I think that the range hood idea would look best. Placing the microwave above the hood as a built-in would work if you got your cabinetry person to take the dimensions into account and make it look like it was meant to be there, otherwise the microwave over the hood may look like an afterthought. Good luck Elisa :)

There was a micro over the range in the kitchen of our new home. I felt like it was always in my face when I cooked. When we gutted and renovated our kitchen, I went with a hood. It gives you much better air filtration - so necessary when you can not vent to the outside. An OTR micro never has as much power. I put my little micro on a shelf in my tiny pantry. It is out of the way, but I don't look at it and only use it once a day.

When we remodeled we replaced a regular hood with a powerful, outside-vented microwave (this is underneath existing built-in cabinetry over the range.) I love it, it's very useful and doesn't take up space on our countertop. I don't feel it is "in my face" even tho it really is right there! Just make sure to choose one that has powerful suction!

I agree with you on the look of above micros. They are either to high above the stove or you are staring at it. Basic height is 30" above stove top. Way to high, you have to be 7' tall to see in it. Consider venting, will it be a microwave or microwave stove vent. If not a stove vent talk to your builder to add a nice looking normal micro, have him build to your cabinets. The normal micros are smaller and could be designed into cabinets.

Ken

I will agree with Hal, A hood is the very best way to go. Vent through the roof and not the side of home. Hal I am going through about the same thing and have gone through a lot. I agree do not go with the micro above stove.

Ken

I have a small, small kitchen... I have a gorgeous hood fan and I stuck the microwave in a pantry on a rack. All I use it for is to cook yams so there is no sense in having it a focal point of my kitchen.

True Adam, A micro above the stove is ok, but what height looks good. I would have to measure the client to be able to reach and see in micro. Down draft for stove is the better way to go.

Ken

I do not like the micro over the stove. I believe it presents a scald hazard if someone, especially a short person, spilled something while removing it. You also have to reach over the cook top of the stove which may be hot. I put my micro in a niche built for it on an island.

I also do not like the microwave over the range for reasons stated already. I did get a modestly priced wood hood + liner (unfinished at about $375) and a Broan Vent Insert reasonably priced ($250).

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You can have a microwave shelf built into another cabinet. I have also seen them placed in the pantry. If I was building a new kitchen, I would put it above a wall oven because that is the perfect height for me.

above wall oven:

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This is a unique place. Possibly not possible in a small kitchen:

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Down draft range...wonderful thing.

I agree with the comments here, do not go with the bulky micro/vent for stove. The height is hard to figure for your client at time and also the sale of the home in the future. Buy a nice looking micro and have your contractor build it in to your cabinets. The wood vent you mentioned is not a bad price for it. Do that and add your micro else where in your cabinet design. Not sure but an idea for you.

Ken

Micro Hoods can pose a fire hazard with reaching over the range to load and unload the microwave. Be sure not to be wearing any loose garments while cooking and discourage children from using the microwave. Microhoods generally do not vent very effectively. They are not the best aesthetic option. It can be doable if there are no other options and budget is your main concern.

The microwave above the stove is too awkwardly high, dangerous and will never look as trendy or be as useful as a modern exhaust...they go hand in hand. I don't know why people feel the need to hide a microwave, a very much used appliance. Build into cabinetry or above wall oven. You can also allocate a shelf in your design. The ones built into the islands are ridiculous. Way too low.

I’m tall enough where an OTR microwave hits my face if I try to lean over the rangetop at all. To reach anything on the back of the range without smacking my arms on the OTR I have to squat or stand completely to one side. It was only 15 inches from a gas range top! Hunk of junk removed and replaced with a real hood that is over the top of my head. I use my countertop microwave all the time (it bakes and roasts) so I don’t miss the space.

My brother-in-law has above the stove microwave and I think it's the dumbest idea ever. I'm only 5'3". If I try to use it I have to drag out a step ladder. I use my microwave for lots of things especially during the summer. I always loved cooking in the microwave since my first one in 1980

Putting a microwave above a stove is really bad design. If you boil anything on the stove, the steam rises and condenses on the surface of the microwave, then drips back into your boiling pan! Eww! This is the second house we’ve lived in that has this horrible, horrible feature. Theres no work-around — the exhaust fan does nothing. I cant wait to tear it out when we remodel and put it in a more appropriate place.

Having two functions lump into one increases the chance of failure. Usually hood fan function is simple and lasts much longer (forever) than the more complex microwave function. If the microwave goes, you have to rip out the hood fan connection/installation if it is vented outside. Then reinstall the vent connection with the new microwave. This is a major pain of the butt. Whereas if they are separate, you can always simply replace the microwave. No reinstallation, renovation type of work involved.