The general standard is 66" off the floor to the bottom of the cabinet or microwave. That is if you are using a standard 36" countertop height. This means you have 30" of space between the stovetop and the underside of the cabinet above it.
For cabinets above stoves and ovens, the height requirements are different. You want 30 inches of space for electric stoves and 36 inches for gas stoves. This is to prevent any accidental fires.
Household cooking appliances shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 30 inches (760 mm) to combustible material and metal cabinets.
30" of air clearance is required between the cooktop surface and bottom of an unprotected wood or metal cabinet above. 0" of air clearance is needed for the sides of the Range below the cooktop surface.
Where no dimension is specified in the manufacturer's instructions, the overhead clearance from the highest part of the highest burner of the appliance to the rangehood shall be not less than 600 mm, and not less than 750 mm for an exhaust fan.
Stove: gas or electric
Make sure you have a 30” clearance between the cooking surface of an electric stove and the bottom of your upper cabinet and a 36” clearance for a gas stove. This means that the bottom of the cabinet with the range hood should be 66" to 72" from the finished floor.
For gas cooktops, it is typically recommended that the range hood be installed 24–30 inches above the stove.
Many installers may recommend a distance of 3-6 inches of space being the minimum. However, we always recommend increasing that to around nine inches of open space. The key here is to make this decision with the safety of the occupants in mind.
If you have an electric cooktop, range hoods should be 20–24 inches above the heat source. For gas cooktops, your range hood should be 24–30 inches above the stove. Range hoods have multiple functions such as complementing your cooktop or range and helping clear the air of smoke while you cook.
The goal is for your range to fit mostly flush with the top of your countertops and the front of your cabinets, with the door only sticking out an inch or two beyond the cabinets.
One of the more common installation errors found in kitchen appliances is that of the clearance between the microwave and stove top. It is recommended that a clearance minimum of 18 inches be provided between the base of the microwave and the stove top.
There should be a space between cabinet walls and the range hood. Some architects and designers provide only enough space between the cabinets to accommodate the exact width of the hood. This is a bad idea for several reasons: Lack of space makes installation more difficult.
Let's Recap. The standard counter height is 36 inches for kitchens and 32 inches for bathrooms. People frequently deviate from these norms, however, to create a custom design that works for their needs or desires.
Household cooking appliances shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 30 inches (760 mm) to combustible material and metal cabinets.
POST-EDIT: For those concerned about fire safety, this shelf DOES NOT break ICC M1505. 1, "A clearance of at least 24 inches (610 mm) shall be maintained between the cooking surface and the combustible material or cabinet." As it is BEHIND the cooktop, NOT ABOVE IT.
Wall cabinets should be 18 inches from the floor to avoid obstructing counter space and range hood access. Cabinets higher than 18 inches above the countertop may not leave enough space underneath them for a cooktop and will require a taller cabinet to be installed in its place.
For standard indoor range hoods, install them between 24 to 30 inches above your cooktop. Outdoor range hoods should be installed 36 to 42 inches above the cooktop. Outdoor ranges typically produce more heat and smoke so you'll need extra space to fully extract all of the fumes.
The standard range hood dimensions for most range hoods follow the 3-inch rule, whereby the width should be 3 inches wider than the range on both sides. So, if your cooktop is 30 inches wide, you would need a range hood that is 36 inches wide.
Height of Range Hood
Generally, building codes specify that the range hood should be mounted between 24 to 36 inches above the cooking surface. This ensures optimal capture of smoke, grease, and odors while maintaining safe and efficient operation.
Household cooking appliances shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 30 inches (760 mm) to combustible material and metal cabinets.
Cabinets Over Stoves Should Have Adequate Free Space
As far as common design mistakes, a definite no-no is forgetting the “3 R's” for the minimum cabinet space around the cooking area: Range, Range and Requirements. Simply put, a minimum of 18” of free-space must separate the cooking heat and any adjoining cabinets.
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30 inches between the cooktop and a cabinet.
For a Whirlpool gas hob of less than 7500W power the minimum distance is 65cm. For hobs over 7500W the minimum distance is 75cm.
Installing an over-the-range microwave generally requires clearance of 12 to 13 inches above the range, as well as 66 inches of space from the floor to the top of the appliance. If you are installing near a wall on the left side, make sure there is at least 6 inches of clearance to allow the door to fully open.