Microwave died-wwyd

[CTdiznymom]

Help! My 7yr old GE Spacemaker over the stove microwave died. I have very limited counter space so I'm pretty limited to an over the stove model. It has a 12" cabinet over it. My bigger problem is that my fridge is pushing 25yrs. old. It's in the corner between the wall and base cabinets. It has a 15" overhead cabinet. Trying to replace this will be a nightmare as they are making fridges taller and narrower than my space allows. Should I take this opportunity to tear my kitchen apart and swap the two cabinets? This way I gain 3"s over my fridge. Will the bigger cabinet hang too low over my stove for a microwave? I also have crown molding over the cabinets that would have to be removed also. I would have to hire someone as DH isn't up to the job. Is this a cas of the "might as wells?" In the mean time, I'm off to buy a small microwave for the counter.

 

[zoemurr]

yes, be careful about the microwave. We had one above our stove that died. We have large cabinets above and they just don't make micros short enough anymore that we can fit a new one there. (believe me we've tried them all.. even an extra inch bigger isn't cutting it.) So now we have a cheapo one on the counter and a broken one above the stove. I have short ones above the fridge but we're not moving stuff around. I was told my only option was to rip out the old cupboards and hope we can find another set that matches enough to work. Not gonna happen anytime soon.. my DH isn't handy either.

 

[HayGan]

You will still be able to find a fridge for your space. While most are the bigger/taller models they do still make smaller fridges. We researched this issue during our recent kitchen remodel.

You have a couple options

1) Just fix the old microwave (may just be the magnatron)
2) Get a new microwave for the existing space
3) Most expensive option - go for the whole remodel. This won't be cheap and seems like tons of work just to solve a microwave issue.

After just enduring a kitchen remodel, I would highly suggest going for an easy fix rather than tearing your exisiting kitchen apart. BUT if you really want to do the remodeling and you are willing to spend the $ that go along with it, this may be the time to do it.

 

[TiggerTails57]

Help! My 7yr old GE Spacemaker over the stove microwave died. I have very limited counter space so I'm pretty limited to an over the stove model. It has a 12" cabinet over it. My bigger problem is that my fridge is pushing 25yrs. old. It's in the corner between the wall and base cabinets. It has a 15" overhead cabinet. Trying to replace this will be a nightmare as they are making fridges taller and narrower than my space allows. Should I take this opportunity to tear my kitchen apart and swap the two cabinets? This way I gain 3"s over my fridge. Will the bigger cabinet hang too low over my stove for a microwave? I also have crown molding over the cabinets that would have to be removed also. I would have to hire someone as DH isn't up to the job. Is this a cas of the "might as wells?" In the mean time, I'm off to buy a small microwave for the counter.

You may find a used one on ebay or Craig's list on the cheap.......

 

[Evi]

that's kinda funny I hate my over the stove microwave and can't wait for husband to take it down and install a vent that I bought. For me its just an awkward over sized popcorn maker and yes I use it to make bacon and reheat stuff. But definitely not worth the space it takes up.

 

[Gigi22]

I love our microwave! So helpful to have one, particularly in the heatwave we have had for the last couple of weeks. We have a freezer, and it really helps to defrost meats safely and quickly. DH loves cheese sauce on broccoli and cauliflower, and microwave cheese sauce is so easy--no lumps, ever.

 

[CTdiznymom]

OP here. Went to HD yesterday and checked out the over the range micros. The clerk said they are all the same height (give or take less than an inch). She said that you need 30 inches between the top of the range and the bottom of the cabinet above the micro. so swapping the 2 cabinets isn't an option. While there I picked up a cheapo counter model and will eventually replace the broken one. Will have to come up with another solution for a fridge, maybe cut down the cabinet or find one that almost matches. Thanks for the help.

 

[NVDisMom]

I would see about getting the microwave fixed. I bet that will be your cheapest option. Personally, I would have done this before buying a counter model b/c the cost may have likely been a wash.

As for the fridge, which seems to be your higher priority...There are fridges of all different shapes and sizes. Take your specific dimensions of the space into HD and see what they have available. In the unlikely event that nothing will fit or if you want to go with a larger model simply remove the cabinet. I know the cabinet above my fridge is useless. Its too hard to get to for anything that is accessed regularly. It could not be there and it really would not matter.

 

[sk!mom]

In the unlikely event that nothing will fit or if you want to go with a larger model simply remove the cabinet. I know the cabinet above my fridge is useless. Its too hard to get to for anything that is accessed regularly. It could not be there and it really would not matter.

We just did a full kitchen remodel and that's what we did. Fridges are so large and a cabinet above was going to be a useless expense.