Distance between gas oven and bottom of OTR microwave

Dec 25th, 2021 2:35 pm

#1

kevin044 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 2, 2019; 28 posts; 5 upvotes

Dec 25th, 2021 2:35 pm

Distance between gas oven and bottom of OTR microwave

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone. I had a question that I have searched to get a concrete answer, however it seems that the answers all vary from what I have read.

I noticed that the bottom of our OTR microwave gets warm from the gas stove. I read both the microwave and stove manuals and all it provides is the measurement of 30 inches from top of oven to bottom of the cabinet. When I measure this, mine is 36 inches. The top of oven to bottom of microwave is 18 inches.

Can anyone provide advise if this should be changed?

Thank you

Images

Dec 25th, 2021 2:37 pm

#2

EPcjay: Deal Fanatic; Nov 11, 2008; 8874 posts; 2557 upvotes

Dec 25th, 2021 2:37 pm

You should change it not because of the distance, but because the BTUs the stove can generates overwhelms the OTR easily. The OTR is too weak for a gas stove.

+5

Dec 25th, 2021 4:08 pm

#3

PCShutters: Deal Addict; Sep 5, 2011; 1223 posts; 2247 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 25th, 2021 4:08 pm

kevin044 wrote: ↑ Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone. I had a question that I have searched to get a concrete answer, however it seems that the answers all vary from what I have read.

I noticed that the bottom of our OTR microwave gets warm from the gas stove. I read both the microwave and stove manuals and all it provides is the measurement of 30 inches from top of oven to bottom of the cabinet. When I measure this, mine is 36 inches. The top of oven to bottom of microwave is 18 inches.

Can anyone provide advise if this should be changed?

Thank you

If your gas stove is anything like mine, the requirement is 30” between the top of the stove and the bottom of the exhaust hood.

I am pretty sure you read it wrong. There is no reason for you to measure the distance between the cooktop and cabinet because it is not relevant. The otr microwave and exhaust fans all have different heights and there is no one height fit all.

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Dec 25th, 2021 4:37 pm

#4

lamin: Deal Addict; Jan 21, 2011; 1381 posts; 762 upvotes; GTA

Dec 25th, 2021 4:37 pm

I think measurement is to the bottom of cabinet because that determines the clearance between the range and OTR. I was surprised when I first read it in the manual, but it makes sense.

To op, obvious question, but do you use the fan when cooking? How warm are you talking about? For that stove, I believe 350 or 400 CFM is required for proper function.

Dec 25th, 2021 5:09 pm

#5

pootza: Deal Fanatic; Dec 19, 2009; 5875 posts; 4173 upvotes

Dec 25th, 2021 5:09 pm

kevin044 wrote: ↑ Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone. I had a question that I have searched to get a concrete answer, however it seems that the answers all vary from what I have read.

I noticed that the bottom of our OTR microwave gets warm from the gas stove. I read both the microwave and stove manuals and all it provides is the measurement of 30 inches from top of oven to bottom of the cabinet. When I measure this, mine is 36 inches. The top of oven to bottom of microwave is 18 inches.

Can anyone provide advise if this should be changed?

Thank you

You need a minimum 24" accessibility clearance from the side/top of an appliance where maintenance, repair, and replacement may be needed as per the gas code.

Dec 25th, 2021 5:11 pm

#6

kevin044 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 2, 2019; 28 posts; 5 upvotes

Dec 25th, 2021 5:11 pm

Yeah I have been using the fan. I’ve recently moved into this house and tested it while cooking and touching the bottom. It gets warm, but not to the point where I thought it would burn me.

Dec 25th, 2021 5:14 pm

#7

kevin044 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 2, 2019; 28 posts; 5 upvotes

Dec 25th, 2021 5:14 pm

Thanks for the info. Unfortunate that none of the cabinets can hold a microwave/have an outlet inside. Wouldn’t want to have it on the counter.

Dec 25th, 2021 8:02 pm

#8

tebore: Deal Guru; Feb 9, 2006; 13170 posts; 8044 upvotes; Brampton

Dec 25th, 2021 8:02 pm

Measurements aside.

Of course it would be warm when cooking. What were you expecting?

+2

Dec 25th, 2021 8:23 pm

#9

lamin: Deal Addict; Jan 21, 2011; 1381 posts; 762 upvotes; GTA

Dec 25th, 2021 8:23 pm

kevin044 wrote: ↑ Thanks for the info. Unfortunate that none of the cabinets can hold a microwave/have an outlet inside. Wouldn’t want to have it on the counter.

If you are still worried about it, get the other Kitchenaid microwave, it’s slimmer and has higher cfm. Looking at pics, I would think it’s fine the way it is.

+1

Dec 26th, 2021 1:51 pm

#10

jrees: Deal Addict; Apr 24, 2007; 2692 posts; 1018 upvotes

Dec 26th, 2021 1:51 pm

OTR microwaves/good aren't ever good for range hoods. I'd never want to have one over a gas cooktop. I had a KitchenAid OTR combo and it was awful. Nothing but problems and their support was atrocious. Hopefully OP doesn't go through my ordeal.

Dec 26th, 2021 4:45 pm

#11

torontotim: Deal Fanatic; Nov 17, 2012; 5068 posts; 4617 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 26th, 2021 4:45 pm

Google is your friend - the answer is out there. These might not be exactly right, but they might help you a bit. 18" is, I believe, too close by code.

And I also agree OTR microwaves suck. Is yours actually vented to the outside properly?

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Screen Shot 2021-12-26 at 4.44.04 PM.png

Dec 26th, 2021 4:48 pm

#12

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4577 posts; 3809 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Dec 26th, 2021 4:48 pm

jrees wrote: ↑ OTR microwaves/good aren't ever good for range hoods. I'd never want to have one over a gas cooktop. I had a KitchenAid OTR combo and it was awful. Nothing but problems and their support was atrocious. Hopefully OP doesn't go through my ordeal.

I cringe every time someone asks me to install one of those monstrosities. Getting any kind of proper duct seal is almost impossible. You sure don't want to be doing any stir frying with one.

+1

Dec 26th, 2021 5:36 pm

#13

jrees: Deal Addict; Apr 24, 2007; 2692 posts; 1018 upvotes

Dec 26th, 2021 5:36 pm

MrFrugal1 wrote: ↑ I cringe every time someone asks me to install one of those monstrosities. Getting any kind of proper duct seal is almost impossible. You sure don't want to be doing any stir frying with one.

Yeah. I felt like we had go with the combo unit based on space at my old house. Had I known how crappy it would have been I would have never installed it and just installed a proper hood.

Dec 26th, 2021 9:53 pm

#14

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 27296 posts; 6668 upvotes

Dec 26th, 2021 9:53 pm

I would personally rip that out and install a proper range hood. Then install the microwave somewhere else, even just on a counter.

Only 18" away, the heat is probably going to kill the microwave over time anyway. That's way too close for a gas stove.

+1

Dec 26th, 2021 10:11 pm

#15

James Stonehenge: Deal Addict; Dec 25, 2012; 1431 posts; 758 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 26th, 2021 10:11 pm

Shaner wrote: ↑ I would personally rip that out and install a proper range hood. Then install the microwave somewhere else, even just on a counter.

That’s the whole point of these, to save counter space. OP or whoever put it in probably needed the counter space and hated counter clutter

JS

+1

Dec 26th, 2021 10:21 pm

#16

ZxExN: Deal Addict; Nov 30, 2005; 1900 posts; 1469 upvotes; Ottawa, ON

Dec 26th, 2021 10:21 pm

When I installed my panasonic many moons ago, I believe 18" was recommendef by the manufacturer but this was for an electric range; gas is just to close imo. By code, its 30" from stove to the bottom of the cabinet. I don't believe the code makes reference to the bottom of a OTR microwave.

Last edited by ZxExN on Dec 26th, 2021 10:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Dec 26th, 2021 10:29 pm

#17

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 27296 posts; 6668 upvotes

Dec 26th, 2021 10:29 pm

James Stonehenge wrote: ↑ That’s the whole point of these, to save counter space. OP or whoever put it in probably needed the counter space and hated counter clutter

Then buy an electric range or increase the distance. 18" isn't enough

+1

Dec 26th, 2021 11:44 pm

#18

Jon Lai: Deal Expert; May 30, 2005; 48550 posts; 9632 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Dec 26th, 2021 11:44 pm

Shaner wrote: ↑ Then buy an electric range or increase the distance. 18" isn't enough

Agreed. OTR microwaves are the worse innovations. Not only do their designs make a strong blower impossible, but it's also dangerous to hold hot food above your head.

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+1

Dec 26th, 2021 11:57 pm

#19

Toukolou: Deal Fanatic; Dec 4, 2009; 8693 posts; 4769 upvotes

Dec 26th, 2021 11:57 pm

While I agree that OTR are the least desirable method of venting, I think if the installation guide required 30" from range to cabinet, and you've satisfied this, then the installation is fine.

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Dec 27th, 2021 1:17 pm

#20

jdmfishingonly: Deal Fanatic; Oct 13, 2008; 7116 posts; 3634 upvotes; Durham

Dec 27th, 2021 1:17 pm

kevin044 wrote: ↑ Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone. I had a question that I have searched to get a concrete answer, however it seems that the answers all vary from what I have read.

I noticed that the bottom of our OTR microwave gets warm from the gas stove. I read both the microwave and stove manuals and all it provides is the measurement of 30 inches from top of oven to bottom of the cabinet. When I measure this, mine is 36 inches. The top of oven to bottom of microwave is 18 inches.

Can anyone provide advise if this should be changed?

Thank you

gas-range-range-hood-clearance-2279969/

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