Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built-in microwave over an oven allows you to cook and heat food quickly and easily. GE offers a variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options that will fit your kitchen's needs.
Built-in microwaves are placed behind cabinets or in recessing walls to give them a a sleek and integrated look. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a popular appliance in the kitchen, but it can also occupy valuable countertop space. There are a variety of clever ways to make the most of your countertop space by moving your microwave to an alternative place, like the kitchen island or by recessing it into the wall.
One of the most well-known options is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. This model is tucked away above your stovetop, can be particularly useful in kitchens with a little space. Some OTR models can also be used as an exhaust for your cooktop. This can help reduce the amount of steam that builds up.
Another way to save space is to install a microwave with a built-in design that blends into the cabinetry. This can give you a sleek, integrated appearance that can be matched to the kitchen cabinets and fixtures in finish, color, or style. It can also give an elegant look in your kitchen. This is ideal for homeowners that prefer a minimalist, uncluttered look.
However installing a microwave built-in might require a professional installation or renovation of your kitchen. You may be able, depending on the layout of your home to cut a hole in a wall to install the appliance. However it will require professional framing and support. Additionally, built-in microwaves need sufficient ventilation to prevent overheating and damaging 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 around 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 set up under the counter or in an island. This design is easily accessible, suitable for everyone and requires less counter space. It also helps prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or being knocked over.
A final consideration for a space-saving microwave is its door design. Many brands offer a door that opens the same way as other kitchen appliances, including dropping-down or slide-out. This allows you to integrate your microwave seamlessly into your cooking process. Some models have an elegant, smooth exterior that is resistant to finger prints for better and cleaner appearance.
Convenience
A built-in microwave that is over the oven is attractive design that is easy to clean and convenient. They are usually placed at eye level for easy access and come with turntables to make it less necessary to transfer food from one plate to the next. Additionally, built-in microwaves often come with options that improve functionality, such as EasyConvection oven conversion technology and a broil element that allows you to crisp or brown foods.
In addition to reducing counter space, a built-in microwave over the oven can increase the value of your home and appeal by providing a high-end look that other appliances may not be in a position to match. The microwaves can be placed above the stove, or in a separate cabinet. They blend seamlessly into the kitchen to give it a tailored appearance that demonstrates how much you've invested in your home and kitchen.
Built-in microwaves over ovens are available in a broad variety of dimensions as well as power levels and features to suit any kitchen configuration. You can even put them under your counter in a drawer-style to give a more cohesive look that fits snugly into your cabinetry and requires no additional space. Designed with premium finishes and top-of-the-line features, these microwaves are sure to complement the style of your kitchen and enhance your cooking and entertaining experience.
While the convenience of a built-in microwave oven is evident but keep in mind that they aren't as efficient as their freestanding counterparts. Depending on the place you install yours, it might require more space to operate than other microwaves. They are also not as portable, and you cannot easily alter the model if you want something else.
If you place your microwave above your range, you'll need an extra kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system that is required by this configuration. You'll need either a ducting system that carries smoke away from the home or a recirculating ventilation system that pulls air through the microwave before transferring it to the home. Consider a built-in microwave for the kitchen that is small. It can be put into a wall, cabinet or even an island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens have various controls that are convenient according to the model you choose. Common features include turntables, preset functions including defrosting and reheating and plus-30-second buttons. Some models have child safety features to prevent accidental operation.
Many microwaves also have pre-programmed recipes and cooking times to help you prepare meals faster and easier. This feature is useful for those who are just beginning to cook and are not sure of the time needed to cook specific food items or who are unfamiliar with the specific cooking methods that are used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid offers a variety of built-in microwaves as well as over-the-range microwaves that are designed to match your other appliances with style and finish for an elegant look. There's a variety of stainless steel models as well as black and white 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.
Built-in microwaves, unlike countertop models, are installed in a fixed space of your kitchen cabinets or walls to give sleek and distinctive appearance. They generally use the same internal components as regular countertop models, with some exceptions. They are available in various sizes, including those made to fit in a compact space and their exteriors can feature a door that opens either in a right-to-left swing-out or drop-down style.
Certain microwaves over the range like those made by Whirlpool(r) can also serve as vent hoods for your kitchen stove. They have an exhaust system built-in to exhaust fumes outside and recirculate air. Some microwaves come with charcoal filters that eliminate moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models can be placed on your kitchen counter and do not require venting hookups, or any special installation, making them a great option for rental homes or anyone looking to avoid costly changes to their kitchens. Some models have trim kits that can be used to bridge the gap between the microwave and other countertop appliances like coffee pots, toaster ovens or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are more efficient in heating water and food when compared to other cooking methods. They also use less energy than conventional stovetop ovens since they focus the microwaves' energy on the liquid in the instead of heating the air or other elements around it. Because of this, they can cook food more quickly than a conventional oven. They can be placed in the lower or upper cabinets and are available in modern or retro styles to match any kitchen.
In this supplemental 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 help consumers save money in their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically assess whether more stringent standards are technologically feasible and economically justifiable and if they can result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR contains the analyses and results that DOE conducted to assess the impact on consumers of the new or revised energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a technology and market assessment screening and engineering analysis and an analysis of the impact on the nation.
The energy usage analysis calculates the annual average microwave ovens' operating hours in representative sampled households. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings as well as other consumer-related analyses in this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data from multiple regions. microwave integrated considers different patterns of microwave oven use in different households as well as regional variations in electricity prices.
To assess the impact of changes or new standards on household operating costs, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost of purchasing and using microwave ovens at various efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations are built on the computer model that utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainties and variations into the analysis.
This SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact of the new or amended standards at the national level, based on the NIA spreadsheet. The NIA model calculates the industry's net present value (INPV) in terms of energy saving from the potential amendment or new standard in the form energy savings for the site and FFC savings.