There are a variety of countertop microwaves available; however, only select models can be installed in a cabinet for a built-in look. To convert a countertop microwave for use in a built-in application, there must be an optional built-in trim kit available for use with the specific model.
Can all microwaves be built-in? Not all microwaves can be built-in as they are available in either freestanding or built-in models. We recommend that you install built-in microwaves into a cabinet, but if you do wish to install a freestanding model as a built-in we have built-in trim kits that allow you to do so.
You can put a countertop microwave in a cabinet instead of a built-in type, as long as you follow the necessary safety precautions (ensuring adequate ventilation, the shelf is strong enough to hold it, and proper wire management) to ensure your cabinet and microwave don't get damaged.
The main difference between a countertop microwave and built-in microwave is that the countertop microwave can be placed on top of the kitchen counter while the built-in microwave is installed into a wall or a corner of the cabinet.
Classic Built-in Microwaves
True built-in microwaves do not have finished sides (so you would not want them sitting on your countertop). They come in a range of prices. Generally the less expensive models sit flush with cabinetry; to get an integrated look, they require a corresponding trim kit (at an added cost).
Whether it's in an upper cabinet or lower, you can make the microwave look more built-in and substantial by adding a trim kit. The trim kit is just a matching metal ring that fills in the gap of space between the microwave and cabinet.
Adequate ventilation, especially if the microwave is built into a wall of cabinetry, is a must.
1" clearance in the rear. The front edge of the microwave (measured at door) should sit at least 3" or more back on the counter or shelf to avoid accidental tipping. If located on the counter near a range, we recommend locating it at least 2 ft away.
The answer to this question is yes. You can put a countertop microwave in the cabinet, but you must do so cautiously. This is because installing a microwave in a cabinet puts the device in an enclosed space, which can cause some complications.
You can install an over-the-range microwave above a wall oven. However, it depends on the manufacturer. Before you jump into the installation, consult the manufacturer's instructions. Over-the-range microwaves are not the same as built-in microwaves, so it's important to double check the owner's manual.
Proper ventilation allows the appliance to function correctly. So, yes, countertop microwave requires ventilation, but not external ventilation. The primary thing you need to do is ensure proper clearance at the sides, rear, and top of the microwave.
Built-in microwaves can be installed into a wall or cabinet for convenient operation. With a similar capacity to other microwave styles, the built-in design has the advantages of saving counter space and being able to be installed away from the range, allowing multiple people more space to cook together.
You could put it on a shelf over the range. BUT, you would not have any light and more important the steam and grease from cooking would move into the microwave.
Expensive components
Built-in microwaves make use of different heating technology to cook food and this calls for advanced high-tech parts within the microwave that are costly to manufacture.
If a wall cabinet is present above the range, measure the distance between the top of the range and the bottom of the cabinet. Subtract 20 inches (or whatever minimum between the microwave and cooktop suits you) from that distance to determine the overall height of a microwave that will fit.
A microwave oven, designed exclusively for a kitchen countertop, has vents that are built into the back of microwave. If installed into a cabinet, these vents will be blocked and unable to release steam from the microwave,. Talk about a fire hazard for your kitchen.
This kitchen from Hammer & Hand has a very simple setup for concealing the microwave: a short cabinet with a pull-up overhead door. (It's also a handy spot for spices.) In this kitchen from Conceptual Kitchens, via Centsational Style, the microwave slots neatly into the side of a pantry cabinet.
Built-in microwaves are similar to over-the-range microwaves, except that they don't sit above the oven, and they do not replace a range hood. Instead, built-in microwaves can be placed on an island or mounted on a wall or cabinet.
Built-In Microwave Dimensions
Widths align with standard cabinet widths, usually 24, 27 or 30 inches. Height typically ranges from 17 to 22 inches. Depths range from roughly 20 to 25 inches with the door closed and 30 to 35 inches with the door open.
Countertop microwaves eat up valuable surface space that could be used for food prep, storage, or even decorations. Over-the-range microwaves are installed under your cabinetry, up off the countertop. In a small kitchen, you'll want to save every inch of counter space you can and opt for an over-the-range microwave.
Over-the-Range Microwave ovens and Advantium/Five in One ovens cannot be used on a counter or shelf and are not UL (Underwriters Laboratory) approved for this purpose. Keep in mind the underside is not flat on an Over-the-Range Microwave or Advantium/Five in One oven. This would not provide a stable surface.
While over-the-range microwaves have been stylish for years, the trend is on the way out in 2018.
Over-the-range models feature built-in exhaust venting and charcoal filtering to help take odors and fumes out of your kitchen air. If your kitchen is not equipped with a vent, your over-the-range microwave can also recirculate the air.
If you have ample counter space and do not want to spend all the extra money on custom-built microwaves, then a countertop microwave would work best for you. However, if you have an extremely small kitchen and need to utilize all the available space, a built-in microwave works best for you.