Replacing an awkward shape microwave

scarletjim

loracan1 wrote: »

Would replacing both trim and microwave be an option - assuming the cabinet space is a standard size. Some of the baumatic trims are about £30, (I've no idea what their microwaves are like though)



id ea lo.co.uk/filter/3508/microwaves.html - add the www. at the beginning and lose the spaces


(do MSE not get a knock back from them?)

Yes that is absolutely an option, but that's an awkward size too! The hole being roughly 60(W) x 40(H) is pretty standard, but the guy who built the place has an additional recess of 6cm at the top to house the trim nicely. Basically, it seems he must have got hold of a trim and a freestanding microwave that just happened to fit nicely together, then he built the cabinet to fit it. The microwave is actually a free-standing one. It's bizarre he did it like this, because the rest of the kitchen has top notch everything. :huh:

keystone

scarletjim wrote: »

Thanks but this one sold back in March! lol

Yes I know. Just highlighting a potential alternative solution to this little challenge. Keep looking on similar sites. I'm not going to wipe you bum for you by spending eons finding one thats actually available atm . Your job tbh. There are some on here that would though just to get their thanks score incremented by one. :rotfl:

Cheers

scarletjim

richardw wrote: »

Perhaps http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60182568/

Wow this might just be exactly what I need, perfect size, and as an unexpected bonus, it's beautiful, having the controls at the top is something mainly found it seems on the £400+ models from what I've seen in the last 48 hours - thanks.

EDIT: Oh no, dammit, I'm getting confused, maybe it won't fit. The hole is only 56cm wide, this microwave is 59.5 wide - but I can't tell if that's just the front facia, or the actual body of the microwave (no manufacturers make this clear, it's a nightmare). Also, being 33cm tall is only good if it is max 53cm wide, then it will fit in the existing trim. So to clarify, I think I need one of three options (all measurements are max - slightly less would be fine):

A). 33cm (H) x 53cm (W), to fit in existing trim.
OR
. 40cm (H) x 59.5cm (W), to fit in the existing space without the existing trim
OR
C). 46cm (H) x 59.5cm (W), to fit in the space having removed a piece of wood currently screwed into the cabinet to space the existing set-up correctly.

Hopefully I can find one of these options!

EDIT2: My preferred option is to buy a freestanding one 33 (H) x 53 (W), then I can just slot this in place of my existing one without having to do any amendments (not my forte!)

Myser

If you are going to spend as much as that for the Ikea one, you may as well just buy a Bosch integrated one for a bit more - which will almost certainly fit as they are practically the same as a Neff:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/built-in-appliances/built-in-cooking/built-in-microwaves/bosch-hmt75m551b-built-in-microwave-oven-bushed-steel-11452383-pdt.html

richardw

Perhaps have a read of the ikea fitting instructions for clarification on sizes.

Is your housing unit 600mm maximum width?

martinthebandit

An alternative idea could be;

Take out existing microwave and trim, replace with smaller one.

Fit door that matches rest of units in kitchen

scarletjim

Myser - thanks but that one is too small, it would leave a big gap at the top and sides.

Richardw - yes my housing is 600mm width, which seems to be standard- it's the height which is causing me a problem. If I put a freestanding one in the existing trim, it needs to be 35cm without feet. If I just replace all the trim, and go for an in-built one, height can be 40 or 46cm with the new trim. With that in mind, I'm now tempted to take some of my holiday budget, and go for this:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90244819/

The only couple of things wrong with this one are a). I can't find any reviews, infact it's almost impossible to find reviews of any IKEA products online. and b). the installation guide on the website (and in link above) is useless. It shows several cupboards which are presumably IKEA ones, then has various pictures where I don't understand what is going on, for example what is happening on pages 11, 12 (bottom) and 14? Are the earlier pages just for the IKEA cabinets? Why can't I just push mine into an appropriately sized space? There are no words in the guide. The separate appliances guide says you can fit it in a non-IKEA cupboard, and provides measurements, but doesn't say how it is fitted.

Martinthebandit - well, having been searching for many hours, if I can't get anywhere with the IKEA installation guide, then I might well go down that route, good idea!

Myser

scarletjim wrote: »

Myser - thanks but that one is too small, it would leave a big gap at the top and sides.

In the product specification for the Bosch, it says:

N.B. Install in 36cm high niche, 50cm wide tall unit

Isn't that roughly the same size as your existing one? You need to allow for some room around the microwave for ventillation.

How about this Neff one that is ex. display (A1 grade):

http://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/77143286%2f1%2fh53w50n3gb/neff-771432861h53w50n3gb-built-in-microwave-oven

scarletjim

Not quite, my existing microwave only is about that size, but the one you have linked is a built-in one with trim included in those measurements, so I would need 40cm or 46cm height if I'm buying a built-in one and doing away with the trim that I already have. Similar for the Neff one - although the next model up, H56W20N3GB, would fit (but I would have to put a piece of wood in to cover the hole of about 7cm at the top. I must say I find the variety of measurements on some of the models quite baffling. For example here, on the measurement image, is it saying that the back of the microwave is 515mm wide, but the cabinet needs to be 560mm+8? If that's just to leave ventilation, then what does the '+8' mean?

http://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/h56w20n3gb/neff-h56w20n3gb-built-in-microwave-oven

Myser

I believe the Bosch one I link to is supplied without a trim. So the size quoted is just for the microwave alone.

If you speak to Neff/Bosch/Siemens, you should be able to find one that fits. They are all part of the same company. You'll notice that the models look the same!