Combo overhead microwave, toaster oven, etc.

[yakima]

In about 1983 I installed an overhead microwave with exhaust over the cooktop. Back then they were expensive. The exhaust then and now is worthless,. Not ducted outside,, worthless filter. Now, I am looking at some sort of microwave, filtered exhaust or ducted outside, with toaster oven capabilities. Don't really care about air fryer, but that's ok.

Any of you worthies with experience or observations? This mod would let me get rid of a counter toaster oven, freeing up counter space. Personally, I rarely use either, but domestic bliss is important.

[texastweeter]

Kitchenaid. Have one that is a microwave, exhaust hood, and convection oven all in one.

[dpearce]

We replaced our countertop one just last year with an over-the-stove. I was surprised that the over-the-stove microwaves are cheaper than the comparable counter-top versions these days, albeit slightly less vertical capacity (which was no big deal for us).

It's Whirlpool, and we've only had it a year, so I have no comment on reliability. The venting is set for recycling, until I can get someone out here with a quote on running an outside vent. It works about as well as the recycler range hood vent we had before. The one main complaint we saw was the display is blue, so it's impossible to read from a distance with the lights on or off. The stove has a nice bright green display, so I read that instead.

I think ours can do convection? But not toaster-oven or air-fryer. We already have an air-fryer, and years ago, we put the toaster oven on the "shelf of kitchen purchases we no longer seem to use or know we own" we have down in the basement.

I guess I'm not much help...

[captainlee]

I have a built in microwave over a wall oven and drawer warmer. Our range top/oven has an outside exhaust. I don have any issues with the micro not being exhausted to the outside. Years ago I had that micro over the stove top no outside exhaust, it was terrible.

[Carolyn]

Small introductory rant:

Being a 5 foot 3 humanoid, I hate over the stove microwaves. Removing hot water or casseroles from above my head is not a good idea, and I have to stand on a ladder to clean it. Then, there is the grease under the darned thing and on the front surface. I also don't like reaching over the stove while in use. Many times, I have caught the burner knobs with my jeans and turned them on while trying to place things in the microwave. I now remove the burner knobs when the stove isn't being used. There, rant over.

Mine has an exhaust that goes outside, but it is hardly adequate considering the depth doesn't cover enough of the stove. If anything smokes, I have to move it all the way to the back. Sometimes, I lift the pot closer to the vent.

Maybe this will be helpful.
I had a Whirlpool with the recirculating fan at my last house that needed to be replaced 1 time in 20 years. I liked the Whirlpool except that it was over my stove. It had some programs that worked well, especially cooking sweet potatoes.

My current house came with a Frigidaire. I bought a counter top GE to replace the Frigidaire when it broke and am much happier for it. I don't have to stand on a ladder to clean it, and I purchased one that has stainless instead plastic. It does a pretty good job of defrosting ground beef.

Below is an image of what happened to my Frigidaire.
Not only did the handle come off, but there are strips of plastic breaking off around the perimeter of the glass insert, possibly from heat. I plan on replacing it with a proper hood.

I liked the Whirlpool and GE microwaves, but I wouldn't buy another Frigidaire, especially if it is plastic. I guess I should mention that the Frigidaire did not have a separate button to open the door. I just had to yank it, thus the broken handle, I guess. The Frigidaire lasted about 8 years. I had to repair it once because I wasn't using the "STOP" button to turn it off before opening the door, which causes the emergency stop to short out after a while. Oops. My repairman said something like, "Note the STOP in red letters." 😆

Good luck. I hope you find something both of you are happy with.