Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Feb 24, 2009 7:01 pm Our microwave has to be positioned UNDER the bench. What does everyone think about this?
I hate it, but the only other way was to build a tower and that would take up bench space and ruin the look of the wall bench that I plan to have a fabulous glass splashback on. I am not tall so it's ok for me but I still think it's stupid and dangerous. My husband said that we all usually reach low for the oven so I guess it's the same principle. He is tall so he will be the one to suffer. Does anyone else have a microwave under the kitchen bench? www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Microwave position in kitchen 3Feb 24, 2009 7:06 pm I don't but a friend did. After the second smashed turn-table plate and cracked tiles under the microwave they decided to move it. They had kids you see, and those shiny microwaves are very attractive. Their kids broke it once, and visiting friends kids broke it the next time. Re: Microwave position in kitchen 4Feb 24, 2009 7:12 pm Themax, ours is suspended beneath the end wall cupboard. That way I still have benchspace and it's also not too high.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll235/radinovic_bucket/microwaveposition-1.jpg Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Microwave position in kitchen 5Feb 24, 2009 7:18 pm Me too I don't use it for much, so won't be a problem. I didn't want any appliances facing the living area this time around. so the fridge is on the side...underbench oven and mic under the island bench. Thanks 6Feb 24, 2009 7:20 pm Thank you for your replies (and so QUICK!), Southies I may consider your option, good idea. I was just dribbling over SuH's kitchen photos and I noticed that her m/wave is under the bench. I will sleep (or more like NOT sleep) on these ideas. Thanks again. www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Microwave position in kitchen 7Feb 24, 2009 7:51 pm we have ours under our kitchen benchtop too... We replaced one of our potdrawers to make room for microwave. And then we got pd to put a door that opens downwards so we can hide the microwave. I think its handy and like the fact thatt u can't see the big ugly microwave Hehe Re: Microwave position in kitchen 8Feb 24, 2009 9:10 pm hi, we have very young kids (more like babies!) and the thought of another microwave at a level they can reach makes me visibly shake!!! (we are forever having to put the child lock on - it's not just the shiny surface, it's the wonderful beeping sounds they have found when they push the shiny buttons... not to mention when the light goes and the turntable starts to turn with nothing in there - which I heard on a science show makes the rays seep through the door gaps because there is nothing in there to absorb the rays!!) need I go on...
But anyways, we will def have it away from kids level - one less nightmare for little old mum! Annie A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Microwave position in kitchen 9Feb 24, 2009 10:23 pm We use our microwave heaps every single day, so the thought of having to bend down all the time (just like my oven....cannot wait to have my wall tower oven in the new place ) especially with 2 young boys, who run around alot and who now know how to use the microwave themselves too, just filled me with utter dread!
So having the microwave under the bench was never going to be an option for me......All comes down to personal preference l suppose, there is no right or wrong answer under bench 12Feb 25, 2009 6:32 am My kids are 7 and 10 and will be older still by the time the house is built (plans just gone to Council), so I guess it's not so much of an issue with them, but I am ABSOLUTELY in agreeance with the safety issue of that height. I AM worried about my clumsy self though!
I guess I don't use it toomuch but then again if I have a nice new shiny one (!) I might like to use it more often? www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Microwave position in kitchen 13Feb 25, 2009 7:27 am I'm not getting a microwave hutch built in, it will go on the bench to begin with and then I will probably get some kind of stand for it to raise it off the bench.
We have under the bench microwaves at work and I hate them cos I can't see into them w/out almost sitting on the floor! 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Microwave position in kitchen 14Feb 25, 2009 8:05 am I'm with Lisanne. Doing exactly this. It may not be the most elegant solution but I don't care. Bench for me as we don't have a tower and if we did I'd want it at exactly bench height anyway. But then I have heaps of bench space or otherwise I'd resent it. Ours gets used pretty much every day. Re: Microwave position in kitchen 15Feb 25, 2009 8:33 am I lived with a microwave under bench height when I was living in a very small flat in Germany and I HATED it.
As others have said, it is too low to see into, and getting items such as bowls of very hot liquid out of such a small aperture from below waist height proved to be uncomfortable and dangerous. A good ergonomic height for a microwave is for the base of the unit to be approximately 1350mm from the floor. Never higher than average shoulder height and preferably not below average waist height. I would design for an underbench microwave only as a last resort (or if the client absolutely insists on it which they have done in the past...) Cheers, Earl Re: Microwave position in kitchen 16Feb 25, 2009 8:44 am Hoffies renomart Ummm... everyone with microwaves under the bench and who have small children. You don't have small pets too do you? What does that mean I think Hoffies may mean something like this.... Master 5yo...."awwww, poor wittle kitty wooks cold.....let me warm you up" Re: Microwave position in kitchen 17Feb 25, 2009 8:58 am We are hiding ours in our pantry - since the pantry is 5m long I would prefer it hidden away from view. And like others with a almost 4yo and almost 2yo it would be way too much temptation to have it under a bench.
Bad enough they have now worked out how to open the fridge I tell you boys are such monkeys!! DD never touched a single appliance her whole life until DS arrived - he is the explorer and instigator of all mischief in our home Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Microwave position in kitchen 18Feb 25, 2009 9:27 am Another vote for plain old on the bench position here
We also have plenty of bench space, and handy spot for microwave on bench space next to the cooktop, I dont think they look ugly, just a functional part of a kitchen, cant see the need to hide it and anyway that would make access more difficult. I'd be interested to hear if you use your microwave door, Newbies - my mum got talked into haveing one of those roll down doors to cover the microwave but in practice they leave it up all the time, was a waste of money for them (kitchen consultant was very pushy but thats another story ) I do think there is a safety issue with haveing microwaves under the bench, even without small children in the equation - yes, I know ovens are traditionally underbench and ours is too - but you tend to put different things in ovens, semi solids like roasts, cakes, casseroles etc - not so much liquid things like you do in microwaves. Of course this depends on individual usage - we use our microwave far more than our oven. Although I wouldn't want an underbench one, conversely am not too keen on higher ones either - in last house we had microwave built into an overhead cupboard, it was lower than the other overhead cupboards but still found the height difficult for use and for cleaning - admittedly I am on the vertically challenged side so that may not be a problem for others. Re: Microwave position in kitchen 19Feb 25, 2009 9:37 am Totally agree that under bench microwaves are a safety hazard! Personally, I'd hate to have it there. I don't have young kids any more ( ), but I'd still never put it down low - as others have said, too back breaking, too!
We had an apppliance tower purpose built which has the microwave in it (doesn't interfere with my nice glas splash back ) . Mine is probably a litle high for some people, but I wanted my coffee machine at bench height, so it had to go above it! Works well for me, anyway! I like Southies suspended option - could you do that themax?? Solidarity, not solidity.......The Lexicon of Life Re: Microwave position in kitchen 20Feb 25, 2009 10:02 am Ours will be in the appliance tower too, above the 2 ovens. It is above shoulder height, and not totally ideal either, but it's away from little kiddies, and not on valuable bench space...which is where the coffee machine is going!
Old house was on the bench, but faced in a difficult position as there was no where else to have it (very small kitchen). At out temp accom now, it's above the oven tower, and have not had any issues with it at all. Not a fan of under bench mounts, purely for safety reasons and kids. Henley - Wilshire Mk 3 ... I love my house!! Site start: 4th Feb 09 Handover: 10th Sep 09 Blog: http://stormygirlscastle.blogspot.com/ Build Thread: viewtopic.php?t=7166 No. It's not original. Circa early to mid 90s would be my guess and maybe even as late as early 2000s 1 6632 2 4680 that will depend on the kitchen bench depth. you'll have to specify it so it allows for both the tap and the sink 1 7394 |