Repair or replace?

[jon-nyc]

Yeah. Plus all drawer models are pricey. If one out there were $400 I wouldn't trust it.

[blondie]

I’ve no experience with drawer units, but I wouldn’t want anyone trying to retrofit, drill, futz around within the cabinet down there. The thing needs to slide operate smoothly, open-close for the long term.

[blondie]

Is your drawer unit vented? Like to the exterior of your home? Just curious.

[jon-nyc]

No. It's not acting as a range hood and the microwaves themselves don't vent air to my knowledge.

[blondie]

I guess I’m asking the wrong question. I want to know its location .. above counter or below counter within a cupboard space, or if it’s in an island?

[blondie]

What’s its brand too?

I’m building a house now btw. Have also have had to replace above counter shelf type microwaves in 2 other homes. Oh and 1 above the stove thing.

[jon-nyc]

In an island. (Peninsula, I guess)

[blondie]

Are those pop up controls?

[blondie]

If your unit is made by SHARP, and I think most are no matter their branding, you should have no problem replacing it.

[George K]

I bought our first microwave as a Christmas present for Mrs. George in 1982. It was a Panasonic and it cost $700 - do the inflation-adjusted thing. When we sold our house in 2013, it was still working.

In the condo, we have an above the stove GE profile. Been fine since 2009.

[blondie]

@George-K .. I’m a huge fan of Panasonics. They last the longest. I like shelf units. I’ve had 2. That’s what I’m doing with this new build too. If I were in Jon’s situation, I’d just go with what he has though.

[Renauda]

@jon-nyc said in Repair or replace?:

In an island. (Peninsula, I guess)

I know microwaves are not vented but they do produce heat that needs to be dispersed. I have always been led to believe that the air vents on the microwave cabinet should be offset or spaced away from any walls or frames by at least 2 or three inches to allow heat dispersion around the unit.

To be honest I have never encountered a microwave in a drawer like you have. Only a dedicated wide open nook/shelf beneath a cupboard or in the open on top a counter or stand alone table/sideboard.

[George K]

@Renauda said in Repair or replace?:

To be honest I have never encountered a microwave in a drawer like you have.

Other than saving counter space, what's the advantage of this style? I see it as cumbersome.

[Renauda]

@George-K

I would think so too, having to stoop down to place in or remove anything from the microwave. Counter level or just short of shoulder height would be my preference.

[George K]

@Renauda said in Repair or replace?:

having to stoop down to place in or remove anything from the microwave.

Think of it as loading a dishwasher - that needs regular cleaning.

[blondie]

I’d rather have a below counter drawer microwave than what builders here are doing .. a below counter swing out door microwave. Still, both suck when it comes to cleaning up messes.

[Renauda]

@George-K said in Repair or replace?:

@Renauda said in Repair or replace?:

having to stoop down to place in or remove anything from the microwave.

Think of it as loading a dishwasher - that needs regular cleaning.

Even worse.

[blondie]

I think builders are into aesthetics, maxing out counter space, and avoiding over the stove microwaves when they can. You can only vent so much with the over the stove microwaves with the built in hood fans. Lot of people prefer a dedicated fan over their stoves. They suck better lol

[jon-nyc]

@blondie said in Repair or replace?:

Are those pop up controls?

Yeah you can close that and it’s flush with the door

[George K]

@blondie said in Repair or replace?:

ou can only vent so much with the over the stove microwaves with the built in hood fans.

Yes. The microwave vents are next to useless.

Lot of people prefer a dedicated fan over their stoves.

When we remodeled the kitchen in our house (1986) our cooktop was on an island. We didn't want an overhead vent coming down over it, so the contractor (who was great) installed a vent that would rise up behind the burners and vent down the back of the island, into a vent under the floorboards, and out into the back yard.

Ours only rose about 8 inches, iirc and didn't have lighting. Worked well, though.

https://www.thermador.com/us/products/ventilation/downdraft