Over the range microwave and offsetting 12” deep wall cabinets

samotlietuvis

Hi Guys,

I am replacing my kitchen cabinets and I want to have an Over The Range microwave (OTR). The aesthetic problem arises from my wall cabinets being 12” deep and OTR being 15” to 16” deep. I have an idea I though I would like bounce through the forum. I am thinking offsetting my wall cabinets by 3” to make the face of the wall cabinet to be 15” from the wall so it is flush with OTR.

My plan is to screw a 2x4 with 3.5” side facing the drywall into the studs using 3.5” drywall screw that I would countersink 0.25”. I would get 1.75” stud penetration (my drywall is 0.5” thick). Then on top of the first 2x4, I would screw another one in using 3” drywall screw, and my total offset = 3” (2x1.5”=3” since width of 2x4 = 1.5”). I would run this “double stack” 2x4 in two rows-> one on the bottom of wall cabinets and another on the top of wall cabinets, and screw my cabinets to the two rows of 2x4. Will my idea work, and will it be structurally sound? Is there a simpler way to achieve 3” offset? I don’t do this for living, but I am an engineer, and I love simplicity .

Another question I have is if 19” above the stove is enough distance for OTR? My wall cabinets will be 19” above countertop and I want OTR to be flush with wall cabinets. I researched the topic enough but I did not get a conclusive answer; there is no safety code to follow as far as I can tell. 19” above the countertop puts OTR bottom at 19+36=55” above the countertop, and OTR center at 55+16/2=63” (5’3”). Assuming that human eyes are 4” below our height, 5’7” person will be looking straight into the middle of OTR, which sounds good to me. Does this make sense?

Thanks, Tomas

mossypath

I think that if you hold the cabinets away from the wall you will find that you have created problems in other places. How are you going to give a finished look to the cabinet wall intersection behind the cabinets. will have to make a false plate behind the microwave . for support, wall cabinets will seem to close and using the countertop will seam awkward. Will this affect any other wall? If so you will be losing 6” in your corners

samotlietuvis

mossypath, thanks for the advice. I am definatelly overthinking and trying to create more problems . The more I think about it, the more I am going away from my over-complication, and going away from OTR. After researching about OTR on this forum, I decided that it is actually not a good idea. I have plenty on countertop space to put an microwave. Why hang it?

gregzoll

When you want a OTR mic, you have to order the cabinets for that wall deeper, or you get what you got, and just deal with it.

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Ron6519

There are minimum distances from the stove top listed in the directions and online for OTC microwaves. Just follow those.

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