Why Are Built in Microwaves So Expensive?

i_love_it

I'm just starting out planning my kitchen refurb and considering tower unit for double oven and microwave

The ovens seem to compare pricewise with free standing ovens but are the microwaves really all upward of 400 quid?

If so why? I may have to opt for a counter top normal microwave

Doozergirl

Good question. I don't know why either.

We're getting around it in our barn by having a shelf inside a tower unit for a microwave; we're going to put a plug inside the cupboard! Just keeps the microwave out of the way.

beaney50

B&Q have a built in microwave/oven which ,a few weeks ago was £70 incl kit for buiding in but I haven`t been in recently.

ormus

purely a matter of supply and demand.
unit cost of good/fast selling items will be far cheaper.
lots of peeps have built in ovens now. (even fridges/freezers). very few have a built in microwave.

blushingbride_3

are you sure they arent different due to ventilation? i know my freestanding microwave has vents at the top which arent supposed to be covered so i'd be very careful builidng in one which is meant to be freestanding

i_love_it

blushingbride wrote: »

are you sure they arent different due to ventilation? i know my freestanding microwave has vents at the top which arent supposed to be covered so i'd be very careful builidng in one which is meant to be freestanding

Yes i know what you mean, if i do buy a counter top one it will go on the worktop. The built in do all seem to be fancier than a regular microwave ie combined oven or grill as well which is not required if i'm having a double oven and grill.
I can't justify 400 upward just to heat the odd ready meal!

toffeegirl

Why not switch to a single oven and a built-in combination microwave instead?

i_love_it

toffeegirl wrote: »

Why not switch to a single oven and a built-in combination microwave instead?

Yes I hadn't thought of that, but i do prefer to cook with gas for oven and grill, i only ever heat or defrost with microwave

Steve_Groves

The thing to watch with built in microwaves is that the majority are 500mm units that are built up to fit a 600mm carcase. Consequently they look a real mess if you stack them above a normal oven.

If you have an IKEA close by then it is worth a weekly visit to their bargain bay. Quite often they have MWs with damaged packaging and up to 60% off the usual £350 / £450 price tag.

That is what I did for exactly the same reason you said; why pay so much more for an integrated one.

Doozergirl

blushingbride wrote: »

are you sure they arent different due to ventilation? i know my freestanding microwave has vents at the top which arent supposed to be covered so i'd be very careful builidng in one which is meant to be freestanding

We're not building it in, we're just putting it on a shelf inside a cupboard. There will be plenty of ventilation around it.