Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - OTR Microwave Oven

hello,
i'm nearing the end of a complete kitchen remodel. Yesterday I installed a Whirlpool OTR microwave. The install went smooth. Follwing that, I slid in my existing stove-range-oven. What bothers me is that even though I have 30+ inches from range top cooking surface to the bottom of the cabinet the OTR microwave is installed to...I have only about 13 inches clearance between the stovetop cooking surface and the bottom of the microwave. This spacing seems a little narrow with the two rear elements on the stovetop. Is this normal clearance?

MH1160XSS is the model number. The dimensions of the unit are:
Cutout Depth: 13 in
Height: 17 1/4 in.
Width: 29 15/16 in.

Many thanks in advance for your feedback.

Majac777

It sounds like you took out a range hood and installed the MW in it's place? The 13" is too close, it should be more like 20" give or take a little. You might have to replace the cabinet with a shorter one or take it down, raise the MW and put in some shelves. I'm just curious, did you install a new electrical circuit for the MW [from new circuit breaker at the panel to the receptacle for the MW- dedicated circuit, in other words- nothing else on that circuit] Check the install booklet, it will indicate what size circuit to run.

Thank you for your prompt reply. Re the electrical: yes, when the old cabinets were removed, I had an electrician wire the microwave (and other appliances as well) with a dedicated circuit. The outlet box is installed in the cabinet over the microwave.

Regards, Majac777

According to installation instructions there should be a minimum of 30 inches from the bottom of the cabinet to the cooking surface. 13 inches does sound too close though. I just measured mine and i have about 16 1/2 inches from the bottom of the microwave to the cooking surface which seems adequate.

Originally, our kitchen designer recommended the "over the range" MW instead of the counter top MW I had envisioned. She subsequently developed the plans that included the cabinet over the space for the OTR microwave oven. Should she have been aware of the clearance problem between the MW and the range top?
Thanks, Majac777

Sounds like they followed the manufacturer's installation instructions. There is 30 inches between your cooking surface and the bottom of the cabinet. That is all the installation instructions specify. They don't specify a measurement between the cooking surface and the bottom of the microwave.