This is not a very conspicuous area. I wouldn't worry about it.

I have a little gap between quartzite backsplash and otr micro. It's not noticeable at all unless of course I put my head right underneath as I just did to take the photo. Other than that I can't see it from a distance or even when standing in front. Hope these photos help. Once again one photo is sideways sorry.

The photos are really helpful, Jancy. Looks to be about a 1/4" gap?

One additional question: Did they install the microwave first or the backsplash? And was there any discussion on the best method?

Beautiful backsplash, btw.

My micro is slightly higher than the bottom of cabinets so gap is a bit higher there, which makes gap under cabinets less. It looks to be 1/4 or a just a speck less under micro area and smaller gap runs under cabs. There is a gap across the whole run cause it's all one piece of stone.

The cabinets and microwave were installed first. Fabricators came to take measurements and installed just the counters first and then took measurements again for backsplash after counter installation. They came and installed backsplash on the 2nd visit. They did tell me there will be a small gap and that it was necessary so they could get the bs in. I would assume if it was a tight fit, how would they get it? They also said that gap should not be caulked.

I did wait until counters and backsplash were installed before having my light rail installed. I didn't want anything unnecessary at the time in their way and didn't want them to get damaged. Honestly you cannot see it at all and it runs the length of cabinets. I am so picky I can drive myself crazy and this doesn't bother me at all. Thank you for the compliment.

This information is really helpful. I too am very picky, so your perspective is much appreciated.

One of the reasons for the 3/8" gap under the microwave in our case is that the microwave isn't available now but the countertop facility wants to install the countertop on schedule. So the plan is to leave 1/4" gap in case we ever need to replace the microwave at any point and then 1/8" more to allow for any difference between the real microwave and the microwave specifications. All of this was a surprise to me because neither the countertop company or the kitchen designer ever mentioned that the microwave should be installed first and when I last spoke with the kitchen designer about it, she was recommending that the backsplash be installed all the way to the bottom of the cabinet behind the microwave, which would of course not result in any gap. So I'm just trying to "get my head around it" before I give them the OK.

hjs:

There is another better looking alternative. Run the splash an inch or so into the microwave opening, shim the wall studs flush to the splash, and mount the microwave in front of the splash. So it sticks out another 1 1/4", big deal. There is no gap to caulk or see and never a problem if you change microwaves.

I like this idea a lot. But I think I might still be concerned about the microwave installer chipping the backsplash. I just don't know that much about how those things go in. Thoughts?

The Better option is to ditch the OTR or ditch the full height stone backsplash. The two are incompatible design wise and install wise. Use tile, or granite tile that matches the counters.

A little late for this option, live wire oak, but I'm sure others will profit from your input.

My kitchen was much to small (condo) to not have an otr micro. For 20 years I had a small one on my counter and it really took up to much space with limited counter. I now use that area for coffee maker and soda stream. Otr micro would not have been my first choice but I'm actually glad it's there now.

I personally would not want my micro sticking out even further if I ran the stone behind it.

Another thing to consider is that there is a bracket that goes on the wall also to hold the microwave along with the screws on top. I think I would have been very nervous having them install the microwave after the backsplash.

Can you wait to do just the backsplash after the microwave is installed? I would. You can get your counters in, then once microwave is installed have them come back to remeasure the backsplash area. This way no worries about them chipping the stone backsplash and measurements would be correct without guessing. This is just my 2 cents but I would not want them doing it the way they want. I would do the backsplash after the microwave is in place. They really have to kind of finagle the microwave in there and I was a wreck watching it just making sure that they didn't chip my cabinets so I could not even imagine what I would have been like if the backsplash was already in! I think your best bet for less chance of damage and fitting correctly would be to wait for microwave to get installed first.

My kitchen designer and the fabricator both told me to have it installed first which I planned on any way and all my appliances on site prior to counters being measured and for templating.

Thanks for the additional input, Jancy. I am going with your recommendation and asking that they wait to install the backsplash until after the microwave is installed. I had not thought about the fact that they could go ahead and install the countertop. I'll suggest that.

I also have a small kitchen and needed all the space I can get for storage. Hence the OTR microwave. We've had one in our condo for 10 years and I actually find it very convenient. I know that the venting capability isn't ideal, and some people don't like reaching up for hot items, and they don't look as cool as a nice hood but... it was a cost-effective solution for us.

Again, your input has been invaluable. Thank you!

You're so welcome hjs. I would just make sure that they don't cut the backsplash until after they install counters and remeasure bs area after microwave is in. I can't imagine it would be a problem for them to do the bs after. Actually I would insist. My fabricator and installers told me that they do backsplashes after counters are installed so they could remeasure everything and the install of bs would be a week later.

Why make yourself crazy and nervous when it can easily be done after microwave is in. If you have anymore questions or need more pictures don't hesitate to ask. Best of luck.

I'm sorry, I don't under stand what you mean by limited capture area.

" Also think down the road 3-5 years when it dies and you need to replace it. What happens if the new one is taller, as has been the trend?"

This problem is eliminated if the microwave is installed in front of instead of above the splash.

The capture area is the area that covers the burners and captures the cooking vapors and grease. A range hood is deeper front to back than an OTR, giving better capture to the steam and odors, not to mention having a better quality and more robust fan. Covering an additional 1 1/2" of an already limited surface on an OTR, will make it even less effective. Not to mention making changing he filters even more difficult!

"This problem is eliminated if the microwave is installed in front of instead of above the splash."

Yeah, but who drills the holes in the granite for the OTR mounting bracket then? Your average installer will just break or burn a couple of bits, cuss, and leave.

Thanks for the info on capture area.

I did like the idea of installing the microwave on front of the backsplash. (And I think the idea was that the stone would just extend up a few inches). However, I don't like the idea of the microwave extending any further into the room. I can see myself running into it in the dark... lol.

Let's say the microwave dies in 5 years and every stainless OTR microwave on the market is taller than the opening. I'll take out the microwave, put in a hood with a stainless plate or tile to fill the void. Buy a tiny microwave and sit it on the counter. Voilà... lol!

How are you going to run into the microwave before you run into either the range or the counter?

You'll just have to be picky about measurements when shopping for a replace otr.

Hello all. I just realized that this isn't an all-or-nothing situation. I could install the full-height backsplash to either side of the range and otr microwave and use tile behind the range - or if it's not too expensive maybe a stainless steel panel. Thoughts from anyone?

Jancy, because your situation is very similar to mine, I'm particularly interested in your thoughts regarding a stainless steel sheet behind the stove. (We will have a slide-in stove.) And many thanks to all for your input.

What is your planned height for your OTR?

Some people choose to have them hang down below the adjacent cabinets, making the bottom of the MW be around 15''-16'' above the cooking surface. (That uses a 15''H cabinet above the MW when you use 30'' H uppers.)

Others opt for a couple of inches above the adjacent bottom cabinets. (That uses a 12''H upper with 30'' uppers.) That is my preference, as it allows for more variation in future models. Only with custom cabinets would you be able to exactly line up a 16 1/2" tall MW with the bottom of the adjacent cabnets, and that would be off when replacing it in the future.

Also, what is your reasoning behind choosing a full height stone backsplash for your kitchen? For choosing an OTR? If we understood the reasoning behind the choices, pehaps additional suggestions could be made that fulfilled the primary functionality behind the choice but would be more stylistically cohesive together.

Hjs I did not even consider a stainless steel backsplash in that area. My area is small only 87 inches from wall to wall where my slide in stove is located and did not want to break it up. Thought of tile but did not want grout nor did I even want to have to look for tile. I purposely looked for a non busy quartzite so I could use it as a backsplash. The only other area with stone backsplash is 31 1/2 from fridge panel to wall. So not much backsplash area. I also have a structural jog out in my kitchen which actually makes the space smaller which is located between both walls. I really have a small kitchen. I am not that concerned if I have to replace microwave in the future right now I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. If that was the case I would have to be worring about fridge size replacement in future also. I honestly was tired of making decisions and second guessing everything. My otr microwave just makes more sense for me in such a small area and my stone is so pretty that I wanted it to be used as a backsplash. If you love your stone and want it for backsplash, do it, lifes to short. Do what you love and enjoy it.

I like your attitude and advice, Jancy.

I do love my choice of countertop (Silestone Cemento Suede), which I paired with natural cherry shaker cabinets (3" wide rails and stiles) with orb hardware. I was going for a simple, warm modern farmhouse look. The kitchen is around 7' x 12." Three straight sides, no corner cabinets: a pantry wall with fridge (approximately 7'), an island with sink (approximately 7'), and a wall with range and otr microwave in the middle (approximately 7'). So my range wall is of similar length as yours, Jancy (90'). That wall is the only one with a backsplash and like you, I didn't want to deal with grout. I also liked the simplicity of the full-height backsplash... and, as a bonus, I had the extra material available from the countertop slabs, so I only needed to pay a bit extra for installation. Also, another consideration is that the kitchen is part of a great room and is visible as soon as you walk in the door, so it felt as if the stone backsplash would give the cabinet more of the look of furniture. I definitely don't want tile (even though I said earlier that might be an option). I would consider a stainless steel plate with brushed finish because it feels as if that would tie the range and microwave together... as if they were all one unit. However, the wall may be too short and the stainless too industrial for the look I'm going for. I do know however that I will not be happy if the stone gets chipped if I have to replace the microwave.

In answer to your question, prosource, I believe the microwave will be fairly level with the bottom of the cabinets. The opening is 18" high and the microwave is 17 1/2" high.

Also, I don't want to get off subject, but at some point, Jance, I would be very interested in knowing if you used plug mold and, if so, what kind. Or did you put outlets in backsplash?

All thoughts welcome.

oh, I should also have said: all stainless appliances (Bosch) and stainless faucet (delta trinsic).

One more thing: the reason for choosing otr microwave is to save space.

Quartz has a resin component---plastic. With high heat cooking and only an OTR for ventilation, it's very possible that that resin component may scorch.

Perhaps sheet glass or stainless could give you the same easy to clean surface as your engineered quartz. Even a scrubbable wallpaper everywhere but behind the range might work.

I would be hesitant to use engineered quartz in your specific situation because of the potential for scorching that Sophie mentions above. I have seen similar splashes in laminate or vinyl wallpaper with big scorch marks, and quartz would be even closer to the heat source because of the additional thickness. Unresined natural stone would not have that scorching risk. It would just have the associated installation challenges, and the potential for the sealer to scorch.

Hi hjs . I did not put in plugmolds. I didn't want to see plug wires hanging done if by chance I wanted to leave anything plugged in. The only thing I do leave plugged in is my coffee pot. I had my kitchen all re-wired so I would be able to put them in at a later date if I wanted or needed to. I did not put any plugs on the 2 stone backsplashes. A friend of mine has them on her granite and they look perfectly fine. I have plugs on both sides of jog out and also on a small corner right hand side of stove wall (small wall). I also have an open kitchen to dining area and living room. I have plugs on wall when entering into the kitchen.

This is great input. Thank you so much.

I was not aware of the scorching issue with engineered quartz. Sounds as if a good option is to install the quartz behind as a full-height backsplash to the right and the left of the stove with stainless directly behind the stove.

@hjs Since it's been a long time, I'm wondering what you ended up doing. Can you please post a picture of your backsplash? I'm in the same predicament you were in. I initially naively thought I could easily have a quartz backsplash without giving much thought to my existing OTR.