Are 36" Over-The-Range Microwaves even still available?

May 5, 2015 8:29 PM

My house is 10 years old, as is the over-the-range GE Profile microwave we had put in. This evening, it stopped heating. Possibly a diode, possibly a magnetron, possibly not - I'm not an electrician by trade, so who knows. Regardless, I can't seem to find a 36" wide over-the-range microwave for sale or from any manufacturer. My current microwave and the space between the cabinets is that wide, and I'd hate to have something that doesn't look clean in the opening. If I have to replace, what are my options? HALP!
posted by gangsterscience to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Try calling GE and talking to someone. If it can't be fixed, they should give you a discount toward a new microwave (and can tell you what they make that would replace what you have). My built in GE Monogram microwave broke and couldn't be fixed and they offered me a $500 discount toward a new one. Sadly, I had already bought a new one from a local company before I thought to call, so the best they could do is refund the labor for a previous fix that didn't work. Don't be me! Call them first.
posted by cecic at 8:47 PM on May 5, 2015

Here is one. They do seem to be uncommon now.

Edit: And the one I linked to is actually out of stock. Sorry about that.
posted by procrastination at 8:48 PM on May 5, 2015

Best answer: We just replaced our over-the-range microwave less than a week ago. The new one mentioned, in the instructions, something about 'filler panels' for 36" holes. A little bit of searching brings up these, which look pretty good.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:02 PM on May 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Here are some trim kits from GE.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:09 PM on May 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

I have a giant one, functioning, I'm getting rid of. Are you anywhere near Connecticut?
posted by slateyness at 10:25 PM on May 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

One thing you may want to consider is that if you're using your 36 inch stove to its capacity, an over the range microwave is likely to be insufficient to move heat away from the surface. I'd probably toss it and replace with a real ventilation hood.
posted by postel's law at 4:51 AM on May 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'm really concerned about it looking sloppy, so is the Mrs. Trim kits that fit new models are probably the way to go. Especially if they look good... The thing that I have to look out for is finding a trim kit that not only masks the front, but also the sides - we got the staggered cabinet look, so the microwave we have juts out about an extra two inches from the cabinet above.

If I were to end up with one of the GE Profile models like PSA9120SFSS I could get a trim kit JX36BSS that seems to be good enough if not completely flush with the cabinets. This is doable.

I would love a real ventilation hood, but we're talking a considerable reconfiguration of things that is impractical (kitchen backs up to an interior wall, cabinetry overhead, would need to redo backsplash & more) - and I would still need to find a spot for a microwave.
posted by gangsterscience at 6:20 AM on May 6, 2015