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Post by bbkeef on Jul 30, 2018 18:04:15 GMT
FTR, I have had a microwave above my stove for years and I like it. I am gearing up for our kitchen gut/remodel. My stove will now be in the center of the room. I feel as if I'm clouded by all the HGTV I watch. It seems a ton of kitchens have a regular vent hood and the microwave is in a different location such as built in a cupboard or a microwave drawer in the island. The only option I would have is to lose cabinet space and build it in next to the fridge. My layout will be very similar to this (our current plan is to maintain the microwave above the range):  : |
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 22:58:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 18:11:15 GMT
I got rid of my microwave 12 years ago. I use the oven and stove top to warm up left overs. I also do not have a toaster and toaster oven. I personally like the look of the vents over a microwave above the stove.
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502 
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Post by AmandaA on Jul 30, 2018 18:14:51 GMT
Ours is built in just above the wall oven. We have a cooktop with a chimney/mantle style hood that still has storage, so not a total loss of space like in your picture. I don’t feel like we gave up any significant amount cabinet space with this option. We have a full cabinet under the cooktop and a partial cabinet above. What the wall oven and microwave takes up doesn’t seem like much more than a traditional range.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 30, 2018 18:17:18 GMT
There’s nothing above our stove because our stove isn’t against a wall. For a microwave to be above our stove it would have to be floating in free space  Our microwave is built in above our oven. |
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 30, 2018 18:23:06 GMT
Our kitchen layout is very similar to what you posted. Ours is OTR out of necessity. I don't hate it, but would have gone for a below counter drawer microwave if we could have put it in the island.  |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 30, 2018 18:25:42 GMT
Our cooktop is on an island, with an exhaust hood over it. No way to have a microwave there! Ours is in a cabinet. In the past we have had rentals with a microwave over the stove. Hated it. Also, the exhaust fans don't seem to be very effective with that set up.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 30, 2018 18:30:36 GMT
We don’t have a range. Our microwave is above the wall oven. I’m short and can’t see into it well. But what I really hate is that the cooktop is in the island. It’s a waste of the island, IMO. The island is the depth of the cooktop and the cooktop is centered on the island. There’s about 2’ of space of counter on either side of the island. There is a vent that raises out of the island.
I feel having the cooktop in the island is a waste of the space because you can’t use the island for a buffet or a large work surface. I’m also paranoid about setting anything on the cooktop in case the cooktop gets turned on. We have counter seating by the sink, which is behind me when cooking. So my back is to anyone sitting there. There was a big remodel done and they didn’t do it properly, IMO.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,714
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Jul 30, 2018 18:37:20 GMT
I've had it over the range and I do not prefer it. In my current house, it's in a nook in the cabinet.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,473
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Post by peasquared on Jul 30, 2018 18:39:47 GMT
I have a drawer microwave in my island. Love it!
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Post by katlady on Jul 30, 2018 18:45:25 GMT
We have a wall oven and the microwave is above that. I have nothing against OTR microwaves. I had one before.
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Post by dewryce on Jul 30, 2018 18:46:05 GMT
Oh I thought you meant over the oven, not over the stovetop. No, I wouldn't like it over the stove top. For many reasons, one of which is that it puts something more on face level and I feel it encroach on my space. Hard to describe. But I prefer the open space at eye level you get with a hood. I never use the counters that face the wall either, or desks that face the wall, I prefer to face out into the open living area as I work. Sorry I skewed your poll, answered before reading your post!
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jul 30, 2018 18:49:47 GMT
If you’re remodeling don’t put the microwave over the range. It’s difficult to reach items that high, the fans are mediocre at best, and it’s not that attractive. Built in would look best, and probably worth sacrificing cabinet space.
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scrapngranny
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Only slightly senile
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Post by scrapngranny on Jul 30, 2018 18:51:47 GMT
Our microwave is over the range. The problem for me with it there is, that I’m short and have a hard time reaching it. I have to get s tool to clean the inside of it. We have a double oven, so a microwave over that be worse. I’m not sure about the drawer type, I’ve never really looked at them. If my microwave dies, I’m sure we would go with another over the range type.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jul 30, 2018 18:52:24 GMT
I don't like it over my range because I'm short and it is a pain to lift stuff down. Previously I've always had them in a niche.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 30, 2018 18:53:05 GMT
We have an OTR microwave. There really isn't a better option for it in our kitchen. It's fine. I do like the look of having a nicer hood over the stove/oven, but I never use the exhaust fan. How often do others use it?
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breetheflea
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Post by breetheflea on Jul 30, 2018 18:53:06 GMT
I vote I love it but...
Our last house with a tiny kitchen didn't have the over the range microwave so to not take up our one spot of counter space it was on a cart in another room. It was kind of annoying!
Now we have an above the range kind, BUT it doesn't vent outside. It vents right above my head back into the kitchen...because it's on an inside wall. Drives me nuts...
It's nice to have it off the counter though!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 30, 2018 18:54:21 GMT
If you’re remodeling don’t put the microwave over the range. It’s difficult to reach items that high, the fans are mediocre at best, and it’s not that attractive. Built in would look best, and probably worth sacrificing cabinet space. In my kitchen it would definitely not be worth sacrificing cabinet space. I am also very short and have never had a problem getting things in and out of the microwave. |
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Post by missbennet on Jul 30, 2018 19:02:24 GMT
Ours is over the range, and this is the first place I've ever lived where the vent works as well as a hood, even though it has to travel through the bottom of the microwave. We bought this place as a new build and they made a big deal about the venting being upgraded. Also we are both tall, and I never noticed how high microwaves are mounted when they are OTR. It's just slightly above eye level for me, and I'm 5'10". Tall people are paid back in how low every sink in the world is mounted.  |
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Post by lisae on Jul 30, 2018 19:03:31 GMT
I've never understood why anyone would want to reach over their stovetop to put something in or take something out of the microwave. I often use my microwave for side dishes so I'm cooking on the stovetop at the same time.
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jayfab
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Post by jayfab on Jul 30, 2018 19:20:59 GMT
I would not like a microwave above a range or up high anywhere. I'm 4'10" and it would be a hazard for me to get something hot and heavy out of it. Plus the older I get the more unsteady I am. also a hazard. If I were moving somewhere where the microwave was above it would be the first thing I move, even if I lose counter space.
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Post by littlemama on Jul 30, 2018 19:26:39 GMT
Ours is over the stove and we love it. When ds was much younger, it was a concern for him to take hot things out of it because he was too short for it to be comfortable. I am very short and have no issues. I will say that the underside of the microwave does get pretty gross, so make sure to wipe it down. We previously had the microwave on the counter, but it took up too much space and I definitely would not give up cabinet space for a microwave.
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Post by Pahina722 on Jul 30, 2018 19:29:19 GMT
Mine is in an alcove above the wall oven. My range top is a downdraft ventilation type in my island, so no way would it work. However, even if the kitchen were remodeled, I wouldn’t want it over the range. Every one I’ve ever seen/used over the range is matched with a loud, inefficient vent that drives me crazy. I would however LOVE to have a range hood over my island!
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 22:58:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 19:46:20 GMT
We have an OTR microwave. There really isn't a better option for it in our kitchen. It's fine. I do like the look of having a nicer hood over the stove/oven, but I never use the exhaust fan. How often do others use it? When I am making stir fry and the pan is super hot and I add in the meat and veggies. When frying tortilla shells, when browning meat in a dutch oven or braiser...so at least 1x a week, typically 2 to 3. |
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Post by anniefb on Jul 30, 2018 19:50:31 GMT
Never had one in that position and don’t think I’d like it because of the difficulty of reaching things and interfering with the cooktop. Mine is on a shelf to the side.
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Post by Zee on Jul 30, 2018 19:52:23 GMT
I opened this thread to see what an OTR (over the road? On the run? Off the record?) microwave is. I'm really surprised by the number of people who say they don't like it. My last three homes have had them and I love the freed up counter space. I'm not very tall but it's never been a problem to clean or get stuff out of or to reach over the stove. Then again, I do keep a small folding step stool within reach for things up high so again not a concern.
I wouldn't like one in a drawer, I like the way it looks over the stove. I very rarely have ever used the exhaust fan but when I did, it seemed to work just fine.
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Post by littlemama on Jul 30, 2018 19:55:26 GMT
Never had one in that position and don’t think I’d like it because of the difficulty of reaching things and interfering with the cooktop. Mine is on a shelf to the side. It does neither of those things. I'm about 5'1 and I have no issues getting things out of it. As for the cooktop, it doesn't interfere any more than a range hood would. Never once had to duck my head underneath the microwave for anything other than cleaning the bottom of it and I'm in no danger of setting myself on fire if I am using the stove and have to get anything out of the microwave. |
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QueenoftheSloths
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jul 30, 2018 19:58:02 GMT
Our kitchen layout is very similar to what you posted. Ours is OTR out of necessity. I don't hate it, but would have gone for a below counter drawer microwave if we could have put it in the island. Ooh, is this your kitchen? SO PRETTY! |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jul 30, 2018 19:59:45 GMT
When we remodel it’s going over the stove. I’m in an old house with a very small kitchen. Sacrificing cabinet space for a microwave is not gonna happen. Where my microwave is will be taken over by my toaster and coffee maker so I can clear off counter space (which is also in short supply. And I’m getting the tallest cabinets I can buy. Yes I will need a stool for the top shelves, but I need storage space more than anything.
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garcia5050
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Post by garcia5050 on Jul 30, 2018 20:09:27 GMT
I could see the benefit of going over-the-range in a smaller kitchen. My kitchen isn't small, but for some reason, we opted for the over-the-range, and I just don't love it. I would have preferred a built-in cabinet nook. Hoods look so much nicer. Cleaning the innards of the micro is a slight pain (especially the inside ceiling). I hardly used it until the boy became a teenager, so I'm noticing the pain points more recently.
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 22:58:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 20:45:03 GMT
Ours is OTR and our kitchen is small, so it is the best place for it. I wouldn't mind to get rid of the microwave since I never use it, but my family uses it often. I have rarely ever used the exhaust fan either. I don't think cleaning a high mounted hooded vent would be any easier to clean.
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