issue with my new kitchen

[Roshni]

Hello,

We are building a new house. Got our plan today. its so hard to fulfil all requirement especially for kitchen.
now space for my microwave oven is like this pic (below).

http://www.designerkitchensbrisbane....as-300x224.jpg pic 1


its open kitchen, i be placing Bar chairs on the other end of this island bench (like this pic2- my kitchen will be same just sink will be next to the window).
http://www.designerkitchensbrisbane....01-300x225.jpgpic 2


my concern is about Microwave Oven. Is it safe to have like in Pic 1. i have 3 years old daughter and nephews too. i am concerned but i can not adjust anywhere else.
is it good idea or not? in my current kitchen microwave is on bench top but kids can still reach.

[TLK]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

to me the placement of microwave looks not only kind of unsafe but ergonomically odd, but then our regular ovens (one under the stoves) are also at same height and its neither unsafe, nor back breaking - so it should be ok I think

[Roshni]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

to me the placement of microwave looks not only kind of unsafe but ergonomically odd, but then our regular ovens (one under the stoves) are also at same height and its neither unsafe, nor back breaking - so it should be ok I think

thanks TLK now little less concerned.

actually my dad is very Vehmi person and wants to do typical U shape kitchen so i can have alot of space to put appliances on. but I want different so i got the above plan.

[Sajalina]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

^But we don't use those ovens as much we use microwaves.

I defenitly find it back breaking but then again I already have back issues.

[Roshni]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

^But we don't use those ovens as much we use microwaves.

I defenitly find it back breaking but then again I already have back issues.

wow never thought of this. gud that i asked here. need to consider this too now.

waiting for more ideas/opinions!

[Sehar]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

We recently built a house too. The microwave should be above the counter top or hanging down under a cabinet, we didn't consider it like the pic above as it seemed impractical. Like Sajal said, you use your microwave a lot more than the oven...and that's a lot of bending putting food in and taking it out. Plus the kid factor, you can stop your kid, but at dawats, these random toddlers are going to be pushing the buttons like there's no tomorrow.

[TLK]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

Sehar and Sajal made some valid points.

[Muzna]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

I would find the microwave very difficult to use in this position.
I am the only person in my small family that uses the regular oven -- perhaps 4 or 5 times a month whereas all three of us, including my 8 yr old use the microwave several times/day.
If my hubby had to bend to warm his tea or plate of food he would have a conniption.

[Afshi]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

i find the microwave too low and way to easy for kids to have access to it.

why not place the microwave like in the second pic?

[Ramsha]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

I agree as well...I think its too low. Think of having to bend down to pick up hot salan plates. You can try putting the microwave above the stove....get one of those that are also a ventilation system....it'll keep the counters clean and won't take up cabniet space.

[X2]

Roshni, beautiful design first of all and congrats.

On the microwave positioning, from a kids perspective it's fine unless they will start nuking fido in there. I doubt there will be many times that you will have microwave running with some hot stuff inside but not be around and kid gets into it.

The height is really not too bad for putting in and taking out stuff. The bigger pain is that the controls are in the front and not on top like some dishwashers.

Personally I may actually go for it. Because in the balancing of form and function. I will take some inconvenience of use for an open look.

There are many things we pick for looks which really are less practical than other options. Stainless steel appliances for example, atleast in the ones from a few years ago, finger prints were more visible than a generic dishwasher or refrigerator. Wood floor is more work than ceramic tile or linoleum etc.

For appliances if I had to do it over, I would build an appliance garage. Easy reach, hidden away when not in use etc. I may just do something like that and retrofit it in my kitchen.

[Roshni]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

Sehar i want to see ur kitchen, especially microwave how u put in ur new kitchen. is it possible to put a pic here.

thanks

We recently built a house too. The microwave should be above the counter top or hanging down under a cabinet, we didn't consider it like the pic above as it seemed impractical. Like Sajal said, you use your microwave a lot more than the oven...and that's a lot of bending putting food in and taking it out. Plus the kid factor, you can stop your kid, but at dawats, these random toddlers are going to be pushing the buttons like there's no tomorrow.

[Roshni]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

thanks every one. all the kitchen i have seen usually have microwave on bench top. As i have huge walkin pantry, actuall size of my kithen is 4.5*3 plus island bench. its not big as fridge and stove will take 2m, plus sink and dishwasher will take 1.8m and door to pantry will take 0.72m.

[Niksik]

Re: issue with my new kitchen

I hate microwaves above the stove. They get dirty And when you're boiling water for pasta, there's condensation and the water drips back on the stove. Also, if you're cooking and if someone wants to warm something, you have to step aside...very irritating when you're making roti.

So yeah, if I had my way, I'd hide my microwave like yours.