Over-the-range microwave...works?

October 5, 2013 6:31 PM

We need to replace the over-the-range microwave that came with our house. Do the vents actually work well?

I ask because after two years of use, our Whirlpool microwave died. It never really vented much of anything, and after a recent major stove-top tomato canning event, it died by condensation. I removed the microwave today and found that the installers set up the fans and damper for opposite venting schemes. So, apparently it really wasn't venting anything.

My question is: Do these things actually work that well when they're set up correctly? Will an over-the-range microwave vent appropriately for people who occasionally do some serious cooking? Should I just get a hood for the stove top and go countertop with the microwave?

Limitation: Not much counter space as is, but I'm willing to go that way if necessary.

posted by klausman to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

I recently installed a Whirlpool microwave very similar to that one, and it vents outside quite nicely. However, I've only lived in places with recirculating vent hoods before, so I can't compare it to a regular vent hood that vents outside.
posted by capsizing at 6:50 PM on October 5, 2013

Just installed an over the stove venting one this summer. Our contractor said they are significantly inferior to a separate hood and countertop microwave but we have a small kitchen and needed the space. It's better than what we had - a non-venting hood - so decision is really about space and how much ventilation you need. We stir-fry a lot but it's been adequate.
posted by leslies at 7:08 PM on October 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

When I was doing research for our recent kitchen remodel I saw people on appliance forums opining that if you go over the range don't buy an expensive unit since (as you found out) it's a hostile environment for an electronic device. We also did not want to lose counter space nor have an eyesore sitting on our nice quartz counter tops. So we just bought a Samsung $229 model and had the contractor vent out to the roof. I've been relatively happy for about 11 months (except the fan seems to have two levels, loud and louder).
posted by forthright at 7:36 PM on October 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

The microwaves are sold by default with the vents in the "recirculate" position. Ours was installed this way and once the fan was repositioned to vent through the existing exterior vent we have been very happy with the performance. So just double check how you have your venting set up.
posted by saradarlin at 8:46 PM on October 5, 2013

They don't work as well as the range hood fan. But I have always found the space savings worth it. However, you might want to check that you can install one in your current set up, as I found that current bylaws for my city did not allow for enough clearance.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 11:14 PM on October 5, 2013

Agreeing with others that venting outside through a wall or roof is the critical thing. A recirculating hood can remove some relatively large grease droplets generated by high-temperature cooking but will send the smoke, steam and unwanted heat right back into the room. There are models that make a halfhearted attempt at dealing with smoke and odors by adding a pitiful little charcoal filter, but they're not effective. A filtration system robust enough to make a recirculating hood work well would be prohibitively expensive.

I have an LG microwave with a hood that goes up to 400CFM on its highest setting. It's mounted on an exterior wall, vents out through a duct with no turns that's only about 8" long, and it works well.
posted by jon1270 at 2:28 AM on October 6, 2013

None of them actually vent unless they vent to the outside. They just blow hot air elsewhere which may be helpful to the particular appliance but is more for the sake of appearance.
posted by vapidave at 4:45 AM on October 6, 2013

Just a new one installed that vents to the outside. It vents very well.
posted by plinth at 4:53 AM on October 6, 2013