[CFrance]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Attachment 43982

Funny, Kitty... and I happen to know you're about 6 feet tall!

[dillywho]

My kids just built a new house in Jacksonville and their microwave is under the countertop...looks and works like a drawer. It is the stainless, as are all their other appliances. It opens up just like a CD changer.....push a button to open, push another button to close. It is vented to the outside.

You might check into seeing if they can do yours like that. I, too, am short and am so envious! Would love to have mine like that

[dotti105]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Help! Cabinet/microwave clearance issues - Kitchens Forum - GardenWeb

Hope there are some suggestions in this thread.

Thx for this link. I also googled and found images of the venting. It is a Sunflower (same kitchen as Gardenia, Begonia). It seems to me that adding an additional vent piece to lengthen it would be easy, then remount and trim. Our construction cabinet installer's warranty guy said he could do the trim, as they used to do it frequently.

Hubby wants to attack this himself. But I do worry about dropping (as in "Crash, Bang, Boom") the microwave as it is above a glass cooktop. He will need a "helper" unless we find a handyman to do the.

Good to hear from others that I am not the only shorty that has issues with this!

Love the shoes, Kitty, I should use them for cooking. Oh, wait, I have yet to really cook. But I do plan to honest!!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by dotti105

Thx for this link. I also googled and found images of the venting. It is a Sunflower (same kitchen as Gardenia, Begonia). It seems to me that adding an additional vent piece to lengthen it would be easy, then remount and trim. Our construction cabinet installer's warranty guy said he could do the trim, as they used to do it frequently.

Hubby wants to attack this himself. But I do worry about dropping (as in "Crash, Bang, Boom") the microwave as it is above a glass cooktop. He will need a "helper" unless we find a handyman to do the.

Good to hear from others that I am not the only shorty that has issues with this!

Love the shoes, Kitty, I should use them for cooking. Oh, wait, I have yet to really cook. But I do plan to honest!!

Well, if you break the stove top, then you will have the perfect reason not to cook ever! As long as the microwave's at a handy height...

[villagetinker]

Taltarzac725,

Hubby should be able to do this. Place cardboard, a piece of plywood, see if you can borrow a piece, and finally, a moving blanket or similar over the glass topped stove. A second piece of plywood would really provide protection if placed on top of the blanket. Look at the instruction manual for the existing microwave, it should have mounting instructions so hubby will be prepared. You will probably not be able to measure the duct work until the microwave has been removed, so plan on one trip to the local hardware for the additional duct, and for the microwave to take 2 days. You may want to have an old towel handy to block the vent until ready to re-install the microwave. Also, if possible check to see if the microware plugs in (this is what I would expect) so you should not have the have the receptacle moved.
Also, when you get the wood to fill-in for the gap at the top, you may want 2 additional pieces for the bottom sides of the microwave, as these will now be visible.

Tell Hubby good luck.

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Attachment 43982

ahhh, the perfect house slippers for me! Makes cleaning the bathrooms easier, too...hahaha. Hey, I might even wear them to Publix...because all the stuff I want is on the top shelves it seems!

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by dillywho

My kids just built a new house in Jacksonville and their microwave is under the countertop...looks and works like a drawer. It is the stainless, as are all their other appliances. It opens up just like a CD changer.....push a button to open, push another button to close. It is vented to the outside.

You might check into seeing if they can do yours like that. I, too, am short and am so envious! Would love to have mine like that

A cousin of mine recently put in one of the drawer microwaves that you mention. He was looking for an alternative to the over the range microwave and stumbled upon this idea at Home Depot. Only problem with it was that it was rather expensive compared to a regular microwave, but he and his wife love it!

[dotti105]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Taltarzac725,

Hubby should be able to do this. Place cardboard, a piece of plywood, see if you can borrow a piece, and finally, a moving blanket or similar over the glass topped stove. A second piece of plywood would really provide protection if placed on top of the blanket. Look at the instruction manual for the existing microwave, it should have mounting instructions so hubby will be prepared. You will probably not be able to measure the duct work until the microwave has been removed, so plan on one trip to the local hardware for the additional duct, and for the microwave to take 2 days. You may want to have an old towel handy to block the vent until ready to re-install the microwave. Also, if possible check to see if the microware plugs in (this is what I would expect) so you should not have the have the receptacle moved.
Also, when you get the wood to fill-in for the gap at the top, you may want 2 additional pieces for the bottom sides of the microwave, as these will now be visible.

Tell Hubby good luck.

The plywood is a great idea! I appreciate your step by step guide.

Hubby was a builder for 20 yrs. But still likes to play with power tools. I'm sure he can handle it. Of course I have already given him a fairly long "honey do" list. Thus the post looking for a recommendation, to get him out of this little job.

He is currently finishing my closet, then we are bravely going to add a pantry into the nook area of the kitchen. We will NEVER use that as a eating area.

I designed many of the homes we built, so he just hates it when I get a new idea...... Haha! He would rather be on the golf course!!

[cquick]

I think a counter top microwave is much safer for "vertically challenged" folks. Also for those who are losing strength in their arms and shoulders.

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by cquick

I think a counter top microwave is much safer for "vertically challenged" folks. Also for those who are losing strength in their arms and shoulders.

You are probably right, but I didn't spend the money on granite countertops, stainless appliances, etc., to put the mirrowave on the counter.

[peggyb]

I would pull the stove out before tackling this. When removing the microwave you have to remove the top screws in the upper cabinet, then lean it down and pop it out of the support track. much easier with nothing underneath.
as far as the venting is concerned, you can switch the micro to recirculating mode with a quick turn of the internal fan once you take it down. I have installed about 25 microwaves when renovating houses and different situations had me changing the venting options.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Sable99

You are probably right, but I didn't spend the money on granite countertops, stainless appliances, etc., to put the mirrowave on the counter.

Sometimes looks just have to win out! I can reach my microwave fine, and I don't think you will have much of a safety issue once you can reach it.

I like the idea of a microwave drawer, but I image that would involve a whole lot of cabinet reconfiguration at a pretty high cost.

[DougB]

Your house came with a kitchen? I gotta look into getting one of those.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by DougB

Your house came with a kitchen? I gotta look into getting one of those.

My friend who hates to cook cal it her resale kitchen.

[downeaster]

A friend of mine built a new house a few years ago. His wife (5'-minus") designed the kitchen including counter and cabinet heights. It looked a little strange but it worked beautifully.

Maybe a few more female architects would help.