Anonymous
Post 03/23/2025 09:20     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
Anonymous wrote:When we researched where to put our microwave, microwaves categorized as countertop don’t “allow” you to put them on shelves. Their instructions require airspace around them in order to vent. I know many people do this, I’m just saying the specs don't allow it.

We couldn’t find a decent size microwave that would fit a wall cabinet that was not smaller than 18” deep. Typical wall cabinets are 12” deep. We didn’t want one wall cabinet being much deeper than the rest.

You have to find what works for you in your kitchen.


We put our regular microwave in a large drawer space in the island, but without the drawer front. It has enough air around it.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2025 09:18     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
We put our regular microwave in a space in the island, and it's worked really well. As for over the stove, I won't do that or even buy a home that has it. I'm short and can't even reach in there without burning myself or spilling something. I'd also consider a countertop microwave, if there is space. They make some really cute ones that are worth having out.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2025 09:02     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
When we researched where to put our microwave, microwaves categorized as countertop don’t “allow” you to put them on shelves. Their instructions require airspace around them in order to vent. I know many people do this, I’m just saying the specs don't allow it.

We couldn’t find a decent size microwave that would fit a wall cabinet that was not smaller than 18” deep. Typical wall cabinets are 12” deep. We didn’t want one wall cabinet being much deeper than the rest.

You have to find what works for you in your kitchen.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 22:53     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My parents have something like this. Do you have space to build this in?



This is hideous why would someone showcase a microwave like that?


It's a lot cheaper to pull a microwave off a shelf and replace it than to remove something built in to your cabinetry and get someone to install a new one. Not everyone has a huge walk in pantry in which to store their microwave, lady.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 22:19     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
Anonymous wrote:My parents have something like this. Do you have space to build this in?



This is hideous why would someone showcase a microwave like that?
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 21:24     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For our kitchen remodel we relocated our microwave under the counter. We ended up not using a microwave drawer, as we didn’t prefer a drawer, but used this instead:

https://zlinekitchen.com/products/zline-24-convection-microwave-oven-stainless-steel-mwo-24

It was $1000. Yes that is more expensive than a $400 microwave but when you factor in a trim kit that usually runs $300, it was only $300 more total. The fact that it fit in a 24” base cabinet was worth it for us as we didn’t want a typical 30” base cabinet allocated for that.


Not OP but thank you for sharing this -- we have a kitchen desk that I hate, but we don't really have the money to redo the cabinets. I wonder if we could somehow build this microwave into the area underneath the desk. Hm...


If you go with this one, know that it requires a dedicated circuit.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 21:10     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
My parents have something like this. Do you have space to build this in?

Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 21:09     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
Anonymous wrote:For our kitchen remodel we relocated our microwave under the counter. We ended up not using a microwave drawer, as we didn’t prefer a drawer, but used this instead:

https://zlinekitchen.com/products/zline-24-convection-microwave-oven-stainless-steel-mwo-24

It was $1000. Yes that is more expensive than a $400 microwave but when you factor in a trim kit that usually runs $300, it was only $300 more total. The fact that it fit in a 24” base cabinet was worth it for us as we didn’t want a typical 30” base cabinet allocated for that.


Not OP but thank you for sharing this -- we have a kitchen desk that I hate, but we don't really have the money to redo the cabinets. I wonder if we could somehow build this microwave into the area underneath the desk. Hm...
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 21:06     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
It depends on if you can vent the microwave hood outdoors. We discovered in our last house that the microwave had a vent behind it that was closed. We opened it up so that it vented to the outdoors and it made a HUGE difference. Look into that!!
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 20:40     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
We just did our kitchen and stuck with #1. It’s functional. Everyone I know complains about the modern lower cabinet microwaves, and I didn’t want to give up cabinet space for it. If I had a large walk in pantry I would have considered that, but I don’t. A hood would look nice and modern but I cook a lot and have never had a smoke problem. My goal when redoing the kitchen was to make good use of the space. It works for us.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 20:35     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think this is all about space. In a small kitchen, I much prefer a microwave over the stove. If it vents outside, it works pretty well.

A hood might look prettier or more current for photos, but it means the microwave is somewhere else taking up space.

If your kitchen is big, sure! Do a hood and put it somewhere else.

I think when it became the fashion, developers and flippers started putting hoods in small houses and it is just not practical. But when they’re shopping, people don’t think about where the microwave is going to go or whether they will have enough cabinet space. Or where the trash and recycling cans will be. Etc.


Totally disagree that hoods are only for large kitchens. I have a narrow galley kitchen and there's absolutely no way I'd live with a microwave over the range. The last thing I need when I'm trying to cook something on the range is to have my husband nuking his coffee or a kid heating up a burrito over my head.

The problem is that some kitchens are so small that you don't have anywhere to put the microwave if you have a hood.


This. Mine stays over the range because there is nowhere else for it to go. I also would not be willing to give up the cabinets above the microwave, which would need to go of we put a hood in. Again, there is nowhere else for me to put the items I store up there.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2025 20:26     Subject: Microwave/Kitchen Hood Dilemma
#3 by a mile