Kitchen Conundrum: Dual-fuel range vs. Cooktop + wall oven/microwave

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

We are doing a major kitchen renovation addition. I had never truly considered a cooktop and wall oven and was going to do a slide-in dual fuel range. Our layout does not have a ton of wall space because it's open to the living room and screened in porch.

We have yet to break ground on the renovation and are in the permitting phase, but have signed on with a contractor. Now that it's come time to order appliances (a year ahead of our finish date), I've been doing more research and am intrigued by a wall microwave-convection oven/oven combo and re-considering my choice of range.

However, I don't think wall oven(s)/cooktop would work with my current layout.

Is it worth the necessary design changes? Would love some feedback from ya'll! I have also heard horror stories about built in microwaves failing long before the wall oven, and am hesitant to build in that appliance. See below for our design plans and my mock-up of how a wall oven may work.

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kandrewspa

2 years ago

We had a built-in microwave and oven in our last house where we lived for 16 years. During that time we had to replace the microwave twice, but we were able to find a replacement that fit. However, I agree with you that you don't seem to have the wall area for it. You could put it in the pantry in the niche, but depending on how much you use it, that would be less convenient than having it in the actual kitchen footprint so may not be a good idea for you.

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Comments (6)

lucky998877
2 years ago
Your kitchen is small, and you have to walk through it to get to the pantry. Why complicate things? A range will function in this space so much better. Put a microwave in the pantry.
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I know several appliance store owners & service reps I do business with. They told me it is true that microwaves have a shorter life span than ovens in general. So, I always suggest to my clients who want a mw/oven combo to get the appliances separated & stack them in an oven cabinet. As technology changes, if the microwave goes & you want a different appliance with same width, then it's usually easier to replace & more cost effective. I suggest keeping to standard appliance widths & cabinets with openings standard widths (30"wide opening will give you more choices now & future.) I also prefer slide in stoves, because they are easier to replace vs cooktops that the counter is cut around for. Ideally I like a slide in with an extra oven in a taller cabinet. I personally do not use microwaves anymore. When buying appliances, I highly suggest buying locally with an appliance store that services their products. Their knowledge & support is valuable when installing & if you ever need future help they can service it.

Wishing you success with your future kitchen:)
wdccruise
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I'd use a range. I'd add an outlet under (or inside) the cabinet next to the refrigerator so I could hang a microwave oven over the counter (e.g., GE Profile™PEM31SFSS or GE JEM3072SHSS) or place one on the counter.

Perhaps specify some slope ceiling recessed lights over the kitchen area:
- Halo RLS4099FS1EWHDMR is a 4" canless slope recessed light with selectable color temperature. Polar-Ray $75.
- JUNO TC926R REMODEL HOUSING / SLOPE: 2/12 TO 6/12 PITCH (9˚ TO 27˚)
- JUNO TC928R REMODEL HOUSING / SUPER SLOPE: 7/12 TO 12/12 PITCH (30˚TO 45˚)
with compatible trims and lamps

-- amateur
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
Please do not do a walloven/ MW combo ever . They need to be separate so when the MW dies you can at least try to replace it . I actually like MWs not built in . at all since just about the time yours dies they will have changed the size. IMO a pantry needs to be big enought to be able to turn around in it and have storage on at least 2 walls IMO a much better choice would be to have a wall of true pullout pantries next to the fridge and have a very functional Lshaped kitchen
wdccruise
2 years ago
Oh, I see you have recessed lights in your plan. Don't put one directly in front of a range hood where its light can reflect off the hood.

Kitchen Conundrum: Dual-fuel range vs. Cooktop + wall oven/microwave

kandrewspa

Comments (6)

lucky998877

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