I am 5'2" and LOVE over the range microwave ovens. I hate taking up counter space with one on the counter. They have lights to illuminate the stove top.

We just replaced our old Maytag with a new Maytag. No turntable but it glides side to side. About $300 if memory serves. Our local independent appliance dealer delivered it, installed it and took the old one away. Worth avery dime spent and the personal service was awesome. This was the day after Thanksgiving!

Is your Hubby handy? Someone will need to put up the brackets, etc. To install it. Buy a decent model. Not worth penny pinching on a cheap model.

Sandy

My kitchen is small with next to no counter space. The microwave was always in the way. We bought an over the stove one and love. They have a light and an exhaust fan. Best thing we have bought in a while. Mine is a Maytag.

I hadn't thought about the codes, thanks for mentioning them! I will look into them to see what the distance should be. It seems like height won't be an issue for me (5'4") but I did wonder if it would be too low. I did mount the toaster oven in the studio and I love even the few inches below it, and being able to wipe the counter without having to move it, which is part of why I thought I'd like an OTR model.

Hubby is handy and if he doesn't want to admit it, I'm usually pretty good too ;) We will look at some of the other models, because I know you're right about skimping on the cheap ones. I have been coveting the Bosch, the only thing that holds me back, other than the price is the fact that it's SS and the finger prints make me crazy and the rest of our appliances are white.

Hmm.,. that's 2 votes for Maytag now... our fridge is an Amana which is made by Maytag, or Amana makes fridges for Maytag or some such, so I'm not as leery of them as I was back when we bought the house with the Maytag DW that was a nightmare ;) Possibly also original to the house at the time!

I have a Panasonic and have had it for 8 years. No problems so far. I wanted to have a microwave over the stove but found out that there is a minimum height that is required and mine failed the test.

I have replaced my microwaves twice in the past ten years. Never spend more than $125 new for them. However the last one I bought is a corner microwave and fits beautifully under my corner cabinet. Cost $150. Leaves me with plenty of counter space!

we have an over-the-stove microwave and it is a space saver. I am not very tall but can reach to get things in and out of the microwave but have to get out my trusty footstool in order to clean the top area of the oven because I can't reach that. Does free up quite a bit of counter space. I would replace it if it died.

I bought a small one from Sears - about $80. Had it for about 5 years and it does everything i need it to. I just reheat and some defrost.

The one I bought at Walmart for $49 is Rival brand. It has a turntable and runs quiet. It's light and easy to move to clean the countertop. Last Christmas it was on special for $29. I bought two extra ones. They are in the garage storage cabinet sill in the box. I won't have to think about having to buy a microwave if this one breaks.

You probably have already made a decision but I have to tell you that my son (as a surprise to me) tried to put a microwave OTR and when we really looked at it, it was much too large --did not fit into my kitchen, etc. We took it down and the holes are still there where he tried to put it in.Kitchen is small and the microwave overpowered everything. For me, bad idea!

I have an over the range one that is a General Electric. This is my second one. I like it, but a repairman told me years ago that the over the range ones don't last as long as the free standing. It gets too much heat and grime from the cooking on the stove top. I had no choice but to put the over the range. I didn't have space for the free standing.