The microwave oven has become almost a mandatory equipment in the kitchen. Most often, the device is placed on a table, sometimes on the shelf of a hanging cabinet or on special brackets mounted on the wall. But there are other options.
Microwave cabinet - features of models
The kitchen cabinet is a typical element of the furniture. Any kitchen will require a module with drawers and various accessories for dishes and cutlery. The tabletop of the cabinet serves as a work surface. If desired, the microwave oven is installed directly on it.
However, this option has disadvantages. The microwave is quite large. The model is multifunctional - with a grill, with an oven function, and almost doubles in size. It takes up a lot of space. It is unsafe to place such a large and heavy device on brackets.
An interesting option is a special cabinet for a microwave in the kitchen, which allows you to integrate appliances. In this case, a microwave oven, often a steamer or an oven, is placed in a kind of rack above the cabinet, creating a so-called column cabinet.
How to choose a built-in microwave oven (2019)
It is difficult to imagine a modern kitchen without a microwave. For some, it is just a convenient way to quickly heat up food, while others use it as a small oven for full-fledged cooking. In modern kitchens, a fully integrated microwave oven is increasingly being chosen.
Built-in technology has one undeniable advantage - aesthetics. Fitting harmoniously into the overall set, it does not take up extra space, does not get in the way, and does not distract attention to itself. Instead of the old-fashioned way of placing the microwave on top of the refrigerator, hiding it in the corner of the table, or coming up with a separate shelf for it, the built-in model has its own specific location.
Most often, microwave ovens are built above the oven in a corresponding high cabinet. But if you have a set made entirely to individual sizes, you can come up with your own separate wall cabinet for the device or build it under the countertop.
Options for placing a microwave in a kitchen cabinet
A microwave is a device. For its safe operation, a number of requirements must be met. They determine the features of the furniture:
- the surface on which the microwave oven is installed must be flat;
- a distance of at least 15 cm is maintained between the rear wall of the device and the wall, and at least 10 cm between it and other pieces of furniture;
- The oven door must open freely.
The height of the microwave is also important. If the appliance is too high or low, it is inconvenient to remove dishes, especially heavy ones. Options for the location of the microwave oven are associated with the last factor:
- The device is placed on the countertop of the cabinet so that the distance to the wall is at least 15 cm. Plus: you don’t need to do anything with the furniture, minus – it occupies almost the entire countertop;
- You can build a microwave into a cabinet. The oven is below the level of the countertop, like an oven in a gas oven. Not the most convenient, but practical and simple option. Plus - the tabletop remains free;
- cabinet-column - modification of a kitchen cabinet. Appliances – microwave, oven, steamer – are placed inside the column at different levels. The cabinet walls separate the devices from each other and prevent overheating. Sometimes a column cabinet also includes a side compartment.
Devices are placed in the column taking into account the frequency of use. Since the built-in microwave oven opens and turns on much more often than an oven, it should have the most convenient location.
Dimensions
The size of the built-in microwave is the first point from which you need to start selecting a device. The width, height, and depth of the stove are important. To clearly understand which models to choose from, you need to measure the inside of the microwave cabinet without taking into account the outer walls. Most models are available in the range of 55–56 cm in width, about the same in depth and about 38 cm in height. It should be taken into account that in the height parameters a decorative frame takes up several centimeters, which covers the outer walls of the cabinet. The height of the oven “box” itself will be less by about 4 centimeters.
Requirements for a microwave cabinet
Requirements depend on the placement method. If the microwave oven is located on a countertop, the only condition is the ability of the furniture to support the weight of the device. It does not affect the design and design of the cabinet.
If the equipment is built into a cabinet, the latter is properly modified. Holes are made in the back wall for ventilation, sometimes they abandon it altogether. Another way is to install a blower. This method is used when arranging a column cabinet, where several devices are built in.
Places you shouldn't use
Along with places that can be used to install a microwave oven, there are also places that are absolutely not suitable for this. There are several of them:
- above the radiator;
- close to the hob;
- next to the TV;
- under direct sunlight;
- above the stove;
- on the refrigerator.
All of these locations are unsuitable because they do not comply with microwave oven regulations. In each case, the device will be exposed to negative factors that can cause operational problems.
Typical sizes
The size of the niche for the microwave depends on its dimensions. On average, the height of a microwave oven does not exceed 45 cm, the width is 60 cm, and the depth varies from 30 to 60 cm. Ovens with additional functions, like the “Solar House,” are much larger.
The size of the niche in the cabinet is calculated simply: add 2-3 cm to the dimensions of the device. The device is installed on guides that fix it in one position. Air circulation is forced.
Location
The microwave oven must not be installed:
- Under the sink or boiler. A leak at any water supply or sewer connection (in the case of a boiler, the safety valve drain outlet) can lead to a short circuit and fire;
- Above the oven or stove. The rising flow of hot air will heat the stove to high temperatures that threaten to damage the insulation.
The microwave compartment is located away from the stove
In addition: when the microwave oven is located in the lower cabinet, next to the oven, its compartment must be additionally insulated with a heat-resistant material with low thermal conductivity (for example, multi-layer lavsan).
What materials are cabinets for microwave ovens made from?
The kitchen cabinet for the microwave is made from standard materials for furniture. The device does not heat up to critical values, although it has some influence:
- solid wood is a strong and beautiful material, durable and practical. Its cost is high, so it is not found in the kitchen very often;
- MDF – high density particle board. It tolerates temperature changes and humidity well. The material does not swell or dry out. However, for a kitchen cabinet it is better to choose a laminated version or trimmed with PVC film, as it is more resistant to constant heat;
- Chipboard is a cheap, lightweight, fairly durable material that is not afraid of water and high temperatures. You need to use laminated chipboard. It is better to avoid varnished ones: the microwave oven does not heat up much, but constantly. Frequent activation contributes to drying out and warping of furniture.
The appearance of the cabinet is often determined not by the material of the body, but by the finishing. For kitchen furniture, choose cladding that is resistant to water and steam:
- enamel is a waterproof, beautiful coating. Does not accumulate dirt and grease and is easy to clean;
- acrylic plates - form a glossy colored surface, are not afraid of steam, water, or heat;
- lamination – film finishing is more stable than melamine cladding and lasts longer;
- veneer is a thin cut of wood. Its resistance to heat depends on the adhesive used.
For decoration, choose only those options that are also resistant to heat. So, you can give the cabinet a noble shine of antiquity with the help of craquelure, although such a design does not fit well with modern technology. But you can’t decorate furniture with decoupage: the glue won’t withstand prolonged heating and the appliques will peel off.
The worst finishing option is lamination. The adhesive is less resistant to heat than the film. The latter peels off and swells with bubbles.
Power and features
Conventionally, microwaves can be divided into two types - for heating food and for cooking. Low-power microwave ovens usually have rather limited functionality, while more advanced models may already be equipped with convection, grill and other useful options.
Models up to 800 W are mainly suitable only for heating food. In principle, you can cook in them, but the process will be slow, and not all recipes will be suitable. At the same time, such devices will also not warm up quickly - at least several minutes.
800–1000 W is the most standard power of devices. Allows you to cook any dish and quickly heats up food. Most often, such microwave ovens have several power modes – from low to high.
1000–1500 W – high-power devices. They handle cooking with ease, heat up food with lightning speed, and also have several operating modes.
The functionality of the microwave also needs to be selected based on your needs. It is worth saying that modern devices cope perfectly with any culinary tasks no worse than an oven. If 10–15 years ago food in microwaves did not always turn out well, now there are no such problems. Baked goods can be as tender and fluffy as in the oven, and various stews, porridges and other dishes can be juicy and cooked evenly.
Convection is the main assistant for cooks. Convection is the uniform ventilation of hot air inside the chamber. Due to the movement of hot air, any dish is cooked evenly on all sides. This is especially true if you cook in large quantities or love baking - in the convection mode, any dough rises better and better.
Grill – an additional heating element on the upper wall of the chamber. Allows you to achieve a crispy crust for any dish. The presence of a grill is worth paying attention to if you like hot sandwiches, fried meat and chicken, and grilled vegetables.
Defrosting - usually presented in several automatic modes depending on the type of product. Just select the desired option, and the microwave itself will select the power and defrosting time.
Cooking programs – in most models you can find ready-made modes for certain dishes. In some cases you need to choose the type and weight of the product, in others - a specific recipe. It is convenient because the device itself operates at optimal power and cooking time. All you have to do is press a couple of buttons and you can forget about cooking.
Equipment
A cabinet for a microwave oven, even if the latter is built into it, is equipped with at least one more drawer. It is often large in size, as it is intended for storing special utensils: frying pans, glass saucepans.
A column cabinet with a built-in microwave is equipped with a large number of drawers. It is inconvenient to store cutlery and dishes here after washing. The same goes for vegetables and bulk products. Being next to a microwave will not lead to anything good. Kitchen utensils, tablecloths and napkins, small appliances and attachments for them are left here.
Kitchen cabinets for microwave ovens have different designs, sizes and appearance. The microwave can be placed on a countertop, built in as an oven, or built into a cabinet-column where, in addition to the microwave, a steamer, oven, and other appliances are placed.
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