Ferdinand Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 This seems difficult. I need to replace a built-in microwave in my kitchen. The existing one is a Baumatic (brand not relevant really) stainless steel finish model, which appears actually to be a freestanding microwave on a pair of tracks in the mounting kit. Microwave dimensions: 508W x 285H (310 if you include the feet) x 420D. Hole Dimensions: 600W unit. 450H hole. There is a front surround plate which has a hole of size 520W x 290H. I have some up and down adjustment in the existing mounting kit. My ideal solution will be a simple microwave which matches the hole in the front surround in stainless steel. How do I find one to match? I had a conversation with my usual appliance supplier (Appliances Direct), but they could not really help in the showroom and the website is not set up for search by size. Cheers Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Harris Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 I'm afraid this may well be a challenge, as I went through a similar process when trying to buy a matching oven and microwave (two units) that would fit any of the standard tall appliance cabinet options we had available. It seems that oven sizes are reasonably well standardised, but microwaves aren't. I ended up having to take apart and modify a brand new appliance cabinet, rebuilding it to get the shelves in the right place, with a modified filler strip at the top, in order to get the microwave to fit. It wasn't helped by the manufacturers not being that accurate with their dimensions, particularly appliance height. I found the whole thing very frustrating, and spent hours trying to find a combination that would fit neatly, and even then ended up with two stainless steel models from the same manufacturer that don't have exactly matching styles, as that was the only way to get a pair that would fit. I sent back two microwaves, because their actual dimensions didn't match the stated dimensions (both from Appliances Direct, by coincidence). I think all you can do is trawl around kitchen showrooms with a tape measure and see what the real fitted height is of all those you can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Have a look at commercial stuff, it costs more, but is generally better and simpler to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Try IKEA - they have 3 or 4 that are not cheap but are very good and do different size units. http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/functional/10379/20815/ Most of the built in ones come with their own surrounds etc so matching into an old frame would be nigh on impossible I expect unless it's a direct replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) So first step is probably Ikea or Currys and a tape measure :-) , ordered online so I can send it back! Edited July 8, 2016 by Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Currys had one - a Neff one - when I checked in store last. IKEA have all of theirs and you can get to them to measure properly. We have the Ikea one and I'm really pleased with it - very simple to fit and a 5 year warranty too. Most of their stuff is Whirlpool rebadged from memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, PeterW said: Currys had one - a Neff one - when I checked in store last. IKEA have all of theirs and you can get to them to measure properly. We have the Ikea one and I'm really pleased with it - very simple to fit and a 5 year warranty too. Most of their stuff is Whirlpool rebadged from memory. 2 Ikea ones appear to be the correct size to a smidgeon. Inevitably they are the £450 and £500 versions. !! The commercial option looks interesting. Edited July 8, 2016 by Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share Posted July 8, 2016 Curry have one that looks about right, and 55% off at present. But no mounting kit :-( . Time to visit with my fascia panel to see if it fits, and then to consider commercial. Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 You may want to wait before you buy a generation one microwave oven. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2089181-next-gen-microwave-ovens-are-small-enough-to-sling-on-your-back/ Last paragraph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Hole Dimensions: 600W unit. 450H hole. In case it helps, our Neff (E-Nr H5642N0GB/04) fits in a 600mm wide hole 390mm high hole. Those dims include it's separate bezel so the actual microwave unit is smaller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) I think I have found my microwave, one of these: http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/cooking/microwaves/kenwood-k23mss15-solo-microwave-stainless-steel-10100868-pdt.html Took the fascia plate in, offered up and it works OK. And the feet are in the right place to fit my current rails. But I will need to offset it slightly to allow the door to open comfortably, so have gone for a 30mm narrower width than expected. £150 reduced to £70 and I can get another £10 off by TopCashback, plus paying with Curry's giftcards bought under Morrisons PetrolSaver (7.50 off fuel), with a reward Amex card. 60% off. Cool. If the interface doesn't work well for my mum, I will go for this one, which is more and does widgetty-doodah types of cooking rather than being just a solo, but also fits. http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/cooking/microwaves/kenwood-k23cm13-combination-microwave-mirror-finish-19394353-pdt.html Thanks for the help. Ferdinand Edited July 10, 2016 by Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auchlossen Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I am thinking of using a standard free standing microwave in a cupboard with uplift door. Cost of f-s microwave is 25-50% of built-in models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 12, 2016 Author Share Posted July 12, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryder72 Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Since you hav this resolved now my post is meaningless in a way. It is however worth noting that a built-in microwave is designed to ventilate from the front while freestanding ones ventilate from the top. What Baumatic have done is created a frame to fit a 45cm slot and slotted in a freestanding microwave into this space. The spare space around the microwave is meant to serve the purpose of the ventilation gap. In practise, this is a workaround at best. I have seen blown carcases where humidity from the oven was constantly fitting the shelf above the oven and caused water ingress into the carcase. Further this approach leaves you with a smaller oven than you could fit in using a microwave designed for a 45cm cavity. These are obviously at a much greater cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, ryder72 said: Since you hav this resolved now my post is meaningless in a way. It is however worth noting that a built-in microwave is designed to ventilate from the front while freestanding ones ventilate from the top. What Baumatic have done is created a frame to fit a 45cm slot and slotted in a freestanding microwave into this space. The spare space around the microwave is meant to serve the purpose of the ventilation gap. In practise, this is a workaround at best. I have seen blown carcases where humidity from the oven was constantly fitting the shelf above the oven and caused water ingress into the carcase. Further this approach leaves you with a smaller oven than you could fit in using a microwave designed for a 45cm cavity. These are obviously at a much greater cost. Indeed, and thanks for the reply. Our main cooker is a range (ironically you can see it reflected in the built-in oven door), and we do not use the microwave for anything more than say 10-15 minutes. And the previous one was also a standalone in the cavity :-). Just measured, and the unit has 60-80mm of space each side, and 100mm top and bottom, around the Microwave. The limitation may be on adequate vent-space at the front. The previous one was there for 8 years, though. But at this price it is almost a disposable. To be clear - the Baumatic is the warming drawer, and a separate unit. Ferdinand Edited July 13, 2016 by Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 A bit late but TLC do Baumatic: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Domestic_Index/Baumatic_Microwaves/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 It has always struck me as "poor" that a "built in " microwave is nothing more than a free standing one wioth a front plate put around it. It loks like that rather than a proper built in one. I get the feeling when we come to choose our new kitchen that for the first time have a "built in" microwave, that I am going to be very dissapointed with the offerings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 You could also consider buying a "standard" microwave and then get a purely aesthetic front plate laser or water jet cut to cover the surrounding hole incorporating fixing points, vent slots etc. The finish on the stainless plate is usually bang on and you just peel off the protective film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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