Over the Range Microwave Guide: All You Should Know

 The Complete Guide To Over the Range Microwaves

 

Do you plan to buy an over-the-range microwave? Or do you wonder if it is the right microwave for your needs? This guide will answer all your questions about OTR units.

We have compared OTR units with built-in microwaves and countertop models.

For the sake of this article ‘over the range’ would be referred to as ‘OTR’.

What is an over the range microwave?

How does an over the range microwave work?

Vent installation costs

Electrical requirements for an over the range microwave

Can over the range microwaves be built-in?

Over the range microwave vs built-in microwave

Best over the range microwave size for You

How to install over the range microwave

Range Hood vs over the range microwave

What over the range microwave to buy

Over the range microwave problems

 

What is an over-the-range microwave?

An over-the-range microwave is the type of unit that you can install over your kitchen range.

It has a more permanent feel and tends to merge with your kitchen arrangement.

It usually comes with features like vents. The vent feature helps in providing ventilation for your kitchen space.

As you know, kitchen air gets stuffy from toxins and chemicals produced as you cook. 

But OTR models direct all that stuffy air outside through the vents and replace it with fresh air.

This type of microwave also comes with lights to brighten the cooking surface.

 

How Does an Over the Range Microwave Work

Apart from the fact that you can install an OTR unit over a kitchen range, it operates like other microwaves.

A microwave works by creating electromagnetic waves that process food. These rays bounce off the oven walls and are absorbed by nutrients in food. This in turn excites molecules that generate heat.

So a microwave cooks food from the inside out while a stove cooks food from the outside in.

This process is at the heart of the OTR microwave operation. 

OTR models are different from other microwaves because they use vents for ventilation. Portable models do not need vents.

And there are two types of vent systems; the External Vent and the Recirculating Vent system.

For the sake of this article, let us refer to an external vent system as EVS and recirculating vent system as RVS.

So some OTR models rely on the external vent system while others use the RVS. And then some units combine both systems.

External Vent System 

This is the venting system in use when the microwave circulation leads to an external vent.

This system relies on a fan that draws in air through the vents and expels the air through an exhaust duct. The duct leads to the outside of the building.

Pros: Effective ventilation. It directs all the moisture, heat, unwanted stuffiness outside.

Cons: Not as energy-efficient as the recirculating vent system. Expensive installation.

 

Recirculating Vent System 

The RVS system redirects air back into the kitchen.

It relies on a grease-trapping carbon filter to purify the air. This purified air then flows back into the kitchen. You should replace this filter every three months.

Some units have charcoal particles that absorb those unwanted elements and odor. 

But this method does not get rid of the heat and moisture like the external vent system.

Pros: Energy efficient. The EVS stresses your air conditioner because it exhausts cold air outside. But this system does not task your ac unit.

It is also easier and cheaper to install. 

Cons: Less effective ventilation. Most of the heat and moisture remain in your kitchen with this system.

 

Vent Installation Costs

Which vent option should you go for? The EVS or the RVS? This question will determine the type of OTR microwave you buy.

So you need to consider the costs of vent installation before you buy.

As stated earlier, the RVS is cheaper to install. On the other hand; according to Hunker.com external vent system requires you to install ductwork. You also need an external vent cap and you may need to pierce a wall, ceiling, or roof as the case may be.

Because the system requires access to the outside, the best location for the unit is close to an exterior wall. 

You don’t have such restrictions when dealing with the recirculating system.

Apart from financial costs, the external vent system takes more time to install. So if you want your OTR microwave to be ready to work within one hour then go for the recirculating vent system.

The RVS is cheaper in general when considered in terms of time and money.

Below is the cost breakdown for installing an over the range microwave.

Cost of Microwave (Preferably GE brand): $100 – $1500.

The usual cost for a good OTR microwave with good features and CFM is $350 -$450.

Total installation cost range: $200- $1000

Average labour cost range: $50 - $400

Electric outlet installation (if there is none): $150 - $500

EVS installation: $150 - $200

If you need free installation estimates tailored for you then use this link

 

Electrical Requirements for an Over the Range Microwave

An OTR microwave requires its own dedicated circuit. It should not share the same circuit with other equipment, not even lights or small appliances.

According to thespruce.com, the microwave oven needs a dedicated 20-amp, 120/125-volt circuit to power it.

Some large over the range units draw as much as 1200 – 1500 watts and therefore need a dedicated circuit. The usual practice is to honor the 50% rule.

This rule states that the amperage of an appliance should not exceed 50% of the circuit capacity. 

When the appliance exceeds 50% it should not share the circuit with another appliance.

Since most OTR units usually exceed 10 amps, then they require dedicated circuits to function without risk.

And if you have purchased a new OTR unit, resist the urge to wire the new outlet from a previous countertop outlet. 

Even if you will no longer use the previous countertop or old microwave, the best and safest practice is to install a fresh circuit dedicated to your new unit.

Protection Requirement

The circuit requires AFCI protection and GFCI protection.

 
Can Over The Range Microwaves Be Built-In?

Sometimes the OTR unit may not fit with your kitchen color scheme. The microwave may be black when your color scheme is cream or white. And you may consider installing the unit inside a cabinet.

But remember that OTR microwave units require ventilation. And there is simply no space for vents inside a cabinet.

Also, the units are not normally built to stand on their plastic base which may have fans and lights. So placing the unit in a cabinet seems counterintuitive.

However, some people have figured a way around this problem. See this forum question on mounting an over the range microwave inside a cabinet

But it is better to get a microwave that fits with your kitchen scheme instead of going through the stress and extra costs of modifying appliances.

This leads us to the question of which is better? Is it the Built-in Microwave or the OTR Unit?

 
Over the Range Microwave VS Built-In Microwave

The choice between an OTR unit and a built-in model is subjective. The important factors to consider include the available space in your kitchen and your budget.

OTR Microwave

Kitchen Space: 

If your kitchen space is limited then the OTR microwave is the suitable choice since it saves you countertop space and then comes with ventilation options.

The vent option is especially important if your kitchen is too small for a conventional range hood.

Cost:

OTR units also cost less to install and in most cases may not require the services of a technician. 

If you get a unit that uses the recirculating vent system then you don’t need a technician to help you install the unit.

OTR units also have convertible models that use both external vent and recirculating vent system so these units not only save space but give you more venting options.

Built-In Microwave

Kitchen Space: 

Since built-in units don’t come with their own vent system then you require a range hood for ventilation. This of course takes up more space.

On the other hand, built-in models enable you to install the microwave away from the countertop or stove, unlike the OTR.

Cost:

Built-in units are more expensive and also require professional installation so they are not as budget-friendly as the OTR model. You also have to spend on a dedicated range hood.

The labor cost alone for installing a built-in microwave ranges from $220-$500.

 

Size Options

You should also consider the size of the microwave. For built-in microwaves, you need to measure the size of the space where it is going to be fixed and then find a model that matches that size.

It may be difficult to find a model that matches the space you have. OTR models on the other hand do not have this problem.

You still need to measure the size of your countertop or stove but you can easily find a model that fits with your countertop dimensions. 

And it is okay if you find an over-the-range unit that is larger than your kitchen range. But it should not be smaller than the kitchen range. 

So considering these important factors, you can decide on which type of microwave is suitable for you.

This site gives a detailed guide on how to measure your countertop.

Other Factors to Consider

OTR units are usually placed over your stove or burner so if there is a boiling pot on, you would feel the heat when trying to reach your microwave.

On the other hand, a built-in microwave unit can be installed away from the cooktop so you won’t experience scalding.

 

Best Over The Range Microwave Size for You

Most OTR microwaves are built to fit in a 30-in wide space. So they have that standard width.

When considering the right size of over-the-range microwave to go for, the most important factor to keep in mind is the space available in your kitchen. The space around your kitchen range is crucial.

According to naturalhandyman.com, you need enough space between wall cabinets beside the range and between the cooktop and ceiling. 

You also need a shelf above the spot where the microwave will be installed so that you can fix the microwave to it.

Apart from that, building specifications require that there should be at least 13 inches of clearance between the microwave and the cooktop. 

Some installers may opt for a larger clearance of up to 24 inches above the stovetop. Doing so will protect you from scalding as mentioned earlier.

So when you consider the issue of space you should go for a model with the right length that would provide room for adequate clearance. OTR model heights vary from 10 to 18 inches so you know what to consider when making a decision.

The key point is that the model you choose should have adequate clearance above the range and can be installed at a comfortable height.

Now that you have an idea of what to look out for when picking an OTR size, below are the standard OTR microwave sizes available in the market.

According to Maytag.com, the interior space for over the range microwaves ranges from 0.8 cubic feet – 2.1 cubic feet.

And as stated before most OTR units are roughly 30 inches wide. This is the standard width range of kitchen ranges and cabinets.

OTR unit heights are usually around 17 inches while low profile microwaves are around 10 inches high.

 

How to Install Over the Range Microwave

The difficulty level encountered in the installation of an over-the-range microwave unit depends on the type of vent system it uses.

If it is a microwave with an exhaust vent then the installation is a bit trickier and might require the services of a handyman.

You must have a cabinet installed above the range before installing the microwave. 

People always want to know whether an OTR microwave can be installed without a cabinet. This is understandable since not every kitchen comes with a cabinet.

But the cabinet is important. It helps to support the microwave and also houses the wiring for the unit.

An easy fix is to get an IKEA wall shelf. They usually come with a hidden metal bracket. All you need to do is screw the bracket to the wall then slide the shelf over it. For extra safety, screw the shelf to the bracket.

After that, you can attach the microwave to the cabinet.

Bhg.com provides a straightforward guide for installing an over-the-range microwave.

Naturalhandyman.com also has a great guide for OTR microwave installation.

If you are more of a visual learner then this video should give you an idea of how to tackle the installation of your OTR microwave.

 

Range Hood VS Over the Range Microwave

A good quality range hood has some advantages over the OTR microwave.

See below

Range Hood Pros

Higher CFM than OTR models 

The CFM ratings for most OTR microwaves range from 100- 450 CFM. This is considered too low by recent studies.

Such low fan speeds are not strong enough to eliminate all toxins and chemicals from the kitchen as effectively as a good range hood.

Range hoods have CFM ratings from 900 and above. One caveat to this is the chance of too much ventilation. 

So if the range hood is too powerful (900 CFM and above) it may depressurize the room or kitchen.

It is advisable to use a range hood in tandem with an external vent system to counteract depressurization.

Sleek Design

When it comes to aesthetics, the range hood beats OTR microwaves hands down. 

Where OTR units look chunky, range hood models look seamless and fit better with kitchen arrangement (when there is enough space in the kitchen).

 

Where the Range Hood Model loses to OTR units is in the area of Space and Cost.

Most range hood units priced below $700 come with 100 - 400 CFM and this is similar to what you get from an over-the-range unit. 

This takes away the CFM advantage that range hoods have over OTR models.

If you find a range hood with 500 CFM and above, it is usually priced from $700 upwards. 

So since OTR units are microwaves with vent features, it may make more sense to go for an OTR unit priced below $700 than to go for a range hood of the same price.

You may only consider a range hood if you’re really willing to spill out more bucks. 

Although some brands offer range hoods with high CFM (900 CFM) for less than $400, these brands are not necessarily good quality brands.

It is better to go for a solid appliance than to go for a low-quality one. Buying good quality enables you to save more in the long run.

 

Also, range hoods take up more space than over-the-range microwaves. Some range hoods can be installed under cabinets and are smaller in size but such models come with similar CFM to OTR units (300 -400).

 

A range hood also requires professional installation, unlike an OTR microwave which you can install by yourself. 

 

What Over the Range Microwave To Buy

This article has already explained that you should go for an OTR model that has a good CFM i.e around 300 - 400 CFM. Anything below is just pointless.

You should also consider a microwave that gives you adequate clearance above the stove. And an over-the-range microwave with an exhaust fan is a better choice. Convertible models are even better.

And it is advisable to buy a product from a trusted brand not just because of the quality but because it is easier to replace faulty parts of popular brands since the parts are readily available.

Before reading all the numerous over-the-range microwave reviews available on the net, there is something you should know.

Now, most brands like Whirlpool offer OTR units with attractive features like good lighting, great fan controls, and low sound. But where some brands fall short is in the area of longevity.

It is no longer news that companies no longer build products to last. One important tip is to avoid microwaves with plastic or wooden handles. 

Such handles tend to break off within one year and replacing them is not cheap.

So go for OTR units with metal handles. But coming back to the issue of longevity, GE brand has consistently produced products that last longer than the 3- 5 year death range.

You are advised to consider getting a good GE OTR unit like the GE - 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave - Stainless steel (JMV6175).

This microwave comes with the mute option. This is very important when you don’t want to hear the sound of the fans. 

It is also easy to install and has a warm light setting for your cooktop. It also uses the EVS system.

The airflow capacity is 300 CFM. We would prefer 400 CFM but it’s still okay for the price of $400.

And it lasts. Check it out on Best Buy.

 

Over The Range Microwave Problems

All appliances develop faults and the OTR microwave is no exception

There are various reasons why your unit may suddenly stop working.

Faulty fuse

Faulty door switch

Faulty main board

These are the major reasons why your microwave may start acting up.

Fix.com has some nice tips to help you if your microwave won’t turn on.

Below is a video for fixing a GE microwave that suddenly stopped working.