Kitchens in standard apartments often cannot boast of large dimensions. Therefore, placing a microwave or cabinet over a gas stove sometimes seems to be a very good solution in terms of saving space. However, this is not worth doing - we will figure out why.
Can a cabinet be placed above a stove
If you contact the gas service asking if it is possible to hang a kitchen cabinet over a gas stove, the answer will be no. There are several reasons for this:
- Risk of fire. Kitchen furniture is made of wood, MDF, particleboard, etc., and this is all combustible materials. Under the influence of high temperatures, a piece of furniture can glow and flare up, and if the flame is not extinguished in time, this is fraught with a full-blown fire.
- Another, although more harmless reason, lies in the fact that the material of the cabinet when warmed up and exposed to steam can warp, gain moisture or dry out, as a result, new furniture can only be thrown away.
- Even if the wall cabinet can withstand thermal procedures without damage, no one can guarantee that when heated it does not begin to release substances hazardous to health (some types of laminated particleboard emit formaldehyde and phenols). And even if the manufacturer claims that his furniture is 100% environmentally friendly, it’s better not to risk it and not expose the surface to constant heat.
Other disadvantages include the fact that the cabinet will always suffer from soot and fatty drops, which will spoil the whole view. You will have to constantly wash it with detergents, and this also negatively affects laminated and wooden surfaces.
Cabinet with integrated hood
A completely different thing is a cabinet above a gas stove, in which an electric hood is built-in. The latter removes soot, grease and steam generated during cooking, so the cabinet lasts as long as the rest of the kitchen furniture. Such a system is a good option for organizing space in small kitchens. In this case, the cabinet performs two functions at once:
- allows you to store kitchen utensils inside;
- hides the working part of the hood from the eyes, making the interior more attractive.
The cabinet hides the hood, forming a single line of kitchen facades.
Since most hoods have standard sizes, you can first order a module (cabinet), and then pick up built-in appliances for it. The advantage of this design is a large number of options: the cabinet can be of various sizes, not only direct, but also angular. The angular variety allows you to rationally distribute the space, using those areas of the kitchen that are not commonly used.
Corner wardrobe - a good solution for small kitchens
On sale there are modules of such standard sizes:
- height - from 40 to 120 cm;
- width - 30–120 cm;
- depth - 30–80 cm.
The distance from the stove to the hood should be 75–85 cm (for an electric stove these figures are 10 cm less).
The space inside the cabinet can be organized in different ways: depending on the design project, there can be not only shelves, but also metal containers, drawers, organizers. The module can be equipped with an open shelf (niche) for decorative trifles: figurines, vases, etc.
A cabinet with a niche is suitable for any interior style.
Additional storage space for useful little things.
Retractable hood
Microwave over a gas stove: is it safe
Installing a microwave oven over a gas stove is associated with the same problems that are listed in the first section. And if everything is more or less clear with deformation during heating, then many users may not believe in the ignition of a microwave, but in vain. With strong heating, the device may begin to melt, and then burn.
If you still doubt whether it is possible to place a microwave over a stove, then it makes sense to read the instructions for the microwave. It will be said that the stove should not be placed next to household appliances that produce a lot of heat, as this can interfere with the normal operation of the device. Thus, it is forbidden to place the microwave oven even next to the gas hob, not to mention hanging the microwave over the burners.
Why not install the microwave over the stove
If a large amount of steam regularly gets onto the microwave, after some time rusty spots will appear on the equipment, which will gradually increase in size.
By exposing the microwave to high humidity, you can get this picture
Plus, the effect of moisture adversely affects the internal mechanisms of the stove, which significantly reduces its service life. No one will repair under the microwave warranty, which was installed without taking into account the instructions in the instruction.
Remember that if hang microwave above an electric or gas stove, then places for hood installation no longer remains. And the lack of hoods will lead to constant increased humidity in the kitchen, which will negatively affect furniture, household appliances and the decoration of the ceiling and walls.
Where to place a microwave in the kitchen
Finding the right place for a microwave is relevant for compact kitchens, where you need to save literally every square centimeter. Pay attention to the following microwave placement ideas that allow you to not occupy the useful area of kitchen tables:
- Special brackets. This method is convenient in that the brackets can be attached to the wall in any suitable place. In this case, it is important to take care of a reliable fastening system and that the microwave is securely fixed, that is, it does not move when the door is opened.
Brackets allow you to install microwave anywhere in the kitchen
- Built-in microwave. Built-in appliances allow you to visually increase the space of a small kitchen. It is necessary to provide a place for a microwave even at the stage of designing furniture.
The built-in microwave is in perfect harmony with the kitchen set.
- Recess in the wall. The original solution is to make a niche in the interior wall and put a microwave there. It is important to provide the necessary clearance for ventilation, otherwise damage due to overheating cannot be avoided.
- Under the countertop of kitchen furniture. If there is no oven, then you can put the microwave oven not over the gas stove, but under it.
Place the microwave under the countertop so that it does not take up space on it
The easiest option is to put the microwave on the window
And finally - advice. If in doubt as to what can and cannot be placed above the gas stove, it is worth contacting the gas service where they will advise on all questions that have arisen.
