Microwave combo oven/built in- what are they? Do you have 1?

[jenn]

My kitchen has a shelf- forehead level for me- for a built in microwave which died and we've replaced at least twice with smaller but satisfactory for us microwaves. No longer looks like a built in- since it ain't! I'm constantly standing on a stool to tend to stuff in it, pulling out boiling hot dishes from above my face, etc. The builder had put in a ventless fireplace at hip to neck level nearby (I'm a Pittsburgh/ Boston girl- don't get me started on ventless carbon monoxide creator fireplaces). Friend who might sell the house for us (but think I want to stay several years more) suggests putting a lower built in ?? microwave oven combo ?? in place of the fireplace, which is a constant grumble to me- all it does is tie up floor area and the vents let me loop in S hooks and hang my pots and pans and collanders there. Since it isn't like new paint- which we don't want and would have to repeat if we move later on- this kitchen revision is appealing. But what exactly is a combo microwave, and do any of you have these high end priced microwaves and are you glad you do? Maybe I should just put in a shelf area where a future posh microwave or other new featured gadget can fit but just plug our 'counter top' microwave in there at a better height for me.

[susannah]

By "combination" you mean a microwave that does other things besides, well, microwaving, right? Like convection cooking, or grilling, or...? I didn't vote in the poll because I don't meet any of the choices - we have a built in, over the range microwave that's just a plain old microwave. I love it because we have limited counter space in the kitchen, and because it's at a perfect level for both of us. I'd be scared that I'd really hurt myself with a microwave at forehead level, so I can see why the shelf location you currently have would be less than desirable.

If you're not using your fireplace, it might be a good place for a combination microwave, as your friend suggested. While I don't know much about combination microwaves - next to nothing, to be honest - I have to say the added features are nice. We recently replaced our absolutely-awful-from-day-one slide-in range with a new one that has nifty features like convection cooking and air frying. I never knew I wanted those features, but now that I have them...they sure are nice.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, though.

[Maura]

Many years ago a friend of mine had a range that had an oven/microwave. She loved it. She could cook a turkey using either feature. She would like another one but they stopped making them. Apparently they are making them again. However, if all you ever use the microwave for is reheating you'd be spending a great deal of money for not much use.

I would replace the microwave space with a cupboard and put a small microwave on the counter. If counter space is tight, I would stack it above the coffee maker or some such appliance that you already have on the counter.
I think a fireplace can make a house more sale-able, but not enough to make up for the completely wasted space. If you put a wall oven in its place and you already have an oven (range with cooktop and oven) will it really be useful to you?

A wall oven of any type is an upgrade. You are supposed to set it so that the elbow of the cook is at the level of the bottom shelf. However, my elbow is at the top shelf of my wall oven and I like it there just fine. Suit it to the smaller person because a wall oven will still be higher and more comfortable than the range oven. I love having a wall oven.

Myself, I would sell the fireplace unit and replace it with anything.

[Cabin Fever]

This doesn't answer your question, but we are waiting for our countertop microwave to poop out. Once it does, we will be replacing it with a combination microwave/air fryer countertop unit.

[farmerjack]

Have an microwave combination with the oven below the microwave. This is the second one in the last twenty years. The only downside is if one goes out completely both get replaced. Have had the microwave repaired twice so no big problem. This about the only way things will work in my kitchen. They are a little hard to find, if total replacement is needed, and the price is not cheap. Bottom line, I like it.

[jenn]

Thanks all- you fulfill your mission of further defining and confirming my inclination! My kid likes her microwave/ air fryer counter top, I need to visit her more to get a better feel for it. One big issue for me- aside from 'I already have an oven' is that I moved a few small planets (not heaven and earth, just Pluto Mercury and Venus) to get a gas (propane) oven instead of a propane stove top but electric oven. So I don't wanna return to an electric oven I don't even need. I like the idea of tearing out the fireplace (this white elephant has another one in the living room which we also don't ever use) and somehow having a space there a combo oven will fit in some day- if they still exist in future- but keeping our current and next microwaves in that space.

Of course I hate the whole concept of upgrading a house to sell- which is what the friend (a realtor) was here to discuss with us. Me I'd prefer here it is cheaper, do what you will, or as it is sometimes marketed " $X includes $Y redecorating allowance". My best friend moved from a home and had painted all her walls beige for the marketing. WHen she visited the new owners later they had actually returned all the rooms to about the colors she had before on the walls.

[susannah]

Hmm, I never thought of gas vs electric. My microwave is a plain old model, while my gas range is the appliance that has all the nifty new options. Since I had a natural gas range before (while the house came with an electric range, we had natural gas available so we switched to that), all the bells and whistles are on the gas appliance, so no additional electric usage comes into play. Sounds like you've made a good decision.

Depending on the housing market in your area, is it really necessary to upgrade a house to sell it? Our son and daughter-in-law are looking to move from their current (hot, high demand) area to an even hotter, higher demand area. The housing market is absolutely crazy in the city they want to move to. Houses have multiple offers for well over asking price the same day they go on the market. And having seen some of these listings online, not all of them have been upgraded or even updated.

I hear you on your friend's experience of painting all the walls a neutral color prior to listing a house - we did that with our last home prior. The next owner later emailed me some pictures of what they'd done with the house. And let's just say her love of wild colors and patterns made my original wall colors look sedate and boring. I'm pretty sure she could not wait to get rid of the boring, cream colored walls. Luckily, our current home is mostly cedar tongue and groove - walls AND ceilings - with a very few drywall "accent walls". Nope, I will not be painting a thing before we put this place on the market in the future.

[Maura]

I think you only need to paint the walls if they are dingy. Even then, washing the walls may be the fix. Tearing out a fireplace is a different matter. But, since you already have a fireplace in the living room there is no loss in value. Do it for yourself.

[Woodpecker]

A little late here with my little ole’ opinion, but I hardly use my micro wave at all anymore. I have a standard counter top type.

I needed a new toaster oven. I bought a Hamilton Beach brand & the top rolls up. It heats things very fast and I’ve baked apple pies, muffins, cakes, chicken, steaks, all came out terrific! I rarely use my oven since.

My sister has the oven/ micro together style. Used it once and didn’t like the way things came out in the oven.

I tried the air fryer, one which was supposed to bake cakes, pies, whole chickens , too etc. it never heated up enough and I wasted food in that thing! Sent it back, got the toaster oven and am a happy girl.

[snoozy]

Don't have one. Used them in my businesses a billion times -- probably gave myself a thousand inadvertent mammograms from all those microwaves 😜... The only thing a microwave oven does better than other means, IMO, is reheat rice. Not a task worth wasting the space and money on.