A well-designed microwave will need 3” of clearance at the top and the sides, with at least 1” at the rear. In other words, if you are asking 'does a microwave need space around it? ' the answer is yes. It ensures the right level of airflow and protects the appliance.
1" clearance in the rear. The front edge of the microwave (measured at door) should sit at least 3" or more back on the counter or shelf to avoid accidental tipping. If located on the counter near a range, we recommend locating it at least 2 ft away.
It should have at least 3 inches of clearance on both sides and the top for venting purposes. It should also have an inch of clearance in the rear for good measure. This applies whether you're using a countertop or built-in microwaves with a cabinet surrounding it.
A microwave oven, designed exclusively for a kitchen countertop, has vents that are built into the back of microwave. If installed into a cabinet, these vents will be blocked and unable to release steam from the microwave,. Talk about a fire hazard for your kitchen.
The thing is if you don't have a lot of room in the kitchen, is it possible to put a microwave in a cupboard? The simple answer is yes. It can fit just fine, like a built-in oven. However, this must be done with caution to avoid any difficulties because of the enclosed space.
There is no requirement that your Over The Range (OTR) Microwave be vented to the outdoors. All OTR microwave ovens can be set up to either allow the fan to recirculate the air back into the kitchen or be vented to the outdoors.
The vents allow expanding hot air to be released. So, you should allow enough clearance for these vents when installing a microwave oven. Proper airflow ensures efficient operation. Otherwise, the device may start malfunctioning, and efficiency will be compromised.
A ductless recirculating vent pulls air through a filter and exhausts the air back into the kitchen. Some units are equipped with a charcoal filter that traps some particulate matter and odors, but most of the heat and moisture, along with some types of particles, stay in the house.
Vented microwave hoods are much more efficient at removing contaminants from your kitchen air. A recirculating microwave hood recirculates the air through charcoal filters and back into your kitchen.
Aim for a location that's convenient to the countertop, stove top and fridge. It's really common to pop something straight from the fridge into the microwave, so you want the two to be close together – while ensuring there's bench space nearby.
While over-the-range microwaves have been stylish for years, the trend is on the way out in 2018.
You can tell if it's the case by going outside and looking at the wall to see if there's a wall cap. This allows the escape or exit of vented air from the kitchen. Naturally, the range hood probably won't be vented outdoors if it isn't mounted on an outside wall.
Built-in microwaves can be installed into a wall or cabinet for convenient operation. With a similar capacity to other microwave styles, the built-in design has the advantages of saving counter space and being able to be installed away from the range, allowing multiple people more space to cook together.
An over-the-range microwave system won't vent as well as a range hood, and will either operate via a fully-vented system or a ductless system.
You can put a countertop microwave in a cabinet instead of a built-in type, as long as you follow the necessary safety precautions (ensuring adequate ventilation, the shelf is strong enough to hold it, and proper wire management) to ensure your cabinet and microwave don't get damaged.
Yes, you can stand a safe distance in front of the microwave. Microwave ovens are designed to keep in radiation. Against the glass, there is a protective mesh screen dotted with tiny holes.