sis

I've been considering replacing my above range vent hood with a microwave.
Could anyone give me some pros and cons? I'm doing this to increase the
counterspace in a fairly small kitchen. I like the LG line of microwaves.
Thanks for any help. Sis

andy

Sis said...


CON:
Sure, if you don't mind living in a discolored, stinky, peeling
paint/wallpaper house, from all the smoke, odors and moisture.

All in the interest of counterspace?

I'd reconsider if I were you.

$0.02,

Andy

rina

CON: It's difficult handling hot dishes at face level. More difficult if
the burners of the stove are in use and are leaning over a hot stove to use
the microwave.

Try heating a bowl of soup and carrying it around at the height that you
would be installing your microwave.

kw

Andy, I would agree that switching from an outside venting hood to one that
just blows the smoke/grease/steam back into your house is not a good idea,
however some models have the option of connecting up to the original outside
venting instead of the interior filter. We have a Magic Chef over-stove
model that has that option and it works great. Actually, the OP didn't
mention whether the existing hood was externally vented or a recirculating
internal unit so it may be a moot point.

The only thing I don't like about ours is that you loose the ability to put
really tall pots on the back burner (only an issue during canning season)
and when you have 3 - 4 eyes on the stove running with boiling items, the
heat triggers a thermal switch that turns the fan on high with no ability
for a manual override. KW

sis

The microwave would vent to the outside-I forgot to mention that. Thanks for
the advice from everyone, I appreciate it and any other thoughts that would
help in my decision. Thanks again! Sis

andy

Sis said...

Sis,

You're just removing the hood to make room for a microwave BUT the exhaust
fan will still be operational BUT the hood's ability to gather and remove
the smoke, odor and moisture will be gone?

Try this... keep the vent hood. Juggle countertop appliances as needed.
I've got my KA mixer, toaster oven and crockpot tucked away until needed.
There's always the same empty counter space for when the next kitchen
appliance gets called into service, used, cleaned and again hidden away.

That's how I manage counter space.

Good luck,

Andy

pltrgyst

Pros: Saves counterspace.

Cons: Less working height over cooktop.
Less airflow than dedicated exhaust hood.
Less working height over cooktop.
Usually noisier than dedicated exhaust hood.
Less working height over cooktop.
Usually harder to clean exhaust innards.
Less working height over cooktop.
Usually less capacity and features than countertop microwave.
Less working height over cooktop.
Uses more power than most dedicated hoods, so may not have sufficient
current available on existing outlet branch.
Less working height over cooktop.
May introduce more vibration and heat to adjacent cabinets than a
quality exhaust hood.

Oh, yes, I may have forgotten -- the combo unit also leaves you with less
working height over the cooktop. 8

How about a compromise -- a microwave oven with a smaller footprint and more
vertical profile? Has anyone ever seen that? (I'd like one too...)

Or one that can be built into or hidden within an existing standard-depth
cabinet?

-- Larry

gil faver

in addition to all the other comments, isn't it easier to throw out (I mean,
RECYCLE) a bum counter top appliance than a built in one, and easier and
cheaper to find a suitable replacement?

jack

I just installed one and love it. It has the option to vent out via the
existing vent or recycle through a charcoal filter. Much more powerful and
faster than my other free standing microwaves. Its a GE stainless steel
unit.

I'm doing another kitchen. A higher end one with a showcase hood so the
under hood microwave doesn't look right.

sis

Thanks so much everyone! I value and look forward to all your opinions. If
anyone else has any suggestions/ideas to add , that would also be great. I'm
still deciding and may consider a built in to the cabinet unit, if I can
find a suitable area. Thanks again! Sis