reaching the microwave
 

I get that the microwave is placed in homes above the range. On our last lifestyle visit my wife and I [who are both short] noticed how hard it was to use it. We would find it almost impossible to heat something take it out, stir the food without spilling, burning ourselves, etc. We figured we would end up using it for storage and get a small one for the limited counter space but what else can we could do? We do not want to use a step stool as we figure that could be dangerous. Is this a problem for anyone else or am I just crazy :loco:

I do have to help my wife taking stuff out

Some homes have the vent instead of the microwave above the stove. The alternative might be placing the microwave in a cabinet at a lower level. I know they make microwaves for this purpose that open like a dresser drawer instead of the swing door. Also, be aware that some of the top load washers are a similar problem for my wife to reach the very bottom for laundry. Never imagined this until we had a rental with a newer top load washer. Good luck!

If your microwave can be vented INSIDE, you can probably have it lowered a few inches, then close off the vent (if you have one) and install matching wood shelf. The cords are typically long enough to allow this. I would use some insulation and a metal cover to close off the vent. The other option would be to remove the microwave, add a shelf, and use a countertop unit.

In my house microwave over stove, my wife’s 5 foot at most she can do it. Guess depends on style kitchen?

I would buy a small countertop microwave for about $100 to use for most items. It will fit in an unusable countertop corner. How often do you need a large microwave?

I see your point because I'm challenged with high kitchen cabinets more than where the microwave had been placed.

I've been lucky in our homes with the microwave, but have seen exactly what you're talking about in friends homes.

Here's an idea- the new way of heating, cooking, toasting and baking just about anything, fast and efficiently is a countertop air-fryer.
Ours is Fantastic and basically made our microwave obsolete four everything except defrosting meat.

Get one of the microwaves that go just under your counter top. They open like a drawer and super easy to use and get to. I love mine! I’m in my Second home that I got the same type.

We also installed a drawer microwave a couple of years ago. We think it is great! At the time, all drawer microwaves were made by Sharp though several brands sold them. The added advantage is now you can put in a much better hood assuming that your are currently vented to the outside.

We have a Microwave drawer built in to the base cabinets. Pull the handle or press a button and it opens/closes.

Microwave ovens are not healthy. Ask someone with a pacemaker. The russian military use them as energy weapons.Convection oven's are healthier.

Don't know about the microwaves, but a problem I see from time to time is at the mail stations. Some of those boxes are pretty high and seemed to be assigned at random. There've been several times I've offered to take the mail out of a box where the owner is barely tall enough to get the key in the lock, or has a physical condition that limits how high he or she can reach. Such an offer is always appreciated.

Can people request another box, or do the boxes just come with the house--no changes allowed?

Take it out, sell it, put an exhaust hood over your range and buy a countertop microwave.

I am short and must be creative getting hot items out of the high microwave. I don’t like step stools, but I can survive with a library stool that rolls until you step on it. It looks like r2d2 and gets kicked all over the house. I sometimes find it being used as a ‘scooting’ seat in the garage near the bike repair table. We found ours on Amazon years ago. It may be a temporary fix while you make other changes.

When we designed, I knew i did not want a microwave above me. We just put a vent there and have a counter top model.

I don't have a problem with our microwave but I was so happy when the sales person told me to see if I could easily reach the bottom of the top load washer before we purchased it. It was a BIG stretch so decided against it. (looking back, my husband could reach it so ..... lol)

The countertop option is certainly the easiest & quickest one. But you mentioned limited counter space. I wonder if there is room for a small island or kitchen cart with a countertop? This would give you additional workspace & additional lower level storage, if feasible.

The box comes with the house and can’t be changed.(I asked). I am 5’2” and our box is the very top. My husband has to get the mail because they don’t push the mail pieces at the front of the box and I can’t reach all the way to the back.

Would not recommend this without research. For safety reasons, over the range microwave ovens must be a minimum height above the range.

I believe there is a minimum amount of clearance required for an over the range microwave. So lowering the unit would not be a good idea.

Your plan to put another microwave within easy reach for you and your wife on the counter, then use the built-in microwave for storage is a good one. Stick with it.

Another "outside the box" thought is to consider buying footwear with a 2 inch lift. It just might make a lot of things easier.

My wife and I have designed 5 kitchens in our time and none of them have the microwave up high for this reason!

Height of Microhood
 

There is a minimum height for the microhood. Look at the installation instructions for your unit. If it can be lowered, than do so. Only warning my mom's in NY was at the lowest above the range. The problem was a hot boiling Tall pot steams the control panel and the micro hood did not last to its expected life. When she past my brother increased the height about 3 inches from the lower level. I am 5'3" and yes I sometimes have to be careful. Mom was barely 5"

Get a counter top microwave, use the one above the stove for storage.

Implantable Heart Devices: Debunking the Myths | Temple Health

Myth #1: Stay away from microwave ovens.
This myth was actually true…decades ago. Today, thanks to advances in technology, it’s perfectly safe to be around microwaves if you have a heart device. So go ahead, pop that popcorn!

OOPs, I completely forgot about the minimum clearance, you are correct I do recall seeing this on the installation instructions. I am going to backtrack, DO NOT LOWER the existing microwave, thank you for pointing this out.

It really is not a good design to have the microwaves over the stove. When you cook on the stove, it heats up the handle to the microwave. And I would imagine it heats up the computer chips in the controls thereby shortening the life cycle. I learned this lesson when I bought a GE Advantium. (Expensive glorified microwave that browns.) You really need to get a vent connected to the outside (vented) to really move aerosolized grease, smoke, etc. to the outdoors. But in the meantime, I vote for those who say countertop microwave.

You could remove the microwave. I think you are required to have a hood over a range. Repurpose some cabinets. Our kitchen has an electric oven that includes air-frying, with a microwave above. All controls in one panel. Not cheap, but works and looks great. We have a warming drawer below them.

All quite accessible. Ours were not supplied by T V. We had them delivered and installed the day after closing. Milcarsky's Appliance Store did all of the appliances in our kitchen except for the Monogram Induction Cook Top, Hood, and Dishwasher. You couldn't go wrong with them if you go that route.

You will need accurate drawings of your existing cabinets, including depth. Also check where the 220 volt outlet is. The developer had to move it to a location required for the oven,

Cabinet installed microwaves cost more because they need a trim panel to allow heat to escape out the front.

Make your kitchen work for how you cook. The induction cooktop is awesome. If you don't have one, consider researching it. They are faster heating than gas, cleaner since the cooktop does not get how enough to bake stuff on and no burners for stuff to fall into. They are also just plain beautiful. All of the cooking is done by the pan getting hot.

High Microwave
 

[OTE=heartofthecountry;2353976]I get that the microwave is placed in homes above the range. On our last lifestyle visit my wife and I [who are both short] noticed how hard it was to use it. We would find it almost impossible to heat something take it out, stir the food without spilling, burning ourselves, etc. We figured we would end up using it for storage and get a small one for the limited counter space but what else can we could do? We do not want to use a step stool as we figure that could be dangerous. Is this a problem for anyone else or am I just crazy :loco:[/QUOTE]

You are not crazy. I gave myself second degree burns trying to remove an egg cooker. I'm now about 4'10" and dealing with that appliance is very difficult for me if my husband is not home to help.

Wayfair Cosmo 24'' 1.2 cu ft. 1500 Watt - External Microwave Drawer

Unless you have a 40 year old pacemaker, they are not affected by properly operating microwave ovens in residences.

Very very wise. Proving that you are not crazy.

Thank you all for your responses!