Instead of buying a microwave to sit on your counter top, have you considered having a microwave range hood installed? It’ll replace your current range hood (the fan above your stove) and will better utilize the space while also freeing up space on the countertop where the microwave used to be.
But before you run out to buy a microwave range hood, you need to be aware of a few things to ensure you buy one that (literally) fits the space but that also fits your current exhaust and electrical set up.
Plus, you want to pick a microwave that actually has features you can use, too.
What is a microwave hood range?
A microwave hood range (like the one in the graphic above) is a microwave oven that is installed over top of the range (stove) that also acts as the exhaust fan (hood) that it replaces.
So you remove your current stove exhaust fan and replace it with a microwave with a built in fan.
You may also see them referred to as an over-the-range microwave or microwave range hood insert.
The range is another word for your stove and the hood is the exhaust fan that removes steam and cooking fumes when you use your stove or oven.
Tips to buy the correct microwave hood range for your needs
- Check and then double check the space you have to work with.
- Confirm the electrical set up you have available.
- Confirm the fan exhaust set up you have available.
- Consider the height of the people who will use the microwave.
- Consider which microwave option makes the most sense for you.
- Find a model with a decent sized fan.
- Get professional installation.
Let’s discuss each tip below in more detail.
Check and then double check the space you have to work with
The first thing you need to do is determine the space you have where your current hood range is installed to choose the proper microwave to put in its place. While cabinets and hood ranges are somewhat standard sizes, you need to measure the width and depth you have available to be sure.
Microwave models come in various sizes measured in cubic feet or liters which is the amount of cooking space. But the size you need is the actual measurements of the unit’s height, width and length.
Suitable microwaves are generally made with a small amount of clearance on either side of your existing cabinetry – possibly less than 1″ – so measure at least twice to determine the exact depth and width your microwave can be.
You’re looking for an “over-the-range microwave” or “microwave range hood” or similar product. You can then compare the installed length and width of your microwave options with the length and width that your cabinetry offers. The microwave you choose should come with a bracket system that will be first installed to actually hold the microwave in place.
Since an average microwave is around 55 lbs – 70 lbs give or take, the bracket system is an important part of the set up but not the only one as we’ll see below.
Confirm the electrical set up you have available
Your current range hood exhaust fan is probably hard-wired but it could also be simply plugged in. Open the cabinet above your stove to see how it’s powered so you know what you’re dealing with.
Do you have an electrical outlet (plug) installed in this cabinet? If so, then you can choose a microwave range hood that is hard-wired or a plug in model.
If you choose a plug in model but don’t have an electrical outlet available, you’ll need an electrician to install one which adds to your project cost.
Confirm the fan exhaust set up you have available
What type of range hood exhaust system are you replacing? You most have an under the cabinet range hood in place currently if it came from the builder. They’re the most basic of exhaust fans and are basically a grease catcher with a removable metal screen which can be washed and/or replaced.
You might have a round or rectangular venting system currently. Check the cabinet above your current range hood to see what shape you have in case your chosen microwave model requires one or the other.
It’s also good to let the person installing your microwave range hood ahead of time so they know. Unless you’re handy and suitably skilled, this is most likely a job for the pros rather than a DIY project, which we’ll talk about below.
Consider the height of the people who will use the microwave
This might not be something you think about until your microwave is installed over top of your stove. Then one of the shorter people in your household tries to heat something in the microwave and has trouble accessing it.
Or – as my daughter experienced the first time she tried to heat soup – she wasn’t quite tall enough to take the bowl out without tipping it sideways and spilling some of the soup.
There might not be much you can do other than be aware that once your microwave is installed above your stove, it can be a bit of a challenge to reach inside it if you aren’t of a minimum height.
Then again if you don’t want little kids using the microwave, it’s a perfect place to install it.
Consider which microwave option makes the most sense for you
Back in the day a microwave would heat stuff up and that was it. These days you can purchase a microwave that also lets you:
- Reheat
- Steam foods
- Melt food like butter
- Defrost
- Heat beverages
- Cook frozen entrees
- Grill
Maybe you’d like these and other options, maybe you don’t. But many quality microwaves come with these functions regardless.
A word of warning though: While higher end (i.e. more expensive) microwaves do now offer actual settings which cook differently, cheaper and older microwaves offer different settings that are basically just marketing ploys
and may not actually heat food any differently.
Find a model with a decent sized fan
This is one point I learned the hard way: We bought a quality and brand name over-the-range microwave with a fan that comes with a High, Medium-Hi, Medium and Low setting but still has difficulty sucking steam particularly when the front two burners of the stove are used.
The actual fan area – basically the size of the metal filter screen – isn’t big enough to attract all the steam from the front burners even when we run the fan on High. What we have noticed is that steam continues to rise up over the top of the microwave which sticks out slightly from the cabinetry. The steam then settles on the bottom of the cabinet directly above the unit.
We end up having to wipe condensation off the cabinets each time we use the microwave even with the fan running the whole time we’re cooking.
So when considering a microwave with a hood range, take a close look at the size of the fan area and look for one that is big enough to cover as much of your stove’s surface as possible.
You’ll see microwave fans measured in CFM which stands for Cubic Feet per Minute and is the amount of air it can move. It’s not uncommon to find microwave fans rated at 300 CFM – 400 CFM.
But practically speaking also keep an eye on the size of the metal fan screen as that’s the size of the air intake you’ll get.
Get professional installation
As mentioned, many of these over-the-range microwaves are in the 50 lbs – 70 lbs range.
You first require the installation of a bracket before actually attaching the microwave to the bracket. That’s a two-person job just to hold the microwave as you’re installing it.
You also need to attach the microwave to the air duct.
You also need to do the power supply which could mean hard wiring which is a job for a qualified person (electrician). If you have a plug in microwave, you’ll probably at least need a hole drilled to pull the power cable through to the electrical outlet.
Bottom line?
It’s best to get your over-the-hood microwave professionally installed. When done correctly and assuming no difficulties, it’s about a 45 minute job.
And don’t forget to clean the hood range filter from time to time.