Microwave Drawer With Air Fry: The One We Could Confirm

A drawer means no reaching up over a hot stove, and it clears the counter. It also means a cabinet job and a dealer. We haven't read Sharp's installation manual, so use this page to ask the right questions. Our guide to built-in microwaves covers the wider choice.

Which route suits me?

Pick your situation

• If you really want a drawer and can arrange a cabinet job

  See where to buy

• If you have a wall or cabinet opening instead

  See built-in options

• If you are building a wall oven stack

  See wall oven combos

• If the spot is above your stove

  See over-the-range models

• If you could keep the appliance on the counter after all → Toshiba ML2-EC10SA

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What does the Sharp SMD2499FS offer?

1.4 cu ft

Capacity per Sharp, which notes that actual food capacity is less

900 W

Microwave output per Sharp

24 in

Width class, with a 24 in minimum cabinet

120 V, 15 A

Power source per Sharp

According to Sharp:

• Air fry. Dual convection fans and heating elements handle air frying with no turntable. Presets cover chicken tenders, French fries, mozzarella sticks and tater tots.
• Speed Cook. Three modes mix convection heat and microwave. Air fry is a separate mode. Our page on microwaving and air frying at the same time explains the difference.
• Racks. The included racks and tray can be used in all cooking modes. Don't carry that rule over to other models.
• Opening. The drawer opens with a wave sensor, a button, the app or an Alexa voice command.
• Warranty. 1 year on parts and labor, and 5 years on the part that does the microwaving, parts only.

What does installing it need?

Sharp marks its drawing as measurements only and sends you to the installation manual. Don't cut a cabinet from this table.

It is heavy, it needs a suitable base cabinet, and it fits a premium price class. Good Housekeeping says built-in combos require professional installation and are generally more expensive. We found no published comparison of its air fry results with a countertop combo or a basket fryer.

Are there other drawers?

• Thor TMD2402. A 24 in, 1.2 cu ft drawer with 1000 W output. Its sheet lists no air fry or convection, so it doesn't answer this search.
• KoolMore KMMD1AFSS. Search excerpts describe a 24 in drawer with air fry, but they disagree about its watts, and the retailer page refused our request. Check it with KoolMore before you count on it.

There may be others. Look for a named air fry mode and a cutout drawing on the company's own sheet.

The NKBA says a microwave placed below the counter should have its bottom at least 15 in off the floor. It also recommends at least 15 in of landing space above, below or beside the handle side. A hot tray needs somewhere to go.

Where do I buy one, and what do I ask?

Appliance dealers are the usual route. Abt lists the SMD2499FS and says delivery, installation and availability depend on your ZIP code. Our where to buy page compares stores. Ask the dealer:

1. Is this model current, and available for my ZIP code?
2. Can you send the current installation manual and cutout drawing?
3. Who fits the cabinet, the base and the outlet, and what is included?
4. Will my cabinet floor support the stated weight?
5. Do I need the pedestal, and does that change the opening?

Mistakes to avoid: assuming "drawer" means air fry, reading a body size as a cutout (Sharp's two mount types use different openings), and forgetting the landing space.

What if a drawer is too much?

If you just want a clear counter, measure first. A low countertop combo may take less room than you think, as our size guide shows. For a built-in versus countertop choice, see built-in versus countertop.

Best overallAd

Toshiba

Toshiba ML2-EC10SA

A 1.0 cu ft combo that is low enough for most counters under cabinets.

Why it fits here: If you can keep a combo on the counter after all, this 1.0 cu ft model is only 11.8 in tall per Toshiba and needs no cabinet work.

Best for: most family kitchens with wall cabinets over the counter

Capacity

1.0 cu ft

Microwave watts

1000 W

Outer size (W × D × H)

20.6 × 18 × 11.8 in

Functions

8-in-1 per Toshiba, including air fry and defrost

True microwave

Yes

Price class

Mid-range

Size as stated by

Maker.

• 11.8 in tall, says Toshiba, among the lowest here at 1.0 cu ft
• 1000 W microwave and air fry in one oven space
• 12.4 in turntable and 10 air fry presets, says Toshiba

• Toshiba says 18 in deep, the Amazon listing says 16.4 in. Measure with the bigger number
• We only saw the space it needs in a third-party summary. Check the printed manual
• A round turntable limits how wide a pan can turn

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Next step: start with the Sharp SMD2499FS and a dealer who can look at your cabinet. We don't call it a pick, because we haven't read its full manuals. For most kitchens, a countertop combo is simpler. See our best combos.