It is difficult to imagine our life without household appliances. Cleaning, washing, and cooking are inextricably linked with electric assistants, and a microwave in the kitchen is an important component, without which it is difficult to imagine quickly and conveniently heating food. But the question often arises as to where it is better to place the device.
The location of the microwave oven in the work area is the traditional option. It's convenient and not difficult.
Why is it important to choose the right location?
It is important for a microwave to find a suitable place
When placing a microwave in the kitchen, a place must be chosen so that it is not only convenient to use it, but the risk of damage to the device is eliminated. If placed incorrectly under the influence of a number of factors, malfunctions may occur in the operation of the microwave oven or it may completely fail.
Another reason why it is necessary to carefully consider the placement of this equipment is the safety of the inhabitants of the home. This point is especially relevant if there are small children among the residents. In this case, the microwave should be placed in such a way that access to it is impossible for small residents.
If it is not possible to find an inaccessible place for placement, you should choose a model of equipment with child protection.
The process of installing a microwave oven
If the location for the device is chosen taking into account the above recommendations, you can safely proceed to the installation process itself.
Let's look at the most common installation instructions. It involves performing the following steps:
- Carefully inspect the equipment for damage and various defects.
- In the operating instructions, find the installation section and read it.
- If a mount is included, install it.
- Make a hole in the cabinet wall to provide easy access to the electrical outlet when using the device.
- Place the device in the cabinet, remove the cord, and insert the power plug into the outlet.
- Install the frame if it is included with the built-in oven. How to secure it can be found in the instruction manual. In the case of a regular microwave, there are no decorative frames. Remember its need for proper heat dissipation.
As you can see, if you look at all the points, installing the equipment yourself is quite simple. But if you doubt your abilities, consult a specialist.
However, installation of a microwave oven should be carried out taking into account all recommendations and rules. Then the electrical appliance will work correctly and will serve you for many years.
Basic rules for installing the device
To ensure that when using a microwave oven it remains operational for as long as possible, you should follow some rules when installing this device. There are several of them:
- The distance from equipment that generates heat during operation must be at least 15 cm.
- The maximum placement height should be no more than 1.5 m.
- A distance of at least 15 cm must be maintained from the wall or adjacent side of another surface to the microwave body.
It is also worth considering that the surface for installing the microwave oven must be perfectly flat and as stable as possible. This is necessary not only for ease of use, but also to prevent damage to equipment during operation.
In addition, it is better to place the device no higher than arm’s length, otherwise using it will be very problematic.
Placing Built-in Models
Built-in models ease the installation problem
Most modern microwave models are built-in. This allows you to arrange them so that they take up little space and look monolithic with the kitchen set. As a rule, the first priority is to purchase kitchen furniture and after that you can start choosing a built-in model for the existing space.
There are several options for where you can place a built-in model of this type of equipment:
- under the tabletop;
- above the oven;
- in the kitchen island.
These are the most common options, but when making a custom-made set, you can provide another option for installing a microwave. It all depends on the layout and area of the room. It is also worth considering the intensity of use of the device.
Placing freestanding models
There can be quite a lot of options for placing a freestanding microwave. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. It is worth considering each case in a little more detail.
Niche in the kitchen set
A niche in the set is a very practical option.
Many kitchen sets have open niches that can be used to install a microwave oven. The advantage of this option is the ergonomic placement - the electrical appliance will not interfere with cooking at all and will not take up space on the work surface.
Closed shelves or niches cannot be used for this purpose due to the lack of natural ventilation. You can put a microwave in a cabinet in the kitchen, but it must be without doors.
Niche in the wall
If the layout of the room allows you to install a niche in the wall or there is already one, it can also be used to place a microwave. The advantages of this option are the same as when choosing a niche in the headset as a place for this equipment. This solution will be optimal for small apartments, such as Khrushchev.
Under the table top
The location under the countertop is mainly used when this option is due to the modification of the kitchen unit. The advantages of this type of arrangement also include ergonomics, as in previous options.
There is also a significant drawback in this case - inconvenience of use. Every time, in order to heat or cook food, you need to bend over. In addition, there is a high risk of spilling a liquid dish when removing it from the oven.
You can choose a place under the countertop only if the microwave is not used often.
Above the oven
Based on the rules for placing a microwave oven, it follows that the place above the oven is not suitable for its location. The oven is a source of heat, the effect of which on the appliance is highly undesirable.
The only exception may be a model that is as resistant to high temperatures as possible. However, this option should only be used as a last resort.
In a drawer
Modern kitchen furniture involves the use of various retractable systems for both storage and placement of equipment. To place a microwave in this way, you will need to make a custom-made kitchen set and, when creating its design, provide such a pull-out system.
Considering the weight of the device, it is worth paying special attention to the strength of the retractable structure.
Brackets or hanging shelf
The method of placing a microwave oven on suspended structures is very practical. Typically, the shelf or brackets are mounted in the work surface area.
You can use the space under a wall cabinet or choose a free wall for this. In this case, you should choose the right fastenings and the structure itself.
You should hang the microwave on the wall strictly according to the instructions, observing all the rules and regulations regarding the strength of the fastenings and the structure (shelves).
The microwave can be hung on the wall
Dining table or bar counter
If the size of the dining table allows, then the microwave can be placed on it. An alternative option would be to place it on the bar counter, but it is recommended to use this option only if it is not the main place for eating, and also if the kitchen is a studio.
An electrical appliance in a place for eating does not look very aesthetically pleasing, so it is better to abandon this arrangement option and use it only as a last resort.
Kitchen island for appliances
The complete set of a kitchen set, along with the main modules, may also include additional ones, for example, a kitchen island. This part of the furniture can be used to place small household appliances, including a microwave.
You can place the device on the surface of the island or in a special niche that is designed for this.
On the windowsill
If the kitchen area is very small and deciding where to place the microwave in a small kitchen is problematic, you can use a window sill for this. It is worth considering that the width of the window sill must be quite large for the electrical appliance to fit on it.
With this placement option, opening the window will be very problematic, because you will need to remove the device. This is the main disadvantage and the reason for the undesirable use of the window sill as a place for a microwave.
Place on the windowsill is not a very practical option
Power and features
Conventionally, microwaves can be divided into two types - for heating food and for cooking. Low-power microwave ovens usually have rather limited functionality, while more advanced models may already be equipped with convection, grill and other useful options.
Models up to 800 W are mainly suitable only for heating food. In principle, you can cook in them, but the process will be slow, and not all recipes will be suitable. At the same time, such devices will also not warm up quickly - at least several minutes.
800–1000 W is the most standard power of devices. Allows you to cook any dish and quickly heats up food. Most often, such microwave ovens have several power modes – from low to high.
1000–1500 W – high-power devices. They handle cooking with ease, heat up food with lightning speed, and also have several operating modes.
The functionality of the microwave also needs to be selected based on your needs. It is worth saying that modern devices cope perfectly with any culinary tasks no worse than an oven. If 10–15 years ago food in microwaves did not always turn out well, now there are no such problems. Baked goods can be as tender and fluffy as in the oven, and various stews, porridges and other dishes can be juicy and cooked evenly.
Convection is the main assistant for cooks. Convection is the uniform ventilation of hot air inside the chamber. Due to the movement of hot air, any dish is cooked evenly on all sides. This is especially true if you cook in large quantities or love baking - in the convection mode, any dough rises better and better.
Grill – an additional heating element on the upper wall of the chamber. Allows you to achieve a crispy crust for any dish
The presence of a grill is worth paying attention to if you like hot sandwiches, fried meat and chicken, and grilled vegetables
Defrosting - usually presented in several automatic modes depending on the type of product. Just select the desired option, and the microwave itself will select the power and defrosting time.
Cooking programs – in most models you can find ready-made modes for certain dishes. In some cases you need to choose the type and weight of the product, in others - a specific recipe. It is convenient because the device itself operates at optimal power and cooking time. All you have to do is press a couple of buttons and you can forget about cooking.
Combination modes - Please note that even if a microwave has both convection and grill, this does not mean that it can operate in both modes at the same time. Each model has its own capabilities for combined cooking modes
For example, convection + microwaves, grill + convection, etc.
Places you shouldn't use
Along with places that can be used to install a microwave oven, there are also places that are absolutely not suitable for this. There are several of them:
- above the radiator;
- close to the hob;
- next to the TV;
- under direct sunlight;
- above the stove;
- on the refrigerator.
All of these locations are unsuitable because they do not comply with microwave oven regulations. In each case, the device will be exposed to negative factors that can cause operational problems.
How to hang a microwave on the wall
An interesting idea - a special module in a headset for appliances.
As mentioned above, the option of placing the microwave in a suspended form is very popular. In addition, it is very practical in terms of ergonomics and ease of use of the device.
You can install the placement structure yourself by following the following step-by-step instructions:
- Using a marker or pencil, apply markings (mark the locations for the holes).
- Using a hammer drill, make holes the size of the dowels.
- Insert the dowels into the prepared holes.
- Attach the bracket or shelf to the wall and screw the screws into the fastening points.
The size of dowels and screws should be selected based not only on the weight of the device, but also taking into account the material from which the wall is made. It is also worth paying attention to the evenness of the structure - the easiest way to do this is using a building level.
All the materials needed for this work, as well as the shelf or bracket itself, can be purchased at any construction supermarket, for example at Ikea.
What tools are needed to install a built-in microwave oven in a cabinet?
To install a built-in microwave you will need:
- a jigsaw to make a hole on the back wall of the cabinet for the cord;
- plastic-paper stencil that comes with household appliances;
- pencil for marking;
- screwdriver or screwdriver;
- clamp and bolts for fastening.
This is interesting:
Cleaning a microwave oven with vinegar and baking soda.
How to get rid of cockroaches in the microwave.
Is it possible to heat food in foil in the microwave?
How to integrate a regular microwave into a kitchen set
To do this, you can use open niches of the headset. For example, you can place the device on a shelf in a special module for small household appliances. This is especially true for interiors in the style of minimalism and hi-tech.
It can also be placed on a shelf, which is designed as a continuation of the upper hanging cabinet. Thus, the microwave in the kitchen unit will look like it is built-in. The photo below shows just such a case.
The shelf is a continuation of the kitchen cabinet and is suitable for placing a microwave oven
There may be various interesting options, but it all depends on the parameters of the room and kitchen furniture. In each case, one or another idea will be more relevant.
In some cases, it is better to hang the device, and sometimes it is more convenient to hide it in a closet or place it on a bedside table. Don't forget about safety rules.
The microwave is an appliance that is quite often present in the kitchen. There are many options for its placement, which depend on the size of the room, design, layout and modification of the kitchen unit. The most important thing when choosing where to put a microwave in the kitchen is to follow the safety rules. Also, special attention should be paid to the issue of ease of use of the electrical appliance.
Advice from professionals
As you can see from the instructions, fixing the bracket to the wall with your own hands is not so difficult. To ensure a high-quality result, you should pay attention to the advice of professionals:
- Before starting work, be sure to check the strength of the wall;
- use only a high-quality tape measure or a centimeter with clear divisions;
- check the building level more often;
- use only durable materials of certified quality - this applies to both the suspension itself and the fastening elements;
- It’s better to check the mark several times and screw the bracket one by one rather than re-drill the holes several times;
- Be sure to follow safety precautions when choosing a place to place a hanging microwave.
This arrangement of the microwave oven will significantly save space, help fit this piece of equipment into any interior and add a stylish twist to your kitchen.
Sources
- https://cosmo-frost.ru/svch/ustanovka-svch/kak-pravilno-i-bezopasno-ustanovit-mikrovolnovku/
- https://homeasking.com/kak-povesit-mikrovolnovku-na-stenu/
- https://tehnikoved.ru/kuhnya/mikrovolnovka/ustanovka-mikrovolnovki-na-kronshtejne.html
- https://made-box.ru/shifoner/inbuilt/mikrovolnovka-vstraivaemaya-v-verhniy-shkaf.html
- https://vashakuhnya.com/tehnika/kuda-postavit-mikrovolnovku
- https://kuhnier.ru/tehnika/kunonnaya/kak-povesit-mikrovolnovku-na-kuhne-svoimi-rukami.html
