Replacing built in microwave

[Merlin5]

Hi guys. I need to replace my microwave which is built in above my oven. It's an old Baumatic and still works after 13 years but has had an intermittent problem for some time that is reoccurring more frequently. So it's time to get rid and buy a new one, I dunno, probably a Bosch.

My question isn't about which microwave to get but about being able to use the existing surround. Does anyone here know if or think I should I be able to install a new microwave and still be able to use the silver surround that came with the old one? I'm worried that using a new surround might not fit the space properly without faffing around with some DIY ?

 

[Demon]

Generally the surrounds are very bespoke to the individual microwave IME, so would need modification..

Personally. I'd just get a 450mm high single oven/microwave, we did this and it's far more useful having a second small oven that can also microwave..

However, you can build in any microwave and if you can DIY your existing surround to the new shape, go for it.

 

[Merlin5]

Generally the surrounds are very bespoke to the individual microwave IME, so would need modification..

Personally. I'd just get a 450mm high single oven/microwave, we did this and it's far more useful having a second small oven that can also microwave..

However, you can build in any microwave and if you can DIY your existing surround to the new shape, go for it.

Thanks. I don't really have space for a second tabletop oven/microwave if that's what you mean? I'm happy to use the trim that will come with the new microwave, I'm just worried about potential ugly gaps. I can do certain DIY things but I'm not sure I'll know how to go about DIY to make it all look as seamless as my current one which was fitted by builders when I renovated the kitchen in 2012. I'll take the microwave out of its recess tomorrow and take some measurements.

 

[radderfire]

How closely can you match the dimensions of the existing microwave? If you can get a close match, you should be OK.

 

[Merlin5]

How closely can you match the dimensions of the existing microwave? If you can get a close match, you should be OK.

Yeah, good idea. I'm going to measure the width, height and depth of mine and see if I can find a new microwave with the same dimensions. Depth probably not so much an issue but certainly the height and width.

 

[Demon]

Thanks. I don't really have space for a second tabletop oven/microwave if that's what you mean? I'm happy to use the trim that will come with the new microwave, I'm just worried about potential ugly gaps. I can do certain DIY things but I'm not sure I'll know how to go about DIY to make it all look as seamless as my current one which was fitted by builders when I renovated the kitchen in 2012. I'll take the microwave out of its recess tomorrow and take some measurements.

This might be teaching you how to suck eggs, but just incase..

Kitchen cabinets have standardised spaces for ovens/microwaves:
(in mm)
600 x 300 (tall warming drawer)
600 x 450 (compact single oven)
600 x 600 (single oven)
600 x 900 (double oven)
600 x 390 (microwave/small appliance)
Looking at your picture, I would say you have a 450mm high slot, but have a 390mm high built in microwave and what looks like a filler piece (black) between oven/microwave..
The filler strip should be removable and this is how you accomodate different height appliances within the 450mm slot when they aren't the exact height.

So you could do many things
1. Replace your entire 390mm high built in microwave with another (will come with surround):

Integrated Built-in Microwave Ovens | Cookology

Save on worktop space and browse our range of Cookology built-in and integrated microwave ovens.

cookology.com

This will likely work with your existing filler strip, or might need it slightly adjusting.

2. remove the black filler piece and get a 450mm high compact oven sized microwave, e.g.:

AEG KMK968000M Series 8000 Built In Combi Microwave For Tall Housing - STAINLESS STEEL - Appliance City

Looking for AEG KMK968000M Series 8000 Built In Combi Microwave For Tall Housing - STAINLESS STEEL? With over 25 years experience the experts at Appliance City are here to help. Free, fast delivery and excellent service. 92% rated excellent on TrustPilot.

www.appliancecity.co.uk

3. Buy a standalone microwave with an optional build in kit (trim kit),
e,g, https://www.panasonic.com/nz/consum...n-diagrams-for-panasonic-microwave-ovens.html
These are bespoke to a limited range of their standalone microwaves, but you can often buy trim kits for higher end stand alone microwaves.


The only DIY in most cases is simply removing, adjusting or creating a new filler strip, it's just a bit of material to plug the remaining gap.

i.e. I wouldn't try to reuse your existing metal surround, go with one of the options above.

 

[Journey]

It's an old Baumatic and still works after 13 years but has had an intermittent problem for some time that is reoccurring more frequently. So it's time to get rid and buy a new one, I dunno, probably a Bosch.

Would it not be less hassle to find out what is wrong and fix it rather than making more e-waste?

 

[Merlin5]

Would it not be less hassle to find out what is wrong and fix it rather than making more e-waste?

Well last night I watched a few YouTube videos trying to find out about the issue with mine. When the door on mine is closed there's a loud buzz. This has been going on and off for a long time, it seems to randomly happen after using the microwave to heat or defrost food. I then leave the door open to stop it buzzing. After a few minutes the light goes off and the glass platter starts rotating very quietly and slowly, it's kind of creepy, lol. If I press the stop button, the light comes back on and the platter stops, but after a few minutes light goes off again and the platter starts turning again.

If I use the microwave while this buzzing happens it seems to heat or defrost some food much quicker. I'm not sure if it gets triggered by defrosting or normal heating of food or both. After a few days I find I can close the door and the buzzing has stopped. Inevitably though it eventually gets triggered again. It sounds like this. This isn't me, this is some American video.

I thought it might be the magnetron at fault but it seems not to be that. Some people have replaced the control panel but most people have been told to tap the black relay on the back of the control panel to unstick the relay and most people who did that seem to have had success. Another solution is to bang on the side of the machine next to the control panel close, or slam the door hard. Today I slammed the door fairly hard and the microwave went dead along with my oven and fridge. It had tripped a breaker. I turned the breaker back on and all appliances in the kitchen except the microwave came back on. I've since removed the microwave, put it on the kitchen floor and will try a new fuse and see if anything has changed. I'm not gonna hold my breath though!

This might be teaching you how to suck eggs, but just incase..

Kitchen cabinets have standardised spaces for ovens/microwaves:
(in mm)
600 x 300 (tall warming drawer)
600 x 450 (compact single oven)
600 x 600 (single oven)
600 x 900 (double oven)
600 x 390 (microwave/small appliance)
Looking at your picture, I would say you have a 450mm high slot, but have a 390mm high built in microwave and what looks like a filler piece (black) between oven/microwave..
The filler strip should be removable and this is how you accomodate different height appliances within the 450mm slot when they aren't the exact height.

So you could do many things
1. Replace your entire 390mm high built in microwave with another (will come with surround):

Integrated Built-in Microwave Ovens | Cookology

Save on worktop space and browse our range of Cookology built-in and integrated microwave ovens.

cookology.com

This will likely work with your existing filler strip, or might need it slightly adjusting.

2. remove the black filler piece and get a 450mm high compact oven sized microwave, e.g.:

AEG KMK968000M Series 8000 Built In Combi Microwave For Tall Housing - STAINLESS STEEL - Appliance City

Looking for AEG KMK968000M Series 8000 Built In Combi Microwave For Tall Housing - STAINLESS STEEL? With over 25 years experience the experts at Appliance City are here to help. Free, fast delivery and excellent service. 92% rated excellent on TrustPilot.

www.appliancecity.co.uk

3. Buy a standalone microwave with an optional build in kit (trim kit),
e,g, https://www.panasonic.com/nz/consum...n-diagrams-for-panasonic-microwave-ovens.html
These are bespoke to a limited range of their standalone microwaves, but you can often buy trim kits for higher end stand alone microwaves.


The only DIY in most cases is simply removing, adjusting or creating a new filler strip, it's just a bit of material to plug the remaining gap.

i.e. I wouldn't try to reuse your existing metal surround, go with one of the options above.

Thanks for those details. I've done some research on built in microwave ovens available and the only ones I can find that match the size of mine are a couple from Cookology, which interestingly is what your link is. Other microwaves I've looked at come quite a bit short on height. Yeah, mine is closest to the 600 x 450. Here's photos I took today with measurements.

This first picture I've marked a couple of lines showing the width and height with the trim, and a couple of lines showing the width and height of just the oven without the trim.

This second picture I've marked the width, height and depth of the cabinet recess.

It seems that Baumatic has either rebranded its name to Cookology or sold its products to Cookology, because the two £199.99 microwaves in your link (black one and silver one at the bottom, models: IMOG25LBK and IMOG25LSS) are the same machine as mine. The dimensions are the same as mine. So for the sake of less hassle and convenience I guess it might make sense just to buy one of those, basically buying the same microwave again. I might go for the black one if I do buy it just for a change, plus my cupboards are gloss black. I'd seen it as discontinued by Baumatic but it's quite fortunate the same model is still being produced as mine by/for Cookology was installed new in 2012.

 

[Journey]

This has been going on and off for a long time, it seems to randomly happen after using the microwave to heat or defrost food. I then leave the door open to stop it buzzing. After a few minutes the light goes off and the glass platter starts rotating very quietly and slowly, it's kind of creepy, lol. If I press the stop button, the light comes back on and the platter stops, but after a few minutes light goes off again and the platter starts turning again.

That sounds like the relay being stuck, or perhaps the door switch. I'd investigate the PCB, but please be careful and take the relvant precautions if doing this yourself and you are unfamiliar with microwave internal workings.

 

[Merlin5]

That sounds like the relay being stuck, or perhaps the door switch. I'd investigate the PCB, but please be careful and take the relvant precautions if doing this yourself and you are unfamiliar with microwave internal workings.

Yeah door switches were the other thing mentioned although most solutions seem to be about a stuck relay.
I certainly don't want to be touching anything like the magnetron which probably stores current as I'm sure I'd kill myself. I wouldn't know how to identify or replace any components on a PCB, I know nothing about fixing electronics, but I might open it just so I can tap the relay with a screwdriver.

 

[Merlin5]

Well I've just replaced with a new 13a fuse and the microwave is working again and the buzzing is gone. I wonder if that door slam has
unstuck the relay or perhaps done something with the door switch. I guess the best thing to do now is put it back into the recess, continue using it and see if the buzzing comes back again. With any luck I've saved myself money but we'll see if it's temporary or not!