Want to put microwave in cupboard/need door to lift up when open?

puddy · 26 March 2010 at 12:56PM

We have a cupboard above our eye level oven which I want to put a microwave in. We have no room on the worktops for a microwave and I really want one now.

I want to be able to have a lift up door on the cupboard rather than one which opens out like a normal cupboard door. Is there a cheap way of doing this? Im thinking of replacing the cupboard doors for the kitchen anway, as my grand plans of having a new kitchen have been scuppered by having no money!
What are the hinges and brackets that I would need?

ormus · 26 March 2010 at 1:03PM

you can use the same doors and the same hinges as you have now.
all you need is a cabinet door "stay". that stays open when you lift the door up, and then closes when you lift again.

ie
like these.

ormus · 26 March 2010 at 1:07PM

or this type of stay?
too posh?

DirectDebacle · 26 March 2010 at 1:08PM

A tambour door will give unrestricted access.

http://www.achieve-stylish-living.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Tambour_Units_698.html

puddy · 26 March 2010 at 1:16PM

108.73 excluding vat,,, gulp

the door we have now and the hinges we have now, operate as a normal door, ie you pull the handle and it opens sideways, how do i use those hinges if i want it opening upwards?

puddy · 26 March 2010 at 1:17PM

i was thinking of a sliding door that slides upwards

WestonDave · 26 March 2010 at 1:21PM

The cheapest way of doing it is to re-use your existing hinges, pop into wickes or somewhere similar and buy a drill bit for making the big circular recess that you need to put kitchen hinges in, and make new holes at the top of the door (instead of on the side) you can then fix the hinges on to the top inside of the cupboard. All you need then are a couple of the stays to hold it open whilst in use.

DirectDebacle · 26 March 2010 at 1:24PM

Not easy. You will have to remove the cupboard from the wall and drill two holes (if they are the 35mm type blum hinges) in the door and pilot holes for the cruciform hinge mount which is fixed to the top inside edge of the cabinet. You could drill the pilot holes without removing the carcass from the wall but it will be awkward to do it with it in situ. Accuracy is important. You will then have to fit a stay to prevent the door closing itself.

Crossed with above.

puddy · 26 March 2010 at 1:26PM

oh, impossible to remove the carcass at present as its fixed to the cupboard that houses the integral oven....

DirectDebacle · 26 March 2010 at 1:31PM

Buy 4 pairs of magnetic catches fix to the corners of the door/carcass and just remove door when you want to use the microwave.:D

Kiran · 26 March 2010 at 1:32PM

Do you really want to be taking hot things out of a microwave above head height? It seems a bit risky to me. Anyway, if you do want to do it, is it vital that the cupboard has a door. What about trimming the existing carcass around the microwave but still having the unit itself visible?