over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

Just bought a fancy new range and I'm trying to decide whether to get a
nice 'angular' range hood and have to get rid of the cabinets above the
range, or install one of those combo microwave/range hood units.

I would like to hear feedback from people who actually own or have
owned them.

My concern? All the pictures how the unit venting over the top of the
microwave. Um, if I buy a nice shiny stainless steel unit isn't it
going to get grunged up really quick if all the condensation is
constantly flowing over the front of it?

You would think they would have the vent underneath.

Am I missing something?

Thx,

J.

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

If you house is full of short people,
like mine, and you use your microwave for
actual cooking, rather than re-heating,
it is NG. It is too high to lift a heavy
pot or cassarole over hot pots on the
range. We have a built-in microwave,
but we mounted it above a built-in wall
oven. We compromised lifting up
and stooping down. So, the microwave is
a bit high, but the oven is a bit
low, but on the average, it works for us.

wrote:
Just bought a fancy new range and I'm trying to decide whether to get a
nice 'angular' range hood and have to get rid of the cabinets above the
range, or install one of those combo microwave/range hood units.

I would like to hear feedback from people who actually own or have
owned them.

My concern? All the pictures how the unit venting over the top of the
microwave. Um, if I buy a nice shiny stainless steel unit isn't it
going to get grunged up really quick if all the condensation is
constantly flowing over the front of it?

You would think they would have the vent underneath.

Am I missing something?

Thx,

J.

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

writes:

Just bought a fancy new range and I'm trying to decide whether to get a
nice 'angular' range hood and have to get rid of the cabinets above the
range, or install one of those combo microwave/range hood units.

I would like to hear feedback from people who actually own or have
owned them.

My concern? All the pictures how the unit venting over the top of the
microwave. Um, if I buy a nice shiny stainless steel unit isn't it
going to get grunged up really quick if all the condensation is
constantly flowing over the front of it?

You would think they would have the vent underneath.

Am I missing something?

Personally, I have an over rnage microwave, and I'm so glad it died
finally so I can justify ripping it out an dputting in a hood. The
fan on it wasn't terribly effective and it was so friggin loud I never
want to use it. Yes the door will get grunged up from cooking
fumes/grease.

Independently speaking, Consumer Reports recently did head to head
testing of over range microwaves vs vent hoods. As for removing smoke
and odors, even the worst vent hood beat the crap out of the best
ventilating microwave.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

In article .com,
says...

My concern? All the pictures how the unit venting over the top of the
microwave. Um, if I buy a nice shiny stainless steel unit isn't it
going to get grunged up really quick if all the condensation is
constantly flowing over the front of it?

You would think they would have the vent underneath.

I briefly considered one of those, but decided to stick with a range
hood that vents to the outdoors since I'd rather vent oil vapors and
combustion products than have the whole family breathe them. Yes,
that's less energy-efficient than keeping the fumes in the house, life
is full of tradeoffs.

--
is Joshua Putnam
http://www.phred.org/~josh/
Braze your own bicycle frames. See
http://www.phred.org/~josh/build/build.html

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

We put in a microwave over the stove and it works fine. Has a short
visor on lower front edge which helps direct steam & grease to the fan
which does pull from UNDERSIDE of the unit. Has a built-in under-light
and also has grease filters which can be removed & cleaned. We are
short people but somehow never use the microwave for huge heavy pots.
Mostly for reheating, making popcorn, defrosting.

If your stove is on an outside wall, definitely get a venting
over-the-range microwave. Saves lots of space in a kitchen, to stack
appliances that way.

C.C.

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

Art Todesco wrote:
If you house is full of short people,
like mine, and you use your microwave for
actual cooking, rather than re-heating,
it is NG. It is too high to lift a heavy
pot or cassarole over hot pots on the
range. We have a built-in microwave,
but we mounted it above a built-in wall
oven. We compromised lifting up
and stooping down. So, the microwave is
a bit high, but the oven is a bit
low, but on the average, it works for us.

wrote:
Just bought a fancy new range and I'm trying to decide whether to get a
nice 'angular' range hood and have to get rid of the cabinets above the
range, or install one of those combo microwave/range hood units.

I would like to hear feedback from people who actually own or have
owned them.

My concern? All the pictures how the unit venting over the top of the
microwave. Um, if I buy a nice shiny stainless steel unit isn't it
going to get grunged up really quick if all the condensation is
constantly flowing over the front of it?

You would think they would have the vent underneath.

Am I missing something?

Stainless steel is a pain to clean.

I'd take enamel anyday.

Mrs. Clean

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

I bought a Panasonic over-the-range microwave / range hood and
installed it over my gas range in a new kitchen. It works very well,
saves space (by combining the range hood and the microwave), and it
vents to the outside. It's got big CFM, plenty for a gas range, and is
a very good microwave to boot.

The only complaint I have is that the fan tends to cycle on when I'm
cooking with multiple burners, to prevent it from getting too hot
(there's a thermostatic fan in there). The fan, on high, is pretty
loud, sometimes when I'd prefer the quiet. There is something
reassuring, though, that it will automatically clear heat from my
kitchen when the stove is getting hot...

In my last house, I installed a similar unit over an electric range,
and never had any complaints.

Good luck!

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

We love our OTR microwave (LG brand). Saves counter space, it's a
super-quiet fan (unlike some, which are REALLY loud) and does not get
"grimed up" at all, although we rarely cook greasy foods indoors.

By the way, OTR microwaves do not vent from the top of the microwave-- they
do it from the bottom. If you have a ventless setup, it sucks it from the
bottom, runs it through a charcoal filter, then blows it out the top (pretty
much ineffectual, IMHO). Ours properly vents out the roof.

-Tim

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

I have one that came with my new home. I personally don't know what
people buy microwaves for. The last one I used was in my parents home
30 years ago. I tried this one and nothing tastes right when I cook in
it. Seems highly unnatural to me.

But as a fancy vent and fan with a clock , it works fine. And I guess
if I'm in a hurry I can eat rubbery food once and a while..
CP

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

"Charles Pisano" wrote in message
...
I have one that came with my new home. I personally don't know what
people buy microwaves for. The last one I used was in my parents home
30 years ago. I tried this one and nothing tastes right when I cook in
it. Seems highly unnatural to me.

Not everything can be microwaved and taste good, but some things are very
good. Corn of the cob, for instance. Most any veggie can be nuked and be
very good. Used properly, they can be very handy, but it is not the place
to cook a Holiday dinner.

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

"Charles Pisano" wrote in message
...
I have one that came with my new home. I personally don't know what
people buy microwaves for. The last one I used was in my parents home
30 years ago. I tried this one and nothing tastes right when I cook in
it. Seems highly unnatural to me.

You don't know how to use the microwave correctly then. We use ours all the
time -- typically not for preparing main dishes, but for things like
defrosting ground beef, reheating leftovers, preparing quick frozen meals
(e.g. hot pockets), and much much more.

If your food turns "rubbery" that means you're overheating it. You probably
need a lower power and more time.

-Tim

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

maurice wrote:
I bought a Panasonic over-the-range microwave / range hood and
installed it over my gas range in a new kitchen. It works very well,
saves space (by combining the range hood and the microwave), and it
vents to the outside. It's got big CFM, plenty for a gas range, and is
a very good microwave to boot.

The only complaint I have is that the fan tends to cycle on when I'm
cooking with multiple burners, to prevent it from getting too hot
(there's a thermostatic fan in there). The fan, on high, is pretty
loud, sometimes when I'd prefer the quiet. There is something
reassuring, though, that it will automatically clear heat from my
kitchen when the stove is getting hot...

In my last house, I installed a similar unit over an electric range,
and never had any complaints.

Good luck!


I had a microwave with the same feature, which I was not aware of until
it came on in the middle of the night once. Scared the daylights out of
me, because I heard it come on, go off, several times. Convinced I had
an unwanted visitor, and so scared I didn't think of dialing 911. Good
thing. I just marched out to the kitchen to meet my fate :o)

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

In article .com,
says...
Just bought a fancy new range and I'm trying to decide whether to get a
nice 'angular' range hood and have to get rid of the cabinets above the
range, or install one of those combo microwave/range hood units.

I would like to hear feedback from people who actually own or have
owned them.

We have one (range hood/microwave/convection oven) in this house
over the stove in an island. They're expensive (had to replace it)
but work well.

My concern? All the pictures how the unit venting over the top of the
microwave. Um, if I buy a nice shiny stainless steel unit isn't it
going to get grunged up really quick if all the condensation is
constantly flowing over the front of it?

Not a chance I'd have SS in the kitchen. ALl of our appliances are
black except the refrigerator (creamish color with a pebble
finish).

You would think they would have the vent underneath.

Am I missing something?

Steam rises?

--
Keith

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

I have a Goldstar and it has worked perfectly for 8 years. We use it
several times a day but I'm always nervous taking out hot dishes
because of the height, it's just asking for trouble, I'm surpised they
are allowed.

The fan sucks all the steam and even smoke on the odd occasion we have
forgotten things on the stove out of the kitchen, I set it up to vent
out of the wall.

David

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

"djenkins6" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a Goldstar and it has worked perfectly for 8 years. We use it
several times a day but I'm always nervous taking out hot dishes
because of the height, it's just asking for trouble, I'm surpised they
are allowed.

I don't understand all the "it's too high" comments. Granted I"m fairly
tall, but my wife isn't, and she loves ours, as does my mom hers.

Before microwaves were common, many folks had those little heating ovens
that went over the range in the same location...

I'm almost wondering if some people mount theres a lot higher than ours is.
Ours is underneath a set of small cabinets. There used to be a standard
range hood there before I put the micro in... It probalby sits 18" or so
above the stove top to the bottom of the micro...


-Tim

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

Maybe I should located the book and read it then. I might actually
enjoy it..?
I did read once where it can cause eye damage if you have a MW that has
a leaky door seal. I'd imagine it has to be kind of aged for that to
happen though..CP

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

"Tim Fischer" wrote in message
. ..
"djenkins6" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a Goldstar and it has worked perfectly for 8 years. We use it
several times a day but I'm always nervous taking out hot dishes
because of the height, it's just asking for trouble, I'm surpised they
are allowed.

I don't understand all the "it's too high" comments. Granted I"m fairly
tall, but my wife isn't, and she loves ours, as does my mom hers.

Before microwaves were common, many folks had those little heating ovens
that went over the range in the same location...

I'm almost wondering if some people mount theres a lot higher than ours
is. Ours is underneath a set of small cabinets. There used to be a
standard range hood there before I put the micro in... It probalby sits
18" or so above the stove top to the bottom of the micro...

Mine was added after the fact, and I find it annoyingly high, and I'm 6'-3".
I can live with the high lift, but previous owner was an idiot, and
butchered the cabinet above, to get the round exhaust duct to fit. Been
pondering since I moved in, on just how to whittle some boards to box in the
duct and hide the oversize holes in cabinet (bottom, shelf, and top) to make
it presentable looking in there, and keep attic insulation from filtering
down. (Some people should NOT DIY, and the previous owner here was one of
them. Been finding stupid and sometimes dangerous stuff since I moved in.)

Also, it is one of those damn touchpad units where it takes ten button
presses to do anything. Since my 24 year old Samsung countertop micro still
sort of works, and takes just a knob twist and button press to use, I find
myself using the old one most of the time.

I agree with the people who say built-in micros are a bad idea. Fans last
basically forever, and come in standard sizes. Micros usually last maybe ten
years, and the sizes keep changing. Better to build in or add a dedicated
shelf to hold a countertop-style micro.

aem sends...

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

Tim Fischer wrote:
"djenkins6" wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a Goldstar and it has worked perfectly for 8 years. We use it
several times a day but I'm always nervous taking out hot dishes
because of the height, it's just asking for trouble, I'm surpised they
are allowed.


I don't understand all the "it's too high" comments. Granted I"m fairly
tall, but my wife isn't, and she loves ours, as does my mom hers.

Before microwaves were common, many folks had those little heating ovens
that went over the range in the same location...

I'm almost wondering if some people mount theres a lot higher than ours is.
Ours is underneath a set of small cabinets. There used to be a standard
range hood there before I put the micro in... It probalby sits 18" or so
above the stove top to the bottom of the micro...


-Tim
I think I started the "it's too high"
comment, so I will address my original
comment.
For heating a cup of coffee or a single
plate, we could probably deal with the
microwave over the range. However, if
you cook larger things in the microwave,
it is difficult to bring a large bowl or
pot down from that height. That coupled
with
the fact there may be a boiling pot on
the range right below, makes it
difficult if not
somewhat dangerous.

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

In article Kr5Wg.221802$QM6.103438@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...

Mine was added after the fact, and I find it annoyingly high, and I'm 6'-3".
I can live with the high lift, but previous owner was an idiot, and
butchered the cabinet above, to get the round exhaust duct to fit. Been
pondering since I moved in, on just how to whittle some boards to box in the
duct and hide the oversize holes in cabinet (bottom, shelf, and top) to make
it presentable looking in there, and keep attic insulation from filtering
down. (Some people should NOT DIY, and the previous owner here was one of
them. Been finding stupid and sometimes dangerous stuff since I moved in.)

I've been finding stupid and dangerous stuff the builder of this
house did twenty years ago.

Also, it is one of those damn touchpad units where it takes ten button
presses to do anything. Since my 24 year old Samsung countertop micro still
sort of works, and takes just a knob twist and button press to use, I find
myself using the old one most of the time.

I agree with the people who say built-in micros are a bad idea. Fans last
basically forever, and come in standard sizes. Micros usually last maybe ten
years, and the sizes keep changing. Better to build in or add a dedicated
shelf to hold a countertop-style micro.

I found several that were exactly the same size as the original GE.
The over-the-range units seem to be standard 30". ...just like the
ranges. ;-)

Mine is built into a copper range hood (actually both hang from the
ceiling) that covers pretty much the entire island so a shelf would
be out.

--
Keith

over-the-range microwave good idea?
 

Thanks for all the advice guys.

In the end I got a regular (Nutone) range hood as the OTRH that matched
our stove was backordered over a month.

So now I put in this new one. It took me forever to get the ducting
hooked up properly, the existing 'hood' that covered the flapper was
angled so my square flapper wouldn't fit into it properly, so I had to
go and get a square one, I couldn't get the existing metal ducting to
fit properly so I had to get some metal flex ducting, the existing
elbow joint wasn't crimped so I had to go back to Home Depot and get
another one. The builder drilled in a screw to secure the one elbow to
the joist which prevented me from getting the other duct into it
properly, the builder also used duct tape on all the joints so I
removed it and used metal tape to seal everything etc.

Got it all secured and wired and fired it up only to find it rattles
quite annoyingly. Sigh.

You know I had much less trouble getting a new water line put in and
connecting my new fridge to it and installing my new dishwasher. You'd
think that installing a range hood would be simple but it's made me
scream in frustration countless times.

J.

krw wrote:
In article Kr5Wg.221802$QM6.103438@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...

Mine was added after the fact, and I find it annoyingly high, and I'm 6'-3".
I can live with the high lift, but previous owner was an idiot, and
butchered the cabinet above, to get the round exhaust duct to fit. Been
pondering since I moved in, on just how to whittle some boards to box in the
duct and hide the oversize holes in cabinet (bottom, shelf, and top) to make
it presentable looking in there, and keep attic insulation from filtering
down. (Some people should NOT DIY, and the previous owner here was one of
them. Been finding stupid and sometimes dangerous stuff since I moved in.)

I've been finding stupid and dangerous stuff the builder of this
house did twenty years ago.

Also, it is one of those damn touchpad units where it takes ten button
presses to do anything. Since my 24 year old Samsung countertop micro still
sort of works, and takes just a knob twist and button press to use, I find
myself using the old one most of the time.

I agree with the people who say built-in micros are a bad idea. Fans last
basically forever, and come in standard sizes. Micros usually last maybe ten
years, and the sizes keep changing. Better to build in or add a dedicated
shelf to hold a countertop-style micro.

I found several that were exactly the same size as the original GE.
The over-the-range units seem to be standard 30". ...just like the
ranges. ;-)

Mine is built into a copper range hood (actually both hang from the
ceiling) that covers pretty much the entire island so a shelf would
be out.

--
Keith