Ever get tired of wrestling with a clunky microwave door, awkwardly trying not to spill your reheated soup all over the place? Enter the drawer microwave—an unsung hero of kitchen design that lets you slide your food in effortlessly without the usual bending, reaching, or awkward balancing act.
Whether you’re pairing it with a sleek electric cooktop or tucking it away in a separate prep area, this game-changing appliance brings a fresh twist to modern kitchens. But let’s be real—not all microwaves are created equal. Some are cheap, some are powerful, and some (like this one) just make life easier. Let’s break it down.
What Is a Drawer Microwave Oven?
Think of a microwave, but make it smarter. Instead of a door that swings open, you get a pull-out drawer where you can slide in oversized plates, deep bowls, and even that ridiculously large casserole dish you only use once a year. Unlike traditional microwaves that blast heat from the sides or back, these bad boys cook everything evenly inside the drawer itself. And the real kicker? They’re surprisingly energy-efficient—some use up to 90% less electricity than your standard microwave. That means you get faster cooking, more space, and a sleeker look, all while saving on your energy bill. Oh, and if you’re short on storage? These microwaves can double as a sneaky little cabinet when not in use.
Benefits of Drawer Microwave Oven
Drawer microwave ovens are a sort of stainless steel microwaves that can be built under the kitchen counter and drawers. Just like any other modern kitchen appliance, drawer microwaves come with their own distinct advantages.
1. Convenient
Nobody wants their kitchen to look like a chaotic mess of appliances. Drawer microwaves slide right under the counter, giving your kitchen a seamless, built-in look while keeping your counters free for, you know, actual cooking. Plus, with a top-mounted control panel, adjusting settings is super easy—even when it’s tucked away.
2. They heat food quickly
Most drawer microwaves use inverter technology, which is just a fancy way of saying they heat food quickly and evenly without those annoying cold spots. Whether you’re reheating last night’s pasta or defrosting something straight from the freezer, you won’t have to babysit your food, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds. Also, if you’re someone who gets distracted mid-cook, these microwaves often have a chime to remind you your food is ready—because no one likes discovering a sad, forgotten meal hours later.
3. Flexibility
Cooking should be easy, and with adjustable power levels, drawer microwaves make sure of it. Need to defrost something? Done. Want to set a custom cook time? Easy. Some models even have pre-programmed menus for common dishes, so you don’t have to Google “how long to microwave X” every time you’re in the kitchen.
4. Easy to use
Plug it in, press a button, and let it do its thing. No complicated setups, no weird maintenance routines—just straightforward functionality. Most even come with an automatic shut-off feature for those “oops, I forgot” moments, so you won’t have to stress about overheating. And if you’re wondering whether people actually buy multiple drawer microwaves for their kitchen—yep, some do. Imagine the luxury of always having one ready for quick meals while the other is handling a main course.
5. Energy efficient
Unlike old-school microwaves that waste energy blasting unnecessary heat, drawer microwaves are designed to be more efficient. They heat faster, use less electricity, and won’t leave you with sky-high utility bills. Basically, you get a high-tech appliance that works better while using less power. Win-win.
6. Easy cleaning
Forget scrubbing a grimy microwave interior. With a drawer microwave, you get a removable stainless steel interior that can go straight into the dishwasher. No weird corners to wipe down, no spinning plates to clean—just pop it out, rinse, and you’re done. Low maintenance, high convenience.
List of 5 Best Drawer Microwave Ovens Reviews
If you’re tired of the same old microwave experience, upgrading to a drawer microwave is a no-brainer. It’s sleek, efficient, and makes your kitchen look effortlessly modern. Sure, it’s a bit of an investment, but considering the convenience, energy savings, and sheer cool factor, it’s worth every penny.
1. Sharp SMD2470AS Microwave Drawer Oven
No more microwaving your food from a high distance just for it to be scorched or overcooked on one side – with this new, innovative design you can cook directly in the microwave! With an easy-touch automatic drawing system and a convenient kitchen placement, cooking time has been cut down to seconds so you have more free time elsewhere.
The Sharp SMD2470AS Microwave Drawer Oven has concealed control panel that is angled at a 45° angle so it’s easily legible and operates without any waste of space on the door front. We confidently say that there simply isn’t anything like our latest product release now available for purchase!
Cooking is now more convenient than ever once you’ve placed it right through your pantry door – saving both time and space! It accommodates any dish size with an extra-large interior capacity, freeing up precious cabinet space in your kitchen-it even has wheels for good measure.
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2. Sharp KB-6524PS 24-Inch Microwave Drawer Oven
The Sharp KB-6524PS 24-Inch Microwave Drawer Oven is perfect for a smaller kitchen due to 1.2 cubic feet of interior space, with a spacious cooking area capable of accommodating a 4-quart casserole dish or 20-ounce beverage from your favorite coffee house! AutoTouch key opens and closes the door, ensuring safety when handling potentially hot items from your spatula to your breakfast plates.
The 11 sensor programs make sensing which time interval is needed for cooking an easy task without guesswork- all you have to do is take out the ingredients and put them in the oven! This unit fits so seamlessly into your countertop with its sleek design that it can be removed completely after use for more space.
Never worry about trying to fit that lasagna into your small oven or using up too much counter space again with 1.2 cubic feet of cooking room inside this best microwave drawer oven! Make sure you check out other expertly designed features like Sensor Cook Technology, AutoTouch door sensor, and more to find exactly what you need for your home at Sharp.
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3. KoolMore KM-MD-1SS Stainless Steel Microwave Drawer
This microwave drawer is a total game-changer. KoolMore really nailed the sleek, high-end look with its stainless steel finish—it blends right in with the rest of our kitchen like it was always meant to be there. But the real win? No more awkward crouching to pull out hot bowls of soup. Just a smooth-gliding drawer that makes life easier. The touch controls are a breeze, and with 1.2 cubic feet of space, we can heat up pretty much anything without playing microwave Tetris.
Not everything is perfect, though. Installation took some patience (and maybe a few choice words), and the lack of a turntable means food heats up differently than in a traditional microwave. But honestly? The convenience and aesthetic upgrade make up for it.
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4. GASLAND Microwave Drawer
This GASLAND microwave drawer is giving main-character energy in our kitchen. The way the drawer effortlessly glides open? Chef’s kiss. The stainless steel design? Modern and polished. And let’s talk about the sensor cooking—it basically does all the thinking for us, so we don’t have to keep guessing and poking at our food to see if it’s done. It fits seamlessly into our cabinetry, making the whole kitchen feel more put together.
That said, we were a little surprised by the noise level. It’s not exactly whisper-quiet, which is a bit jarring during those early-morning coffee-fueled breakfast preps. And yeah, it’s not the most budget-friendly pick. But the mix of style and convenience? Worth it.
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5. Midea MM12S2ASZ Microwave
Sometimes, you just need a microwave that gets the job done without the extra fuss. Enter the Midea countertop microwave. It’s compact but surprisingly roomy inside, so we’re not sacrificing function for size. The auto-cook menus are a lifesaver—popcorn, leftovers, quick meals? One button, no thinking required. Plus, that stainless steel finish keeps it looking sharp without needing constant wiping.
It’s not perfect, though. The display could be brighter, especially at night when you’re squinting to reheat a late-night snack. And if you’re hoping for whisper-quiet operation, this one leans more toward the “you’ll notice it” side of things. But for a budget-friendly, stylish little workhorse? No complaints.
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How to Pick the Best Drawer Microwave Oven for You?
Before buying a drawer type microwave oven, there are some things you must consider:
1. Ventilation
This is one of the most important things. If your place doesn’t have proper ventilation in place then it is not good to buy this kind of oven because these microwaves make noise and require proper air passage for releasing hot air outside. These ovens produce high-frequency sound when operating so if there’s no way out for the sound produced by this oven then you should not buy it otherwise after installing proper ventilation in place, you can go for it without any hesitation.
2. Installation
You would need professionals to help to install this kind of microwave above or below the counter. Make sure that they know how to wire and mount this over your counter.
3. Size
It is very important to measure the space where you want to install this before buying one. Make sure that after installation, there will be enough space for opening doors, pushing buttons, and rotating the turntable inside it. Some of these are a bit bulky in size so make sure that you have measured your place properly before buying one.
4. Power Consumption
This depends on the model you are choosing to buy. Basically, they consume less energy during standby conditions but while cooking a large amount of food at high power, they can consume more power than other regular microwave ovens. That’s why to choose carefully according to your needs!
5. Price Range
Most drawer microwaves are available on the market cost between $1000-$1500 which is quite expensive compared to other regular microwaves. But if you are willing to pay this much for an oven that is available in attractive colors, stylish design, and can fit well in your kitchen then go ahead without giving it a second thought.
6. Other Features
Most drawer microwaves have a stainless steel finish on the outside or inside of the door. The best thing about it is that they don’t take up much space so you won’t mind placing them anywhere in your kitchen even if you have limited countertops to cook food or space to store anything else due to their small size. If you want something with all the modern high-tech features, choose carefully according to your needs but don’t expect too many features because most of these ovens come with standard features like one-touch buttons for cooking, rotating glass turntable inside the oven, and child lock functions. One of the most important features is that they are available with inbuilt sensors which detect humidity inside the oven so it does not overheat during operation.
How to Installation Drawer Microwave Oven
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do drawer microwaves last?
The typical lifespan of a microwave drawer is approximately 10 years. That means that the average American will buy 2.5 microwaves over the course of their lifetime. The first microwave oven was introduced in 1947 and cost $5,000 and weighed 750 pounds and has been refined over the past 70 years to feature sleek modern designs and use less energy than older models.
2. Why do drawer microwaves have no turntables?
The turntables from older microwaves tend to break down or become faulty over time. Without a working device, drawer microwaves do not work properly and could be dangerous. In addition, the glass trays often crack due to high temperatures which can lead to injury if touched by a person. Drawer microwaves are designed for functional purposes only and include features such as lights that indicate when a proper cook is completed and sensors that take humidity into consideration.
3. Does Bosch make a drawer microwave?
Bosch makes a drawer microwave, and it’s called the HMT75G(S)1B3. The 75 cubic feet Bosch HDM 7530 built-in microwave oven is one of 4 models in the HDM (high definition module) line of microwaves; the other 3 are countertop microwaves. This model comes with a stylish design and has great performance with its fan cooling system for low noise. It features touch controls and an LED display with an electronic clock timer. Other features include 10 power levels, a 6/9 minute quickstart key, an express cooking key, an express reheat key, and a multi-stage cooking menu that allows you to cook or defrost by weight-based setting. There’s also an option for weight-based defrost, along with a child lock and over-temperature warning.
4. Is there a drawer convection microwave?
There is a drawer convection microwave. It has a design that involves an oven with a single door and a turntable inside it. The oven compartment is located under the counter, and the microwaves go into it from the top, like in other microwaves. A typical width of this form factor is 30 inches, but there are several different sizes available – 26 inches, 27 inches, 29 inches, etc. Drawer microwaves are very popular because they give extra space on the countertop above. Also since all standard over-counter appliances can be installed next to it you can have your fridge or dishwasher opened at the same time without any problems.
5. Where can I find a replacement drawer microwave vent?
If your stove’s vent is damaged or worn out, you will need to replace it. These vents are usually easy to find in home improvement stores and come in a variety of styles and colors to match your current drawers and appliances. Some even have lights that turn on when the oven is being used! They attach to the back of your stove’s top drawer.
Conclusion
Choosing the best microwave for your needs can be a difficult task. There are many different sizes and styles of microwaves to choose from, as well as brands and models that vary in price and features. We hope this article has given you some insight into what considerations go into choosing the best drawer microwave oven for yourself or your loved ones.