New kitchen planning: microwave essential?

[BellaJeanB]

Hi all, I'm currently planning my new kitchen and because it's on the smaller side I can't have everything :(( ;-)
I might have to give up my microwave (because I want to have a larger fridge, and a larder cabinet). Do you think I will regret that?
I don't use it often, only occasionally, mainly to warm up leftovers..

I use mine loads, it's in a larder cupboard along with the dual airfryer which I also use loads.

At the risk of sounding a bit silly, where it's stored in a cupboard, do you use in there or lift out to the worktop when needed?!

I use mine in the cupboard.
The microwave has space around it where it vents.
The airfryer I pull to the front of the cupboard.
I'd never use either with the cupboard door shut.

We use ours regularly as I batch cook for usually three nights at a time then reheat. I also use it for jacket potatoes so I don't need to run the oven as long.

I was going to say get a double microwave oven.
My Friends have one. The top is microwave and grill and the bottom is an oven.

I wpuldnt be wothout my microwave - its just sooooo handy

I could have one of the above oven kind as I have an under counter cooker.

Instead we got a top cupboard with the built in space for a microwave. I have a really basic cookology one. It's not massive it suits our needs, just check your plate sizes!

It still has a small cupboard above it which is handy for spices, oils etc. Like this

Thanks!!

I suppose the only possible amswer to the original question is that no, a microwave isn't "essential". But alternative methods of reheating batch cooked meals or leftovers will either involve the oven (e.g., reheating lasagne, cottage pie) which takes much longer and uses more energy, or the hob, which would require that the components of a meal either be stirred up together or reheated separately, which results in loads more washing up.

For me, a microwave in the kitchen is essential in the same sense that a hot tap is essential. Yes, I could take a washing up bowl to the bathroom and get hot water from the tap there, or use the kettle to get hot water, but it would be SUCH a pain!

I haven't had one for about 15 years. Don't miss it at all.

I think you’re either a use-it-lots or heat-up-leftovers kind of microwave user. I wouldn’t overthink it!

I never use a microwave

i heat leftovers up on the hob, in a non stick pan

I think it depends how much you use it now. I use ours multiple times every day to heat up leftovers or soup, make scrambled eggs or beans on toast, reheat my cold tea/coffee, quickly cook veg sides like peas or steamed veg. When it broke I replaced it the same day.

But my sister doesn't have one and can't see why anyone would 🤷🏼‍♀️ different strokes for different folks

In our last kitchen we had a single Neff oven with a built in Neff oven/grill microwave above.

I have a built in microwave and it's brilliant! I also have a boiling water tap so no kettle and that's brilliant as well. I know they're both a bit more money but worth every penny.

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits Thank you! Your kitchen looks beautiful!!

We tried without one inbetween them for awhile....we did miss it so got another.There was lots of little things which were so much more faffy to do other ways without it.

Thank you all very much for your replies and pics! It's really helpful!! I will mull it over.

I use mine loads. So it's a must have for me. Only you know if you'll miss having one!

It's very energy efficient, and saves on washing up if you heat something up in the bowl you'll eat it out of vs heating in a saucepan on the hob and then transferring to a bowl.