Do you have a pantry? We bought a small one that is mounted under an upper cabinet in the pantry. I love it since it's out of sight and it doesn't take up any counter space in the pantry.

You can creatively build in an OTR with the right panels, as in this customer’s request. As long as its open below it for it to vent properly. This is missing a piece of trim across the front at the bottom, but this is an OTR.

Beachy Morning Kitchen · More Info

Beachy Morning Kitchen · More Info

I would dig my feet in before installing an over the range micro in the same house as the range your choosing.

micros can be built into a pantry, an island, a set of full wall cabinets.

pantry or drawer -- no question.

Thank you everyone for the replies. To clarify, we will NOT be installing an over-the-range option, as we’ll have a hood vent, I just meant the micro options I like at this point only seem to be OTR.

Unfortunately we don’t have a pantry (a full-length cabinet will serve this purpose), so that option is out. Also no upper cabinets (open shelving uppers). A built-in or drawer micro seems like the only options we have, I just wish a panel-ready micro existed!

In the end, I may have to settle for a built-in or drawer option that is visible in the kitchen (just wish it could be hidden somehow - seems like a long shot given our layout/space constraints). Thanks again all!

When you enter the room, try to put it on the side that would not be seen first. Like on the back side of the island. And for what it's worth, a drawer microwave is not going to upstage that range!

You are maybe overthinking this with the stress of planning. My dw and frig are paneled and I just put a drawer my in my island. It’s fine and I think it looks pretty good ..probably overpriced.

Does your kitchen have an island? We're putting ours on the backside of the island facing into the aisle between the cooktop and island. From there it will only be noticeable from someone working in that space.

The drawer in the last picture is the Sharp microwave with a handle (which I have), but our contractor also showed us drawers that have a much sleeker, flat appearance. The catch is that alternatives to Sharp are usually much more expensive.

Sharp also has versions with hidden controls and without the handle, and Thermador and Bosch have models with flat front panels. However, I believe the internal mechanism is always made by Sharp, so the control panel location and general design is always similar.

I would take a look at the Sharp model with hidden controls and no handle, since the display appears to pivot out at an angle. The display on my Sharp is flat/vertical, which makes it relatively hard to read without bending over. The angled display seems more convenient.

Bruce

I was just looking at these online this morning. At HD, the Sharp with hidden controls is more than $200 than the one with the handle. Does anyone know how much the handle sticks out?

I would be curious to know what a 'panel ready' microwave would look like with that big window in the front...

@Kayla, we installed a Sharp micro drawer (no handle) in our island. There is a way to install it so that it is more recessed and it does not stick out like a sore thumb. We also have a Lacanche Cluny 1400 installed diagonal from it. No one notices the microwave, they always ask us to point out where it is... but everyone comments on the range. :)

Ours does not have a handle. It’s a Bosch (I realize they’re all made by Sharp, I just liked the looks of this one the best)

It's interesting that a 1.1 cu ft Sharp countertop microwave is $99 while the 1.2 cu ft drawer microwave is $850 with a handle and $1079 without. Manufacturing a specialty product can be lucrative!

Put a small countertop version in a cabinet. I had mine in a cabinet for years.

My cabinet had retractable doors, so I could tuck doors out of the way if it was getting significant use.

Annette has the best solutions. Microwaves fail sooner than most appliances and having one built in will lead to headaches down the line. If they are simply concealed behind a door or panels they can easily be replaced.

Part of the reason why microwaves fail in cabinets like that is because they don't get adequate space for ventilation, often leading to premature failure.

Annette great ideas! The on the counter microwaves concealed cost a lot less than the built in under the counter model microwaves & are easy to replace as well.

If you do a drawer, look to install it like Ephma’s above. The frame is flush with the cabinets. You have to specifically plan for that with your cabinet guy. I think it’s a much nicer look than the way mine was installed....which sticks out and is unsightly IMO. I have a sharp with the tilt out panel and definitely have a love hate relationship with it because of limited access for cleaning, having to wait for the opening and closing of the door, and it doesn’t have enough height for tall mugs. I have another “normal” microwave in my scullery/pantry which I’m happy I have due to the shortcomings of the Sharp.

Sorry but I never understand why anyone wants to hide the appliances in a working kitchen and please do not denegrate the range by installing an above the range MW. I think a kitchen is designed with function and hiding any appliance you use all the time is just not sensible. Your range will be the star regardless of what you choose for a MW so put it where you will use it.

An on the counter microwave can be put into a base cabinet. It is a much more economical solution. Put the microwave on a support to center inside then take a finished panel & router out a hole around the microwave. Or use fillers to square around. Can make slits as shown for air circulation.

I have my dishwasher and fridge behind panels. I happen to like the look but also realize not every appliance can work that way. Put in the sharp microwave drawer and be done with it. With your stove, no one will even notice the microwave. I don't have a statement stove and still no one notices the microwave.

Here's mine to the right of the prep sink on the perimeter.

If you do not put it in a cabinet concealed, you could find a place in the layout where it is not as obvious when you walk into the kitchen. Cpartist's kitchen is a good example the 1st photo she just posted. The mw view is blocked from the island.

If you post the floorplan, Houzzers could help you determine the best non-visible way while keeping it in a user friendly spot.

So my microwave that was in a cabinet behind closed doors was actually in a cabinet originally designed for a tv, hence the doors that retracted. We put the microwave in there when we first moved in as we didn’t have a tv for the space. We kept thinking we’d get a tv but never got around to it, so the microwave stayed. The first one lasted at least 16 years, and I only replaced it because the handle on the door broke. The second one is still working. I checked with the manufacturer and made sure I has enough space for it to ventilate properly, Another good reason for the retractable doors, I could leave them open for a bit if I wanted.

In my current (much smaller)kitchen I’m hoping to do a drawer as I have limited space elsewhere.