Fitting a Bertazzoni range with overhead microwave above it, when the microwave is already on the wall, is possible only when the space between the cooking surface and the microwave satisfies the manuals for both appliances at once. The range manual states a minimum clearance above the cooktop, and the microwave manual states a minimum height above the cooking surface it sits over; the larger of the two numbers wins. Most failures come from forgetting that the oven vents hot air, that the burners on a pro-style gas range put out more heat than a typical range, and that an over-the-range microwave fan is a modest substitute for a proper hood.
Can a Bertazzoni range sit under an existing over-the-range microwave?
Sometimes, and only after checking. The question people search for is whether they can reuse the microwave that is already bolted above the old range. The answer depends on the model of the microwave, the model of the new range and the height between them. If the existing microwave is mounted for a smaller range with a lower heat output and lower profile, it may not meet the clearance the new range needs.
Do not guess from a showroom photo. Get the model numbers of both appliances, find the installation sections of both manuals, and compare them with the actual dimensions in your kitchen. Our Bertazzoni range anti-tip and clearances guide lists the clearances to check around the range, and the microwave’s own manual provides the figure above.
What is the clearance above the cooktop?
There are two numbers. The range maker gives a minimum distance from the cooking surface to combustible material above it, such as a wood cabinet or a plastic-faced microwave. The microwave maker gives a minimum height of its bottom above the cooking surface. These can differ, and you must meet whichever is greater. A common benchmark in range manuals is thirty inches to unprotected combustible surfaces, but the number for your range and your microwave governs, not the benchmark.
Also check the top of the whole assembly. Over-the-range microwaves have a maximum height too, because the controls and the door must be usable, and a microwave mounted high enough to satisfy the clearance can end up too high to reach safely. If the numbers do not leave a workable gap, the combination is not appropriate. That is a good moment to consider a hood instead.
Why does the oven vent matter?
A range oven expels hot air while it bakes, and the place where it leaves the range differs by design. Some ranges vent out of the back, some beneath the control panel and some along the top. If the vent blows toward the underside of an over-the-range microwave, the microwave’s plastic parts and electronics can be exposed to heat for hours.
Read the manual to find where your range vents, and compare it with the underside of the microwave. A manufacturer-approved combination avoids the problem, and a mismatched one can damage the microwave long before it should wear out. This is a common reason for microwave failures in kitchens that thought they had saved money by reusing the unit. Our Bertazzoni range installation checks that prevent faults guide has the full list.
Is the microwave fan enough for a Bertazzoni range?
Usually not for a pro-style gas range. An over-the-range microwave includes a small fan and a grease filter, which is designed to deal with the output of a modest kitchen range. A high-output gas range puts far more heat, steam and grease into the air, and the microwave fan can fall behind quickly. Smoke lingers, the cabinet above takes on grease, and the fan runs on high all the time.
A proper hood sized for the burner output is a better solution, and it also frees you to put the microwave in a better place. See our guide to how Bertazzoni range hood airflow is rated for what to look for. If you want an induction range instead, our guide to induction versus dual fuel explains the heat difference, since an induction surface sends much less heat upward.
What about clearance to the walls beside an induction range?
Induction cooktops stay cooler than gas around the pan, but the range still has side clearances to cabinets and walls, and the manual states them. Tall cabinets next to the cooktop, a wall that is closer than allowed, or a backsplash made of combustible material can all violate the manual. Also leave room for the controls and for the oven door to open.
Measure from the edge of the cooktop, not from the edge of the range body, and note any trim or backguard that adds depth. Ask the installer to confirm in writing that the installation meets the manual. For the broader choice between a range, a rangetop and wall ovens, see our Bertazzoni range vs rangetop and wall oven guide.
What should you do before you commit?
Take photos of the existing wall, microwave labels and the range rating plate, measure the height between the floor and the microwave bottom, and send everything to your installer or ask a technician to review it. If the numbers do not work, the cheaper fix is usually to relocate the microwave and add a hood. Our Bertazzoni range repair page describes what a technician can check, and you can book a visit once the range is in place.
