I’d go with the 24 because 30” OTR microwaves are so unnecessarily huge.

I know they say microwaves are the latest and greatest things to go over the range, but to be honest, over the range isn't the absolute best place for one. What they are doing with these units is installing a recirculating filter fan underneath, but if you happen to be a cook who works in the kitchen often and produces any degree of smoke or steam, a genuine, dedicated 24" recirculating vent hood with washable, removable filters would serve the filtering needs. You could locate a microwave where it wouldn't be affected by the cooking effluent and also a bit lower down so you could see into it and reach in and out easier without spilling anything hot on yourself..

Everything Belaria said. I have a 30 inch microwave over my stove. We did this because the regular hood stuck out too far. I have a second microwave on the counter in my small kitchen. I use the 30 inch to store odds and ends and never use it to microwave because I don’t like lifting hot foods down from that height.

We installed a 24" GE microwave in 2007 and replaced it a few years ago with a similar/newer 24" GE model. Still working, just wanted to update to a new unit. A 24" microwave may be a small size for an overhead unit, but it also works as a counter top microwave, so I figure the two applications for the same unit is what justifies their continued manufacturing. I don't think you have anything to worry about, go with the 24" microwave. IMO, the symmetry of the same size microwave over the stove looks better/is more balanced.

IMO and OTR MW is the worst possible choice for venting and even for use . Why are you going with a 24” range ? Do you not have any big pots? If you ever plan to resell that will be a mistake.

24” OTR’s are extremely limited to non existent. The GE PEM31SFSS 24” cabinet hung MW is NOT an OTR, while the unicorn Frigidaire UMV1422US IS. I’d like to see the model that you’ve found. I have done a lot of Airbnb kitchens, and always always use a 30” convection OTR over a 2 burner 12” induction cooktop, placed lengthwise, with pot and pan storage below. It maximizes the cabinet storage space far more than using a 24” range does. Most people never use more than 2 burners at a time, and it’s really impossible to use more than 2 on a 24” range anyway. The ability to use standard size appliances makes a huge difference in cost and replaceability down the road. And you get more and better storage, with greater utility.

I'd like to see a floorplan for your space.

"24” OTR’s are extremely limited to non existent."

• Six over-the-range 24" microwave ovens sold by appliances Connection
• Four over-the-range 24" microwave ovens sold by Lowes
• Three over-the-range 24" microwave ovens sold by Best Buy

(Same products, different vendors)

I have a microwave on the counter now. I prepare food mostly on the stove. Knocking out the wall and placing microwave over will finally give me space. home Depot would only gave me 3D visual. Said couldnt give dimensions for cabinets because of liability. I did get one side of kitchen by mistake I’d like to see photos of the cooks kitchen air b n b kitchens.

my condo is for seasonal use mostly P. Not a lot of cooking going on. My moms had24 in and cooks complete meals everyday!

Can only seem to select one photo at a time 24 inch micro is pricier too

Why not use the new low profile MW? Same width, but half as tall.

I’d go with the 24 because 30” OTR microwaves are so unnecessarily huge.

I agree 100% with @emilyam819 on this.

Have you seen this one?

Whirlpool 24-inch OTR Micro Hood Combo .7 cu. ft, 350 cfm

Here are the rest of A.J. Madison’s offerings:

There’s probably some duplication of what wdcruise posted.

I would stick with 30". If you own your condo, I assume you will want to sell it someday and not everyone likes a 24" range and microwave.

If they don't like a 24" range, they're looking at major surgery. Do the 24" microwave because the overhang looks like a screw-up rather than anything intentional, and because with a 24" microwave and cabinet, you still have room for another cabinet on the right there. With the wall knocked out, you have lots of counter but storage will be at a premium, so I wouldn't waste any!

Where is the sink in this kitchen? is it on the fridge wall -- otherwise, I wouldn't raise the cabinets there. (see: maximize storage!)

thank you everyone. This has been in the planning for a while and there was only one 24 inch microwave when I last checked and it was avanti. Thrilled there are more choices thanks to small houses I think.

Stick with a 30”. It’s been a standard size for years. It’s only in the last few years that a 24” was even made. 3 choices vs over 100? Ha! That ought to tell you something. It’s not going to last because hardly anyone buys them. It’s a white elephant choice. Just like the 24” range.

In a 580 sq. ft. condo, you will never need the 30" microwave size. I know this as someone who recently ripped out a 30" OTR microwave to replace it with a 24" microwave elsewhere in the kitchen (while putting an externally venting hood OTR). 24" is perfect size for our busy household of 4, in our 2,100 sq. ft. home!

All that to say, for your cooking needs in a 580 sq. ft. condo, definitely do NOT waste your precious space on a 30" microwave! It's a giant that I only used the full width of twice in the 17 years we had it. Go with the 24" for sure.

The capacity of microwave ovens with turntables is really controlled by the diameter of the turntable and height of the cavity. The 24"Frigidaire UMV1422USand its 30" Frigidaire FGBM19WNVDbrand-mate have the same 13-5/8" turntable, are the same interior height, and have the same wattage (1000 watts). Essentially they are the same oven in different size boxes.

That’s great to know. haire microwave had rave reviews on one site. Scary reviews on another I’ll research them but going with 24 inch

so that leads to another question. Not sure if I should post new thread but cabinet guys say electric stove cannot go next to wall. My stove currently is and city inspector says it’s fine if stove specs allow.

opinions?

if. Do 6 inch cabinet to right of range what do I put in 6 inch gap on uppers?

Your city inspector is correct. I doubt your stove's specs allow placement up to a wall. Usually there is a minimum of 3" to 5" space required, sometimes more. If you want to be cautious, give it 9". The specs can also differ from one side to another depending on the BTUs of each burner on each side. If you don't have a hard copy of the manual, you should be able to look it up online or obtain it from the manufacturer. Check the Rev-A-Shelf and Hardware Resources websites for some excellent filler wall cabinets to take up that 6" gap. All you'll need is a cabinet to fit that space with an unattached door front, then install the insert and attach door to insert. You'll have a number of options for different organizational features to make excellent use of that 6" space.

24” ranges are in use a lot in amall spaes in Europe I have used a few and I would never buy one for NA . I too would like to see your floor plan and since you are in a condo the other option would be a hood that uses filters for venting and IMO a much better choice than a MW

You really want at least a narrow countertop on each side of your stove top for quickly setting down heavy and/or hot pans, especially an electric range where the stove top takes time to cool and you might need to move food away from the heat immediately.

Would not want the range hood with the microwave built in combo -- one goes out, you're replacing both.

Heat is not great for small appliances, including microwaves, so I'd not want to just put a shelf above the stove and an individual microwave there.

Consider a wheeled microwave cart that can be put where you want it. If you're going to have a side of a cabinet exposed by the new open path you're creating, you could put the back of the cart against the side of the cabinet -- with the microwave easily usable from either room.

https://www.google.com/search?q=microwave+cart&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzpbmIiOboAhXtmeAKHYjwDBEQ_AUoAnoECBYQBA&biw=1366&bih=654

Here is design that I just received. We use microwave a lot. Stove not so much. This cabinet maker can’t do spice rack Might get second opinion i oils fill one wine rack but 2 lol?

I would think wine should be stored in a cool place, not next to a stove.

@lbouquard The cabinet maker doesn't need to create a spice rack. He or she makes a regular 6" wide wall cabinet with an unattached door. You can put the spice rack pull-out in yourself, or your cabinetry installer can do it. The pull-out part is just a 3rd party insert. Some high-end companies make their own custom pull-outs, but you'd usually have to be up into expensive pricing like Bentwood, Christopher Peacock, or William Ohs for that to happen. Most of the lower to mid-range cabinet manufacturers offer the cabinets with unattached doors, and your cabinetry installer can put in the pull-out that you yourself order independently. You would need to ensure that whatever pullout you order fits the clearances of your cabinet.

Stock cabinet lines are rarely suited to small spaces. You need to make the most use of every inch. Wine cubes are useless and wasteful of those inches.

Your layout would be much more efficient if the sink were in your peninsula and the cooking zone against the wall. Having an appliance that is only available right handled shoved into a right corner is awkward and problematical for access. Right now, it would be better to place the pantry there on that wall sliver and place the cooking zone where the pantry was. With proper clearances, of course.

24" Microwave and range

The babe in the second picture only started wearing the guy's shirt after he bought that 24" microwave.

Never noticed that lol

Well I ordered a 24 inch convection range and really like the size of it. It is currently under a 30 inch hood/fan as remodel has not happened yet. It does not look out of place . Yes the 24 inch microwave would be be perfect but I am going with the 30 inch because the custom 6 inch upper and lower cabinets it requires would cost me almost $1000. With the 30 inch microwave I can just order the wine rack( not custom) for the bottom. And the 24 inch microwave is definitely costlier than a 30 inch. Smaller kitchen = bigger costs It just isn't worth the extra cash for a galley kitchen in a seasonal home. Thank you all. I will post photos when project is completed

...

The Cook's Kitchen "You can lead a horse to water........"

It's always hilarious to see posts on Houzz about small kitchens. Especially comments that are like "You MUST reconfigure to get a larger range!!!!!"

I currently have a 20" range in my studio condo and it's perfectly good for me. I'll have a 24" one in my remodel and am also looking for 24" OTR microwaves. There is no other space for a microwave without taking away storage space. And no, I can't just cut a hole in my condo building to be able to vent to the outside. Every studio unit in my building (including mine) also has the range next to the wall and all that's required is 2" of clearance space and a non combustible material right next to it. Everyone just tiles around the range.

Does anyone have opinions on XO appliances? They also have a 24" otr option, but I can find no reviews anywhere.

"It’s a white elephant choice. Just like the 24” range." I swear everyone on Houzz must live in the suburbs in 3000+ sf houses lollllllllllllll. 24" range is NOT a white elephant in a city with small dwellings.

There are four models on Appliances Connection that appear to be identical except for the external appearance (note the arrangement of the buttons on the control panels and sizes of each model's turntable):

• Haier HMV1472BHS
• Frigidaire UMV1422US
• XO XOOTR24BS
• Avanti MOTR13D3S

My inclination would be to buy the Haier model as it's most likely the actual manufacturer of the appliance. You can find reviews of the Haier and Frigidaire on Home Depot.

(Yes, there are a lot of snobs on Houzz who think you need a kitchen the size of a bowling alley, a 48" range, and a $10K refrigerator. But frankly, I would have wanted a 30" range -- and 30" OTR microwave -- because that's the minimum width of an induction range.)

Nice. Really smart how you did that with the cubbies balancing it out.