this same issue just came up for me and it looks like you are looking at the same microwaves I am. I had planned on the 2.2 cf Panasonic and was disappointed to realize I was going to have to downscale it but I'm encouraged to hear that it seems to be more than adequate in space. We are a small family of 3 so practically speaking I suppose the smaller one is more appropriate for most of our needs anyway. Would you mind telling me the model number you chose so when I finally get to go out and look at the smaller one I can look for that one for comparison's sake? (the only place I've found up here to look at Panasonic MW's is Best Buy...have you found any others?) Thanks.

Gailrolfe, the Panasonic 2.2 is model NNSD987S, $199 at Best Buy. The 1.6 is NNSD787S, usually $164 at Target but I found it on sale for $129. I had both of them being semi-used for a couple of weeks while arguing with the GC and cabinet people, and they are identical in every way except for the size. The 2.2 is just too big and I felt silly warming one slice of pizza. So far I'm very pleased with it/them. The blue LED display has nothing to do with why I chose it/them :)

Thank you! That is very helpful information, bluekitobsessed. Makes it much easier to switch to the smaller one which will be easier to build for!