No more microwave

kaos16

I know, total first world problems here, but we are redoing DH's childhood home currently to move in there with our son.  We are working on the kitchen design and it doesn't look like we will have a ton of counter space around the perimeter of the room (there is a pretty big island).  We both HATE clutter so we are likely not doing a microwave.  Has anyone else made the switch?  What do you miss most?  Any tips or tricks for heating stuff quickly without one. 

P.S. I'm going to miss microwave popcorn, I don't care how bad it is for you, I love it!!!!

sparklepants41

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

ILoveBeachMusic

I agree with sparkle pants. I can't imagine not having a microwave (I mean I didn't have one for the first 23 years of my life but that was a looooong time ago). Look into a built in one. That is what we have.

kaos16

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

cowgirl8238

I hardly use our microwave for reheating food/whatever but I do use it to make cake-mugs, so I like sparklepants suggestion of doing a built in if you can (even a small one).  If not, do you have the space for a small rolling cart that you could put the microwave (or a few other small appliances) on.  Then you can roll it into the room to use and put it away when done?  We did this and I keep the cart in our pantry (admittedly just off the kitchen).

I have successfully lived without a microwave for three years while we were renting and it doesn't take too long to get used to not having one.  I've help defrost meat in the sink with hot water a time or two, and melting items/making popcorn on the stove top isn't as bad as you would think.  I actually prefer it anyway!

STARMOON44

If you're renovating a kitchen and not putting in a built in microwave, have you considered that you're hurting your resale value? It is something people look for. There are plenty of over the stove options that also have a fan/vent, or you could do one under a cabinet. 

kaos16

STARMOON44 said:

If you're renovating a kitchen and not putting in a built in microwave, have you considered that you're hurting your resale value? It is something people look for. There are plenty of over the stove options that also have a fan/vent, or you could do one under a cabinet. 

Interesting thought.  Looking back, I've gone to a bunch of open houses for local homes for sale and never once noticed a microwave, built in or countertop!!  Hmm.

climbingsingle

Just build it into the island. That's what we did. It doesn't take up a lot of space. 

banana468

I'd do what you can to find a space to build it in.   The last two places I lived had a microwave over the stove.   I use mine every day and sometimes it's multiple times a day.  I can't remember.   Do you have kids?   Any plans to have them?   Busy schedules?  Do you entertain? I think if you omit the microwave you'll regret it quickly.     

kahluakoala

banana468 said:

I'd do what you can to find a space to build it in.   The last two places I lived had a microwave over the stove.   I use mine every day and sometimes it's multiple times a day.  I can't remember.   Do you have kids?   Any plans to have them?   Busy schedules?  Do you entertain? I think if you omit the microwave you'll regret it quickly.     

I use the fan on my microwave more often then I use the actual microwave. Definitely find a place for it!

ahoywedding

I hardly ever use ours and I've thought about taking it out when/if we re-do the cabinets and put in a convection oven instead. However, we don't have kids yet, so that may change going forward. We have a toaster oven which I prefer for heating up food and a tea kettle for heating water.

I like the suggestion to build it into the island; I've seen that in a lot of newer homes. It *may* hurt your resale value, or whoever buys your house may decide they're ok with a microwave on the counter (although that kind of looks apartment-y to some people). 

Ro041

I ALWAYS notice if there is a built in microwave when I go look at a place because I hate that ours sits on top of the counter.  The above the stove microwaves are smaller and have the vent built in, so I think that is what I would do if I were in your shoes.

flantastic

I went without one for about a year and a half when I first moved to this city. My initial landlord said the one from the last tenant had broken and to let him know if I wanted him to replace it. I thought it'd be fun to get creative with heating and reheating things - I could always ask him for a microwave later. I never asked. Did a lot of boiling water-related stuff - oatmeal, actually steaming broccoli on the stove, etc. If I couldn't really make something without a microwave, it kinda forced me to think about whether it was actually healthy. I pretty much only ate leftovers for lunches at work, where there was a microwave.

When we got married and DH moved in, he brought his microwave. It's handy enough, but I could easily get used to not having it.

But I agree with others that a lot of people can't fathom not having a microwave, so it could definitely affect resale value.

ILoveBeachMusic

kaos16 said:

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

You can get above range microwaves with a hood built into the bottom. My in laws have one like that, and we had one in our first house. Of course, if you are going for a decorative hood, that won't work.

littlemushroom

I use our microwave to reheat leftovers and cook frozen veggies mostly. Especially in the summer, I appreciate that I can have a hot meal without turning on the stove/oven everyday.  My husband appreciates fewer dishes to do. To reheat on the stove/oven requires extra pot/pan/dish and cooking utensil that microwaving doesn't. 

I would think most people probably use their microwave most days, so if you can plan to build one in that would help resale. I know it was something we considered when we were house shopping. 

cupcait927

ILoveBeachMusic said:

kaos16 said:

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

You can get above range microwaves with a hood built into the bottom. My in laws have one like that, and we had one in our first house. Of course, if you are going for a decorative hood, that won't work.

There may not be room to put one above the stove if they still need the cabinet space. My house was built in 1930 and the ceilings aren't that high. When you combine that with having small cabinets above the stove, it makes it impossible to put a microwave there and be able to do anything on the stove top. 

OP - if you have a large island, I like @climbingwife's suggestion of putting it in the island.

Heffalump

ILoveBeachMusic said:

kaos16 said:

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

You can get above range microwaves with a hood built into the bottom. My in laws have one like that, and we had one in our first house. Of course, if you are going for a decorative hood, that won't work.

That's what we had in our last house.  In this house, it's built into the wall--like a double oven, except that the top is the microwave and the bottom is the oven.  Looking at redoing it to convert them into a double oven, at which point we'll most likely be back to the range hood/microwave combo.

kaos16

ILoveBeachMusic said:

kaos16 said:

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

You can get above range microwaves with a hood built into the bottom. My in laws have one like that, and we had one in our first house. Of course, if you are going for a decorative hood, that won't work.

My understanding is that microwaves with built in hoods recirculate air.  Our stove is going to be a "professional grade" range (whatever that entails) so it needs to be vented to the outside of the house, which causes the need for a legit vent.  My husband loves to cook and we do a lot of entertaining, so the big fancy stove is something he really, really wanted in the new house.

ILoveBeachMusic

kaos16 said:

ILoveBeachMusic said:

kaos16 said:

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

You can get above range microwaves with a hood built into the bottom. My in laws have one like that, and we had one in our first house. Of course, if you are going for a decorative hood, that won't work.

My understanding is that microwaves with built in hoods recirculate air.  Our stove is going to be a "professional grade" range (whatever that entails) so it needs to be vented to the outside of the house, which causes the need for a legit vent.  My husband loves to cook and we do a lot of entertaining, so the big fancy stove is something he really, really wanted in the new house.

Hmmm don't know about that then. I would go with a microwave in an island or under the counter. I think it would affect resale. A microwave is so common now. I mean I could live without one but when the kids were little I would've hated that!

justsie

kaos16 said:

ILoveBeachMusic said:

kaos16 said:

sparklepants41 said:

Can you get a built-in microwave? Either built in above the stove/oven or below the counter? We don't have a ton of counter space in our home, but we will eventually be getting a new stove/oven and I cannot wait to have our microwave off of the counter.

Nope, above the stove will be a hood, and we need the cabinet space that we have. . . . . like I said, I know this is a total FWP!!!!

You can get above range microwaves with a hood built into the bottom. My in laws have one like that, and we had one in our first house. Of course, if you are going for a decorative hood, that won't work.

My understanding is that microwaves with built in hoods recirculate air.  Our stove is going to be a "professional grade" range (whatever that entails) so it needs to be vented to the outside of the house, which causes the need for a legit vent.  My husband loves to cook and we do a lot of entertaining, so the big fancy stove is something he really, really wanted in the new house.

There are some that will vent to outside, I'm not sure of specific brands/cost however. 

banana468

Would @lyndausvi be able to weigh in on this knowing that she's married to a chef?  

I can't tell you about the venting - just that I like to be able to reheat coffee, oatmeal, noodles, meatballs, etc in it.   It's even useful for a good kick start for items that may ultimately go into the toaster oven like lasagna or chicken.  

short+sassy

Confession:  I've always used a microwave more than an oven.  I'd hate to be without one.  But I can see where that can also be a personality choice.

The duplex my H and I just renovated has little counter space, but a decent sized pantry.  We put a shelf in the pantry, sturdy enough to put a microwave on.  That way, our future tenants could choose to put a microwave there.  Or a coffeemaker/other small appliance.  Just a little more flexibility, if they want to keep their counters clear.

Maybe something like that would work in your all's pantry?

I know I'm the unpopular opinion on this, but I would hate a microwave that was under the stove hood or in the upper cabinets.  I'm only 5'0".  I can't reach that s**t and see what I'm doing without using a step stool.  I'd still have a microwave on the counter, if I bought a house with a built-in that high.

flantastic

short+sassy said:

Confession:  I've always used a microwave more than an oven.  I'd hate to be without one.  But I can see where that can also be a personality choice.

The duplex my H and I just renovated has little counter space, but a decent sized pantry.  We put a shelf in the pantry, sturdy enough to put a microwave on.  That way, our future tenants could choose to put a microwave there.  Or a coffeemaker/other small appliance.  Just a little more flexibility, if they want to keep their counters clear.

Maybe something like that would work in your all's pantry?

I know I'm the unpopular opinion on this, but I would hate a microwave that was under the stove hood or in the upper cabinets.  I'm only 5'0".  I can't reach that s**t and see what I'm doing without using a step stool.  I'd still have a microwave on the counter, if I bought a house with a built-in that high.

I too am short, and hate our microwave's placement, which is on top of the fridge - but I'd rather have the counter space. Obviously there's not a built in wall space for the fridge, which would preclude that solution.

OliveOilsMom

As Justie mentioned, there are over the range microwaves that will vent outside.  We have an LG one and it had that option.  We just did not want to go through the trouble of cutting holes in cabinets and then the soffit to get it to vent outside.  So ours does just recirculate the air.

Will you have cabinets over the fridge?  My first house was a small 1920s bungalow with very little cabinetry.  We also had little counter space.  So an over the stove microwave was out of the question, storage-wise and so was the counter top.  We ended up putting it on the fridge since there were no cabinets above it.  Our fridge wasn't crazy high and I am 5'9", so reaching it wasn't an issue for us.

Although, I'm not a fan of the location, child safety-wise, it is becoming very common to put microwaves built into islands.

CMGragain

When we bought o\this house, it had no microwave.  Fortunately, the cabinets were still in production, so we replaced the cabinet over the oven with a smaller one and attached an over-the-oven microwave.  Here is one:  https://www.amazon.com/GE-JVM3160RFSS-Range-Microwave-Stainless/dp/B00F2QFX5O/ref=sr_1_4?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1487885943&sr=1-4&keywords=microwave+built+in
Notice that it has a venting system for range top issues.

When I lived in Maryland, my state DAR had a house in Baltimore, built in the 1890s.  the kitchen had ONE electrical outlet, which was over the refrigerator, which was across the room from the counter and sink.  DH bought a huge extension cord, bolted it to the wall around the perimeter of the room until it reached the counter top.  The ladies were thrilled to solve the problem without any major electrical work $$$, and the first thing they did was to get a counter top microwave!  We had to post a sign instructing them to only plug in one appliance at a time so not to overload the old wiring.  Imagine not being able to use an electric coffee maker!

SP29

I know of someone who got rid of her microwave- used the oven to reheat things.

I use our microwave mainly for re-heating leftovers, sometimes for defrosting. You could easily use the oven instead, but there is such a big time difference between heating the oven and zapping something in the microwave for 2 mins.

Re-sale is always something to think about, but I think the next buyer could always get a counter-top microwave. But since you are still in the design phase, I would seriously consider getting one built into the island.

lyndausvi

banana468 said:

Would @lyndausvi be able to weigh in on this knowing that she's married to a chef?  

I can't tell you about the venting - just that I like to be able to reheat coffee, oatmeal, noodles, meatballs, etc in it.   It's even useful for a good kick start for items that may ultimately go into the toaster oven like lasagna or chicken.  

honestly, the only time I use a microwave is for bacon.  Other than that it just sits there.   DH rarely uses the microwave also.  

I hate reheated items out of microwave.  I always do them in the oven or stove depending on what it is.  It doesn't take a lot of time and tastes better IMO.

That said, for resale value I would consider one.  What about one of drawer ones in the island.

MesmrEwe

Design a cut-out with electric with the island so you can put a microwave in if you want to, if you decide not to, you have a niche to use for a charging station.  This doesn't need to be a full-size microwave, they do make small ones just large enough for a plate!

My BIL/SIL don't have a microwave and it's their house, that's fine.  I will say it's a PITA when you want to warm up your plate or a small food item on a holiday because the only option is the stove or oven when we're over there or slightly soften the butter before consuming it.  We use our microwave all the time and with kids can't afford not to have one.  I still remember our Amana Radarrange when we first got it and cutting in the space for it at my parent's house!  Also, the hoods can be vented outside, many just choose to recirculate instead of putting in the additional venting.  

lovesclimbing

lyndausvi said:

banana468 said:

Would @lyndausvi be able to weigh in on this knowing that she's married to a chef?  

I can't tell you about the venting - just that I like to be able to reheat coffee, oatmeal, noodles, meatballs, etc in it.   It's even useful for a good kick start for items that may ultimately go into the toaster oven like lasagna or chicken.  

honestly, the only time I use a microwave is for bacon.  Other than that it just sits there.   DH rarely uses the microwave also.  

I hate reheated items out of microwave.  I always do them in the oven or stove depending on what it is.  It doesn't take a lot of time and tastes better IMO.

That said, for resale value I would consider one.  What about one of drawer ones in the island.

I completely agree! I do reheat items in the microwave because I'm not patient enough, but it definitely is better in the stove. 

InLoveInQueens

I haven't had space for a microwave in a few years and have only missed it a handful of times. I use the oven for reheating and don't buy anything that requires microwaving. It really wasn't a hard switch at all.

kaos16

What about any potential danger from radiation. . .. is that even a thing?  I remember being pregnant and moving away from the microwave whenever I used it, just in case.