When it comes to the space over your stove, is it better to have a range hood vs. a microwave?
The main reason people often choose to have a microwave over the stove in the first place is most likely to save counter space in the kitchen. Over-the-range microwaves combine task lighting, microwaving, and ventilation into one.
However, OTR microwaves are not range hoods — they are microwaves with lights and a fan, and that’s very different from a traditional hood.
The Drawbacks of OTR Microwaves With Fans vs. Range Hoods
OTR microwaves with fans don’t ventilate nearly as well as a range hood. While a hood can actually remove foul air from the home, a microwave can only clean and recirculate the air at best (with a few expensive exceptions).
This means that people with microwaves above the range have to deal with the effects of poor indoor air quality, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also trigger respiratory issues like asthma.
A range hood is a purposeful appliance that sucks up dangerous fumes from cooking (which is essential, especially if you have a gas range). They pull grease from the air so it doesn’t settle and collect on your walls and ceiling. Range hoods also do an excellent job of collecting condensation and heat.
What Are the Benefits of a Range Hood vs. a Microwave?
If you’re thinking of replacing your over-the-range microwave with a range hood, it’s beneficial to weigh the pros and cons. Range hoods offer a diverse range of aesthetic and functional benefits.
Enhanced Ventilation
Enhanced ventilation is the most significant benefit of a range hood vs. a microwave for most customers. Swapping a microwave for a hood over the range in your kitchen will improve ventilation instantly, enabling you to enjoy cooking without worrying about dealing with smoke, steam or strong, pungent or lingering odors.
Range hoods from CopperSmith offer powerful, efficient ventilation for kitchens. Our hoods are available in a range of options to cater to individual client requirements and different types and sizes of kitchens. If you’re unsure about which range hood to buy to provide sufficient ventilation, our team can help you to find the right hood for your needs based on its CFM (cubic feet per minute
Aesthetic Appeal
Some people love the simplicity and neatness of over-the-range microwaves, but range hoods have become an increasingly popular choice. Integrated microwaves free up counter space, and they can look smart and slick, particularly in modern kitchens, but range hoods offer a different kind of aesthetic.
Our CopperSmith range hoods come in a broad spectrum of styles to suit contemporary, classic and rustic homes. Make a strong design statement in a modern house with a stainless steel range hood, or create a stunning new focal point in a traditional kitchen with an elegant, timeless copper range hood.
Dealing With Heat
Kitchens are synonymous with generating heat. Most of us use our kitchens to cook and enjoy meals. If you love to entertain, or you’re passionate about cooking or baking, it’s important that your kitchen can deal with the intense heat produced by boiling, steaming, grilling and frying.
Range hoods cope with heat much more effectively than microwaves. This is beneficial for home cooks, but it’s particularly advantageous for chefs working in commercial kitchens.
The Choice Between Range Hood vs. Microwave Is Easy With CopperSmith
While there is potential for great convenience with the use of OTR microwaves vs. range hoods, there is also potential for great inconvenience. If your microwave breaks and needs repair or replacement, you’ll lose three important kitchen functions (cooking, lighting, and air movement) until the issue is resolved.
So all in all, range hoods are replacing these kinds of microwaves for many good reasons. They’re simply more effective at clearing the air. They can add tremendous style to your kitchen, and they’re available in a huge array of sizes, styles, colors, and performance levels.
You can even have your own custom range hood that serves as a work of art in your kitchen! Contact CopperSmith to learn more about our range hood options and other beautiful home upgrade options.