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OTR microwave for 15" wall cabinets

5 years ago

Classic whoops on my part: Just installed our new Ikea kitchen cabinets (which we are excited about)...and then found that the space we created for an over the range microwave doesn't actually fit over the range microwaves because they are 15.5" inches deep (with doors), which I've now learned is too deep for all the OTR microwaves out there. What should we do??

Some options:

1) Bump out a regular microwave - I don't love this, I don't want it to be SO FAR out into my face, also the GE 'bump out kit' is $120. OR there's a piece of Ikea filler for $15 that maybe does the same thing?

2) Buy an ikea microwave - they seem to get really bad reviews, but ostensibly are compatible with the cabinets (one would hope)

3) Are there any other microwaves out there that are compatible with 15" deep cabinets? I'd ideally love one that's smaller capacity (that is, "shorter" - like 10-12 inches height).

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Leah

Featured Answer

writersblock (9b/10a)

5 years ago

The new short whirlpools list cabinets to 14", so you'd only have to block one of those out an inch or so.

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Comments (9)

dan1888
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
This Sharp will fit for depth. All the over the range Sharp models will.

This Frigidaire fits for depth. Probably any over the range model will fit.

This countertop Sharp is 12" high and 15 deep. 20" wide.
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Hey Mark -- Kathy didn't ask to not have a vent !! Like me, she just wants a slimmer 30" OTR that isn't so high or deep that it blocks access to the back of her stove top !! Unfortunately it appears to me that in the last 10-15 years, all microwave manufacturing has consolidated to just one country doing just one size -- 16" high and 15" deep (for the standard 30" width OTR). I'm not happy at all about this. The new ones stick out too far and go down too far -- they really look stupid compared to the slimmer ones you could get 10-15 years ago.
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my experience with an OTR microwave is this: I removed my OTR M/W during a kitchen renovation but planned to keep it since it was fairly new, an Advantium 120 and I loved it but was not installing it again as an OTR, just going to use on a cart as a freestanding microwave I am assuming that all otr m/w's are the same as mine: the top is unfinished b/c in a normal application you did not see the top, it is installed to the bottom of the cabs above So that could be an aesthetic problem if 4" is exposed Do you know a good finish carpenter that could custom make your shelf to extend over this section and then jut back to the depth you had planned? You may not necessarily see the top from below but if you have a stairway near by,etc. it may be visible. Also the cord on mine comes out of the top so you would have a gap btwn the top of the m/w and the bottom of the shelf to allow for the cord to run to the back of the wall outlet and where would the outlet be placed? just what my experience has been Another thought; box in the m/w with similar material to the shelves creating it's own shelf below the shelf
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Here's my simple to follow directions for photos. I'll look for your picture later tonight (we're west coast) and see if we have a useful idea - my husband spent considerable time pondering this issue and reviewing available ducting, so maybe he has something that will work for you. 1. Open a Photobucket or Flicker or whatever freebie photo storing site you like. I randomly chose Photobucket and it's really easy to work with. 2. Load your photos from your camera onto your computer. From Photobucket (or wherever), hit the "upload" button and follow the directions. 3. When you mouse over one of your stored photos a box comes up with a list of things like "direct link," "html code," and "image code." The one you want to click on is "direct link." It begins with "http://" and ends with ".jpg" 4. Whenever you want to place a photo in a post, you type in this script: <img src="Your URL location here" </img> Paste the direct link address you copied from your photo between the quotation marks (replacing "Your URL location here"). 5. If you want to use a photo from somewhere else on the net, click on the photo and a list comes up which includes "copy image location." Click that to copy and proceed as above. I think that script needs a > right after the closing quotation mark.
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In that picture, the poster used wood on both sides to support the microwave. It is hard to see, but I bet they are attached to a board in the back which is bolted into the wall framing. And that there is a shelf screwed into those boards in order to support the microwave. You couldn't do that over a stove. You would likely not have proper clearances to combustibles.
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leah
Original Author
5 years ago
Writersblock - those are actually the exact ones I'm looking at now. I'm actually wondering if having an inch more cabinet over it is really that big a deal, and thinking maybe we can just install as-is. I really don't know that I can handle something thats 20" out from the wall, 18.5" is plenty :)
writersblock (9b/10a)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I don't know. I've been wondering if the cabinet would interfere with opening the door at 15", but I don't know anyone who's tried them yet. You might ask in this thread, where several people have posted since getting one:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/is-there-a-small-over-the-range-microwave-dsvw-vd~2696070?n=195[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/is-there-a-small-over-the-range-microwave-dsvw-vd~2696070?n=195)

ETA Have you seen the videos of those microwaves? They do stick out pretty far. I think HD has videos on its site, IIRC.
leah thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
leah
Original Author
5 years ago
It doesn't look like it would hang up the door, but I guess it's hard to say.

In terms of sticking out, with 15" deep cabs a full size regular OTR would need to be bumped out to 17-18", so if it's going to be that far out I'd rather have this small one! It's just a question of whether I'd need to bump it out even further or whether I can get away with that extra inch of coverage.
Janet Mmm
5 years ago
I have the whirlpool one mounted under 12” - I think the issue would be covering these vents. Here is a pic of that helps.
leah thanked Janet Mmm
leah
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thanks Janet for this picture - yes I've realized that the vents are the problem but wondering what I can get away with. If you have a sec to measure, could you tell me the distance from the front of the unit to the back of the vent (ie what's the bare minimum amount that needs to be clear)?

Thanks!

Leah
Janet Mmm
5 years ago
Hope this helps - excuse my free flintstone feet!
leah thanked Janet Mmm
leah
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks so much - that's exactly what I need. And as a 5'2" lady myself I appreciate the stepstool.

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