Dsanz - you should not think that way about your hood - a hood is actually a much more attractive look than an OTR MW. By far. And of course, a hood works better to exhaust too. I started out with an expensive brand new OTR MW, and I hated it so much that I switched it out for a hood. I had to sell the MW on Craig's List at a loss, but I still don't regret it one bit. Hated that OTR MW. Though it was top of the line, it didn't exhaust worth a darn, was really noisy, made the stovetop area feel crowded and enclosed, and I hated pulling hot sloshing dishes from a height. They're ugly too. My sleek stainless steel hood is so much nicer looking. Do you have an open shelf in your cabinetry to put an inexpensive countertop MW? Or a pantry shelf? For your hood, you should get one with enough cfms. The rough rule of thumb is 100 cfms for every thousand btus. Your range's total btu's is 60,000; you should get a hood with 600 cfms.

Hi, You are right about installing a vent to the outside. The problem is that the wall where the range goes, is in the middle. In other words, the other side of the wall is the living room. Also, the wall doesn't connect to the outside. Plus, if we go up, its a cathedral ceiling, so it goes way up, and to top it off, over the cabinet that we have to modify, there's a ledge, (that looks like a decorative ledge) but its actually housing the air conditioners registers or ducts. From the top of that ledge, it still goes up about 4 or 5 ft. to the ceiling. The plumber that came to disconnect the GE gas range, told me that if I wanted to vent it outside, we would have to go through the wall of the back of the range and take it up on the side of the living room (which would be a construction job). That side (the living room) also has a cathedral ceiling. I'm sure it can be done, only thing is I think it would be a construction job, unfortuantely.

Jeri, thanks for the encouragement! If I was replacing an OTR w/ another, I would try to do it myself. I just have a regular old standard range hood now, and that's why I posted the original question. If it needs a dedicated circuit (thanks rnmomof2, that's what I was trying to say!), then that's why I guess my co-worker got such a high estimate (the extra electrical work). Buehl, no I have a regular coil electric stove. I'm still not ready to move into the smooth top era - LOL! Re the venting - I have that tiny cabinet over the stove, Open it up, and there's a vent pipe that elbows into the wall. I thought it vented to the roof, is that not right? Does it just vent into the wall? Anyway, I don't fry much at all, so I don't have problems w/ grease or anything. The vent is usually used for steam and smells. If I did go this route, I would save the range hood, so if I sold and the buyers wanted to put it back in, they could. The range hood is actually 9 years old, but it looks brand new (since I dont fry, lol!) Guess I'll just have to break done and call an electrician to find out for sure what has to be done to switch over. Thanks everybody!

I would just replace the microwave. The cost of repairs, time and effort vs a new microwave seem to be a no brainer. My guess for a trip charge, parts and labor you will be quickly arrive at the $250 mark. As far as the range, knobs vs touch. The only difference is the actual interface itself. Even knobs are electronically controlled. Given that fact, the choice is merely one of whichever appeals to you. I personally prefer knobs as well, however there are not nearly as many choices with knobs as there are with touch controls. Induction is a bit higher price point, but once you have used it, you will never look back. You can buy a product called an Induction disc that will allow you to use you beloved older pans on the induction range. (The one in the link is one of the higher priced ones, they can be had for as little as $10.) Although they effectively remove most of the benefits of induction such as response time, it is an effective option. Give induction a try you will be happy you did.