In this house we have ours In Our walk in pantry. I’ve designed a couple kitchen where they were behind cabinet doors like your example and it works fine, noting the obvious that the doors have to be open when it’s in use.

Is there any other place in the kitchen it could go? Cons - make sure it has enough ventilation. Cons - you have to open the door each time you want to use it. I don't cook, so I use the microwave at each meal. Cons - if you're going to put it in the pantry, have a pull out shelf put in right underneath it so you can rest it before you move it. Pros - it's out of the way.

Works great! 3 years in-

I had one in my previous house pantry and it worked fine for me there. About 4 times the width of yours, it closed with two hinged wooden louvered doors. Open, they really weren't in the way. I was careful if cooking something that would create an amount of steam and left the door even louvered open for a while when finished. But truthfully, I rarely 'cooked' in the microwave. I might have used it to defrost, or reheat something average of once a day.

Just be careful about ventilation if you have packaged goods, rice, dried beans, those types of things in that pantry.

I like mine on the counter if it is used multiple times a day function always trumps looks. I like counter ones too for when one dies you can go get any size and model. IMO having to open the door pull out the shelf to get to it would not work for me. I need to see your space and pantry .BTW if a new plan do a true pullout pantry no point in having to open doors and then pullout shelves .

That first photo definitely doesn't work, because it is right next to the french door fridge.

The photo posted by Beth Allen works, because the open door does not cause a conflict with another appliance or cabinet.

I'd be fine with the microwave in the pantry. I'd also be fine with a microwave smaller than the ones in these pictures.

But the real question is, How do you use your microwave? That is, do you use it once every three days to warm up leftovers for lunch, or do you cook eggs every morning? Do you pop popcorn every week or so, or do you cook frozen meals a couple times a week?

@Mrs Pete, the OP said they use the mw a ”handful” of times a day…which is 5 times per day. That’s similar to our usage…which is why we put ours in a handy spot, close by the fridge and kitchen table.

I agree with darbuka. Ours is the same as theirs except above the microwave I have open shelving for cookbooks.

I had the same dilemma in a previous home. I housed it inside a pantry cabinet. Problem solved.

I would consider the inconvenience if used multiple times a day and also giving up panty space. The panty doors especially will be a nuisance in more ways than one.

If redoing kitchen and the objective is to hide it, there are more convenient options.

If not redoing kitchen and want to free up counter space, maybe adjust a cupboard/add a shelf, which leave pantry’s storage as is (if it‘s needed).

We only use our microwave 1-3 times a day. We have pocket doors, but honestly, don't bother sliding them back due to infrequent use. Here are pics:

@Mrs Pete, the OP said they use the mw a ”handful” of times a day…which is 5 times per day. That’s similar to our usage…which is why we put ours in a handy spot, close by the fridge and kitchen table.

Then, yeah, put it on the counter top. Personally, I use mine 1-2 times each week, and I'd be fine putting it into the pantry. Actually, I'd be fine without the microwave.

We have the same setup as @wisconmom. I didn't want to give up island space for a microwave, and I wanted it to be hidden. Ours is behind pocketing doors, which are honestly mostly left open. But I like having the ability to close the doors and have everything hidden. Plus, a nice countertop microwave is so much less expensive than a drawer or other built-in version.

I never understood wanting to hide a microwave. We don’t hide our ovens which we use less often! Seems like a hassle.

If it's a frequently used appliance, I wouldn't put doors over it. An open cubby would be better if you prefer a freestanding microwave. We built a cubby for our client in this kitchen on the appliance wall, with a "garage" underneath with a coffee maker pullout:

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I use my microwave often. I keep it on the counter where it is very easy and quick, to use, I would hate having to walk across the room, to a pantry and open a door, to use it.