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Design Dilemma Kitchens Appliances

Deep Cabinets for OTR microwave ??

4 years ago

I bought a microwave that is 16” deep. My cabinets are 16.5 deep. I have to bump out the microwave 3 inches for venting meaning I would have a huge gap in the back that normal bump out kits can’t fix. What other resolutions do I have?

Featured Answer

PRO

HALLETT & Co.

4 years ago

Space the microvave away from the wall on any furring- a double stack of 2x4's would probably be easiest. Keep the bottom up slightly and install tile or metal to hide the space.

Please address the venting- that plastic flexible duct is only allowed for bath fans, it is a giant fire hazard in all other applications. Only use smooth rigid ducting for a hood.

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Comments (17)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
I don't understand why your upper cabinets are not 12" deep.
Diamond Deuces
Original Author
4 years ago
I have no darn idea. Seems as if every project I attempt, there's a hurdle, but I'm motivated to keep pushing.

Here's a photo of the kitchen reno. If anyone can give insight, that would be a blessing.
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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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Thanks! Yes, that is what I was looking for. Yours looks more simple and clean then I was thinking it would look. Does the excess cord just hang out in the back of the cabinet? That is the part I was curious about. We only need a foot of cord, but the cord is 3 feet. We were thinking you could put plug mold or something around the cord to hide it. Originally my husband was going to run it up and down until it ran out.
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That's Ok maybe it's me - it just took a couple of reads. Yes 18" would a fairly standard measurement for this - you wouldn't want to go a lot less or you won't be able to get a decent sized pot on the stove top (I've seen it - usually in before pics where they replaced a fan with an OTR and it looks odd). On the Panasonic the top strip comes forward to draw in air so if it were covered by the cab it might: 1, Scrape along the bottom of the cabinet asit opens. 2. It won't be able to draw in as much air in so it won't work properly - maybe not such a big issue if you are just using a charcoal filter Lots of criticism on here of OTR microwaves but I find my Mom's works quite well (hers is 400cfm which is more than adequate for an electric stove). I have to say I think having some ventilation in a kitchen is pretty important even with an electric cook top. Is it really not possible to vent outside?
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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.
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Shannon_WI
4 years ago
So this is an OTR microwave that will also exhaust your cooktop? If so, then it is supposed to stick out. Maybe I am not understanding your issue. Can you explain further.
Diamond Deuces
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

This is a side profile of my cabinets. In a normal case, the microwave brackets are placed on the back wall and the microwave fits snug. Because of my cabinet depth, there is about a 3.5 inch gap in the back. Manufactorers provide "bump out kits" which are basically brackets with a 2in lip to help support the microwave despite the possible 1 inch gap. That scenario = 1 inch gap. My scenario = 3.5 inch gap. There aren't any "bump out kits" for my gap. I understand that it is a must that the microwave sticks out for the vents on the top. What can I do about the back?
User
4 years ago
It has to stick out. Any local metal fabricator can make you an L shaped piece of stainless to mount over the blocking.
emilyam819
4 years ago
How about getting an undercabinet hood instead? IDK if you would have the same issue.
Diamond Deuces
Original Author
4 years ago
Well, I have a $500 microwave that I'd really like to use.
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Then spend the $200-$300 to block out the rear to accept the bracket and have a custom piece of stainless fabricated. OTR’s aren’t very good vents. And they are kinda unsafe to use as microwaves too. Compromise appliances rarely perform all of those multiple functions equally well. But sometimes space available dictates the compromise.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
4 years ago
All IKEA wall cabinets are 15" depth now so this comes up often...
Diamond Deuces thanked HALLETT & Co.
Diamond Deuces
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you Hallett! And also for the headsup on the venting. I bought a house that my inspector apparently didn't do a good job inspecting.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
I don't think I have ever seen an OTR microwave that is less than 30" in width
Diamond Deuces
Original Author
4 years ago
Beverly, that is the 'side' profile of the microwave to illustrate the mounting issue. The width of the microwave is 30inches.
PRO
Carolina Kitchen & Bath
4 years ago
What kind of space do you have from the top of the range/cooktop to the bottom of the cabinet? And I'm with mackdolan and live wire oak. Talk to a sheet metal fabricator.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago

No.,......this is the area that doesn't appear to be 30" wide to receive the OTR microwave
Diamond Deuces
Original Author
4 years ago
Ok, I understand your point. It may just be the angle of the photo with the shadow and everything. It's a tiny bit larger than 30" :) Perfect fit
weedmeister
4 years ago
I don't see the comment I added yesterday, so again...

There are vent hoods out there can exhaust into a rectangular opening, usually 3.5" x 10" or there abouts. how large is your opening?

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