Choosing kitchen appliances, including a microwave oven, consumers increasingly prefer more compact, comfortable to use models. Microwave ovens can be either freestanding or built-in - you decide which one to choose. But it is better to choose a place for the equipment in advance. And based on this, you should choose a model. We will tell you how to integrate a microwave, where it is better to place it. It is also important to know how to properly connect the appliance in order to use it conveniently and as safely as possible.
What are microwave ovens
Before proceeding directly to the installation phase, consider what microwave ovens exist. So:
- the simplest microwaves with a minimum set of functions (heating and defrosting);
- Microwave ovens with grilling function;
- convection models that can easily replace your built-in oven.
Choosing a place and method of embedding
The installation method of microwave ovens depends on their type and on the installation site. Today, there are several options for installing a built-in microwave oven. Having familiarized with them, you can determine the place for the appliance.
The traditional and perhaps the most aesthetic installation method is to embed the microwave directly into the kitchen.
A microwave cabinet can be ordered along with kitchen furniture. Or find the right sized cabinet in your existing headset.
In this way, you can place the stove, for example, under the countertop, above the stove, in the upper cabinet or in any other place. The embedded model can also be placed in a niche made of drywall. This type of installation is more time-consuming, preparation for it should begin even during the repair.
The most modern, compact type of installation is placement in a drawer. The appliance body is built directly into the kitchen furniture drawer. To use the microwave, you just need to push it out of the facade. Such placement saves the kitchen space as much as possible, and also ideally disguises the appliance itself.
As for freestanding microwave ovens, there are more options for their installation. The easiest way to put them on a countertop or other flat surface.
But such accommodation often takes up a lot of space, which in the kitchen is sometimes not enough. How to install a microwave, where to put in order to save work space? And most importantly - can a conventional microwave be built into kitchen furniture? We will talk about this below.
In principle, the installation of a conventional microwave oven is possible, but important points should be considered.
The main thing is to ensure proper air circulation so that the microwave oven does not overheat during operation.
If the niche is too narrow, it will be simply impossible to ensure the flow of cold air and the removal of warm air. In the integrated model, this process is carried out through the front panel. Therefore, it does not require gaps in the cabinet. For freestanding electrical appliances - this is the main condition for the proper operation of the device.
In the case of a conventional microwave, the size of the niche directly depends on its size.
For models with convection, the height and width of the niche should be 20 cm greater than the height and width of the furnace, the depth should be 10 cm. For ordinary models, 10 cm from all sides will be sufficient. Choose a place for installation, taking into account the location of a free outlet.
Using an extension cord to connect the equipment to the network is undesirable.
It is not recommended to place the appliance close to the hob, sink, or refrigerator. This can cause it to break. The distance between household appliances should be at least 45 cm.
The process of incorporating a microwave oven
If the place for the device is selected taking into account the above recommendations, you can safely proceed to the installation process itself.
Consider the most common installation instructions. It involves the following steps:
- Carefully inspect the equipment for damage, various defects.
- Find and install the installation section in the operating instructions.
- If a mount is included with the kit, install.
- Make a hole in the wall of the cabinet to provide easy access to the mains during operation.
- Place the device in the cabinet, unplug the cord, insert the power plug into the outlet.
- Install the frame, if it is provided with the equipment for the built-in oven. How to fix it, it will be possible to learn from the instruction manual. In the case of a conventional microwave - no decorative frames. Remember her need for proper heat dissipation.
As you can see, if you analyze all the points, mounting the equipment yourself is quite simple. But if you doubt your abilities, consult a specialist.
Nevertheless, the installation of the microwave oven should be carried out taking into account all recommendations and rules. Then the appliance will work correctly and will serve you for more than one year.