Can You Put a Countertop Microwave in a Cabinet

If you are a busy chef like me, counter space is crucial to a good meal preparation. The more room you have, the better. It is no surprise that a countertop microwave frees up a lot of counter space that could otherwise be used for kneading dough.

Is it a Saturday night and your refrigerator is asking to be cleared out? Or you want to turn leftover food into a completely new dinner? Your microwave is by far the most important tool you will require. When faced with the decision of whether to maintain the counter space or the microwave, many individuals find it difficult to make a decision.

Does a Countertop Microwave Go in a Cabinet

This post will go through the steps for installing a countertop microwave cabinet, as well as the safety measures to consider. Can’t we have the best possible outcome if we put the microwave in a cabinet below? I get asked this question all the time.

While many blogs will tell you that you should put a microwave in your kitchen cupboards, I highly advise against it. Vents are incorporated into the rear of a microwave oven that is intended specifically for a kitchen countertop. These vents will be obstructed if the microwave is put in a cabinet, and the microwave will not be able to emit steam. A potential fire danger in your home!

Whenever it refers to microwave oven installation, there are three options. There’s a built-in oven, an over-the-range oven, and a countertop oven. Regardless of the fact that countertop microwave ovens are meant to be set on a counter, you may store yours in your cabinet.

Countertop microwaves, on the contrary, were created to be used in public areas. They are meant to be put on a counter, unlike built-in microwaves, hence the title. If you would like to store your countertop microwave in a cabinet, do so at your own accord. Safety First! As long as you follow the fundamental safety procedures, you should be OK.

Points to Think About Before Keeping your Microwave in a Kitchen Cabinet

Before trying to install your microwave in a cabinet, make sure you check with the manufacturing company. This is due to the fact that not all microwave ovens are intended or suited for that application. The following pointers will assist you in successfully installing a microwave within a cabinet.

Ease of Use

One must ensure that your microwave oven can be conveniently reached before opting to put it in your cabinet. Placing your oven in a difficult-to-reach location can lead to kitchen mishaps, particularly those resulting from holding hot food straight from the microwave oven for an extended period of time. Make sure your cabinet is handy to your kitchen counter, or don’t worry if it isn’t.

Children

If your cabinet is located in a low lying area of your kitchen and you have little children, the best alternative is to get a cabinet that can be locked. When your oven isn’t in use or you are not near your microwave oven, you should keep the cabinet that holds your oven completely closed. Instead, children playing near the oven may cause a cooking mishap, which you do not want to happen.

Cabinet Doors

If your cabinets have damaged doors, you should replace them before installing your microwave oven. This is because a broken cabinet door might make putting your microwave oven in a difficult task.

Due to the additional strain required to open and shut these doors, it is one of the worst places to install your microwave oven. If you need to open or close your microwave quickly, the door may become stuck for a few moments. If you can find a professional to fix the doors, you should do it before installing your microwave oven in your cabinet.

Cons of Keeping your Microwave in a Kitchen Cabinet

Because of the enclosed structure of cupboards, moisture and heat generated by your food might become trapped within, causing damage to the wood. There are a few things to look out for before putting a countertop microwave in a cabinet.

Damage

This point is particularly true when the microwave lacks proper ventilation. As a result, guarantee your oven isn’t jammed too tightly in the microwave oven.

Since moisture and steam quickly become trapped in wood and begin to destroy it in this scenario, wood is particularly vulnerable to damage. To prevent this, be sure to wipe off both the interior and outside of your microwave oven after each usage.

Functions

Since they require a lot of area for the heat to exhaust, convection microwave ovens are particularly challenging to utilize in a kitchen cabinet. In comparison to a single microwave, they also grow much hotter.

Unless your oven supplier has given you the go, the cabinet may not be the greatest location for your convection microwave oven. Furthermore, regardless of the oven type, always leave at least two inches of extra room in your cabinet. This will allow it plenty of room to breathe and exhaust.

Freeing Up Counter Space

Incorporating a microwave drawer into your kitchen is an alternate way for saving counter space without sacrificing treasured equipment. The drawer will be considerably more of a struggle for any inquisitive youngster seeking for a new toy because of its concealed controls. It may be installed beneath a kitchen island or in any sort of conventional cabinets, making cooking and cleaning a breeze. Who wouldn’t want that?

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In conclusion, in my opinion, it is better to be safe than sorry, so keep your countertop microwave where it goes. Built-in microwaves may be simply fitted in a wall or cabinet. While the built-in microwave has a function similar to other microwave types, it takes up less storage space and may be positioned away from the range, allowing many individuals to cook at the same time. I hope you found this article useful! Let me know your thoughts and queries in the comments section below!