I've never had a range without a microwave above it. It just saves space and for anyone who cooks a lot, efficiency and effectiveness always take a higher priority to aesthetics. I would rather deal with the microwave being head-high rather than take up counterspace or cabinet space.

I don't understand why you resist the location -- it's the most logical in so many ways. But I will warn you that most (if not all) microwave exhaust fans are not really powerful. For that reason alone we would consider just a hood over the burners in our next kitchen renovation.

I'd rather have a hood than a microwave above my range, but if it's a choice between the microwave above the range and the microwave being on the counter, I'll take above the range. Maybe in my dream kitchen I can have a hood without my microwave being on the counter.

I resisted the idea and even bandied about the phrase "over my dead body" when we were planning our kitchen remodel a couple years ago. But then the reality of our tiny kitchen set in, and we got the Samsung model listed here (or a similar enough model). It's actually not nearly the big deal that I thought it would be and that microwave has a pretty good exhaust fan. I'm glad we got the over-the-range kind in the end.

I have one in my apartment. The fan isn't as powerful as single-purpose hoods and the microwave covers only about half of the surface area of the stovetop. This means that it's useless unless I set it to the "super" mode, which is unbelievably noisy.

I do, however, appreciate having an out-of-the-way microwave.

I have a love hate with the KitchenAid over-the-range microwave/convection oven installed during a gut renovation about a year ago. Space is at a premium, so OTR makes sense but, unfortunately, house rules in my prewar coop prohibit me from "piercing the facade" of the building to vent to the outside, so I'm stuck with the recirculating fan. It's not ideal, but better than nothing. I also have a small ceiling fan and that helps cool down the kitchen. However, the KitchenAid's fan has a sensor that will activate when there is excess heat, so it automatically goes on even if the kettle is boiling for a while -- and it can't be turned off manually. I should have researched this better!

I broke down and bought an over the stove unit w/ built in fan a couple years ago, when we replaced our stove. Before that, we had NO microwave. It has a recirculating fan, which I don't care for; I'd prefer something that is vented to the outside. And, we only have minimum clearance between the mic and stove top due to cabinet height, so not only is space on the stove top a bit limited it also means the mic gets splatted by stove top cooking. We also needed an electrian to install an outlet, as the hood it replaced was wired directly.

We have an OTR microwave because our kitchen is small and the cabinets are designed for it. We have been through three in six years and the repair guy who came to service the most recent one (covered by an extended warranty) said the heat, steam, and grease from the range are really tough on the microwave electronics. We have to partially disassemble the vent areas every few months and clean out as much grease as possible because it gets really gross. We don't even fry things very often.

We also installed an inline booster fan in the duct in the attic and it helps move more air without being so noisy in the kitchen.

While I appreciate the space savings of an over the range microwave, I'm glad I have a powerful range hood. My main reason for never wanting an OTR microwave: I'm short. Grabbing hot bowls or plates above my eye level just doesn't scream safe to me.

We currently have no microwave and no vent hood (just a fan in the wall like, 5 feet away... old house!), so when we redo our kitchen a little, I am going the way of the OTR microwave. We just don't have ANY counter space available! And I kind of miss having a microwave, if only for melting butter.

FYI - We recently remodeled and added an over the range microwave over the coffee bar area. (The reasons are there but I really don't want to get into it.) One year and maybe a day later, the microwave broke. I called the manufacture and their answer was "so sorry". Called the credit card company used to purchase the microwave regarding extended warranty and found out that if the device is attached to the house (i.e. an over the range microwave) it was not covered by the extended warranty. We were able to fix the microwave for $80ish but when this one finally does die, we are replacing with a shelf where we will install a counter top microwave.

Second concern about over the range microwaves - the vent is usually to the room by way of the front of the microwave unless you vent through a vent outside the house. In addition to all the venting to the kitchen issue (smell, heat, etc.), I've found that the microwave generates a significant amount of steam that then condenses on my (wood) doors of the cabinet above the microwave. I am concerned that with time, this may result in the doors warping.

Two important things to consider- do you cook on high heat on your stove? Like stir fries or searing meats? If not, go with the OTR. If you answered, yes: Do you REALLY need a microwave? We have a decent sized kitchen, but opted for no microwave when the only OTR versions had weak exhausts (I do lots of high heat cooking). We didn't put in a microwave & I don't miss it. At. All. My mother complains when she visits, but that's only b/c it requires a pan to be hand washed when re-heating meals.

So in the 4 1/2 years we've been in our house, I have not once wished for a microwave.

So, just another option to consider :)

Even if you cook with high heat, it's fine if you have a window or at least a moderately powerful fan. I have a microwave and I control the steam by being preemptive. If the fan is on before it builds up, I don't have a problem. Mine vents to the outside, though.

Spouse is truly annoyed in this kitchen because the microwave fan is not vented to the outside and blows straight into his face. Oh, just raise the microwave, you say? I refuse to use a step ladder to use the microwave and the parents are shrinking in their age. I'm not convinced the microwave is even at the proper effective height above the stove, as it is.
When we do redo this kitchen with it's 40+ year old cabinets, range hood all the way and vented outside, not to the kitchen or attic. We already had a counter-top microwave which holds all our dishes. We use it to cook and not just reheat. This kitchen does have the room for an Ikea island piece to hold the microwave.

Must be nice for tall people, but OTR microwaves would result in me dropping food all over myself.

Manda Wong and nicolb - yes, for anyone under 5'4" (163cm) an OTR microwave is potentially hazardous. For those of us who are short, under the counter locations are easier to use and safer.

It depends on the cabinets. The one in the photo is much too high for me to reach safely. I'm 5'3 and have never had trouble with mine.

I'm part of that sliver of the pie WITHOUT a microwave.

We currently have an over-the-counter microwave and we are tossing it in favor of a under the cabinet hood in our upcoming kitchen remodel. The microwave vent sucks (really, no pun intended). I would much rather have the microwave on the counter, or maybe not have one at all, than have one in place of a real, functional, range-hood.

My microwave is in a bookcase just off the kitchen. I don't use it much and think over the range microwaves are a safety hazard even if you are tall. Just try taking something out of that OTR mircrowave with a pot of boiling something directly underneath it.

Haven't had a microwave in over 8 years. There's only been 1 time when I really felt like I wanted one; frozen TJ's burritos that I didn't want to wait for while oven cooking (about 40 minutes v.s. 4 in a microwave). Otherwise, everything is so easy to just reheat on the stovetop. I think microwaves make us a little lazy and uninventive.

Well I haven't had a banana in 8 years, but you don't see me bragging about it. Haha j/k, someone out there might get that.

The only way I would ever have the microwave over the range is with a really small kitchen/limited counterspace. It's not cuz they're ugly, just inconvenient. But I prefer it on the counter anyday. For one, I'm short, so if I'm heating something that I have to check on, I have to drag a stool over to see it and sometimes to get stuff down so it doesn't spill on me (ever picked up something with your bare hands but it's really hot and your instinct is to drop it? Much rather do that on the counter than high over the stove to break and where other stuff may be cooking). I use the microwave too much to deal with all that stuff. It's also annoying if one person is at the range trying to cook and another person needs to use the microwave.

I'm in the Never camp for all the reasons listed here, not the least of which is safety. An OTR unit is just an ER visit wating to happen, never mind that form over function is not productive. I occasionally cook with a friend in her kitchen and I cringe every time I see her use a step stool to remove a hot dish from her OTR. I'm a gnat's wing under 6' and even I find it awkward to access. Whoever designed OTR mw's is definitely not a cook...nor does he have kids.

I agree with everyone else about the safety and practicality issues. I use my microwave a lot, so it has pride of place on the counter.

I concur, I'm short too, and that's why I'll never have one over the stove.