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Chit Chat
No more microwave
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!!!!
Re: No more microwave
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!!!!
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!
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.
I use the fan on my microwave more often then I use the actual microwave. Definitely find a place for it!
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).
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.
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.
OP - if you have a large island, I like @climbingwife's suggestion of putting it in the island.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.