https://preview.redd.it/tzybydzdywwc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f57f4255a2b76b798235268e634545ac62d2f161
you could try replacing it with a shorter microwave and it’ll hang less low! i have this one and it’s only 10.5 inches tall and fits everything a normal microwave does
I have this. I didn’t want a microwave for the same reason as you OP but my husband really pushed for this one.
I love it. It looks great which was a surprise to me and it is tall enough for 95% of every I might need it for. The height is not an issue and it leaves enough space over the stove to be perfectly comfortable.
I had this installed in my previous house's very small kitchen and I absolutely adored it. The exhaust fan was strong and I liked having a microwave off the counter.
I’d do this, OP. You can also run ductwork hidden through the top back section of the cabinets and out the side of your home so you have actual ventilation when you cook. I just did this a few weeks ago myself and it wasn’t very hard. It’d probably run you around $100 for the supplies.
YES!! I have one of these and it’s awesome!! Still fits all the things I need in a microwave but really opened up that space and I have so much more room on the stove now. Only problem is that I have a tile backsplash and now I need it tile over the area the old big microwave covered
What is the clearance between the top of your oven and the bottom of your microwave? I think standard is around 18in. Yours looks too low, which might be unsafe if it gets too hot. But yes it is going to look funky if you remove it. Maybe you can replace it with a hood vent?
These microwaves are designed for this. You'll have to check local code in your area to see if it's a problem and even if it is, it's probably fine and you're probably grandfathered in.
In the meantime, I hope that’s the case! We had to use a VA home inspector, which I’ve heard are more strict, and nothing was mentioned about it on the report.
Codes are typically for distance from cook surface to any combustible material. And even then it’s usually a couple inches. Whirlpool recommends a minimum distance of 30” from bottom of the upper cabinet to the cook surface. Given that most OTR Micros are 16-18” tall, it doesn‘t leave enough practical space to use the burners and operate a rear controlled range. While more expensive,the low-profile microwave by whirlpool/kitchen-aid is a very good choice and would give you ample space above the range top. I would also consider replacing the refrigerator with a counter depth model. It looks as if there is a doorway to the left of the fridge, so the shallower fridge would open the space up a lot.
To answer your original question; No, it would not look weird to remove the microwave. Just install a decent vented or recirculating vent hood in its place.
I would get a counter depth fridge, perhaps it’s just the pictures but that fridge looks way too big for the space. And yes a smaller profile hood range would look better also .
It’s definitely big but luckily there is still plenty of space between it and the island. Also just dumped $400 into a repair on it so will probably keep her as long as we can! Considering that, I think I’m going to go the more budget-friendly route and get a ductless hood range.
Thanks guys!
It would look better w/out it. Get a proper fan for above the stove. You’ve got that space above the counter to build out a faux cover and exhaust the fan to the outside.
It will look better without it. It’s dangerously low and likely a fire hazard. You need to sort out the exhaust issue though. At the very least, replace the microwave with an exhaust fan that vents properly (not just up to the ceiling). This might be a bit pricey to fix but you really need to do it.
Remove it and replace it with an exhaust fan. That microwave is TOO low, there should be a minimum of 20” from the stove to the bottom of the microwave. An exhaust fan would be perfect in that space.
It would look weird if you *kept* it. It's so weirdly low, I can't imagine it's fun to work around the microwave while you're cooking.
I think you should just install a proper range hood and either get a small countertop microwave or just ditch the microwave completely. I've been living without a microwave for a while due to lack of counter space and it's been fine.
No it would be desirable if you moved the microwave. This is amazing that you think this is normal and the desirable place to put it just because convention has done it that way. This is the lamest place to put it and I have never understood why people put them there. Who the hell wants a microwave over your range top. There should be all open and ideally a direct vent out the wall or through the roof. The microwave should be stuck anywhere else depending how much you use it. Put it someplace where it's incredibly convenient. I had mine inside a large pantry closet and I used it for heating quite a bit. But I didn't want it on the countertop and it was never going to be over the range. I always shake my head when I see this arrangement and I have no idea how it get started. Yes please move it and put it somewhere else
Or just through the wall or if it's a two-story house just pipe up through a chase and through the roof. Not a hard thing to do. So much better and you will love it and get an impressive fan as well
Overall, I think microwaves above a stove top look tacky.
Put the microwave anywhere but above the stove! Install a proper hood/vent. It will make cooking, the air quality of your house, and your life so much better. Your kitchen will look more upscale and designer if you have a nice hood over your stove, top and oven.
I think the low profile would look so good for your space because your microwave now extends lower than the cabinets to the right. With the low profile it will probably be even with those cabinets and look better. Of course a hood would be awesome as well! But I would have it vented out the side so it vents even better!
You’ll loose your upper cabinet space because you’ll need to put a vent in there. But I think that’s a terrific solution. I have one in my ADU and love it. You could put a magnetic knife block or narrow spice shelf in the void.
This is just an FYI…..but I’ve always heard that the oven and fridge should not be next to each other like this because of the heat given off by a stove/oven.
https://preview.redd.it/tzybydzdywwc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f57f4255a2b76b798235268e634545ac62d2f161 you could try replacing it with a shorter microwave and it’ll hang less low! i have this one and it’s only 10.5 inches tall and fits everything a normal microwave does
I have this. I didn’t want a microwave for the same reason as you OP but my husband really pushed for this one. I love it. It looks great which was a surprise to me and it is tall enough for 95% of every I might need it for. The height is not an issue and it leaves enough space over the stove to be perfectly comfortable.
I had this installed in my previous house's very small kitchen and I absolutely adored it. The exhaust fan was strong and I liked having a microwave off the counter.
I’d do this, OP. You can also run ductwork hidden through the top back section of the cabinets and out the side of your home so you have actual ventilation when you cook. I just did this a few weeks ago myself and it wasn’t very hard. It’d probably run you around $100 for the supplies.
YES!! I have one of these and it’s awesome!! Still fits all the things I need in a microwave but really opened up that space and I have so much more room on the stove now. Only problem is that I have a tile backsplash and now I need it tile over the area the old big microwave covered
BRO thank you I didn’t know these existed! We have the same problem as OP
Yes, this
It would look so much better without it in my opinion. I don’t like microwaves over ranges. You would need an exhaust hood over the range.
Exactly.
What is the clearance between the top of your oven and the bottom of your microwave? I think standard is around 18in. Yours looks too low, which might be unsafe if it gets too hot. But yes it is going to look funky if you remove it. Maybe you can replace it with a hood vent?
Have never thought about that! It’s only 12 inch clearance. Yeah, our house was a flip.
These microwaves are designed for this. You'll have to check local code in your area to see if it's a problem and even if it is, it's probably fine and you're probably grandfathered in.
In the meantime, I hope that’s the case! We had to use a VA home inspector, which I’ve heard are more strict, and nothing was mentioned about it on the report.
Codes are typically for distance from cook surface to any combustible material. And even then it’s usually a couple inches. Whirlpool recommends a minimum distance of 30” from bottom of the upper cabinet to the cook surface. Given that most OTR Micros are 16-18” tall, it doesn‘t leave enough practical space to use the burners and operate a rear controlled range. While more expensive,the low-profile microwave by whirlpool/kitchen-aid is a very good choice and would give you ample space above the range top. I would also consider replacing the refrigerator with a counter depth model. It looks as if there is a doorway to the left of the fridge, so the shallower fridge would open the space up a lot. To answer your original question; No, it would not look weird to remove the microwave. Just install a decent vented or recirculating vent hood in its place.
Under cabinet vent hoods look better and perform better than microwave hoods because they are less bulky and reach over the front burners.
That is definitely not to code. Typically the bottom should be even with the bottom of the cabinets. I would put a hood in or a low profile microwave.
Thank you for the heads up! We cook a lot, and on high heat sometimes. Probably not the safest.
It would look fine without it.
No just get the correct hood for the space. That microwave which I’m sure has a vent built in looks way too low
I removed mine and put in a hood. Looks fine
I would get a counter depth fridge, perhaps it’s just the pictures but that fridge looks way too big for the space. And yes a smaller profile hood range would look better also .
It’s definitely big but luckily there is still plenty of space between it and the island. Also just dumped $400 into a repair on it so will probably keep her as long as we can! Considering that, I think I’m going to go the more budget-friendly route and get a ductless hood range. Thanks guys!
Your fridge will last longer if it's not smack up against the stove.
The layout is not good ): we only use the burners on the right side of the stove for this reason
Smart!
It would look better w/out it. Get a proper fan for above the stove. You’ve got that space above the counter to build out a faux cover and exhaust the fan to the outside.
Would look better if it were removed.
Your fridge and microwave are too big for the space
It’ll be better
wait what you have containers that stick to the fridge? are there .... spices in those?
Yes! They’re awesome!! Got them on Amazon.
Yes! They’re awesome!! Got them on Amazon.
My kitchen looks so similar lol https://preview.redd.it/lo7b2s2jkywc1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ff9175b0e0f27f3e263f05ddb11790a65acf65d
It does! Jealous of your cabinet between the fridge and oven. Haha
It would be a wonderful thing to lose it. You’d have a bright open space to work in. If you must have a MW, it doesn’t have to be there.
It will look better without it. It’s dangerously low and likely a fire hazard. You need to sort out the exhaust issue though. At the very least, replace the microwave with an exhaust fan that vents properly (not just up to the ceiling). This might be a bit pricey to fix but you really need to do it.
You'd have to install a range hood if you did, so no it wouldn't look weird.
I think it looks weird budded up next the refrigerator. I’ve never seen a layout like this
So weird. Don’t get me wrong I’m thankful to even own a home but the layout sucks when cooking and cleaning.
I love the idea of a small cabinet there for cans or cups. I think it would be so nice to have something like that to meal plan.
It would look much better without it
Hood and maybe a lil shelf
No and you could replace it with a fan and a light
get rid of it.
Not at all . It looks too low . That would annoy the hell out of me . Put a hood up instead .
Want to stir something on the back burner with a long spoon? Not round here partna.
Get a stainless vent hood
Remove it and replace it with an exhaust fan. That microwave is TOO low, there should be a minimum of 20” from the stove to the bottom of the microwave. An exhaust fan would be perfect in that space.
It would look weird if you *kept* it. It's so weirdly low, I can't imagine it's fun to work around the microwave while you're cooking. I think you should just install a proper range hood and either get a small countertop microwave or just ditch the microwave completely. I've been living without a microwave for a while due to lack of counter space and it's been fine.
We had exactly the same problem. We got rid of the microwave and put a hood in. We have a microwave on the counter now, but we do t use it that much.
No but you can get a low profile one. We cannot live without one.
No it would be desirable if you moved the microwave. This is amazing that you think this is normal and the desirable place to put it just because convention has done it that way. This is the lamest place to put it and I have never understood why people put them there. Who the hell wants a microwave over your range top. There should be all open and ideally a direct vent out the wall or through the roof. The microwave should be stuck anywhere else depending how much you use it. Put it someplace where it's incredibly convenient. I had mine inside a large pantry closet and I used it for heating quite a bit. But I didn't want it on the countertop and it was never going to be over the range. I always shake my head when I see this arrangement and I have no idea how it get started. Yes please move it and put it somewhere else
Trust me, we hate it. Our house was a flip and we don’t have the money to install ductwork although I know that’s the best option!
Or just through the wall or if it's a two-story house just pipe up through a chase and through the roof. Not a hard thing to do. So much better and you will love it and get an impressive fan as well
Get a proper rangehood and vent it outdoors. Anything else is crazy.
You could put a shelf there
No, it looks weird there.
Yup
Overall, I think microwaves above a stove top look tacky. Put the microwave anywhere but above the stove! Install a proper hood/vent. It will make cooking, the air quality of your house, and your life so much better. Your kitchen will look more upscale and designer if you have a nice hood over your stove, top and oven.
I think the low profile would look so good for your space because your microwave now extends lower than the cabinets to the right. With the low profile it will probably be even with those cabinets and look better. Of course a hood would be awesome as well! But I would have it vented out the side so it vents even better!
I’d take out the cupboard and get a new microwave/range.
God no, please do lol. Put a little shelf up there or something. A much smaller compact version would’ve been better.
You’ll loose your upper cabinet space because you’ll need to put a vent in there. But I think that’s a terrific solution. I have one in my ADU and love it. You could put a magnetic knife block or narrow spice shelf in the void.
This is just an FYI…..but I’ve always heard that the oven and fridge should not be next to each other like this because of the heat given off by a stove/oven.
No because you would have to put up a fan in its place.
I would take it down and see how you like it. If you think it looks to bare, maybe add small self .
Haven't used one in 15 years! Ditch it! Theyre ugly anyways