Home Improvement

I don't like the over the stove microwaves because they are too high. Ours, a built in over the wall oven was also installed too high. When we remodeled 2 years ago I got a wall unit combo oven and convection oven/microwave and installed it lower than the previous install. I have yet to use the microwave as a convection oven, but loved the idea. I had originally wanted an under the counter drawer microwave but DH didn't like the reviews wrt to reliability of those.
 
Moemg said:
The HGTV guys said microwaves over the oven are dated so all new remodels are putting the microwave in other places .
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Oh well, I know of one recent remodel that didn't.... guess that we are just not styish... we did spring for a slide-in range though because I liked the look and we no longer have to reach over the burners to adjust them (controls were on the back on our prior conventional range/oven.
 
pb4uski said:
Oh well, I know of one recent remodel that didn't.... guess that we are just not styish... we did spring for a slide-in range though because I liked the look and we no longer have to reach over the burners to adjust them (controls were on the back on our prior conventional range/oven.
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I love the convenience of the over the stove micro wave so I guess I am also not stylish.
 
Moemg said:
I love the convenience of the over the stove micro wave so I guess I am also not stylish.
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In our last house remodel we had the stove, microwave, and oven in separete spaces due to two teenagers and their parents. That worked much better than all three stacked in one spot prior to the remodel. In my new house all three will be stacked again to save space in the small kitchen. It is only me now so it should work most of the time.
 
Moemg said:
The HGTV guys said microwaves over the oven are dated so all new remodels are putting the microwave in other places .
Click to expand...
The idea of having "styles' in the placement of kitchen appliances seems wacky. It's tied with the bathroom as the most utilitarian room in the house, "form" should be the unquestioning servant of "function" in such a room.
 
Hermit said:
In our last house remodel we had the stove, microwave, and oven in separete spaces due to two teenagers and their parents. That worked much better than all three stacked in one spot prior to the remodel. In my new house all three will be stacked again to save space in the small kitchen. It is only me now so it should work most of the time.
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This resonates with me. Even with just DW and I in the kitchen, we “fight” for cooking space sometimes. With range and microwave (and small convection toaster oven) separate, we will be able to work together better.

I shopped countertop microwaves. Was concerned they would be like my old one from college with the dial, and barely big enough for a TV dinner. Seems like they’ve grown up since I last shopped for one 20 years ago!
 
Scrapr said:
pssst....asbestos :mad: :D
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I actually have a roll of it from when you could buy it in a hardware store, though I mostly use PVC pipe now and don't get to use it.
 
We got rid of the over the stove microwave when we remodeled for a couple of reasons.

Main reason was DW wanted a "real" vent. The old microwave had a fan that simple blew air through a filter, then back into the kitchen. We now have a vent over the stove which exhausts outside.

Also, I'm tall and it blocked my view of the stove at times.

Where did we put the microwave?

Our kitchen originally had a double wall oven. We used both occasionally (mainly holidays) and DW didn't want to loose the option of having two ovens available.

So we replaced the double oven (two full sized ovens) with the following stack:

top: combination convection oven / microwave
middle: full sized oven
bottom: warming drawer

It takes up about the same space as the old double oven. DW really loves the warming draw.
 
Of course, all these "stylish" kitchens have huge square footage. When you are working with your 1979 footprint, the over the range microwave is a life saver.

I'm thinking of a low profile version, like below, for my next one. Only problem with it is it sticks out a bit too much. It will vent outside (or inside, your choice). Because it is low profile, you have some head room above the stove for big pots.
 

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Popcorn ceiling removed and re-textured to match the walls, then painted with lifetime paint.

29746990547_2c92454562_o.jpg


Took 2 days, inside of house totally cocooned in plastic. Day 1 was stripping and re-texture, day 2 was painting.

Looks great!
 
RobbieB said:
............. then painted with lifetime paint.
....................
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One of the advantages of getting older is that it is easier to buy lifetime paint.
 
Premium paint cost an extra $200. No brainer on a 4 grand job eh?
 
I think so.

They gave me the senior discount but I think that was on the whole job as it was more than the extra charge for the paint.
 
No, the paint is flat. Who would put semi gloss on a ceiling?
 
RobbieB said:
I think so.

They gave me the senior discount but I think that was on the whole job as it was more than the extra charge for the paint.
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I think travelover was referencing the lifetime paint sold to Seniors. Seems like there should be a discount for reduced life expectancy. Perhaps you show ID and they prorate it.

Pull mama from the Nursing homes and get 90% off?

Live long and prosper
 
JoeWras said:
Of course, all these "stylish" kitchens have huge square footage. When you are working with your 1979 footprint, the over the range microwave is a life saver.

I'm thinking of a low profile version, like below, for my next one. Only problem with it is it sticks out a bit too much. It will vent outside (or inside, your choice). Because it is low profile, you have some head room above the stove for big pots.
Click to expand...

That's the same Whirlpool Low-Profile model we installed about 3 weeks ago. So far, we're really happy with it, but ours also sticks out a ways from the cabinetry as in the photo. It's higher up for us (vs. the old monster we had in there before), so someone who's shorter may have a hard time reaching or viewing the contents.

The reason we did this is we wanted more open space above the cook top for big pots and greater visibility. No regrets for us, but now we're shopping new back splash to fill the open space.
 
Painter is done and all looks very nice. He sprayed and then rolled for a nice even job. Six gallons of paint used. Flooring guys are over now doing the floor. 30 yr old carpet being replaced with premium 12.3 mm waterproof laminate over 3 mm foam underlayment. Supposed to be quiet. 800 sq-ft of laminate and weighs 1700 lbs.

On the home stretch!
 
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