pros and cons of otr/otc microwave

15 years ago

Wife and I are now weighing the pros and cons of a new microwave. Right now, we just have an old one sitting on the counter, but we're remodeling, and considering what to do. Any thoughts on the following questions would be much appreciated!

- Do you find it difficult to use the OTR microwave while pots are cooking on stovetop? I can just see that while something is boiling on stove, one gets burned inserting/removing something from microwave.

- Does the microwave go eye-level, or slightly below? This could be a concern if something boiled over in the microwave, or if you want to make sure it DOESN'T boil over.

- We currently have no type of exhaust over the stove. If we go with a microwave with a recirculating vent, do the vents tend to get greasy easily, and are they difficult to clean?

Thanks again, as usual!

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Comments (5)

laurap_2007
15 years ago
I remodeled my small galley kitchen and decided to switch from my otc microwave to an otr one, and I am very happy with my decision. Having such a small kitchen, I now have the added advantage of more counterspace.

As to your questions:

1. I don't find it difficult to use the OTR while cooking on my stovetop, and have never gotten any "burned" feeling from boiling pots on the stove while inserting or removing things from the microwave.

2. I'm a tall woman at 5'8", and in my case the otr is just above my eye level and works well for me. I suppose that could be modified a bit for each individual's needs, however there is a minimun amount of space that each otr manufacturer suggests should exist between the bottom of the microwave and the cooktop. Of course, if your wife is very petite, I suppose she could use a kitchen step ladder if she has to.

3. My otr has a circulating vent on the bottom, and I have found that it does NOT get greasy easily, and is very easy to clean.

Hope this helps!
la_koala
15 years ago
As the primary chef (stir frys, sauce stirring, etc) in my house, I have found that otr microwaves annoy me. My experience is borne from:
10 years in a rental apartment, galley kitchen
Holiday visits to my parents' house three times a year
Visits to my in-laws' house many times a year
2 years in a rental house

Inevitably, while I'm stirring something on the range top, someone else wants to access the microwave. To heat up plates. To melt butter for the lobsters and clams. It's always something. They open the microwave door and hit me in the head, or force me to step backwards.

I agree with laurap that an otr is great for a small galley kitchen, where space is at a premium. Currently, my microwave is on the counter in the home I own and I'm looking forward to putting it somewhere else in our kitchen remodel plans. So when "they" want to heat something up, it is "over there". :-)
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muscat
15 years ago
It is my understanding that you cannot expect ANY venting OTR microwave to do a very good job of circulating air. I have never owned one, but have never seen one that was too impressive, and in researching my kitchen was advised against it.

For that reason, and because I wanted the microwave easily accessible separate from the range (for all the reasons la koala mentioned) I have my microwave installed in a shelf made for it in the upper cabinets. Getting to it at that height is no issue, and I'm not tall. It is really nice having it off the counter.
caryscott
15 years ago
I think you will enjoy having it up off the counter whichever way you go. My Mom put in an otr microwave in her new kitchen and she is really pleased with it but it is essentially a one person kitchen so one of her primary reasons for choosing the otr was convenience when she is cooking. She had hers installed about 17 inches above the cooktop (a bit lower than recommended) and finds it much easier to use than when it was down lower (she is 5'5).

On the fan issue, she bought hers on the rec of a friend who has been really happy with exhaust fan on this model (up to 420cfm). My Mom's is vented outside but it has a fair ways to go with a couple of turns but so far it is doing a good job and it is dramatically quieter than her previous exhaust fan even on high.

Panasonic Genius Prestige Inverter:

In situ (kitchen still in progress):
budgeteer_s
15 years ago
I never liked my otr MW for the following reasons 1) it is too low and make stirring pots on top of stove difficult, 2) serving up cooked food is very awkward, 3) venting from the otr MW is mediocre (only found that out after remodel), 4) no landing for getting hot food out of MW, 5) hate the greasy filter bottom (but then I'm not a very good housekeeper!)

For our kitchen remodel, we removed the otr and replaced it with a vent hood. Love, love the new chimney style vent hood. Not only is cooking more pleasurable, the vent hood (900 cfm vs the MW's 250cfm) is effective is sucking up grease, smell and smoke. The hood also looks fabulous in SS and help update the look. In order to make counters as free of gadgets as possible we added a shelf designed into the new cabinets hold a reasonably priced otc MW. Much happier with this arrangement than the old otr MW

pros and cons of otr/otc microwave

Comments (5)

laurap_2007

la_koala

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