Microwave Hood Combination - Does anyone have one?

[WDWorld2003]

We're doing a partial remodel of our kitchen and are purchasing some new applicances. We're considering a microwave hood combination. We are concerned that it will be too low over the stove although they tell us they have plenty of clearance.

Has anyone out there purchased one of these for an older kitchen? We'd love the counterspace. Thanks for any help!

 

[golfgal]

We have one and our house was built in 1956. Our upper cabinets are on the low side and our lower cabinets are on the high side so we don't have a lot of space in between, 18" or so. The cabinet over the stove is small. The microwave is a little low but not so bad that it gets in the way. I give the over the range microwave a big thumbs-up . I like that it doesn't take up any counter space. I would say to go for it!

 

[clarabelle]

We just took one out for a remodel.
It was fine. I don't think the hood was as strong If you are a serious cook and want a strong ventilation system -I don't think it will do for you.

Also to clean it really well I needed a step stool (I am 5'2"). But It worked and it looked good and it did not take up counter space.

 

[AMcaptured]

We just had our second one installed and I love it. I can't imagine having a microwave on my counters. Our house is 20 years old and it does come down more than it does on my sisters much newer house but it is perfectly acceptable and doesn't interfere with cooking on the stove at all for us.

The new one we put in was from Samsung and it has the best vent out of the bunch we saw around. The vent open and closes on the front when you use and it is all stainless, very easy to clean.

Good Luck

AM

 

[PlutoPony]

Our neighbors did this recently and really agonized before they did. They only have the minimum space required between the cooking grate on the stove and the bottom of the microwave hood (I want to say it's 15 inches but I could be wrong - whatever the specs are is what they have). Bottom line is they like it and don't have a problem with it now that they've lived with it for a while. Plus they like the light in the hood better than the plain hood they had before.

 

[B&B Mom]

We put one in our 35 year old kitchen last year and are very happy with it. Although I absolutely hated the rangehood we had. Ours too, is at the minimum allowance for clearance...only 15 inches from our rangetop. Hubby thought it would be too low, but it works really well for us and is easy for me 5'1" to reach into.

 

[golfgal]

Something else I thought of was that with a regular range hood it sticks out away from the cabinet and if that were lower, you could hit your head on it but with the microwave it is pretty much flush with the cabinets so even if it is a bit low, you won't be knocking into it.

 

[SplshMtn99]

We did this about 2 yrs ago. Our condo is 20 yrs old. I was worried about how low it would hang too, but it's fine & I love it over the stove. Some are taller than others, so shop around if its a concern. We got a Panasonic - though I'm normally a Whirlpool/Kenmore person. No problems.

 

[WDWorld2003]

One more question, did have to rewire anything for put the microwave combo in?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Our last 2 houses had the micro over the stove and I thought they were so cool. Now I hate it. I want the "gourmet-type" vent thing over the stove.

When you cook you have to take everything to the side to fuss with it. It never bother me until recently. I think the clearance in this house stinks.

 

[denisem]

Our last 2 houses had the micro over the stove and I thought they were so cool. Now I hate it. I want the "gourmet-type" vent thing over the stove.

When you cook you have to take everything to the side to fuss with it. It never bother me until recently. I think the clearance in this house stinks.

I agree. Over-the-range is fine if you're strictly micro-cooking, but if you're combining it with a stove top meal it can get a little awkward. Add in another cook (DH & I like to cook together) and you're really stepping on each other's toes. I'm also less than thrilled with the venting...

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Ours was fine when we had a regular electric stove. We have viking now and it is seriously not powerful enough at venting

 

[WDWorld2003]

Hmmm, now I'm getting confused.... I was ready to go with the over the stove top.....

 

[Nala56]

We just replaced our over the stove microwave, our old one just died. I really like the convience of the microwave over the stove, no counter space used. The only down side is the vent. We have a gas stove, when the oven is on for a long time (roasting turkey) the sensor on the vent causes the exhaust fan to come on. There is no way to turn off until oven cools down, so you have warm air from vent blowing in your face. This only happens when oven has been on for a long time and you are using several of the burners. Even with this slight problem, I would still not get a counter microwave.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hmmm, now I'm getting confused.... I was ready to go with the over the stove top.....

Don't get me wrong it is very handy. In this house the clearance is too darn low. For some reason it bothers me now.

 

[challada]

Our 12 year old house has the same one that was installed at building and we love it....only problem is that ours is near the walkway to the formal dining and there have been times we've needed to watch out for other adults coming around the corner before springing open that microwave door!

As far as clearance...it works fine. We are all electric appliances, which I think might help too.