Wow...this is all so helpful! Ok, so yes, we do have a disposal and now that I'm thinking of the way I prep: i tend to prep next to the sink even though I have more countertop next to the range. The other times I use the trash is whenI'm washing dishes so I'm thinking I should keep it next to the sink. And now that I know more of you have a utensil drawer right under, I'm feeling good about it. The dishwasher moving is interesting....but I'm thinking I'd rather break up the stainless and maybe it's better if my 2 and 4 year old didn't have good access to the trash as they tend to start playing with the pedal, making it talk, etc. So microwave is interesting. I feel like I'd rather just put it in a cabinet so it's not customized at all for the micro. That way if we need to change it in a few years, I'm not worried about the size. Now, my only concern is will I hate bending down? My reasoning was that its higher than the oven racks So how bad can it be? Plus, we are not a tall family...but I'm curious about how people who have lower microwaves feel... Brooklyn - love your kitchen. It's what we want in different colors! Can you show me a wide pic of the other side and share anything else you love/not love about the setup/sizing/etc? Is that caesarstone? We're getting raven caesarstone and it has the same texture.... Thanks!!!

We currently have an OTR microwave - and will with the new kitchen as well. Right now, the micro is lower than the cabinets, only because when our microwave died 2 years ago, we bought a SS one to replace it knowing *someday* we would redo the kitchen and get all SS appliances. Then, the micro arrived and it was bigger than the one it replaced... Anyhoo, I am planning that the new micro will be in line with the bottom of the cabinets, and since I am doing 36" uppers, I am most likely getting an 18" cabinet above it. Since the microwave is also 15" deep, I am also going to get increased depth cabinets for that wall so it is flush. We also want to vent to outside, but don't have that yet so I don't know how that works... Since my husband is pretty tall, I think we will end up having about 21" from top of cooktop to bottom of microwave. I am 5'7" and too much higher than that would be a stretch for me, I think. HTH

The dials on a slide-in range are at the front. You don't reach over the hot burners and steaming pans to change temps. This is recommended for "universal access" kitchens because a wheelchair person can use them a little better, although the surface is not lowered. These dials are easily accessed by a child, which might not be a benefit, though, if the child is just playing. The digital clock on the upright backed models is easily seen from a distance; same with the lighted indicators that show whether surfaces are hot or oven is in use. On a slide-in, the front dials and controls are on the same plane as the cooking surface so I would assume you need to approach the unit to see the lights. somewhat off topic.... regarding ranges....We began this remodel with the intention of using our old electric coil range until it died. I began to do some research and found that the upraised back on new ranges has risen significantly in my lifetime. I suspect that the gov't began to require that the dials be positioned farther from the cooking surface--in two past ranges I've worked with the dials were cockwacky because they'd melted a bit. Today's range appears to be abt 75 inches tall at the back OR HIGHER. This is a significant design aspect if you're planning new construction. We thought we'd put our niche behind range up high enough to clear any new range but when I got new one, there it is arching in front of the bottom of the niche just a bit. If you're going for a standard range like this, forget any fancy backsplash, esp if you have an under cab hood unit there also, since it has to be mounted lower than some of the decorative hood units. Our niche extends up behind the vent unit, which allows taller bottles if I get crazy and buy one of those exotic olive oils or something. There is only about a foot of actual space between the top of the range's arched back and the bottom of our vent unit. Doesn't bother me at all. nini804, there's a quote that says that any time form goes before function, take our your wallet.

I have a Sharp drawer microwave and there is no possible way to get your arm in to get the top clean. With the drawer open, the top is now behind the drawer, so even if you used a long brush to get to the grime, any particles fall in behind the drawer. There is no way to take the drawer off according to all searches I have done. I hate it for that reason. As far as stooping over, not an issue. As far as height for mugs and such, that has been a minor problem, however, I am more upset about my mug being close to the dirty top!! The man of the house doesn't have a problem with it. I am completely grossed out. So please...what brands are these folks saying are not a problem to clean the top? Thanks!