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Calculators / Ventilation and power

Is there room for a microwave over your range?

Measure from the cooktop to the bottom of the cabinet, and the opening between cabinets. You'll know if a microwave fits there and how high it sits.

These are example numbers. Put in yours.

The space

in

From the cooktop surface to the bottom of the cabinet. Not the trim.

in

Almost always 36 in.

in

Between the cabinets on each side. 30 in is standard.

The microwave

in

Most run 16 to 17⅞ in. It's on the spec sheet.

Venting

The cooktop

Cooktop width
Fuel
in

The panel along the back of a freestanding range, above the cooktop. Blank for slide-ins.

It fits

13 in over the cooktop

With a 17 in tall microwave, the bottom sits 13 in above the cooktop. GE says to expect 13 to 16 in.

Cooktop to cabinet
30 in
Floor to cabinet
66 inneed 66 in
Under the microwave
13 in
Opening width
30 in
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floor to cabinet = 36 in cooktop + 30 in gap = 66 in (need 66 in)

under the microwave = 30 in gap - 17 in tall = 13 in above the cooktop

opening = 30 in wide (need 30 in)

Outlet

The outlet goes inside the cabinet above, 120 V, ideally its own circuit. Most installs need one moved.

Cabinet depth

Whirlpool wants the upper cabinet 12 to 14 in deep. Deeper than that needs their bump-out bracket.

Venting

Most vent through a 3¼ x 10 in duct out the top or back. An old hood duct often lines up.

How we work it out

GE and Whirlpool both measure from the floor. They want at least 66 in from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet above. With a 36 in cooktop, that's the 30 in gap you hear about.

floor to cabinet = cooktop height + gap, at least 66 in

under the microwave = gap - microwave height

Most of these run 16 to 17⅞ in tall, so a 30 in gap leaves about 13 in over the cooktop. The opening needs to be 30 in wide. Wider works with a filler kit or trim.

On a freestanding range, GE wants 2 in between the microwave and the top of the backguard. They're rated over cooktops up to 36 in wide. GE also says none over a gas cooktop past 60,000 BTU. Your model's install sheet has the final word.

Where the numbers come from

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