Microwave in the kitchen - accommodation options (photo) and a do-it-yourself bracket

A microwave for a modern family has become an indispensable attribute in the kitchen, like a gas stove. Unlike a bulky stove or oven, it takes up much less space, and besides, it can be installed on any hard surface near a power outlet or even hang microwave on the wall using a special device. The compact dimensions of the microwave oven allow you to choose among the many accommodation options the most convenient and practical.

Microwave in the kitchen

General microwave installation guidelines

The location of the microwave oven is not always chosen for reasons of comfort and safety. Often the determining criterion is the design of the kitchen, in which appliances should fit in as harmoniously as possible. Owners review photos of various options for placing a microwave in the kitchen until they find what really suits them, and then try to recreate the idea in their own apartment. But in order to do this correctly, it is necessary to take into account the general requirements of ergonomics and safety, without which the normal operation of the device will become impossible.

1. The height of the microwave above the floor should be less than 0.9 m and not more than 1.5. Otherwise, the use of the oven will be inconvenient and may lead to the tipping of dishes with a hot dish.
2. There should be a table or tabletop next to the microwave at arm's length so that the owner does not hold hot dishes in their hands for a long time.
3. The microwave oven should be at a safe distance from the heating equipment - a stove, oven, heating radiators. In the absence of other options, there should be good thermal insulation between them.
4. Easy access to the microwave is required. She should not stand in the aisle and block access to other equipment.
5. The device door should open freely.
6. For normal operation of the microwave oven, you must have free space around its walls, providing ventilation for the device, so you can not put any objects or kitchen utensils close to it.

Free-standing microwave options

Compact and inexpensive microwave ovens are usually installed in the kitchen as a standalone device on any suitable flat surface. The most popular installation locations are countertops, dining tables, breakfast bars, window sills, and refrigerators. At the same time, each place has both pros and cons.

Countertop microwave

Working surface

This option is the simplest and most convenient, since the kitchen worktop is at the optimum microwave height, has a flat hard surface and allows you to immediately put hot dishes on it. The installation of the oven on the countertop will not require any additional devices. All that is needed is a free electrical outlet and a safe distance of 50 cm from the sink and stove. The only drawback of this option is the loss of usable space (60-80 cm) of the working surface, which is quite significant for small kitchens.

Windowsill

A wide and spacious window sill may well become a good place to install a microwave oven, since its height is at the level of the countertop and provides convenient access to heated products. However, using a windowsill as a microwave placement is not always safe. This is due to the temperature difference that occurs in the cold season. The hot air that comes from the microwave oven, falling onto a cold window pane, causes condensation to form on it and can cause a crack. And on hot days, on the contrary, under the influence of sunlight, the microwave may overheat. Therefore, it is advisable to use such an arrangement option only if the window opening does not go out onto the street, but onto a glazed balcony.

Microwave on the windowsill

Dinner table

The bar and dining table, although they have parameters suitable for installing a microwave oven, are practically not used for this purpose, since they are primarily intended for eating. This accommodation option can only be considered as a temporary measure.

Refrigerator

Kitchen appliance manufacturers prohibit installation microwaves on the fridgeHowever, for many owners of small kitchens, this option is the only way to compactly place several types of household appliances. But in order to do this safely, a number of conditions that relate to refrigerator heights and ensuring an acceptable distance between the walls of the microwave for normal ventilation.

Microwave in the fridge

Locker for equipment

Many owners of large houses put kitchen appliances in a specially designated locker or room. In such a storage there is a separate shelf or compartment for a microwave, food processor, coffee maker and other devices necessary in the kitchen. Cabinets for appliances free up a lot of free space in the kitchen, however, to use the equipment you will constantly need to remove it from the shelves and then put it back.

Microwave in a special cabinet

Embedding the microwave in the kitchen

The microwave oven, built into the kitchen, allows not only to hide the case of the device from the eyes, but also to free up useful space on work surfaces. Placing ordinary microwave ovens in this way is very problematic, therefore special models are bought for installation in furniture, which work on the same principle, but have some design differences, additional thermal insulation and a decorated front part. At the same time, the dimensions of the niche reserved for the furnace must strictly correspond to its parameters, which must be taken into account even at the design stage of the kitchen.

Under the countertop

The easiest accommodation option built-in microwave a special cabinet or shelf under the countertop can become. This installation scheme is not entirely convenient, since the furnace will be quite low, however, it allows you to save the surface area and does not require significant costs. Another drawback will be the presence of drips and contaminants, which are difficult to avoid while using the countertop. But this problem can be solved by installing a wider work surface or by mounting a microwave under the bar or on the kitchen island, which are less susceptible to pollution.

Over stove or cooker hood

The combination of the microwave oven and the hood looks very original, while providing good ventilation, both for the hob and for the microwave itself. However, this option is not suitable for frequent use, since the oven will be located high above the floor and it is not very convenient to get hot dishes out of it.

Built-in microwave with hood

In the closet

Kitchen cabinets allow you to place the built-in microwave oven at almost any height, making it possible to choose the most comfortable location for its owners. A microwave can be integrated into a corner or wall-mounted cabinet on the wall, or installed in a niche specially designated for it. However, if the installation site is closed by a door, then during use of the furnace it will have to be opened each time so that hot air can exit.

Over the oven

The option of placing the oven at the mid-line level of the kitchen set has worked well. If a microwave is similarly installed above the oven, then both devices look very harmonious and complement each other well. In this case, it is advisable to choose the technique of one manufacturer, which would be combined in color with the facade of the headset.

Microwave over built-in oven

Suspension Installation

In the absence of a suitable surface or the inability to integrate into a furniture set, the microwave in the kitchen can be hung on the wall using special fasteners that can be used to fix it securely on a vertical plane. Depending on the required design, such mounts can hold either the microwave oven itself, or the stand, shelf or rack intended for it. The advantages of this method include:

• Safety. The microwave can be installed so that it is at a sufficient distance from other electrical appliances and heating elements.
• Convenience. Wall mount allows you to place the device at the desired height, which provides maximum comfort during use.
• Saving. In order to integrate the equipment into the existing headset, additional costs for the purchase of materials and the work of a specialist will be required. At the same time, any owner will be able to fix the bracket for the microwave on the wall with his own hands.

Mount the microwave on the wall

The process of installing a microwave oven on the wall is very simple and is carried out in several stages:

1. The choice of fasteners. The easiest option is to install the microwave on the brackets. It is better not to try to make such fasteners yourself, but to buy ready-made ones in the store, since they must withstand a fairly large weight (65-75 kg).
2. Choosing an installation location. It is necessary to ensure a safe distance of the device from the stove, sink and other electrical appliances, and the wall at the attachment points should be flat and strong.
3. Markup. The installation location is marked on the wall, the centers of the planned holes for the dowels are indicated.
4. Installation. At the designated points, it is necessary to drill holes with a puncher, then drive dowels into them, after which you can fix the brackets by tightening them with self-tapping screws. If the design turned out smooth and does not stagger, then you can put a microwave on it.