apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would just unplug everything and try to take it apart. I'm sure none of the wires from the microwave connect to the wires from stove. But if they do I would just cut the wires and put a wire nut/electrical tape on the end of the wires and turn it back on to make sure nothing stopped working. However, I am more willing to do my own electrical work than most people.

By the time you pull out that old stove to disconnect the support wall for the microwave, you may want to purchase a new stove.

A couple of things, based on your comments:

The microwave control panel is how you turn on the light for the oven and above the stove, and there's also a timer function (though it never worked) so that's why we're worried about the connections between the oven/stove and the micro. But if it's just wires...

And yeah, we thought about just getting a new stove. But as so many of the readers of this site are, we are on a budget. Plus we'd actually like to remodel the entire kitchen, and so we were hoping to wait and do it all in one big piece...

But please keep your advice and comments coming!

thanks

julie

there is a regulation on how much space is between stovetop and anything above it - microwave, exhaust fan, etc. if you put anything there afterwards, keep that in mind. current setup looks rather unsafe.

i would contact the manufacturer with your model # and ask for technical support or the old manual. that should have useful info on how connected the two are (i don't see how they ARE connected - unless there's wires going down some back panel?). an electrician could also investigate.

if i were you, i'd get a new range and exhaust fan now and just use those whenever you renovate the kitchen.

good luck!

We have a stove kind of like this except its actually another oven on top not a microwave, it seemed like a good idea at the time but it works like garbage. Anyway our stove also had the option of a microwave on top instead, the thing was definitely built in a compartmental way. For us the oven light and a timer knob/clock are also on the top so you'd obviously lose that unless you installed the switch somewhere else which is probably more that you want to get into. You'll lose your fluorescent backlight too. If you don't care about the lights fine but my primary concern would be if you have electronic ignition rather than pilot lights (we do). I have no idea how the wiring for that is connected so you might make your stove/oven unusable. My solution...clean it out and use it as a cabinet, that is where we keep all our baking sheets/racks. If you want to pull it apart be prepared to buy a new one if you screw it up or hire an electrician/handyman for the electrical part.

Don't listen to anyone who tells you to just get in there and start taking it apart and cutting wires, unless you've got the time and money to replace the entire unit. I like the professional electrician recommendation.

The electrician idea sounds good, guys. Thanks for the suggestions. I was of the mind to just get in there and do it myself, but Hubby disagrees and I guess he -- and the rest of you -- are right.

And for anyone considering buying such a unit -- if they even exist anymore: it sucks to have the micro on top. It makes the back two burners quite inconvenient (you can't really look in the top of any pot or pan), and you can't stir anything with a long wooden spoon because it bumps against the micro. And cooking splatters get all over the bottom of the micro. It stinks.

julie

...plus, if you're short like me, you have to pull hot things out of the micro above your head. scary.

On buying new appliances: Friends of ours went to a Sears Outlet and got a number of new (dinged floor model discontinued) appliances for half or more off normal price. Also, make sure your new appliance (microwave, etc.) warranty is 5 years. Without a warranty, the cost of repair pretty much ensures it's more cost effective to replace than repair. That is such a frustrating decision to have to make: conserve vs. consume.

We had a broken microwave and refrigerator that were both under original 5 year warranty and therefore didn't have to pay at all for repair. (Kenmore).

And I'd have an electrician handle it.

If you're replacing with an above stove mounted microwave, and paying (or getting "free delivery and haul away") delivery/install from the store, they can usually take care of all of that, rather than you having to pay a separate electrician. You can price all those options out ahead of time before proceeding with whatever plan you choose.

Julie, just wanted to say I feel for you! My Brooklyn apartment came with a stove, dishwasher, oven combo. As you say, I could hardly reach the back burners because the oven was in the way.

The dishwasher was broken for 2 years and it had a problem with smelling very bad so I had to scrub and bleach it even after it broke. I'd been considering replacing just the diswasher part. But, then, the oven caught on fire. That pushed me bit the bullet on my budget and replace the whole unit. It was over 15 years old and needed to go.

I had this in a condo I bought and got rid of it after the microwave handle broke on a tenant. I replaced it with Kenmore appliances that I got from a woman in LA who was moving into a new home. She had all the manuals and kept it all very clean. I got a good deal just looking on Craigslist and it made a huge difference in the condo. I encourage you to look on craigslist--we listed my mom's appliances when we redid her kitchen and someone got a very nice KitchenAid cooktop for CHEEEEAP!

I've seen ads in the local newspaper circulars for the identical stove/oven thingy that is my apartment. It is only $300 and I love it. It is just 4 gas burners and an oven in white- fresh, clean, simple. The most basics of basics. You are better off getting a new stove and not wasting any time or money on the POS you have there. I hate those things, whoever invented them should be hung up by his toes and beaten.

you're going to save so much money on gas/electric bills when you finally decide to renovate. i would just live with it until you can afford to replace the whole thing. have fun saving money! it'll be worth it in the end.

I tried searching online for you, all I came up with is a suggestion to unscrew the light panel under the microwave, and that somehow might expose other fastenings, or allow the microwave to slide out/off.

If you do manage to remove the microwave, at Home Depot and other appliance stores you can get microwave/range hood combos. They're less than $200, take up half the vertical space of your current microwave

I second the electrician advice, since there are unknowns...

As for a new one, I agree with ohjodi...I just bought a GE SpaceSaver Above-the-Range (range-hood combo) microwave for less than 300 bucks at Home Depot (internet special). You'll have much more headroom above the range and can keep your counter space!