"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
...
We just replaced our over-the-stove microwave, and the instructions say
that the top of the mounting plate (about the level of the top of the
appliance when it's installed) must be at least 30 inches above the
cooking surface. Our microwave is approx. 16 inches high, thus the minimum
clearance for *this* microwave is approx. 14 inches.
just yet..

You're right. All of the manufacturer's specs that I've seen require a
minimum of 30" from top of cooking surface to bottom of cabinet that m/w
hangs from. (I sell them for Sears). However, in the county that I live in
(N. Illinois), the powers setting the standards for construction have seen
fit to set the minimum as 32". Thus, you could install it yourself at the
30" minimum and not void the manufacturer's warranty but to get a licensed
contractor to install it, you have to have the 32" min. All of the m/w hood
combos that I've seen have a built in thermostat that kicks the fan in if
the heat from the stove begins to get hot enough to have an affect on the
m/w's controls.
Tom