Can you get a 36inch microwave?

That will be a fire hazard. You need an actual vent there, and put the MW elsewhere.

Our over the range microwave has a piece of wood on each side that matches the cabinets. I never thought anything about it being that way and am thinking you could also do that. I suppose you could put decorative molding on the side pieces that come down but then you may have trouble keeping them clean with grease and etc.

Ask the store/vendor about a Over the Range Microwave Accessory Filler kit. It will make a 30 inch fit nicely in a 36 inch space.

They do have these but we got the whirlpool low profile microwave so it’s shorter, only 10” tall instead of the standard 15”. Most of the kits fill a 15” tall space

It’s not a fire hazard because it’s an over the range microwave

Yes, it IS a fire hazard, and PROHIBITED BY CODE, to have wood too low directly above a cooking surface. This is a super dangerous idea. You need a hood.

Call Whirpool. and ask for the trim kit for your model.

I've heard that you want the vent to span the full width of the stove, so it can suck up fumes/steam from all the pots. Most 36" wide stoves go edge-to-edge, so a 36" wide vent is needed to do an effective job. Where will the steam go after it bounces off the 3" fillers? Some may go into the vent; some may go towards the cabinets, probably damaging the wood/finish over time.

FWIW, IMO the 36" wide stove is a very top-of-the-line appliance and the over-the-stove microwave generally is not. Many 36" stoves are professional grade appliances, or nearly so. The vents that are part of a microwave don't work as well as dedicated vents, so you it's not really a high-end cooking situation. Plus the look isn't as appealing in a high-end cook's kitchen. Maybe consider moving the micro elsewhere and really max out the value of splurging on that high end appliance?

Green design and cooks kitchen. Are microwave hood over the range units no longer permitted?

A trim kit builds a countertop MW into an oven cabinet. It doesn’t make it safe, or even work, at all, for an OTR. You simply can not put a 30” MW above a 36” cooking surface. You either need a 30” cooktop, or a 36” hood.

The microwave over the range is not the problem if it is built to go over a range. However, wood fillers on the side would be a problem. There should not be wood within 30" up from a range / stove top. The problem is filling in the side spaces with a flammable material. If possible, consider a hood and place a small microwave on the counter or in the pantry. A dedicated hood works much better. An over the range microwave will not vent at all well a 36" range / stovetop.

If you will be using wood fillers, it has to be outside of the range area. I think that's what green designs is trying to convey. So, Get a larger microwave and use a trim kit from SS, or find some metal fillers of some type, like this one:

this is a GE over the range filler kit

But, it looks better to get a larger microwave

GEProfile 36" OTR microwave

I've had this micro for 15 years. it's been great.

If you are short, find a lower place for microwave. Under counter is great. The vent/microwaves don’t do anything except recycle hot, damp air back into your room. Vent much better choice.

Many OTR microwaves can be vented outside.

Yes, it IS a fire hazard, and PROHIBITED BY CODE, to have wood directly above a cooking surface. This is a super dangerous idea. You need a hood.

Please provide a link to the code you’re referencing. Apparently you’ve never seen a wood hood.

Apparently you’ve never seen the manufacturer’s restrictions on combustible surfaces. 30”-36” is the required vertical clearance, designed in conjunction with NFPA codes on combustibles and heat sources. No way can an OTR with wood tacked onto the side achieve that vertical clearance, or only Shaq could use it.

Unless you plan to mount the microwave 30 + inches above range top it will be a fire hazard to have wood filler strips. OP will have to check the installation instructions for the range to see the clearance to flammable surfaces. For my range it’s 30inches from top of the range.

Sammy - I have seen it listed on some national code by a member here a while back.

I have a wood hood and it is entirely covered by a metal liner in the inside. There is a small wood part across the front that is in the no go zone. I mentioned this to the USA maker of my hood and got a non answer answer. My hood is installed per the manufacturers instructions. It is not quite 30" up. I have seen many similar in my area, but not in newer builds. My house and kitchen are older. I don't think this code is in force in my area because I see homes for sale with entire wooden shelves too low over the range - sale goes through without a hitch. I personally am not worried about my few inches - driving around town in my car is more hazardous:) The fire department here is not putting out numerous hood kitchen fires.

Some inspectors in other areas are sticklers and might fault wood in the no go zone - so it is best just not to go there.

Despite my hood being a bit low and only 390cfms - I use it very often and much appreciate the good venting. My kitchen stays cleaner. I am short so an OTR microwave is a not happening for me anyway, but I will never go back to poor venting.

Regarding the trim kit being too tall for the low profile microwave: You could always take the kit to a metal shop and see if they’ll modify the pieces for you.

You specifically said it was prohibited by code, so show the specific code.

Btw, the OTR microwave we’re talking about here vents to the outside and is rated at about 400 cfm.

A trim kit builds a countertop MW into an oven cabinet. It doesn’t make it safe, or even work, at all, for an OTR. You simply can not put a 30” MW above a 36” cooking surface. You either need a 30” cooktop, or a 36” hood.

Wrong.

1) Nobody makes 36" OTRs anymore GE & Kitchen aid last one out, too expensive ! 2) I was told by whirlpool they stop making those trim pieces.Especially since they are going the "figure print resistance stainless " route. There is a company in L.A. called Mircotrim http://www.microtrim.com/

Just forget an OTR. Especially a 30” above a 36”. That isn’t even doable or safe. They don’t work well as a MW, or a vent. The worst combination of both functions. Get a real vent and put a MW somewhere else.

I've never understood why any one would want a microwave over the stove in the first place. It has always seemed awkward and dangerous to me. Just shy of 5'4" I'm not sure I could even see the top of the cooking container and would probably have to tip toe to stir any thing. I just know I would eventually seriously burn myself. I also don't get a wall oven that you have to reach up to put your pans in. Wow, I just scrolled back and looked at the pictures; I'd have to have a two step stool for that height!

We ended up buying the ridiculously expensive trim pieces that are specifically for an over the range microwave (they are stainless steel). We could not find a 36" microwave. We do not have a big kitchen so did not want a microwave on the countertop. It takes up too much space. As far as the venting not being good enough for a 36" stove, we had literally no venting prior to this kitchen remodel so this will be better than what we had. Just trying to work with what we have, which is a house built in the early 50's.

Thanks for all the feedback. It's greatly appreciated.