Kitchen

[DrBabs]

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.

[Hoovermom]

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.  

[Sweetbay magnolia]

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!

[Rockycoast]

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.

[Regal Bee]

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. 

[sometimesQVCaddict]

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!

[faeriemoon]

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.

[sometimesQVCaddict]

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!🤷‍♀️

[wagirl]

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.

[KCDiva]

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.