I wanted a real hood and to not have to reach into the microwave over hot pots. Because space was tight and open, and like you, I didn't want to see the microwave, I put it right under the counter. It's not the best option, but the best choice for me given my priorities.

Ahaa! In the same conundrum, with a tiny 8 X 11 kitchen in a vacation condo. I never considered it (OTR MW) until my architect suggested it because of the limited space. It does save almost a complete 30" cabinet space, so I am tempted. As the other poster said, reaching up over the cooking surface is not ideal, but......

The main reasons it's out of favor are what Emily said. Since vacation homes tend to be small and open, I'd think a decent hood would be important. It's bad enough having to cook (even if it's just coffee and eggs) while on vacation, without having to smell what you've cooked every time you walk in.

Besides under the counter, people put small microwaves on upper shelves (often designed for the purpose, sometimes adapted) and in appliance garages. They also mount an OTR style MW, but without the fan, over a differnt part of the counter (is there a cranny by the fridge, or something, that's sheltered from view?).

As to "passé", that's not really the issue unless this is a super deluxe place that needs a super deluxe design. If you don't want to see it from the door, however, under the counter, or a microwave drawer (which is also under the counter but easier to get into), are good options.

I don't think it's passe, at least not by me. My neighbor just remodeled their kitchen and kept the OTR microwave. We have one and since we are keeping the current layout, it's staying where it is.

I am not in a condo and am putting in a new kitchen with an over the range micro/second oven. I have learned to embrace it (although it was not easy). My space is odd and I can spare no countertop or cabinets upper or lower to accommodate the micro/2nd oven. If you really do not have the room try not to beat yourself up over it, your kitchen will still look lovely when you are done. As far as danger goes, there are far less accidents in upper microwave locations than countertop and below countertop accidents. The largest study ever done on this was over a seventeen year span and was a very large study group not the hundred or so you see in the dangerous OTR Micro stats. The larger study did cover all burns or injuries of uppers and counter as well as below counter appliances. I have to say that in places I lived that had a fan I did not often use it because the noise bothered me. I do occasionally use my micro/oven fan but not that often. I do not fry that much and when I sear my sesame tuna I do it on the gas burner outside because itÂs messy. So, just like baked goods smells linger and sauces lingerÂI guess itÂs just part of happy home smells that I am rather used too.

Personally, I hate them! In the past, I've used one at my sister's and have seen the danger & lack of adequate venting...and it was an issue getting to it while someone was working at the range, let alone having to reach over a pot of boiling water, etc. to get to it. But I only used it very occasionally, so I merely "disliked" them.

Just a couple of weeks ago I lived with one for a week in a rental and it intensified my "dislike" into hate! The so-called venting was awful...it was very, very loud, and it didn't vent very well at all...even something right under one of the two the small rectangles that were supposed to be the vents. Forget it for anything on the front burners! Even my DH who usually doesn't care commented on not only how useless it was, but that it was very inconvenient and potentially dangerous!

Is the range a gas range? If so, then it's even more dangerous b/c now you're reaching over an open flame as well...be especially careful if you're wearing anything loose like a sweater or jacket, etc.

Try very, very hard to find another place...even if it's in a pantry or an adjacent room! If you honestly cannot fit one elsewhere, then I suppose it's better than no MW, but be aware of the pitfalls.

The designer magazines rarely have articles on small kitchens where every inch counts.

Because I am opening the wall between my kitchen and dining room people will see my OTR microwave from the front door. I tried various layouts to put it elsewhere, but would loose too much precious storage space. I hope that instead of focusing in on the microwave, people who come to my home will see the kitchen as a whole and the decorating effort that I have put into the rooms.

I know that OTR microwaves are considered dangerous on this site, yet having to put your arm between pots on a freestanding range to reach the oven controls in the back doesn't seem to be. That doesn't make sense to me.

I struggled with the MW over the range for our vacation home in the mountains - -not a big fan of it -- but in the end I did it!!! I did not want the MW on the counter. It seemed the MW over the range solved two parts of the kitchen - a simple vent and the MW. I guess the biggest win for us was freeing up counter space, it seems when we arrive there, the counters are filled to the max with all our belonging and stuff for the trip and it takes days to get it all off the countertops, so we like the space.

I am attaching photos of our remodel in progress - -we got rid of the 40" "Harvest Gold" range and replaced it with a 30" from Best Buy on sale. (This is a budget remodel for us the house was built in'77). We rebuilt the cabinets that flank the stove and MW ourselves and then rearranged the the other cabinets, painted the carcasses and made new door and drawer fronts. The look will be much more rustic to fit in with the mountain feel.

Hope this will help you get a feel for your needs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vacation home remodel

Hi there,

I don't think it is passe at all. In many, many super-expensive apartments I've been in (in NYC, in SF, Toronto) the microwave is usually over the stove b/c kitchens are smaller than in suburban homes, and usually in many highrise apartments there is no vent to the outside, so an actual range hood is useless - pure decoration.

I personally prefer the look, and never felt like it was dangerous to get into one - I always have oven mitts on to protect my hands anyway (silicone gloves - they are great.)

Do what is functional for you and don't worry about it. Unless you are putting in an absolutely gorgeous range hood, the microwave will look just as good if not better.

I know it doesn't seem very popular, but with my small kitchen, it was what I ended up doing as I didn't want to give up counter or cupboard space. I like the look of the Kitchenaid one I got, and the venting seems to work fine.
Here's a pic:

Just my personal opinion and perspective. I look at everything through Feng Shui eyes. Anything that creates bad, dangerous or stagnant energy is to be avoided in Feng Shui. When I reach up to pull a dish of hot stuff down towards my face and body, something deep in my primative core says "Danger". Even if nothing happens, my mind and body has experienced a moment of dis-ease. If I've reached up over a stove that's in use.... "Danger - Danger". My opinion is that it should be avoided if at all possible. I only experience this in other people's homes. Another horrible Feng Shui position for a microwave is on top of a refrigerator. Yikes.

While I don't prefer the OTR due to the less than optimal venting, I see nothing wrong with using it in a small vacation home. 99% of our micro use is thawing or reheating. I never put anything heavy or dangerous or exceedingly hot in it, and we are all tall anyway. (That's one of my peeves about the OTR -- hard to see/access tall pots on rear burners) but again, for a vacation home I wouldn't think twice about it.

jacduf, very nice looking kitchen! I can't tell the countertop...slate? Soapstone?

I wouldn't want an OTR for the same reasons others have posted. However, I think it likely that many other folks don't cook like I do, and it might work for them. In my local paper, the Saturday Homes section always features new home or renovation articles and many slick new kitchens have OTRs. It has been a big shock for me to discover that an awful lot of folks who spend big $$$ on kitchen renovations never cook at all anyway.

Like some others, I couldn't spare either the counter space or the cabinet space, so over the range it went. I like the way it looks there, and since it's usually only me in the kitchen, access isn't an issue. The fan/vent is useless though.

Totally Confused

We have a very small kitchen as well, but wanted a "real" exhaust hood. We also did not want to loose any counter space, so opted to use 16" deep uppers allowing us to hide a small M/V inside. Since we only use it to reheat, or defrost, etc., size was not important. We do have to open the cabinet doors when it is in use. We don't miss the storage. The Microwave is on the bottom shelf inside the 36" upper cabinet next to the refer.

Here is a link that might be useful: 16 inch uppers with M/W inside

Mine's over the counter and I find it totally convenient. The only issue is the vent, which is useless.
{{!gwi}}

Never liked them. dont know how they can be code. How can one cook anything that flames, wok, frying? etc.
Also getting things out of it while you can cooking other things seems very dangerous.

jacduf, your kitchen looks like a magazine photo - it is just lovely!

Could you please tell me the model number of the kitchenaid microwave you installed?

Thanks!

I've seen them used where they look very nice. Ours isn't one of the nicest looking ones, but it's okay. Ours actually vents very well, but we did alot of research to find the best venting. Panasonic Genius Prestige. On "super" it vents great - on the other settings not so much.

In our vacation home (summer home), the windows are amost always open and a lake breeze coming in, so venting isn't an issue.

Here is a pic of mrs limestone's kitchen to show how it can be used beautifully.

Here is a link that might be useful: mrs limestone's kitchen w/ otr

Thanks for all the responses..so many people here cool..love the various insight!

I have it narrowed down..but leaning towards putting it in an under counter area even if it takes away a cabinet. Like a pp said, and i didn't even think of it, being so small and an open floorplan, the cooking smells would be icky. Truth be told, we never had a microwave until 4 years ago when my Mom told me how weird I was without one. It's only used to heat up lukewarm Starbucks LOL

SO, I think its not important for us, but being it's a vacay home, well it might get more use with leftovers, carryout etc being reheated. Plus, we plan to one day try and do weekly rentals to help pay property taxes.

We did pick a gas range, so there's that too.

The kitchen pictures above are gorgeous, thanks for sharing!

I think I just need to think how WE are going to live and design around that and not these fancy magazines.

Beckyg75, the model of my OTR microwave is Kitchenaid YKHMS2050SS. Thanks for the compliments!

"How can one cook anything that flames, wok, frying? etc. "

Without a real hood and a larger range you cannot anyway.

Clearance above the stove top and sheet metal make it pretty flame proof.

is there a laundry room you can stash it in?

jacduf, your kitchen is gorgeous! I love the color of your cabinets--it is really yummy!

And I think your microhood looks lovely in your kitchen. I think that is a model we looked at when we were going to have one. Very nice!