[heartofthecountry]

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

[Stu from NYC]

I do have to help my wife taking stuff out

[CarlR33]

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!

[villagetinker]

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.

[Topspinmo]

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

[retiredguy123]

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?

[Marmaduke]

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.

[Susan1717]

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.

[dtennent]

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.

[seecapecod]

Originally Posted by heartofthecountry

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

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

[waterflower]

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

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by heartofthecountry

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

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?

[Wondering]

Originally Posted by heartofthecountry

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

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

[Carlsondm]

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.

[Dotneko]

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.