Pros and Cons of Microwave Drawers | Home Matters | AHS

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Kitchen drift alert : Microwave drawers are the newfangled hot-ticket detail. But some can cost upwards of around $ 1,800, not including installation. Is it worth the investment when you can own a traditional microwave for a divide of the monetary value ? Let ’ s look at the microwave drawer pros and cons .
microwave drawer pros cons

First, What Is a Microwave Drawer?

You guessed it. A microwave draftsman is just that : A microwave that functions as a drawer rather than a box with a hinge door. The point is to get it off your counter or out from under your cabinet — creating more quad, particularly if you need to install a hood vent over your stove and the microwave is blocking the way .

Pros to Owning a Microwave Drawer

aside from the fact that you don ’ t have to stare at the large, out-of-place box when you walk into the kitchen, here are some other pros to installing the drawer :

  • As mentioned previously, you gain countertop, under-cabinet and above-stove space.
  • You’re lifting items up, not out, preventing you from potentially spilling hot coffee or soup (or anything else that may pour out) on yourself in the removal process.
  • Kids and shorter adults can operate the microwave more safely, considering they don’t have to climb on a stool.
  • On the flip side, you can lock the control panel, to prevent your kids from using the microwave.
  • Because it opens as a drawer, you don’t need to crouch down to put your food in it; simply place it in the drawer.
  • It adds a sleeker, cleaner, more modern look to your kitchen, since it doesn’t require a bulky trim kit.
  • With some models, you have the option of installing it flush with your cabinets, so it doesn’t protrude.
  • As opposed to the standard hinged-door microwave designed for right-handed cooks, the microwave drawer is easily accessible to everyone.

Cons to Owning a Microwave Drawer

unfortunately, it ’ s not all roses when it comes to a microwave draftsman. Before purchasing one, consider the keep up cons :

  • Sure, you don’t have a microwave on your counter or below your upper cabinets anymore, but it’s still taking up lower cabinet space.
  • The price of a drawer microwave is considerably higher than a traditional-style microwave.
  • Your kids can now easily access the microwave (if the control panel is not locked), which can be scary.
  • Because of where it’s installed, a microwave drawer lacks the option for convection cooking.
  • Similarly, because the magnetron is located on the roof of the microwave instead of the side wall, it doesn’t have a turntable function.
  • It’s harder to install. You may need to have a licensed electrician install a dedicated 120-volt plug for the microwave, and you’ll need a supporting shelf or platform within the cabinet for the microwave to sit on.
  • To open it, you have to push a button. If you force it open manually, you’ll have broken tracks and potentially other problems.
  • Most microwave drawers do not provide a comfortable depth for larger casseroles and food items.

then, it ’ s a tossup. If you need the countertop or upper-cabinet space, you appreciate the dependable manage and you can afford the cost installing a microwave drawer may be a beneficial cry. If, on the other bridge player, you ’ rhenium subject with your existing microwave and turned off by the price and trickier initiation, it may be wiser to simply save your money .