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. Do not place near or over a heat source.
Most major manufacturers recommend a distance of 30 inches between the top of the microwave and the surface of the oven. Depending on the height of the oven, this equates to roughly 14 or 15 inches between the underside of the microwave and the stovetop.
Installed height: For safety and convenience, you don't want to install an OTR microwave too high. The National Kitchen and Bath Association says that the bottom of the microwave to be no higher than 54 inches off the floor.
Proper ventilation allows the appliance to function correctly. So, yes, countertop microwave requires ventilation, but not external ventilation. The primary thing you need to do is ensure proper clearance at the sides, rear, and top of the microwave.
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.
As with most home furnishings, stove tops are set at a more or less standard height of 3 feet. In order to leave enough room for tall pots, a microwave set above the stove will leave at least another 2 feet of clearance between the top of the stove and the bottom of the microwave.
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,.
There should be two inches of space between the back wall and a drop-in or slide-in (gas or electric) style range. A freestanding range (gas or electric) requires no space between it and the back wall. There should be at least twelve inches between any style range and the closest sidewall.
A minimum of 12 inches of landing space on one side of the stove, and another 15 inches on the other side, are the required landing area widths. As this is hardly enough room to set a single pot or pan, this should be considered an absolute bare minimum, with greater widths highly recommended.
The minimum length on one side of a cooking surface is 12 inches, while the minimum length on the other side is 15 inches. There needs to be at least 15 inches of landing space for a wall oven.
Use a silicone material if there is any height difference between your stovetop and the counter. Silicone is more flexible and will fit the form better. Use stainless steel gap covers to match a metal stove-top seamlessly.
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.
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.
Cabinet Depth
Over-the-range microwaves will typically be about 15 to 16 inches in depth, while upper kitchen cabinets in which they are installed are generally about 12 inches in depth, according to Runmyhouse Services Inc.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that the bottom of the microwave should be no higher than 54 inches above the floor, which would allow for 18 inches of clearance between the microwave and the typical cooktop height of 36 inches. Some manufacturers allow smaller clearances.
Can you put a microwave above a gas range? Yes. In fact, you can put a microwave over a gas range or electric range. Microwaves are also commonly placed on countertops, stored inside cabinets, or on shelves.
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.
6) In a drawer
They now make drawer-style microwaves (usually 24-30″ wide) that install discreetly in your lower cabinets or island. Just slide it open, set in your food, and use as normal. They are spendier than the other styles of microwave, but look fantastic!
Main Differences Between Countertop Microwave and Built-in Microwave. A countertop microwave is placed on a kitchen counter while a built-in microwave is installed into a kitchen wall or kitchen cabinet. So, a countertop microwave takes up space on the kitchen countertop closer to a power supply outlet.
When it came to built-in microwaves, the Kitchenaid microwave oven model KBMS104ESS was a one size fits all solution. It is a 24″ wide microwave perfect for installation in a 24″ wide cabinet. It also comes with trim kits that allow it to be installed in a 27″ wide cabinet or a 30″ wide cabinet.
A stove can go beside a wall. Freestanding ranges do not require spacing between the back of the appliance and a back wall. On the other hand, it is recommended to have a few inches of space between the stove and a sidewall.
It's essential to have some space between your kitchen's sink and your stove. Professionals will recommend that you allow for 24" to 30" inches between these two objects. This will keep water from hitting your stovetop and give you counter space to prepare food.
Yes it can be slid all the way against the wall. You may have to alter your counter top if you have the kind with the back piece on the wall.
Guidelines recommend 15” of space on either one or both sides of an oven, or if the oven is in a tall cabinet and this is not possible, to have 15” of landing space no more than 48” in front of the oven as long as it does not open into the main walkway. Below is an application of this guideline in a wall oven space.
Ideally, there should be 3.5 – 4 feet between all appliances, walls, cabinets, and around the island to allow for easy traffic flow throughout the kitchen.