Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven

A built in microwave over oven lets you cook and reheat food quickly and conveniently. GE offers a variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options that will fit your kitchen's needs.

Countertop microwaves sit on the counter and plug into an outlet and built-in models are placed in a wall with a recess or in cabinets to create an elegant, built-in appearance. These styles require professional installation.

Space Saver

The microwave is one of the most used kitchen appliances but it can consume valuable counter space. You can free up counter space by moving the microwave to a new place, such as a kitchen island.

Over-the-range microwaves (OTRs) are a popular option. It is tucked away in a neatly placed above your stove, this option is especially beneficial in kitchens with smaller spaces where space is at a premium. Certain OTR models can also be used as an air vent for your cooktop. This can help to reduce the buildup of steam.

Another option to save space is to install a built-in microwave that blends in with your cabinetry. This can give you a sleek, integrated double oven with microwave appearance that can be matched to your kitchen fixtures and cabinets in terms of color, finish or style. It can also create a more streamlined appearance in your kitchen, which is great for those who prefer a clean and uncluttered look.

Installing a built-in Microwave may require an expert installation or kitchen remodel. Depending on the layout of your home it is possible to cut a space into an existing wall to accommodate the appliance, however, this will require proper framing and reinforcement and should be left to the professionals. Additionally, built-in microwaves need adequate ventilation to ensure that they don't overheat and causing damage to the appliance. According to Sam Cipiti, vice president of R. M. Tunis Kitchens and Baths in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the minimum cabinet depth for a built-in microwave is approximately 15 inches, but some manufacturers provide trim kits that offer up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space to let air circulate.

A microwave that is built like a drawer can be placed under your counter or inside an island. This design is simple to use and suitable for everyone and requires less countertop space. It can also help avoid hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or getting knocked over.

The door design is a final consideration when choosing a space-saving microwavable. There are many brands that have the option of a swing-out, drop-down, or slide-out door that opens in the same motion as other kitchen appliances to allow you to seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking workflow. Certain models feature an elegant, smooth exterior that is resistant to fingerprints to give better and cleaner appearance.

Convenience

A built-in microwave that is over the oven has a stylish design, easy to clean and convenient. They are typically placed at eye-level for easier access and come with turntables to make it less necessary to move food from one plate to the next. Built-in microwaves are often equipped with features that enhance their functionality, such as EasyConvection technology to convert ovens and a broiler element which can brown or crisp food items.

In addition to saving counter space, a built in double oven and microwave combination in microwave that is atop an oven can improve the value of your home as well as appeal by giving it a premium design that other appliances may not be capable of matching. If it's installed above the stove or in a separate cabinet, these microwaves seamlessly blend into your kitchen, creating an elegant appearance that shows you've invested in your kitchen and home.

Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in a broad range of sizes, power levels and features to fit any kitchen layout. You can even install them under your counter in a drawer-style for a more integrated double oven and microwave look that fits snugly into existing cabinetry and requires no additional space. Made with top-quality finishes and features they are sure to enhance the look of your kitchen and elevate your cooking and entertaining experience.

While the convenience of a built-in microwave oven is evident, keep in mind that they aren't as efficient as their freestanding counterparts. Depending on the place you install yours, it may require more space than other microwaves. In addition, they're not as portable and you won't be able to easily swap the model for a new model if you want something different.

If you decide to put your microwave above your range, then you will require more space in your kitchen to allow for the ventilation required by this arrangement. You'll require either a ducting system that carries smoke away from the home or a recirculating system that pulls the air through the microwave before transferring it to the home. Consider a built-in microwave for small kitchens. It can be mounted on a wall, cabinet or an island.

Convenient Controls

Microwave ovens have a variety of convenient controls according to the model you select. Some common features include turntables, preset functions such as defrosting and reheating as well as 30 second buttons. Certain models come with safety features for children to prevent accidental operation.

Many microwaves come with preset recipes and cooking times to make the process of making meals quicker and more efficient. This feature is helpful for new cooks that are unsure of how long to cook specific food items or are not familiar with the specific cooking methods used in different cuisines.

KitchenAid offers a range of microwaves with built-ins and over-the-range microwaves that are designed to match the other appliances in style and design to create an elegant look. There's a range of stainless steel models, and black integrated microwave finishes to match the style of your kitchen. These premium microwaves are boldly designed to bring professional-inspired styles into your home, and they're made with high-quality materials for a longer lifespan.

Contrary to models for countertop use built-in microwaves are fitted inside a fixed area of your kitchen's cabinets or walls for a sleek, custom appearance. The internal components are generally the same as those of conventional countertop models, with some exceptions. They come in a variety of sizes, with some designed to fit into a small space, and their exteriors may feature a door that opens in a left-to-right swing-out or drop-down fashion.

Some microwaves over the range, like the ones made by Whirlpool(r) are able to be used as vent hoods. They have an exhaust system that is built-in to let fumes out and then recirculate the air. Some models come with a charcoal filter that removes moisture and odors from your kitchen.

Countertop models are installed on the counter in the kitchen. They don't need venting or special installation. This makes them an ideal option for those who lease their homes or want to avoid expensive modifications to their kitchens. Certain models have trim kits that can be used to close the gap between the microwave and other countertop appliances such as toaster ovens, coffee makers or bread makers.

Energy Efficiency

Microwaves consume less energy to cook food and water than other cooking methods. They also consume less energy than stovetop double ovens with built in microwave since they focus the microwaves' energy on the liquid inside, rather than on heating the air or other elements around it. This is why they can cook food more quickly than a conventional oven. They can be put in within the upper or lower cabinets and are available in modern or retro designs to suit any kitchen.

In this additional notification of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for microwave ovens, which will save consumers money on operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to periodically determine whether stricter standards are technologically feasible and economically justified and could result in significant energy savings.

This SNOPR includes the analyses and findings that DOE conducted to assess the impact on consumers of new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a technology and market assessment, a screening and engineering analysis and an analysis of the national impact.

The energy usage analysis estimates the annual average of microwave oven operating hours in homes that have been sampled for representativeness. This analysis is the basis of the energy savings analyses and the other consumer analyses in this SNOPR. The analysis is based upon RECS field data collected from multiple regions. It also takes into account the different patterns of use of microwave ovens in different households as and regional variations in electricity prices.

To assess the impact of new or Built in Microwave Over Oven amended standards on household expenses, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost for purchasing and using a micro-wave oven at different efficiency level. The LCC and PBP calculations employ an algorithm built on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate variations and uncertainty into the analyses.

In addition to the analysis of energy use and the LCC/PBP, this SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact on the nation of the new or amended standards using the NIA spreadsheet model. The NIA model determines industry net present value ("INPV") in terms of energy savings from possible new or amended standards in the form of site energy savings and FFC energy savings.