Cabinet Height Above Stove With Microwave

What's a good rule of thumb when it comes to the distance between cabinet height above the stove and the microwave mounting plate? The answer is about a foot, maybe two, but it depends on how much the stove can be lifted. In most cases, the stove is close to the ceiling and therefore can't be lifted all the way off the floor; it needs to have more clearance.

You can buy cabinets that will make it possible for the stove to be raised to an acceptable level but generally they are only sized to give the total height above the floor of the width of the room. For this reason, a person with a tall stove and/or a long countertop needs to get a bigger cabinet.

A larger sized cabinet and a taller countertop should allow the stove to lift a little higher so that it can be mounted closer to the wall, or the microwave wall plate can be mounted further out to give the stove enough clearance to be up against. It doesn't have to be perfect but a nice thickness will help keep the space more usable.

If your microwave wall plate is permanently installed, you will need to fit it in along with the cabinet. If it's a separate item, then it can be easily installed later, making it a lot easier to finish.

Is there a problem with having a poorly placed cabinet? Probably. You need to consider the size of the work area (if any) and how much moving and rearranging that goes on.

As much as possible, store items out of the way until you have them in your kitchen. This can reduce the amount of time and effort that is needed to rearrange kitchen work spaces.

Ovens are an exception because they are stationary and not required to be moved. Microwave ovens are a different matter though. If you use a microwave frequently, it's worth the expense of installing a higher cabinet and perhaps buying a couple of shelves to store other small appliances.

There are many factors to take into account such as space, temperature, convenience and personal preference. Another consideration is the cost of installing and purchasing the extra shelving. Some people like to keep their knives and food items in the kitchen, while others prefer to save space by storing small appliances.

An oven that has the right temperature to function properly will have a temperature setting that is just right for your stove. Any more than that and you could be wasting your money. Again, when cooking with the microwave, it's best to follow the manufacturer's instruction.

Some microwaves are designed to operate at very high temperatures which may be necessary for difficult to cook foods. Other foods that tend to melt are cooked at low temperatures so a microwave that operates at high temperature is not necessarily necessary.

Finding the right appliance doesn't have to be difficult or confusing. All you need to do is look for models that meet your particular needs.

You should then be able to quickly make sure that you get the right size, shape and design for your needs. Not only will you save money, but you'll also get the right tool for the job.