Onoff Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 (edited) Evening, what's the thoughts on clearance all round on an enclosed shelf for raising a 700W microwave up in the air to give more worktop space? Thinking to construct from white painted flooring grade chipboard with stained wood trim. Bit hesitant about drilling the wall as rented student accommodation etc. Edited September 21, 2017 by Onoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asklair Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Looking good, what about the ventilation on top of microwave, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crofter Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I don't suppose the microwave could go *in* the wall unit? If you took a door off? In my experience students plan their shopping about fifteen minutes ahead, so won't need all that cupboard space anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 20, 2017 Author Share Posted September 20, 2017 13 minutes ago, asklair said: Looking good, what about the ventilation on top of microwave, Hence the question about how much clearance is wise to leave all round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 20, 2017 Author Share Posted September 20, 2017 10 minutes ago, Crofter said: I don't suppose the microwave could go *in* the wall unit? If you took a door off? In my experience students plan their shopping about fifteen minutes ahead, so won't need all that cupboard space anyway. Cupboards full of crackers, tins of tuna, cereal etc. Wouldn't fancy it that high tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Students use cupboards for the first week of the academic year, and then avoid using them. Theft. You might as well give your child a small (micro) fridge for use in the bedroom. No matter how well behaved your child is, communal student living always results in high stress levels and defensive behaviour. Normal family rules do not apply. Even if every single student in a 'landing' is well behaved and considerate, just one coked-up eejit arriving after a party is enough to precipitate a race to the bottom in terms of behaviour. Bread in the wardrobe, milk on the window cill, mayo (you cant squeeze butter) somewhere under the bed where it slipped after last nights bout of kung-fu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Take a rain check on how carefully the properties are inspected. Offspring could get stung for the full cost of restitution. Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 1 hour ago, recoveringacademic said: precipitate a race to the bottom in terms of behaviour So true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crofter Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 1 hour ago, recoveringacademic said: Students use cupboards for the first week of the academic year, and then avoid using them. Theft. You might as well give your child a small (micro) fridge for use in the bedroom. No matter how well behaved your child is, communal student living always results in high stress levels and defensive behaviour. Normal family rules do not apply. Even if every single student in a 'landing' is well behaved and considerate, just one coked-up eejit arriving after a party is enough to precipitate a race to the bottom in terms of behaviour. Bread in the wardrobe, milk on the window cill, mayo (you cant squeeze butter) somewhere under the bed where it slipped after last nights bout of kung-fu. Agree with this but isn't @Onoff's sprog living on their own? Still think half of one cupboard will be plenty. As a carless student you tend to shop little and often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oranjeboom Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Is this a private uni rental or onsite de facto uni digs? If the latter, they may have their SOPs etc when it comes to kitchen alterations etc. Not sure if they have regular 'inspections'? But yes, having the m/w on a shelf rather than partly on that draining board would be a whole lot safer, free up space etc. You can also get these mesh shelves - more air circulation: http://www.shop-equip.com/wire-wall-shelf.htm. Probably also worth putting up a notice on the m/w "I need ventilation - Do not place chopping boards etc on top of me". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 Every wall in the flat has signs of being previously drilled for brackets or whatever and has been very badly filled and not painted over. I'm going to re-mastic all the worktop edges etc. Just looks tatty and is a breeding ground for germs. The temptation is to balance the kettle or toaster on the microwave. I really don't want anything toppling into the sink. Anything I do will be ideally easily removeable and tbh will only add to the useability and safety of the place. Again, ideally, I'd drill the wall above where the sockets are but want to try and avoid that for various reasons (noise, hitting something). Thus the "shelf" will likely be on a leg (s). Tbh was even considering a line of Sika bond to the wall backing it up though that's a bit permanent. Maybe one leg, Sika on the back and a few screws to the u/side of the cupboard. Do it and argue the toss later on the grounds of safety. As an aside the supplied broken desk chair we've noted on the inventory has yet to be replaced. Fairly fundemental I'd say to sitting at a desk to work. Btw, he's yet to go out on the lash there. Not your typical fresher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 35 minutes ago, Onoff said: [...] Btw, he's yet to go out on the lash there. Not your typical fresher. And it was precisely that 'sort' of student who regularly would sit in my office and describe how others had misbehaved and caused misery at many different levels. As far as HEIs are concerned, students are classified as adults and are therefore deemed responsible people. We regularly hear of 'uncaring HEIs' on Radio 4 - not caring about the mental health of undergrads: "How dare HEIs talk of the Data Protection Act" I heard the other day (R4 Consumer Program). On many occasions I would -when all other avenues had been tried and exhausted- talk informally to family, parents or guardians to find a way through a delicate impasse. And sometimes the delicate issue was parent-related. @Onoff, be careful what you do if it's university property - or even University Approved accommodation . There will be a proper mechanism for asking the Uni Estates Office for repairs. And if you can get the issue classified as H&S-related then you can expect prompt action. The SU will (may) have an Accommodations Officer: take any action through them and or the university Accommodations Office (or whatever they call it). If that fails, then do something..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Be a bit careful about asking the uni people as they may come in and just slap a blanket ban on microwaves - happened in our daughters hall kitchen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 50 minutes ago, MikeSharp01 said: Be a bit careful about asking the uni people as they may come in and just slap a blanket ban on microwaves - happened in our daughters hall kitchen! The microwave was supplied by the uni and on the inventory. Along with the exposed element kettle and broken, sparking toaster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Your OK then, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 I have got to ask, Why does it need to be fixed to anything, could you not just cut down the legs off a side table and sit that on the counter with the microwave on top? fixing anything to the wall units is just asking for trouble IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 4 minutes ago, Construction Channel said: I have got to ask, Why does it need to be fixed to anything, could you not just cut down the legs off a side table and sit that on the counter with the microwave on top? fixing anything to the wall units is just asking for trouble IMO Wait till you've been married 25 years and you'll be gagging to get out to a freezing cold patio, in the dark and rain and play with power tools! You know my motto; "Not should I but can I?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 fair enough, I just wondered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 40 minutes ago, Construction Channel said: fair enough, I just wondered Think about it, if I had somewhere warm and dry to work she'd come in, hover and "want to talk"! Ditto if I finished anything I'd have to come inside and again "talk". Nope, I'm quite happy veering off into yet another unfinished project territory. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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