Microwave in upper cabinet, how much clearance is needed?

14 years ago

I have seen so many pictures of microwaves surrounded by wood, almost flush and without a trim kit.

It looks really nice and I thought that would be the way to go. Then someone mentioned that microwaves need "clearance" for venting and now I have the same question.

The operating manuals all say something like "don't block the sides of the microwave" or "this microwave is designed to be used either as a countertop or with a trim kit". I haven't seen any specific clearance requirements in inches for either back or sides. So I called GE customer service and asked if I can install GE Spacemaker this way. They said it would not be an approved installation and would void the warranty. Ok, does that mean it is also a fire code violation?

But it also appears to be a very common installation as well. In fact, I searched google images for "microwave in upper cabinet", and the first image that comes up shows it done and it is a photo from a cabinet company's website.

(I hope it is ok to post the link)

http://www.baycustomcabinets.smugmug.com/gallery/1320607_xA4af/1/62470078_FaBxA#62470078_FaBxA

So, is there a trick to it?

I am considering either using the wood around it or just having it inside the cabinet with the door closed when the m/w is not in use. For either one the clearance issue becomes important because the cabinet can only be 27" wide (24" interior width) so there isn't that much room.

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annab6
Original Author

14 years ago

Thanks rhome, I found it. This seems to be the only brand that actually has them posted. 3 inches would be ok behind a door but we are not going to have that much space available for it.

Here are the results of my investigation so far regarding the other brands:

GE customer service told me again that they are not authorized to discuss this installation as it is not approved (meanwhile I have a magazine right in front of me with several kitchens showing the same ge spacemaker m/w in a cabinet without a trim kit and minimal clearance, go figure)

KitchenAid and Sharp customer service both said sure, it is ok, just keep a small gap. They also proceeded to explain that if there is not enough clearance, the m/w will overheat and shut down and we will not be able to use it until it cools off. But when I tried to get them to tell me the exact clearance required for that not to happen, the answer was to "use your common sense". That is great but if I am going to order custom cabinets based on my common sense alone and it fails me that wouldn't be very good, would it?

So the choices are: install it anyway and hope for the best, forget the looks and use a trim kit or hide it behind a door and use small enough m/w that this is not an issue. Oh my, decisions, decisions...

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Comments (7)

rhome410
14 years ago
My operating manual (Panasonic) gave exact clearance requirements, but I know all don't, because I tried to find some for someone else here. Will GE tell you how far something has to be from the sides to 'not block?' If the one you're using can have a trim kit, you could see what size opening the kit fits into?

I don't feel I'm being much help, but it seems to be a problem area.

Can you provide air circulation in another way if you feel your cabinet will be too close? Like a mesh side, open side, or some kind of attractively done air holes or void on the side of the cabinet?
annab6
Original Author
14 years ago
were you able to download the manual for your panasonic ? I couldn't find anything on their website either, I'll try calling them as well as GE again, may be a different person would know
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rhome410
14 years ago
I'd actually found it through an appliance retailer's website previously, but because you asked, I looked and found it on Panasonic's website. If you click on the 'Get Support' tab and put in the model number it gets you to the page I've linked below...which has the manual download.

The clearance info is on Page 3 (as numbered at the bottom of the actual pages...on the PDF toolbar it says 5/32) of the manual, under "Placement of Oven."

On page 29 it says the trim kits for the 2 sizes of that model oven are 27" wide for the 1.6 cu ft, and 30" for my 2.2 cu ft microwave. Mine is Model NN-SD987SB. NN-SD997S might be the current number for the comparable model, since they show a price for it, and it seems to have the same description and features. The NN-SD787SB and NN-SD797S are the 1.6 cu ft models. Bluekitobsessed has that one, if you want to look at photos of that one. She has some trim built around hers, where mine looks less built-in.

Here is a link that might be useful: my micro manual download page on Panasonic.com
weissman
14 years ago
Use common sense and use a trim kit - the trim kit is designed to vent the microwave out the front and make it look built-in. Yes, people do put them on shelves with some amount of clearance and it works out fine, but I can understand the manufacturer not wanting to give you a specific number in case there's a problem.

Since you're having custom cabinets made, I don't understand your aversion to a trim kit - that's what I did with my GE Spacemaker II and I'm pleased with the look and performance - and it's lasted over 6 1/2 years. If it breaks they still make one the same size that will fit in the existing trim kit.
Melissa Morton
6 years ago
the aversion to a trim kit is if you rent, you want to easily be able to take the unit with you when you move
erinpatricksmith
5 years ago
annab6, what did you decide to do? We are in the same dilemma, however our cabinets have already been ordered and we just got the base microwave cabinet, not the built-in microwave cabinet. I figured it was a safe bet from the hundreds of pictures I'd seen with microwaves just sitting in them with minimal clearance. I'm not sure how the trim kit/built in option works, but I'll see if I can modify my cabinet to make it work, I guess.

Microwave in upper cabinet, how much clearance is needed?

annab6
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Microwave in upper cabinet, how much clearance is needed?

annab6Original Author

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