topic Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave... in Kitchen

the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Knit-Chick — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:05:21 GMT

Is when you take your full coffee mug out and spill the coffee into the pan on the range that had your pasta sauce for dinner tonight, LOL

Fortunately only half went in and I think can save my sauce. It's a puttanesca (olive) sauce, so I just added more garlic and olives. No one will ever know!

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

catter70 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:07:10 GMT

I don't cook, so mine just slops on top of the stove.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

We rescue cats — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:22:24 GMT

I never gave that a thought, but am glad you have an easy fix for it. I really wanted a microwave over the stove...have had one for the past 10 years and I really don't like cleaning it all day every day... I hate finger prints and they are always on the key pad.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

ECBG — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:53:50 GMT

I find that heavy items are hard to lift and take down hot.

I do love that the microwave isn't on the counter.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Knit-Chick — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:34:45 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I find that heavy items are hard to lift and take down hot.

I do love that the microwave isn't on the counter.

yes! I agree about the heavy items. And cleaning can be a pain too because I can't reach the very back without a step stool. But it is nice not to take up counterspace.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

RespectLife — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:36:58 GMT

@Knit-Chick wrote:
Is when you take your full coffee mug out and spill the coffee into the pan on the range that had your pasta sauce for dinner tonight, LOL

Fortunately only half went in and I think can save my sauce. It's a puttanesca (olive) sauce, so I just added more garlic and olives. No one will ever know!

That's exacty why I wouldn't put one over the stove when we built this house @Knit-Chick

I'm short and knew I would be wearing or spilling all the time!!

I had a shelf built under one of the cabinets so it is not taking up counter space.

Had it at the last house a well.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Sooner — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:41:36 GMT

We are trying to decide on either under-the-counter or drawer microwave.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Icegoddess — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:49:15 GMT

Mine is over the wall oven, but it's at eye level, so don't have a problem spilling things. However, if I had my druthers I would have an island with one built into the island. I'm thinking as people get older, it will become much more difficult to use those up high.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

chlema — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:48:18 GMT

I have a small kitchen so having the microwave on a shelf over the oven saves counter space. Yes, it is difficult for me to take out hot and/or heavy items since I am old and short - But - my granddaughter lives with me and she is tall and not old so I just say "hey, tall person, I need you" lol. If I'm alone and have to do it myself I am VERY careful since my stove has a glass top! Potholder gloves are a must for me.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

on the bay — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:56:43 GMT

@Knit-Chick,

I'm glad you mentioned this as I thought it was just me.

I hate mine because the guy who installed it thought it was ok for a giraffe!

There have been so many times i've spilled the coffee taking it out!

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

DrBabs — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 23:29:41 GMT

I hate those things! I need to see into the pots on my cooktop without bumping my head, and I want a vent hood that exhausts to the outside. So, in one house I removed the builder-installed microwave and then replaced my backsplash to include tiling the area where the microwave had been. It looked beautiful and I had plenty of room to look into pots, move around, etc. I also installed a new vent hood. Loved it all!

Years later I sold my house. I accepted an offer and the buyer said I had to install a microwave. I countered by saying that he made an offer on the house as it currently stood, but he said he wouldn't proceed unless I did it. I told my realtor that he could do it himself. She had a fit and got so mad at me. Told me not to lose the deal because of a microwave. I told her there were other offers so let's just go to the next on the list. She really got nervous and said she'd pay half the cost. So I had a plan...

I bought the biggest, ugliest, clunkiest microwave I could find for cheap (new, though) and had it installed above the cooktop. All that beautiful tile hidden. The buyer wanted me to guarantee in writing that the microwave was installed by a reputable person. OMG

As soon as the deal closed, two days later the buyer put a For Rent sign in the front yard. It's been a rental ever since.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Hoovermom — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 23:52:44 GMT

When I had my kitchen remodeled a couple of years ago, I removed the over the range microwave. My contractor fit it into the island which had cabinets on the backside. I love it there. He also made a large pull out drawer underneath the microwave so I can store my air fryer, griddle and other things.....it's beautiful.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Sweetbay magnolia — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:07:35 GMT

Mine's still on the counter. In a place where there is no logical place for anything else (not a great design, IMO).

Our old range hood vents to the outside. The fan is quite noisy but it works!

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Rockycoast — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:16:39 GMT

Never cared for a microwave over the stove. Poor design imo. We put our microwave on the middle level of an Origami shelving unit. Waist high so it is easy to see into, clean and put in and take out.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

Regal Bee — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 20:06:36 GMT

When we remodeled our kitchen, I wanted a beautiful range hood over our stove, so we put our microwave in our pantry....works great. I never cook in a microwave, anyway. Just use it to warm some things up.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

sometimesQVCaddict — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:07:20 GMT

I mean no offense, but are you all short in height? Having an over the range microwave is a godsend! I've NEVER thought it was too high up and I can easily reach to the back interior to clean when needed (no stool needed). Plus I love the light and venting options for over my gas stove. Vent hoods are not my thing and I don't like how they look.

Having it inset into a counter below waist level would be a serious pain to bend over that far and I'd probably spill things doing that. lol And having it on the counter takes up too much room and personally in my opinion and for my asthetic tastes, I don't think it looks right.

I would not be buying a new home if there was not one over the stove...just saying!

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

faeriemoon — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:09:43 GMT

Even when a microwave is off it emits a certain amount of radiation. I think it's a bad idea to have it at head level as you stand at the stove cooking.

I have the drawer style microwave.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

sometimesQVCaddict — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:16:28 GMT

Everything will kill us eventually if you get technical about every tiny detail. I'm not worried one bit about a microwave and radiation when cooking, but that's just me!🤷‍♀️

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

wagirl — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:15:15 GMT

I have aways had a micro wave on the counter next to my stove---but now, in my apt, it is over the stove---and while it does save space, I make more of a mess than before. It's a little tall for me but will do.

Re: the problem with an over-the-range microwave...

KCDiva — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:50:41 GMT

I have one over the stove and have had one like that for a long time. I thought it was nice to get it off the counter but I'm short and have a problem getting things out. A drawer one sounds perfect. Funny... I thought it was just me.