In the US, the latest 2023 NEC code no longer requires outlets in islands, but provision for them has to be made (junction box underneath). And no more outlets in the ends allowed. Too many kids getting burned pulling appliances off of islands by the cords. But very few jurisdictions have adopted that code yet, so for now mostly required.
Recycle idea - maybe a trash pull out with 2 bins. One for trash the other a TEMPORARY spot for recycling that when you carry out your trash you could also pick up the recycling bin to wherever you have your sorted recycling. I actually keep all my paper recycling in dishpans that perfectly fit the drawers if a wardrobe in my foyer. Behind the door is a shredder. Unshredded paper goes in the drawers. I used to have to sort newspaper from glossy magazines and white office paper so the drawers worked great and I just pulled the dishpans out when it was time to take things to the local recycling center. My mail is delivered to the house and this sits just inside the front door. Because I no longer have to separate types of paper I have extra room now, so I’m thinking of moving the cardboard/boxboard recycling from the kitchen to here, but I still have other items in the kitchen I’d need to find a place for.
17:08 You're right, Maggie. I'm car-shopping and tired of explaining my preference for a manual (there are advantages to a manual that you lose with an automatic), so when asked now, I just say I need the exercise.
51:15 A base cabinet microwave solves the "where do I put it?" problem, but where do i put the things that would otherwise be stored in that cabinet? Bending down to see the controls? Bending down to access the oven cavity? Haven't even gotten to cleaning it. My countertop microwave is 2.66 square feet and with the wasted space around it in actual use it comes closer to 3.5 or 4 square feet. A substantial chunk of real estate when total countertop space is less than 17 square feet. Putting Chef Mike in a loft apartment over the cooktop is the only solution I see.
18:28 To Pete Rossmiller and MTKD: There is an obvious solution here. Use 2x4s as risers, add a trim strip to the toe kicks. Low cost, eliminates the need for custom counters, and I'll bet you'll appreciate not having to stoop quite so low to reach the bottom of the cabinets and drawers. When you move it would be a convenience/economy for subsequent owners to just remove the risers.
The light bulb in the garbage disposal is a garbage idea. But to clean and dodorize you can use a couple cups of ice cubes combined with things like rock salt, baking soda, lemon slice, etc. I use the ice with baking soda method, it works great. I also find there's much less odor since I started using Mrs Meyer's with baking soda dish soap.
"Why would you install an OTR microwave somewhere else?" I wondered this until I discovered that OTR microwaves typically last 30% less than countertop/built-ins. Even though they're designed to go over the range, the heat and grime really take their toll.
I have a work project at a Home Depot store (in addition to my little Norwegian Elkhound loves the HD people and meeting the other canine customers) so I'm finding that I spend a fair amount of time and money there. I have been haunting the kitchen displays and I've found that the over-the-fridge and highest row of cabinets are completely inaccessible to a person of my average (five-foot-eight) height. It would be helpful if displays included some of the pull-out and pull-down shelving options.
I have no problem getting attention from the service staff at HD. Half the staff ask me if I'm finding everything all right, half the staff greets my dog (sociable little fellow, and when I'm out and about without him, everybody asks, "Where's (How's) 'Dash?") and the cashier has milk bones in her till. Baldurdash, of course, loves the place.
I found you a little late bc I am building in my Country Ecuador but I live in CT, Stamford is hard no to be present. I suscribe love the content of your videos.
My former employer redid the company kitchen and took out the stove but added multiple OTR’s in upper cabinets so there were plenty of MW’s for employees at lunch time. Not sure why they didn’t do built ins or countertop styles installed in cabinets.
Just finished watching. I considered putting a microwave in my island, then it ended it being in a base cabinet by the fridge, then shoulder height by the fridge (someone told me shoulder height), then I decided to give up on it. The idea of putting a MW lower appeals to me, but bending over to clean it will not work for me. The pop out MW are way too expensive, but would be easer to clean. Then the MW was placed shoulder height next to the fridge in our design, but I didn't like the look of it in a cabinet (similar to the photo you showed in this segment). I think its because of the window location and fridge location to the window, so putting an upper there makes it off balance visually. There is a shorter run from the fridge to the window, than from the corner wall to the opposite side of the window. Threw it all off. Now its going on the counter which Im not liking either. The one we have it big. We really dont need one that big, so Im going to downsize it eventually. We use ours a lot. I haven't seen Ikeas thin fridge, but someone posted on TT she lives here from the UK and posted things that are different. She mentioned how massive our refrigerators are compared to the ones in the UK. I mean if theirs are so small, do they not have left over's, big families, etc?
I think that shopping daily (or at the very least, several times per week) is more common in Europe than it is in the US. Also, fewer people have cars. If you can't reasonably transport 7 bags of groceries back to your house/apartment, then you're not going to buy 7 bags. If it doesn't take you 20+ minutes to drive each way in no traffic to get to where you want to shop, but 10 minutes to walk there at any time of day, shopping more frequently isn't an issue. We're also a lot more willing to accept lower quality produce in the US than Europe has traditionally been-- so, we buy tomatoes that are nowhere near ripe and don't taste like tomatoes, ditto strawberries, etc. If you want to get nice, ripe tomatoes, you have to buy them when they're ripe and use them immediately, which means you don't need places to store them. Basically, I think there are a lot of reasons why we have big refrigerators and Europe tends to have small ones.
Knives LOL: I have had knives in the second drawer down and the wraps and baggies in the third for over 10 years. We bought a second house in another town where our son lives, and he put wraps in second and knives in third. I would always try the wrong drawer first, whichever house I was in, so I swapped mine out to match his. Still guess wrong half the time.
@jackieofalltrades We're building our own custom range hood. I'm not paying $1,500 to over $3,000 for a hood. It did take me some time to find plans that we will have to customize a bit. There are a few videos on YT too. There just isn't much out there honestly. Took me a while to find it.
Could a MW drawer be installed in a cabinet beneath a cooktop? A single drawer DW? Just wondering if there is a way to double up appliances within the same footprint.
I didn’t know people didn’t have garbage disposals! I live in Southern California. It seems like every house has one. What happens if some food gets down the sink?
Hey Mark, I'm interested in getting porcelain countertops. I don't understand why no one in my area does them. I was hoping you could shine a light on that for me. Thank you Confused and frustrated.
Not exactly sure, but here's what I think is the reason. Quartz has so dominated the market in North America (assuming you are in North America) and most fabricators are not equipped to handle and install porcelain. I can get you in touch with the rep for Infinity Surfaces if you wish. send me an email mark@mtkd.ca
Re: the OTR turned OTC story...I thought it was brilliant, esp if the client invested in a nice range hood. Then the stove would be vented but the microwave doesn't need to be too low nor take up counter space. The OTR fan never needs to be used. It's just a mounted microwave, right? Is there cost difference from mounting a countertop microwave? Also, thinking back to the gas range by an open window...when we lived in th desert, our range was at least 3 feet from the window. Normally it was fine, but when the winds got stronger, it definitely affected the flame, either by pushing it or blowing it out. Just be mindful of it while cooking. Move papers sitting nearby which could be blown into the flame? Close the window?
@@MTKDofficial Oh, both times I looked were later than that. How long does it take for you to post it to the channel? I suspect I looked after the livestream was done but before the video was posted to the channel.
I go to HomeDepot only if I know exactly what I want and where it is in the store. Otherwise I go to one or the other of two independent hardware stores close to where I live.
When we finally get around to remodeling our kitchen, I just can't bare the thought of blocking off the corner. We understand the difficulties with accessibility and will do our best to address that issue, but to just block it off doesn't seem reasonable. I don't like OTR microwaves either. Even though I'm fairly tall it is just very awkward to pull full dishes out of them. I have never used an under the counter drawer type microwave but the ones I've seen on line look very low. Again, I'm tall and this just doesn't appeal to me. Not to mention that my kitchen is so small I'm not sure I could give up cabinet space to accommodate a microwave drawer. I have a countertop microwave and i like the level it is at and I have it in the one corner of my kitchen (which right now is a counter hight water heater that will have to find a new home) so it isn't taking up space I would use for anything else.
Hey Teresa! Thanks so much for the input. I really appreciate you watching! I never thought that blocking a corner was a good idea either. But I also put OTR's in every kitchen I sold for a decade. lol. The main thing is to get the most functional kitchen for you!
I recently walked in a store to buy an expensive sewing machine. I was ripe for the picking! I walked in when they were opening. No one was there. When salespeople walked in, no one said anything to me. Three women came in after me and they all got served. After several minutes, I realized their customer service sucked. I really didn't want to deal with these people in the future so I left and will not buy that brand of sewing machine. They really lost a commission.
Hey Richard! Cool to hear that you're a designer and even cooler that you block off corners. lol. Thanks so much for being a subscriber. Hopefully you can catch a live stream sometime and we can get your input on things!
In the US, the latest 2023 NEC code no longer requires outlets in islands, but provision for them has to be made (junction box underneath). And no more outlets in the ends allowed. Too many kids getting burned pulling appliances off of islands by the cords. But very few jurisdictions have adopted that code yet, so for now mostly required.
That's great input. I'll check up on that too.
Recycle idea - maybe a trash pull out with 2 bins. One for trash the other a TEMPORARY spot for recycling that when you carry out your trash you could also pick up the recycling bin to wherever you have your sorted recycling. I actually keep all my paper recycling in dishpans that perfectly fit the drawers if a wardrobe in my foyer. Behind the door is a shredder. Unshredded paper goes in the drawers. I used to have to sort newspaper from glossy magazines and white office paper so the drawers worked great and I just pulled the dishpans out when it was time to take things to the local recycling center. My mail is delivered to the house and this sits just inside the front door. Because I no longer have to separate types of paper I have extra room now, so I’m thinking of moving the cardboard/boxboard recycling from the kitchen to here, but I still have other items in the kitchen I’d need to find a place for.
17:08 You're right, Maggie.
I'm car-shopping and tired of explaining my preference for a manual (there are advantages to a manual that you lose with an automatic), so when asked now, I just say I need the exercise.
Worth catching replay…I was late to live stream….recovering from covid well…keep up good work Tobin crew…we need you and Gammy too💐💐💐👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Happy birthday Jackie!
51:15 A base cabinet microwave solves the "where do I put it?" problem, but where do i put the things that would otherwise be stored in that cabinet? Bending down to see the controls? Bending down to access the oven cavity? Haven't even gotten to cleaning it.
My countertop microwave is 2.66 square feet and with the wasted space around it in actual use it comes closer to 3.5 or 4 square feet. A substantial chunk of real estate when total countertop space is less than 17 square feet.
Putting Chef Mike in a loft apartment over the cooktop is the only solution I see.
18:28 To Pete Rossmiller and MTKD: There is an obvious solution here. Use 2x4s as risers, add a trim strip to the toe kicks. Low cost, eliminates the need for custom counters, and I'll bet you'll appreciate not having to stoop quite so low to reach the bottom of the cabinets and drawers.
When you move it would be a convenience/economy for subsequent owners to just remove the risers.
The light bulb in the garbage disposal is a garbage idea. But to clean and dodorize you can use a couple cups of ice cubes combined with things like rock salt, baking soda, lemon slice, etc. I use the ice with baking soda method, it works great. I also find there's much less odor since I started using Mrs Meyer's with baking soda dish soap.
"Why would you install an OTR microwave somewhere else?"
I wondered this until I discovered that OTR microwaves typically last 30% less than countertop/built-ins. Even though they're designed to go over the range, the heat and grime really take their toll.
I have a work project at a Home Depot store (in addition to my little Norwegian Elkhound loves the HD people and meeting the other canine customers) so I'm finding that I spend a fair amount of time and money there.
I have been haunting the kitchen displays and I've found that the over-the-fridge and highest row of cabinets are completely inaccessible to a person of my average (five-foot-eight) height.
It would be helpful if displays included some of the pull-out and pull-down shelving options.
I have no problem getting attention from the service staff at HD. Half the staff ask me if I'm finding everything all right, half the staff greets my dog (sociable little fellow, and when I'm out and about without him, everybody asks, "Where's (How's) 'Dash?") and the cashier has milk bones in her till.
Baldurdash, of course, loves the place.
I found you a little late bc I am building in my Country Ecuador but I live in CT, Stamford is hard no to be present. I suscribe love the content of your videos.
Thanks so much for watching! Good luck with the build!!
My former employer redid the company kitchen and took out the stove but added multiple OTR’s in upper cabinets so there were plenty of MW’s for employees at lunch time. Not sure why they didn’t do built ins or countertop styles installed in cabinets.
Hi from Fresno California
Great
Just finished watching. I considered putting a microwave in my island, then it ended it being in a base cabinet by the fridge, then shoulder height by the fridge (someone told me shoulder height), then I decided to give up on it. The idea of putting a MW lower appeals to me, but bending over to clean it will not work for me. The pop out MW are way too expensive, but would be easer to clean. Then the MW was placed shoulder height next to the fridge in our design, but I didn't like the look of it in a cabinet (similar to the photo you showed in this segment). I think its because of the window location and fridge location to the window, so putting an upper there makes it off balance visually. There is a shorter run from the fridge to the window, than from the corner wall to the opposite side of the window. Threw it all off. Now its going on the counter which Im not liking either. The one we have it big. We really dont need one that big, so Im going to downsize it eventually. We use ours a lot.
I haven't seen Ikeas thin fridge, but someone posted on TT she lives here from the UK and posted things that are different. She mentioned how massive our refrigerators are compared to the ones in the UK. I mean if theirs are so small, do they not have left over's, big families, etc?
I think that shopping daily (or at the very least, several times per week) is more common in Europe than it is in the US. Also, fewer people have cars. If you can't reasonably transport 7 bags of groceries back to your house/apartment, then you're not going to buy 7 bags. If it doesn't take you 20+ minutes to drive each way in no traffic to get to where you want to shop, but 10 minutes to walk there at any time of day, shopping more frequently isn't an issue. We're also a lot more willing to accept lower quality produce in the US than Europe has traditionally been-- so, we buy tomatoes that are nowhere near ripe and don't taste like tomatoes, ditto strawberries, etc. If you want to get nice, ripe tomatoes, you have to buy them when they're ripe and use them immediately, which means you don't need places to store them.
Basically, I think there are a lot of reasons why we have big refrigerators and Europe tends to have small ones.
Knives LOL: I have had knives in the second drawer down and the wraps and baggies in the third for over 10 years. We bought a second house in another town where our son lives, and he put wraps in second and knives in third. I would always try the wrong drawer first, whichever house I was in, so I swapped mine out to match his. Still guess wrong half the time.
@jackieofalltrades We're building our own custom range hood. I'm not paying $1,500 to over $3,000 for a hood. It did take me some time to find plans that we will have to customize a bit. There are a few videos on YT too. There just isn't much out there honestly. Took me a while to find it.
Could a MW drawer be installed in a cabinet beneath a cooktop? A single drawer DW? Just wondering if there is a way to double up appliances within the same footprint.
I believe so. It all depends on the appliance specs, but I'm sure this would be totally doable.
I didn’t know people didn’t have garbage disposals! I live in Southern California. It seems like every house has one. What happens if some food gets down the sink?
They are not very popular where I live either. No-one I know has one.
Over the range microwave
The thing about the OTR microwave that bothers me the most is the risk of dropping a heavy dish onto my glass cooktop.
Yeah, that could be pretty bad, even if it wasn't a glass top.
Hey Mark, I'm interested in getting porcelain countertops. I don't understand why no one in my area does them. I was hoping you could shine a light on that for me. Thank you Confused and frustrated.
Not exactly sure, but here's what I think is the reason. Quartz has so dominated the market in North America (assuming you are in North America) and most fabricators are not equipped to handle and install porcelain. I can get you in touch with the rep for Infinity Surfaces if you wish.
send me an email mark@mtkd.ca
Re: the OTR turned OTC story...I thought it was brilliant, esp if the client invested in a nice range hood. Then the stove would be vented but the microwave doesn't need to be too low nor take up counter space. The OTR fan never needs to be used. It's just a mounted microwave, right? Is there cost difference from mounting a countertop microwave?
Also, thinking back to the gas range by an open window...when we lived in th desert, our range was at least 3 feet from the window. Normally it was fine, but when the winds got stronger, it definitely affected the flame, either by pushing it or blowing it out. Just be mindful of it while cooking. Move papers sitting nearby which could be blown into the flame? Close the window?
I'm a little on the fence with the OTC idea. Maybe I'm just scared to admit that it might be a good idea lol
Urg! Missed the livestream.
We'll give you a pass this time. lol
What time did you start this? I checked 2 different times yesterday to catch you live and found nothing.
Really? Shoot. Well, it starts at 7PM (EST). Not sure why you could see it. hmmm
@@MTKDofficial Oh, both times I looked were later than that. How long does it take for you to post it to the channel? I suspect I looked after the livestream was done but before the video was posted to the channel.
Please accept my belated best wishes for your birthday. May you be blessed with health and hapiness in the coming year.
Hey! Thanks so much! I really appreciate the comment!
I go to HomeDepot only if I know exactly what I want and where it is in the store. Otherwise I go to one or the other of two independent hardware stores close to where I live.
Yeah, I find the local stores have great customer service overall. I think it's part of the culture of local establishments.
When we finally get around to remodeling our kitchen, I just can't bare the thought of blocking off the corner. We understand the difficulties with accessibility and will do our best to address that issue, but to just block it off doesn't seem reasonable. I don't like OTR microwaves either. Even though I'm fairly tall it is just very awkward to pull full dishes out of them. I have never used an under the counter drawer type microwave but the ones I've seen on line look very low. Again, I'm tall and this just doesn't appeal to me. Not to mention that my kitchen is so small I'm not sure I could give up cabinet space to accommodate a microwave drawer. I have a countertop microwave and i like the level it is at and I have it in the one corner of my kitchen (which right now is a counter hight water heater that will have to find a new home) so it isn't taking up space I would use for anything else.
Hey Teresa! Thanks so much for the input. I really appreciate you watching!
I never thought that blocking a corner was a good idea either. But I also put OTR's in every kitchen I sold for a decade. lol. The main thing is to get the most functional kitchen for you!
I recently walked in a store to buy an expensive sewing machine. I was ripe for the picking! I walked in when they were opening. No one was there. When salespeople walked in, no one said anything to me. Three women came in after me and they all got served. After several minutes, I realized their customer service sucked. I really didn't want to deal with these people in the future so I left and will not buy that brand of sewing machine. They really lost a commission.
Hi mark, can you help design kitchens
For sure. Check out my website. mtkd(dot)ca
What is an OTR?
Over The Range (microwave)
I am a designer at home depot. The other desgner gives me grief when I block off a corner.
Hey Richard! Cool to hear that you're a designer and even cooler that you block off corners. lol. Thanks so much for being a subscriber. Hopefully you can catch a live stream sometime and we can get your input on things!
Closed kitchen! Open doorways but with walls. Don’t like everything open to living area.
Year later….voting closed kitchen
What is an OTR?
Over the range microwave
@@richardvasquez4079 Where God intends it to be.