OTR Microwave distance over range question

9 years ago

I'm trying to help my mother (age 78) replace her OTR microwave. Her existing one died. She has had new cabinets built recently and loves them and doesn't (right now) want to find a new place for a microwave. Her existing OTR microwave always seemed ridiculously high (cabinets were built by a TALL man who didn't work will with my sweet mother) and unsafe for her 5' 1" height. In the rural area where my mother lives, finding a skilled and available contractor is a huge challenge. I want to gather as much information as possible to help her get the best solution.

A. Can someone please explain the required/suggested/petite-person-preferred distance between the range (induction) and the bottom of the microwave?

B. I'm thinking about suggesting she consider an OTR GE Advantium if the height above floor/range won't be too challenging for her. It seems like it might be a super convenient option for her quantity of cooking. Another option is to see if she'd give-up her countertop toaster oven and use a microwave there. Is there such a thing as a countertop Advantium-like product?

Thanks!

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Comments (6)

5birdy
9 years ago
We bought a wonderful countertop microwave. It is very easy to use (just spin the dial) and has secure handles. Bought it after reading a review where the young man said his mother could use it! Possibly you could just leave the existing OTR in place and have a countertop version either on existing counter space or buy a separate small kitchen "table"/cart to hold it. Sharp - 1.6 Cu. Ft. Family-Size Microwave - Stainless steel. Model: SMC1655BS. Available at Lowes and now on sale at Best Buy. Good luck!
Jakvis
9 years ago
You can check the install instructions but I believe most OTR microwaves must be 15 inches above the range to meet code.
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nerdyshopper
9 years ago
I thought code required 24 inches above a range for fire safety.
Jakvis
9 years ago
Typically the OTR manufacturer has that the upper cabinet that the OTR attaches to must be 30 inches above the range top. Most OTR's are 15-17 inches tall so that puts the bottom of the OTR between 13 and 15 inches away from the cooking surface. This puts the bottom of the microwave interior floor somewhere around 4.5 feet from the kitchen floor or about armpit to shoulder high for the average height person.

When you start getting higher than shoulder high it becomes more dangerous for the person removing hot food from the m/w.
cpartist
9 years ago
I'm 5'3" and an OTR MW is too high for me. At age 78, and being 5'1" tall, that is an accident waiting to happen. We're doing a drawer microwave. Great for us short folks.
divotdiva2
9 years ago
I'm 5'0" and would not want a OTR MW. Too dangerous for me as the hot food would be at eye level. Suggest you remove the old one and use the electrical connection perhaps for a nice thin hood to tie in the space with the cabinets, and get her a countertop unit.