If you are replacing a drawer microwave...
chicagoans
4 years ago
I'm posting as an FYI in case anyone else has to replace a MW drawer. The cabinet cavity dimensions in my case weren't the same but luckily I had enough trim around the cavity to make the new one fit. Details:
I had a 30" Sharp drawer MW installed about 10 years ago. I love keeping it off the counter and the functionality of looking down into it (rather than crouching down to see in, or having it in an upper cabinet.) It stopped working about a week ago so I ordered a new one.
I replaced a Sharp 30" with the new model Sharp 30". Since the old one was still in place I couldn't measure the cabinet cavity, so I triple checked with the sales guy on the phone that the cabinet dimensions were the same (I purchased from the same store so he could look up exactly what I had.) He assured me the new one would fit in the existing cavity.
Just an FYI: there is a small rectangular box right behind the control panel on the new model that sticks up higher than the rest of the box. (Didn't measure, but guesstimate about 3/4" high, 1 1/4" deep, 10" wide.) This little box meant that the new MW didn't fit inside the existing cavity.
It turned out fine because my cavity had enough trim on top that the installers were able to cut a notch for the MW to fit. So where the cavity used to look like the mockup on the left, it's now like the one on the right. Once the MW is in place you can't see it.
If you are looking for a built in look, you'd need a bigger cavity. With regular installation (like mine) the MW sits about 5/8" or so proud of the cabinet face. Just an FYI if you are going for a built in look.
Here it is closed:
The control panel (sorry can't seem to rotate the pic):
and open:
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Comments (10)
chicagoans
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Did you pay more for a cabinet for the microwave drawer?
Comments (4)Our MW drawer cabinet is one of the few cabinets that are Omega Custom (most of the rest are Omega Dynasty/semi-custom). Yes, it had to be custom made to fit the MW drawer. This was back in 2007/2008. While I would think by now the semi-custom lines would be including cabinets for MW drawers, it sounds like they do not. So, in answer to your question, yes, we did have to pay more...$414.39 more. Our 30" cabinet for our 3-drawer cabinet holding the Warming Drawer (top drawer + WD + bottom drawer) was: $540.25 Our 31" cabinet for our 2-drawer MW drawer (MW + bottom drawer) was: $954.64 MW Drawer Cabinet: [On the plus side, b/c it is custom, the interior of the cabinet is finished to match the outside so if we ever wanted to replace it w/a "regular" MW we probably could...if we could find one to fit in the alcove. But, to be honest, I would never want one in an alcove under the counter...too low!]...See MoreMicrowave drawer vs. microwave on a shelf
Comments (27)I'll chime in here. I have had mine in use about 7 1/2 years. They were brand new when we started looking and planning and I had a hard time the the price tag. As it turned out, using the drawer solved a lot of layout issues so we paid the $6-700 it was then, realized it was our east expensive built-in appliance, Sharp makes the best microwave ovens, and we figured the cost should go down by the time we might have to replace it and worst case we could put a small shelf unit in the space. Well, the cost hasn't gone down, I'm sorry to say, but I am not looking to replace it either. When I do, it will be with another drawer. I was pleased with how well we liked using it, found it had settings I didn't know it had and they worked well for us, and the keep warm setting gives me a second warming drawer for the craziest of times (actually used both for Thanksgiving one year when one guest was over an hour late). The drawer opening is so much better than having to bend down to see the flat front of a shelf unit or to reach in under your counter. Not having to lift out a steaming dish, set it down, stir and lift it back is so much easier. I'm tall and have bad discs in my neck, so that matters to me more than our other family members, but I don't think they'd want to change either. I'm coming up on 8 years in and I'm not going back. Point well taken about the cost of a micro plus trim kit of a built-in version that may not need the trim kit. And the only appliance you might get for less is a DW if you go basic. For a better, quieter model, you'll be in the same price range....See MoreKitchen Island Microwave: built-in trim kit vs microwave drawer
Comments (8)Have had ours since 2008 and I've never regretted it nor have I had any problems with it! In fact, I'm starting on designing/planning our retirement home to build in the future and I plan to include a MW drawer. With the exception of my (very) old Montgomery Wards Convection MW oven, it's lasted the longest. When we remodeled, the MW drawer cost the same as a built-in MW with trim kit. I've had no problems cleaning it. If food is stuck on it, simply boil a cup of water + vinegar for several minutes in the drawer and then wipe clean - the food should be loosened up and wipe off with a swipe. Yes, you do have to lean over and peer into it to see if it's clean, but... I'd much rather have to do that once every week or two compared to having to lean over/squat to use the MW several times a day! A regular MW in an alcove under the counter is not easy to use - you have to bend over or squat to use the controls and to add/remove dishes/food - usually reaching blindly into the MW and trying balance the hot dish as you're struggling to remove it from the MW, balance it to keep it from spilling, and standing back up - all at the same time! Regular/counter top MWs are not designed to be used under the counter - they're designed to be used at counter height or higher. Note that MW drawers have a "child lock", so if you're worried about your children getting into it, lock it when not in use! Oh and having a child lean on the door of a "regular" MW means potentially bring the MW down on top of the child - so be careful. No amount of child locking can prevent that! [I had a friend over a couple of weekends ago who kept trying to push the drawer all the way in and pull it all the way out - without letting the drawer do it's thing (automatically opening w/a gentle pull / automatically closing with a gentle nudge). Not sure why he didn't understand when I explained it to him, but his forcing the drawer open/closed did not damage the drawer in any way.] Sharp makes all MW drawers, so I would stick with a Sharp-branded drawer rather than pay $$$$ for a re-branded MW drawer with a higher-end name - it's the same MW! Here's a thread from 2008 about them. BTW...the concern that someone had 8 years ago about them being short-lived has not panned out. They're becoming more and more popular! http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2688345/microwave-drawer-pros-and-cons?n=42 ....See MoreReplace Microwave/toaster oven with speed oven/convection microwave?
Comments (22)So, make a niche(s) with the proper electric service and size to have a built-in put in if you really need it to sell (but I bet you won't)--if you're planning to sell within three years, get the built-ins already, but otherwise, they're going to be just so many used appliances. If yours are truly ratty, you can buy new versions of each. If you WANT a speed oven, and intend to use it as such, that's another story. Go for it! Read through the manuals, etc. But I think you'll find that it's not at all the same thing as your Breville toaster oven. You can use the convection oven settings on a speed oven to perform some of the same functions, but it's a real oven, with limitations, not a toaster that tap dances. I sometimes use my speed oven the way others use a toaster oven--mainly for heating up frozen appetizers or reheating casseroles when other ovens are full, but my old (dead) toaster oven was beloved for making great toast, which a speed oven isn't, and not for other uses. I do zap sandwiches on MW mode, and once in awhile lightly defrost or melt, but if I used a microwave more, I wouldn't have such an expensive machine doing it. I agree with putting enough thought into a remodel that it won't limit resale, because you never know what the future will bring--thus make sure there's place for built-ins to be built into--but unless it's a flip, it should be designed for your own use and enjoyment, and you used the key words "heavily use" and "love"....See Morechicagoans
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
mark1993
4 years agoBuehl
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
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