skip to main content

Microwave drawer vs. wall mount

10 years ago

Now that my paint color for the range wall is solved, I am moving on to the fridge wall. I need to make a decision on the microwave and I am not truly happy with any of my choices. We currently have a microwave/fan above the cooktop on the fridge wall, but we will not be using the cooktop in the remodel. For the new cabinets, I currently have a 15" wall, 3x 30" wall and a 39" over fridge wall cabinet. This wall can be seen from our main living space and I love the look of the straight run of cabinets The thought of adding a microwave to the center of this run just makes me ill! My next option is to do a microwave drawer in the 30 inch drawer base that is centered on the wall, but I also hate the idea of losing two large drawers! I have read the reviews of the microwave drawers and they are favorable. To be honest, I would be perfectly fine with a small microwave tucked in the corner on the counter but since we will be relocating in the next 3-5 years, I need to keep a mind to resale. I have attached a photo of the cabinet style, ours are Mushroom colored wall cabinets with Cherry base cabinets in Rye. So what do you think is more important to preserve, the aesthetics of the full wall of cabinets or the functionality of the drawers? Would it be a mistake to just put a microwave on the counter? Thanks for your input!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
We built a cavity for the MW above a wall oven with an outlet inside and nesting doors so it hides nicely. It also allowed us to put it at exactly the height that works best for us...we find drawers too low and over cooktops too high. This way too, we don't need a specific MW to fit a specific expensive surround...anyone will do that fits inside. Also, I didn't want SS appliances and most of the surrounds are SS. So this solution worked well for us.
nini804
10 years ago
We have our MW drawer in our island. We really love it. I would NOT wall mount it in your pretty cabinet run, especially in an open kitchen (but I am a form over function girl, FWIW!) :)
Related Discussions
Buy wall-mount stove/microwave as combo or separate?
Q
Comments (2)
I stayed away from the combo because if one breaks you have to replace both.
...See More
Wall oven/microwave decision: Miele steam vs speed vs Monogram 5-in-1
Q
Comments (3)
I have the microwave range hood in the house that I bought. Always had a counter top microwave before. Right now, when I am cooking with a second person it is a bottle neck. I'm stirring something on the stove and they are opening the microwave. We are in each others way. Others seem to love the setup - I really don't like it at all. I am renovating my kitchen in the next year or two (maybe longer since my furnace died this weekend). I heard about and considered the speed ovens. I have a small 10x10 kitchen, so space is limited. The idea of a small sized oven and microwave combined seemed ideal for a small household - I live by myself, but most nights I have a dinner guest. I really thought about the meals that I prepare. How often I use the oven - could it be my only oven, do I need a second oven? Truth is - I need one full sized oven and a microwave. The second smaller oven just simply isn't necessary and wouldn't save enough time or produce enough energy saving to be worth the investment.
...See More
double wall oven vs microwave convection wall oven
Q
Comments (5)
I just removed a 17 yr old KitchenAid oven/microwave combo. The convection oven was great until recently, but the attached microwave died after 2 years. I'd advise to get separate appliances, not attached combo appliances. If one of the attached appliances fails, it's an expensive repair. We've been using countertop microwaves for the last 15 years. I replaced the oven with a GE Twin Flex double oven. I had a shelf built above it & a new outlet installed, and put a new countertop Panasonic mw there. So glad to get the microwave off my counters! . I looked at the small convection/mw speed ovens -- many here love them. But I wasn't sure how much ventilation space we'd have for one. Plus if the Panasonic fizzles out after a couple of years as microwaves are prone to do, it will be easy to plug in a new one. Here's the Twin Flex, two ovens in the space of a single oven. So far, it's been terrific. I'll post a picture of my set up tomorrow, even though the mw isn't trimmed out yet.
...See More
Drawer microwave under wall oven??
Q
Comments (11)
It would seem to me that the biggest problem with mounting the drawer microwave oven so low would be viewing the control panel. The control panel of that Wolf MD30PE/S is perpendicular to the floor making it hard to read even when the oven is mounted just below the countertop (the usual place). If you don't yet have the oven or can return it, consider the Sharp SMD3070ASY whose control panel flips down so it can be read from above. Remember that Sharp manufactures all drawer microwaves, these ovens are the same internally, and the Sharp SMD3070ASY is even $1000 cheaper (list) than the MD30PE/S. (It can also be mounted flush.)
...See More
sjhockeyfan325
10 years ago
In our previous home, we put a free-standing microwave (GE Spacemaker) on a shelf like Annie's, only without the doors. Except for being a tad too high, it was a great decision. This time around, we didn't have room for that (apartment kitchen with only one wall, and all other appliances and sink are on that wall, not be choice), so we went with the drawer microwave. It's an expensive option for heating things up, but it works great, and I love the fact that you look down into it (both the microwave on the shelf, and the OTR microwave we had in our temporary rental, were too high for my DD and for me).

As for resale, I think you'd have to hide the on-the-counter microwave, and hope that buyers don't notice you don't have one built in. I do think people expect that.
chicagoans
10 years ago
I love Annie's solution, with the doors to hide the MW when not in use.

I love my drawer MW, but if/when it stops working it will be more expensive to replace it than if I didn't have a built-in.

Your cabinet style is lovely and will be so pretty in the mushroom color!
fishymom
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for the replies, appreciate the input! Unfortunately, we wont have a wall oven in the new kitchen, we have opted for a slide in range instead. I may have come up with another solution though! I have to order one more base cabinet for the sink wall and we had planned on a 21 inch base, just replacing what was there. But if I go with a 24 inch base instead, I can use that for microwave. A possible wrench in the plan is that this cabinet is in a corner as seen in this drawing, with the wall to the right being the run of wall cabinets I don't want to disrupt. And I have room to add a couple of inches of fill on the corner end so that I will have plenty of clearance. I know it is not optimal, just wondering if that will be an ok spot for a microwave drawer.

{{!gwi}}

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Discover the Pull of Microwave Drawers

By Rachel Grace

More accessible, less noticeable and highly space efficient, microwave drawers are a welcome newcomer in kitchen appliances

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Get a Recessed or Wall-Mounted Medicine Cabinet?

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right bathroom medicine cabinet and get it installed

KITCHEN APPLIANCES 9 Places to Put the Microwave in Your Kitchen

By Toronto Interior Design Group

See the pros and cons of locating your microwave above, below and beyond the counter

KITCHEN DESIGN Get Cookin' With the Right Microwave

By KitchenLab Interiors

Energy zapped from trying to pick a microwave model and location? This guide will fire up your decision making

KITCHEN STORAGE Pulling Power: Clever Drawer Tactics for a Kitchen

It’s not how many drawers you have in your kitchen; it’s how they work for you

HOUSEKEEPING The Quick and Easy Way to Clean a Microwave

By Marianne Lipanovich

All you need is water and a couple of other natural ingredients to get your appliance sparkling and smelling fresh again

KITCHEN DESIGN Embrace a Hot Trend With a Kitchen Warming Drawer

By Rachel Grace

Serve food at just the right temperature with this increasingly popular appliance, coordinated to match your kitchen's style

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Add Toe Kick Drawers for More Storage

By Kathryn Peltier Design

Great project: Install low-lying drawers in your kitchen or bath to hold step stools, pet bowls, linens and more

KITCHEN STORAGE 8 Cabinet Door and Drawer Types for an Exceptional Kitchen

By The Inman Company

Pick a pocket or flip for hydraulic. These alternatives to standard swing-out cabinet doors offer more personalized functionality

KITCHEN DESIGN Get It Done: Organize Your Kitchen Drawers

By Becky Harris

Clear 'em out and give the contents a neat-as-a-pin new home with these organizing and storage tips

Sponsored

More Discussions

contractor chooses kitchen

33

Are counter installers covering a mistake?

8

base cabinet and sink size

4

Small kitchen with angled wall

4

Kitchen hardware help

0