From what I've read on this and the Appliances Forums and experienced at my sister's first-hand...it's about par for the course for the majority of Over-the-Range MW/Hoods...one of the several reasons they are not recommended here (or on the Appliances Forum).

However, this is NOT normal for dedicated range hoods like Vent-A-Hood, Modern Aire, etc. Dedicated range hoods do a great job of removing smoke, steam, odors, grease, heat, etc. as long as they're sized properly, are strong enough (cfms) for their accompanying range/cooktop and cooking styles, and installed properly.

(It is generally recommended that a range hood be 6" wider than the cooking surface and that it cover the entire cooking surface front-to-back with a couple of inches overhang in the front...usually 24" deep. Recommended cfms are a minimum of 600 cfms and up.)

I've included the link to the Appliances Forum's FAQ on range hoods.

Here is a link that might be useful: Overview of vent hoods

I agree w/ Buehl - they aren't effective. That said, we are getting another over-the-range MW for our remodel. Our kitchen is small and we didn't want to take up valuable real estate with the MW.

There are CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings for OTR MWs. If I recall correctly, they max out at 300 CFMs, although I think there might have been one at 400. It's been a while, but I think Panasonic was the only brand where I couldn't find that info.

Another thing that can make it slightly more effective is to vent it to the outside. It won't make it move more air, but should help with smells. They all have options to either vent it out or recirculate the air. Our old one was recirculating and we hated it - not only was it not effective in capturing grease, steam, etc, it dumped the smells right back in the kitchen (after filtering though an ineffective carbon filter).

And, yes, they are really loud. Venting outside should help that a little as well, but we are not too hopeful. Try to find a store with the MWs wired up so you can try the fan out.

There is lots of info in the appliance forum about the OTR MWs - just be ready for lots of negativity towards them! I have given up on the search provided by this website - use google. You can specify the site to google if you want by using this:

over range microwave site:www.thathomesite.com

Also try site:ths.gardenweb.com I don't know why there are two websites to search, but I always get some different results with the two different site searches.

Good luck! BTW, we are getting an Advantium 120, should be installed in 2 or 3 weeks.

We had to get a recirculating one because of the way the plumbing went through that wall. It's useless as a fan and the light isn't worth a darn either. I wish I had installed one more recessed light. On the other hand, the thing isn't taking up valuable counter space, so I guess it's all a trade-off. I just need to remember to open windows when I broil BEFORE the smoke alarm goes off.

Totally Confused

When it came time to remodel we faced the same dilemma. In our small kitchen, we did not want the microwave on the counter, but also wanted a real exhaust fan. Because we mostly use the microwave for reheating or defrosting, we hid a small one in a 16" deep upper cabinet, and then installed a 600 CFM exhaust hood, 3 speed, vented out side, and with good lighting over the stove. Works great for us.