# I'm concerned; Over-the-range microwave mounts. How dangerous is that? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 7, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056 "2018-01-07T18:36:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/1 "2018-01-07T18:36:30Z")
My mom is buying a smaller retirement home and relocating close to my first cousin. He’ll be only 6 mins away. I’ll be 25 to 30 mins away and we can help her when needed. A huge relief because our hometown is 2 1/2 hours away. It’s a newish house with a microwave mounted over the slide-in stove. Like this. [https://goo.gl/images/81U1To](https://goo.gl/images/81U1To) My mom is 5 ft 3 in. I know she can stretch and reach it. But I’m not happy that she’ll be removing hot food from that microwave. Hot plates of food will be over her head. Angle or tilt that plate and you have hot food sliding & falling on your head and shoulders. A hot cup of boiling water over someones head is very dangerous. We’ve always had our microwave on a cart. How tall do you need to be to safely use a microwave up in the air? ---
**Author:** ![BlueMerle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@BlueMerle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueMerle)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/2 "2018-01-07T18:43:30Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > My mom is buying a smaller retirement home and relocating close to my first cousin. He’ll be only 6 mins away. I’ll be 25 to 30 mins away and we can help her when needed. A huge relief because our hometown is 2 1/2 hours away. > > It’s a newish house with a microwave mounted over the slide-in stove. > Like this. > [https://goo.gl/images/81U1To](https://goo.gl/images/81U1To) > > My mom is 5 ft 3 in. > > I know she can stretch and reach it. But I’m not happy that she’ll be removing hot food from that microwave. Hot plates of food will be over her head. Angle or tilt that plate and you have hot food sliding & falling on your head and shoulders. A hot cup of boiling water over someones head is very dangerous. > > We’ve always had our microwave on a cart. > > How tall do you need to be to safely use a microwave up in the air? Given her height I think it’s a reasonable concern. Have you considered a small step stool like [these?](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=small+step+stools+for+adults&sprefix=small+step+stool%2Caps%2C160&crid=3DUZHWZJ99ULY) They’re reasonably priced and come in many flavors. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/3 "2018-01-07T18:44:54Z")
Best scenario the hot food slides off the plate and onto the stove. I’m not sure how easily someone could dump hot food on themselves. Mom’s 85. She doesn’t use step stools any more. I can easily see a younger woman using a step stool. Can the mounted microwave be taken down and set on a cart? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/4 "2018-01-07T19:04:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Can the mounted microwave be taken down and set on a cart? Possibly, but then you have an ugly space over the stove and installed microwaves like that don’t have proper sides. It may just be easier to buy a counter top microwave and leave the one over the stove. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/5 "2018-01-07T19:10:55Z")
I’m a little shorter than your mom, and while I don’t like over the range microwaves for other reasons, I haven’t ever had problems taking food out of one. One reason I don’t like them is that they’re typically mounted rather low, reducing clearance over the stove. I would say the bottom is usually about chin-height on me. If it was my kitchen and I had room to put a microwave on the counter, I’d personally replace it with a range hood. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/6 "2018-01-07T19:11:32Z")
Good point. Microwaves are only a couple hundred bucks. We’ll buy one and use a cart. Then eventually convert to a range hood as Renee suggests. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/7 "2018-01-07T19:13:31Z")
My wife is a shorty, too, but has no issues with the over-the-stove microwave that I installed in order to free up countertop space. If I were to install the shelf for two-level cooking, then I might be a bit more concerned, though. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/8 "2018-01-07T19:17:32Z")
I’ve got to say, in all circumstances that is a rubbish place to install a microwave - I don’t see any benefit at all and loads of risks - its about as stupid as installing it above an open topped tiger cage! Chances are that other hot pans of boiling liquids will be on the stove top - which then entails the microwave user to reach over the top of those pans. Next, steam from those pans is going to rise up into the microwave - steam+electronics= fantastic idea - not. You also cannot install an extractor hood - so all your cooking steam products are going to circulate around the kitchen, condensation everywhere - not good for the home decor. Lastly and certainly not least, having to reach upwards to remove hot items including hot water (quick cuppa tea anyone?) a really stupid idea in a household where children are slowly acquiring the height to try use this stupidly installed microwave.If you have a gas cooker it will also mean reaching over the top of working gas burners to reach the microwave And the purported benefit? The microwave does not take up counter top space? Really?. Even in our small UK kitchens we would never go down this route, I assume in the US you have microwave ovens in the main cooker unit, after all we do. Worst kitchen idea ever ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/9 "2018-01-07T20:47:51Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Next, steam from those pans is going to rise up into the microwave - steam+electronics= fantastic idea - not. > > You also cannot install an extractor hood - so all your cooking steam products are going to circulate around the kitchen, condensation everywhere - not good for the home decor. These things are designed to hang above the stove top, so presumably they’re designed not to have a short out caused by steam. Certainly millions of people, me included, have had such things without blowing circuits. And it’s not true that you can’t install an extractor hood (i.e., vent the exhaust to the outside). Many models allow for this. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/10 "2018-01-07T21:25:37Z")
We have an over-the-range microwave oven. My 4-foot-eleven SO has no trouble using it, even without a stepping stool. Of course, she’s nowhere near 85 years old. (and it does have an exhaust vent hood built into its underside) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/11 "2018-01-07T22:35:50Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Good point. > > Microwaves are only a couple hundred bucks. > > We’ll buy one and use a cart. > > Then eventually convert to a range hood as Renee suggests. Smart move. I think you are right to be concerned. Not so much because of mom’s height, but her age. mmm ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/12 "2018-01-07T22:42:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Good point. > > Microwaves are only a couple hundred bucks. > > We’ll buy one and use a cart. > > Then eventually convert to a range hood as Renee suggests. Microwaves are much cheaper. You can get a good one for around $75 or less, brand-new in the box. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/13 "2018-01-09T01:30:40Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Chances are that other hot pans of boiling liquids will be on the stove top - which then entails the microwave user to reach over the top of those pans. Yeah, and those pans don’t give off so much IR that your burn yourself when accessing the microwave. > [@](#): > > Next, steam from those pans is going to rise up into the microwave - steam+electronics= fantastic idea - not. Possibly good point. I had to replace the control panel and display in my wall oven (not my microwave) because apparently broiling bacon gives off so much vapor in the initial phases that when it passes through the vent, which points directly into the control panel, it’s enough to destroy said control panel. So far, so good with the over stove microwave, though. > [@](#): > > You also cannot install an extractor hood - so all your cooking steam products are going to circulate around the kitchen, condensation everywhere - not good for the home decor. My microwave replaced my 800 cfm exterior vent with an 800 cfm exterior vent. It’s louder because the path is bit more convoluted, but I rarely run it at maximum anyway. You could run it as an interior venting vent, but why, if you have a nice path to the exterior? > [@](#): > > Lastly and certainly not least, having to reach upwards to remove hot items including hot water (quick cuppa tea anyone?) a really stupid idea in a household where children are slowly acquiring the height to try use this stupidly installed microwave.If you have a gas cooker it will also mean reaching over the top of working gas burners to reach the microwave We Americans, apparently unlike the British, don’t let our kids do stupid things such as use equipment they’re not qualified for or become Prime Minister. There are many reasons we broke away, and the use of over the stove microwaves was simply prescient. > [@](#): > > And the purported benefit? The microwave does not take up counter top space? Really?. Your silly tea culture doesn’t take counter space, whilst our sophisticated coffee culture truly does! Thus, this is a significant concern to us, dear sir. > [@](#): > > Even in our small UK kitchens we would never go down this route, I assume in the US you have microwave ovens in the main cooker unit, after all we do. While that’s an option I installed in my previous abode, in my current residence I opted for two ovens instead of an oven-microwave combination. In addition, the microwave itself serves as a convection oven of useful (but limited) capability. It doesn’t, in fact, require microwaves if I so choose. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/14 "2018-01-09T01:36:14Z")
I don’t like them, but my mother in law has no problem with hers. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/15 "2018-01-09T01:46:23Z")
I’ve installed two and if they are installed correctly, they are very secure. I assume it screws into the wall behind it on a mount…and that it also has hanging screws above it that screw into a cabinet that goes overhead? If it has both of those elements and the cabinet is not cheap crap, it should be able to hold a lot of weight. Her height is only one inch shorter than my wife and your mom is 4 inches taller than my mom and they both use overhead(overstove) microwaves. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/16 "2018-01-09T02:10:46Z")
I’m 5’ 3" and have used an over-the-range microwave for 17 years. It came with the house. I’ve never had any problems of any kind using it, ever. I’m not 85 though. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/17 "2018-01-09T02:29:35Z")
They are extremely common in the US, and I’ve never once (until this tread) heard anyone call them dangerous. My wife is 5’1", and she uses ours every day. Ours not only has an outside vent, but acts as a stove exhaust fan, too (which I think is pretty common). ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/18 "2018-01-09T03:40:20Z")
My mom is 66 years old and 5’2” and doesn’t have a problem with hers. I’d be the first to hear about it if there was. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/19 "2018-01-09T05:12:02Z")
Mom plans to give the mounted microwave a try. See how easily she can reach it and remove heated food. I worry more about liquids because they can so easily slosh and spill. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056/20 "2018-01-09T13:59:34Z")
[Moderating] I assume you meant to put this in IMHO instead of CS? I’ll move it for you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-concerned-over-the-range-microwave-mounts-how-dangerous-is-that/806056.md?page=2)