Is it possible to hang a microwave over a gas stove: safety requirements and basic installation rules

A large kitchen in a standard apartment is a rarity, so the issue of saving space is always relevant. Photos of interior projects are full of interesting ideas on this topic: zoning, redevelopment, corner furniture and others. In some pictures, we see an ambiguous solution - placing the microwave over the hob. But is it possible to hang a microwave over a gas stove?

The trend of such an installation came to us from the American side. Many microwave ovens in the USA, and in Europe too, are mounted that way. In the article, we consider what is written about this in the Russian technical documentation. We will deal with the accepted norms and requirements, the consequences of hanging the microwave over the stove, and options for the location of the device.

General microwave placement

You can’t put the device in any free angle. The ventilation openings must not be obstructed, therefore, free space must be left between the device and other equipment or cabinet walls.

To ensure the availability and ease of use of the microwave, it must be installed at a distance of 0.6-1.5 m from the floor.

If the appliance is placed higher, the user may burn himself when taking out hot food. If lower, there is a risk of spillage when straightening the body. But do not forget about the growth of all family members.

The most suitable places for the microwave: on the work surface, in the niche of the kitchen set or in limbo. Installation above the hob has its own nuances

It is practical when there is a countertop at arm's length from the appliance. It is convenient to immediately place dishes on it without burning.

It is acceptable to install the oven near the refrigerator. But make sure that both items of household appliances do not touch each other.

Some housewives use the surface of the stove as an additional shelf.But there are models with a top ventilation band and liquids getting inside the structure, crumbs can cause a fire

Do not place a kettle or coffee maker on the top panel of the machine. And the last - it is necessary to provide a space around the device for free opening of the door. If you are not sure, immediately choose a model with the ability to outweigh the door on either side.

Features of the ventilation system in the kitchen

In addition to the correct microwave location, gas stove owners need to take care of ventilation. It is vital for the health of all family members: frying foods is accompanied by the release of carcinogens, cooking provokes the release of steam, which leads to increased humidity.

According to SNiP, the ventilation system should provide a hood of about 100 m³/ h At the same time, the air exchange rate should be equivalent to 12. Installation can provide these indicators cooker hoods.

Such indicators in most cases are achieved by the organization of ventilation of a combined type, when the natural channel is supplemented by a hood installed above the stove

So, it is forbidden to completely block the exhaust channel of natural ventilation, since this can affect the entire system. The natural channel inhibits the formation of reverse thrust and works when the hood is off.

It turns out that when the hood is excluded from the ventilation circuit, the organization of a forced channel is still necessary.

Consequences of hanging a microwave over a stove

The instructions for the microwave oven spell out the recommendation not to install the device in a hot or humid place. For example, next to a stove, heating radiator.

If you contact the gas service, the masters will begin to dissuade from this installation option.

And that's why:

1. Fire. The constant effect of high temperatures on the surface of the stove is fraught with ignition and a full-blown fire.
2. Deformation. The same reason as in the first paragraph, can lead to melting and curvature of the bottom of the device.
3. Corrosion. In addition to hot air, steam will also get on the microwave, which can provoke the appearance of rust spots on the surface of the apparatus.

The effect of moisture negatively affects the internal mechanisms of technology. This significantly reduces its service life.

Necessary in the kitchen and hood. There will be no space left for it after installing the microwave oven, so increased humidity will be observed in the room. This will negatively affect furniture, appliances, wall decoration, ceiling

Warranty service is also lost, because the instructions in the instructions were violated when installing the microwave.

Organization of safe operation

If the above precautions do not outweigh the need to install a microwave oven over the stove, the equipment will have to be separated by a protective screen, and the appropriate model of the device should be selected.

Selection of material for the protective screen

The material for the manufacture of the protective gasket can be a laminated chipboard, MDF is a budget option, but short-lived and unsafe. The wear resistance of the film is low, this layer will last about 5 years.

Refractory chipboard and MDF are also on sale. If it is not possible to buy such material, you can contact the door manufacturing company to apply a special fire-resistant coating. In addition to the main property, it is also easy to clean with abrasive products, scrapers

Metal as a screen does not fit. It is too thin, heats up, it is difficult to wash off water, oily drops, although it protects from fire. Porcelain stoneware or artificial stone is problematic to install due to weight.

A good material for the protective layer will be triplex (tempered laminated glass). It can be ordered to individual sizes or choose the standard version from the store already with mounts.

But you can’t just mount the substrate between the gas stove and the microwave.It is important to arrange adequate ventilation in the room.

What models are suitable for installation

If we look at the foreign experience of installing microwaves over stoves, we will see that this is only possible if you purchase the microwave Over-The-Range model.

The whole problem rests on ventilation. All microwave ovens have a built-in fan for recirculation, but for microwave appliances, the blower can be positioned so as to direct the exhaust air up and out through the roof or wall. How this is done in practice is shown below in the video.

Some suitable models:

• GE JVM7195DKWW;
• LG LGHM2237BD Diamond Collection;
• Sharp R1874T;
• LG LMV2031ST;
• GE MICROWAVES 1029481.

It is such models placed above the stove that we see in foreign interior catalogs. Their average price ranges from 19-42 thousand rubles. To which is added the cost of delivery from an American or European store.

The Russian trading network has high-frequency devices, but the design features (namely, the parameters of the ventilation unit) must be checked with consultants.

According to safety rules, microwave ovens themselves do not need enhanced ventilation, but such a design should be, if the device is supposed to be installed above the stove.

Good ventilation prevents the mixing of grease with dust and moisture, which protects surfaces from contamination. But the exhaust power is greater than that of the microwave vent, so the latter will not work as efficiently

The distance between the bottom and the hob is from 75 cm. But here you need to take into account the growth of users: they should be comfortable cooking in dishes of different heights and see the microwave panel.

Before installing the microwave, it is necessary to calculate a sufficient distance between the wall elements of the kitchen set. Above the device there should be a cabinet, a shelf, if the device is supposed to be suspended.

Most models do not exceed 76 cm in width, 25-45 cm in height, and 30-45 cm in depth; therefore, the minimum parameters of a niche are just that. We select the device so that there are gaps and the installation height is comfortable

If there is a large space between the walls of the cabinets and the microwave, it is permissible to close it with filler strips.

Alternative locations for installing the device

A classic place is a countertop. Convenient, but the microwave takes up a lot of space. It is practical to place the device in a corner wall or on a low cabinet. So the technical standards are respected, and looks neat.

Note that a minimum distance of 15 cm is left from the back of the device to the wall. It is possible that there is a TV nearby, but if there are no prohibitive instructions in the instructions for both devices

If you plan to hang the device, use special brackets or a stand. The most ergonomic places for such an installation are above the desktop or near the dining area.

Do not hang the microwave over a slow cooker or a double boiler. This technique can be placed on top of the microwave, if the latter does not have upper ventilation openings and subject to the exclusion of the simultaneous operation of two devices.

Some models can be used as built-in elements. The oven can be placed in a hanging cabinet or can be attached to one side of the cabinet. In this case, it all depends on the design features: where the ventilation outlets are located and what is the density of the metal frame. It is also worth paying attention to the location of the doors of equipment and furniture.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Parsing improperly installed microwave over the stove: performers errors.

The nuances of installing a microwave over a household stove:

Installing a microwave hood over the stove.

So is it possible to hang a microwave over a gas stove? The instructions for microwave ovens do not recommend this installation method.Reasons: the lack of a full hood, violation of safety standards, the creation of far from optimal conditions for the operation of the device itself. But if other options are not considered, it is permissible, based on foreign experience, to choose the appropriate model and, in accordance with the safety rules, to mount it above the hob.

Still have questions about installing a microwave? Or want to share your operating experience with a microwave oven mounted directly above the stove? Tell us whether it is convenient for you to use the device and what disadvantages you have found - write your comments in the block below, add a photo of your microwave, ask questions to our experts.