Can A Microwave Be Next To A Stove? | Safe Kitchen Spacing

Yes, a microwave can sit near a stove if model clearances, ventilation, and heat spacing are met.

Side-by-side placement sounds convenient, but the real green light comes from two sources: the appliance’s own specs and local code. You need enough space so heat from burners doesn’t bake the case, block vents, or cook the electronics. You also need an outlet placed where the cord won’t cross a hot zone. With those basics squared away, a compact kitchen can keep both appliances within reach without drama.

What “Next To” Really Means In A Kitchen

“Next to” covers a few layouts. Some folks squeeze a countertop unit to the left or right of a range. Others park it in an upper cabinet bay within arm’s reach of the cooktop. You can also have an over-the-range model mounted above the burners, which doubles as a vent hood. Each setup has different spacing rules, and the safest choice depends on your room, fuel type, and the microwave’s ventilation style.

Common Setups And Typical Spacing

The table below sums up the usual clearances manufacturers call for and what matters most in each layout. Always confirm against the exact model’s guide.

Putting A Microwave Beside A Range—Safe Distance And Setup

For a countertop unit placed laterally, treat the stove as a concentrated heat source. Leave real breathing room on the microwave’s sides, top, and rear. Many models need about an inch at the back and a few inches on the sides and top for airflow. A practical rule is to avoid parking the cabinet right up against the side of the range and to slide the microwave a bit back from the counter’s front edge to reduce tipping risk.

Grease and steam rise and drift. If the appliance sits within splash range, expect more cleaning and filter maintenance. A short rolling cart or an appliance shelf away from the burner line keeps heat bursts and splatter off the case. You also keep the line of burners free for wide pans and handles.

Vent Styles That Affect Side-By-Side Placement

Countertop units vent from the sides, rear, or top. Built-ins push air through trim-kit passages. Over-the-range models tie to a blower that moves air outside or through filters back into the room. If your microwave vents from the left and that side faces the range, you’ll want extra gap so the hot column spilling up from a front burner doesn’t flow straight into the intake.

Over-The-Range Models Above Burners

Mount-over units pull double duty as task lighting and ventilation. The safe height is not a guess; the installation guide sets the bracket level and cabinet cutouts. In many kitchens, this yields a cooktop-to-appliance gap of roughly a foot-plus, sometimes more, depending on cabinet height and model. That space keeps the case cool enough while the blower clears steam and smoke. Gas ranges with high total BTU output may require specific models or added clearance.

Gas Vs. Electric: Heat Profile Differences

Gas burners send a narrow, hotter plume that can lick upward along the front. Electric coils and glass tops spread heat more evenly but still raise the air column. Either way, follow the unit’s height range and never hang it lower than the spec just to meet a sightline. If the range has a pro-style output, check the microwave’s manual for any BTU limits for use overhead.

Power, Outlets, And Cord Details

A dedicated outlet near the appliance makes the setup cleaner and safer. Cord length limits apply to units that combine a hood and microwave; the plug must be reachable without stretching across hot surfaces. For an over-the-range install, the receptacle usually lives in the upper cabinet above the unit so the cord never dangles near flame or a glowing element. Countertop placements should avoid extension cords and share as few high-draw appliances on that circuit as possible.

Codes, Listings, And Why The Manual Wins

Residential codes point you right back to the listing and the maker’s instructions for spacing and protection. That’s by design: each product is tested with its own cooling path and clearances. In short, if the model’s guide says a certain height, gap, or outlet location, that’s the rule of the road.

Model-Backed Numbers You Can Use

Brands publish two kinds of dimensions for these installs: general placement guidance and model-specific cut sheets. Use both—general pages tell you the target mounting height in a typical kitchen, while the cut sheet shows the exact bracket holes, cabinet trims, vent knockouts, and outlet zone. When the two differ, go with the model’s installation PDF.

Lateral Spacing Tips For Tight Kitchens

• Give the microwave a cooler pocket away from the front burners.
• Keep at least a few inches between the cabinet case and any side wall or tall panel so vents breathe.
• Avoid tucking it under a shelf that traps warm air.
• Place the outlet so the plug path never crosses the cooking surface.

Clearance Walkthrough For Each Layout

Countertop Near The Range

Start with the owner’s manual. Confirm side, top, and rear air gaps. Choose a landing spot a safe distance from the burner line so high flames and tall stockpots won’t wash heat into the cabinet. Set the unit back from the front edge of the counter to reduce tip risk when opening the door. If the left or right side is the intake, prefer the opposite side of the range or add more gap on that side.

Over-The-Range Mount

Measure from the finished floor to a fixed height at the bottom of the upper cabinet. That cabinet anchors the bracket and defines the gap above the cooktop. Most brackets are designed to land at a common height so door swings and vent capture sit where they should. Double-check the template for stud locations, vent direction (up or rear), and the outlet pocket in the upper cabinet.

Built-In Or Drawer Near The Range

Here the cabinet cutout and trim kit determine airflow. Don’t share a hot wall cavity with the oven. Follow the trim kit guide so intake and exhaust paths aren’t pinched. Leave the toe-kick vents clear on drawer models.

Maintenance That Protects The Placement

Filters clog faster when a unit sits close to a cooktop. Clean or replace charcoal and grease filters on schedule. Wipe the door seams and the control panel often in a side-by-side layout since splatter is more likely. Listen for louder fans or hotter-than-usual sides; that can point to blocked vents or a placement that needs more gap.

When You Should Pick A Different Spot

• The countertop unit would sit directly above a front burner or within a few inches of pan handles.
• The only outlet forces a cord run that crosses the cooking surface.
• The cabinet layout can’t reach the mounting height required by the over-the-range template.
• The gas range’s total BTUs exceeds the microwave’s allowance for overhead use.

Real-World Pros And Trade-Offs

Side-by-side keeps reheats close to the action, saves steps, and can free the prep zone. The trade-off is more grease and heat exposure, so you’ll spend a little more time on cleaning and filter care. Mount-over saves counter space and adds light, but tall pots and big griddles move closer to the door and bottom panel; that’s why the height spec matters so much.

Quick Sizing And Spacing Cheatsheet

Use this checklist during planning. It collects the recurring numbers and tasks you’ll see in most installation documents.

Step-By-Step Planning Flow

1. Pick the layout: beside the range, above it, or built into cabinetry a short reach away.
2. Download the exact model’s installation PDF and mark every clearance on painter’s tape.
3. Confirm vent direction and duct parts if you plan to exhaust outside.
4. Map the receptacle location so the plug never crosses a hot area.
5. Dry-fit with the cardboard template and a level; adjust before drilling.
6. After mounting or placing, run the fan and heat a mug of water to check for odd noises or hot spots.

Practical Takeaway

You can place a microwave near a stove with clean margins, the right height, and an outlet that keeps the cord path away from heat. Use the model’s guide for exact numbers, aim for a cooler pocket beside the burners if you’re staying on the counter, and stick to the mounting template for over-the-range installs. Do that, and the setup runs safely, vents well, and stays easy to clean.