Four Favorite Microwave Drawers - Debbie Schaeffer of Mrs. G's TV and Appliances

I first met Debbie Schaeffer at a Bosch designer event in New York City back in June of 2009.  I was immediately drawn to her energy and enthusiasm.  Then I was impressed by her apparent knowledge of appliances.  It comes from running a third-generation woman-owned appliance retail business called Mrs. G TV & Appliances in Lawrenceville, NJ and blogging about the topic herself at Debbie's Blog.  Debbie has become a valued friend, my go-to gal for all things appliance and a valued Gold Notes advisor/contributor.  So I had to ask her to share her Four Favorites for Gold Notes' Fourth Anniversary Kitchen Week and she chose microwave drawers as her topic.  Read on...


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You might think when it comes to purchasing a new kitchen package that the toughest choice for most would be which refrigerator or range to choose, as these are centerpiece appliances in the kitchen. It’s surprising that the piece that baffles our customers the most is actually the microwave. “Where will it fit and what brand should we choose?” is a question we hear often. 


Meet the microwave drawer


Customers want them off the countertops and even hidden, if possible. When underneath the counters is the only place you can put a microwave, we highly recommend considering a microwave drawer. Out of sight, but not out of mind. Now if you’re looking for a convection microwave, stop here. Microwave drawers do not offer a convection setting. Microwave drawers do, however, offer a lot more, and if you’re not in need of convection, you ought to keep these things in mind before you purchase a microwave. 


Microwave drawers are stylish and fit in very nicely with any design. They make it easier to tend to your food because you don’t have to pull the food out to stir, flip or turn it. Just open the drawer, do what you have to do, and close the drawer again. Plus, a standard countertop microwave can take up a lot of space that could be used for other things. A built-in microwave drawer opens up new kitchen space, while still delivering exceptional performance. 


Another great benefit is that once you are done using it, cleanup is a piece of cake. With some conventional microwaves, it is hard to reach all the areas to wipe them down. With a microwave drawer, the unit opens completely so it is easy to reach and clean. If you visit this link on Houzz.com, you can join in on a conversation with real owners of microwave drawers to see what they are saying about the benefits. 


You will see, a microwave drawer has many benefits versus a conventional microwave. Here are my four favorites. 


Jenn-Air- 24” Under Counter Microwave Oven with Drawer Design 


The Jenn-Air microwave drawer is one of my favorite microwave drawers on the market. At an affordable price and with a beautiful look and ample features, this is one of the best out there. The Jenn-Air microwave drawer also matches nicely with other brands of appliances so you should not overlook it just because your other appliances are not Jenn-Air. This microwave drawer is 1.0 cu. ft and is available only in a 24” width model. 

Jenn-Air 24 inch Microwave Drawer JMD2124WS   

Viking- 24” Undercounter DrawerMicro® Oven VMOD241SS 


The Viking DrawerMicro® Oven has a slim design and sleek style that helps maximize kitchen space and matches other Viking appliances. Just install it under a countertop, in an island, or under a wall oven and no trim kit is required. It has 1 cu. ft. of oven capacity it and is sure to give you maximum functionality in a minimized space. The Viking DrawerMicro oven has a child lock safety feature that locks the control panel to prevent small children from opening or operating it. Viking offers this oven in a 24” Professional Oven with a commercial-type styling and design. Viking 24 inch Undercounter DrawerMicro Oven 

Viking- 24” Undercounter DrawerMicro® Oven VMOD241SS 

 Wolf- 30”Drawer Microwave Oven MWD302FS 


Wolf’s Drawer Microwave Oven can be installed in a standard or flush inset application; meaning it will not extend beyond the cabinetry it is installed into. It is available in a 24” width model as well as a 30″ width model. It can be built-in under counter or because they also offer a 30” wide model it can be placed nicely below a Wolf E Series oven.  The Wolf Drawer Microwave Oven’s control panel also contains a locking feature to prevent unwanted use, (great for young children). 

Wolf Microwave Drawer MWD302FS 

Thermador- 24” Built In MicroDrawer MD24JS 


The newest microwave drawer available is the 24” Built In MicroDrawer® from Thermador. This microwave has plenty of room for your cooking needs, as it has a 1.2 cu. ft. capacity, the largest cavity in the luxury segment. Another feature exclusive to the Thermador MicroDrawer is the perfect flush installation that can blend seamlessly with any standard depth cabinetry, so it does not stick out and it fits in beautifully with your kitchen. The design also includes a hidden vent for even further seamless integration, and a premium glass touch control with blue LCD display. In addition, the microwave has 10 cooking modes included. But overall, if design and perfect integration with your kitchen is one of the most important deciding factors for you, then the Thermador MicroDrawer is a great choice that will give you a completely flush installation. 

Thermador 24" Built In MicrowDrawer MD24JS 

All four of these microwaves drawers are great choices and are my four favorite ones. If you already have appliances from one of these brands in your kitchen, then you may prefer that brand of microwave over the others. However, all four of these microwaves are excellent options and do not necessarily have to be the same brand as the appliances you own. With very similar specs and features, the choice mostly comes down to which microwave drawer you like the look of best. Each microwave has its own unique look and style, so in the end you can decide which your favorite is. 


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For more info on any of these microwave drawers, visit www.mrsgs.com or come into the store to test drive one that you fancy.

Guest post by Debbie Schaeffer: three favorite steam ovens

I love sharing specialist expertise with my readers. You'll see Debbie Schaeffer's name on the right column as an appliance contributor. The third generation owner of Mrs. G TV & Appliances in Lawrenceville, NJ, Debbie has been a great source of appliance knowledge for me, both professionally and personally, since we met at a Bosch event in 2009.

I asked her to share an appliance "threesome" in honor of Gold Notes' third anniversary and she was glad to oblige. Debbie suggested sharing her three favorite steam ovens with readers. As you'll recall from my own post a couple of years back on steam ovens, I'm a big fan of these healthy cooking appliances. Here are Debbie's insights and steam oven picks for 2011...

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July is a mouth-watering month filled with farmers' market nutritious treasures and home-grown delicacies. The markets have become a fan favorite of local chefs for their seasonal menus, but the common foodie can still recreate a fresh and flavor-rich dish like a culinary expert with the right appliance.

Long considered a chef's secret cooking tool, a steam oven ensures the vegetables stay firm, preserving the flavor, color, minerals and vital nutrients. Additionally, meats stay moist, fish are perfectly flaky and delicious desserts can be totally guilt-free. Steamed foods are low in fat, too, since they do not require oils or sauces. So, to celebrate Gold Notes’ third anniversary, here are three fabulous steam ovens, any one of which can contribute to a healthy kitchen design:

Miele Convection Steam Oven DG4082



Miele introduced the world's first built-in convection steam oven in 1999. Miele steam ovens enable you to create succulent healthy meals using the power of injection steam. Miele designed theirs to hold three multi-level cooking chambers, so most foods can be prepared and cooked simultaneously – with no risk of flavor transfer – in less than 20 minutes. This is the "Monday through Friday oven" for families on the go! It’s also great for defrosting and reheating.


Thermador Masterpiece (TM) Series Steam and Convection Oven MES301HS/P



Introduced in 2010, Thermador’s Masterpiece Series Steam and Convection Wall Oven offers three cooking modes: Steam, True Convection and the combination of Steam with Convection. The oven includes 40 "EasyCook" food programs that automatically set the oven temperature and humidity to ensure perfect cooking results. The 1.4 cubic foot capacity easily holds a 14-pound turkey and cooks it to juicy, golden-brown perfection in 90 minutes.

Gaggenau Combination Steam and Convection Oven BS280/281



Gaggenau revolutionized the modern kitchen. Their cutting edge design is in a class by itself. The innovative dual-oven system of the Gaggenau Combi-Steam Oven combines the dry heat of the convection oven with non-pressurized steam in precisely calibrated portions. The 30" model can either be conveniently plumbed directly to the water line or with a removable water tank.The door opens to a full 180 degrees, allowing for ease of loading and unloading food.