Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven

A built-in microwave that is integrated into the oven microwave built in combo lets you cook and reheat food quickly and conveniently. GE provides a variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options that can be adapted to your kitchen.

Countertop microwaves are placed on the counter and plug into an outlet, while 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 a popular appliance in the kitchen, however it can also take up valuable countertop space. There are a variety of clever ways to free up countertop space by moving your microwave to an alternative place, such as the kitchen island or by recessing it into the wall.

One of the most sought-after options is an over the range (OTR) microwave. Tucked away neatly above your stove, this model can be especially useful in kitchens with smaller spaces where space is at a premium. Plus some OTR models can double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which can be beneficial in reducing the buildup of steam.

Installing a microwave that is integrated into your cabinetry can save you space. This option provides an elegant, seamless appearance that can be matched to your kitchen's cabinets and fixtures in terms of color, finish or style. It can also help create a cleaner appearance in your kitchen, which is perfect for those who prefer an uncluttered and clean look.

However installing a built-in microwave could require professional installation or a remodeling of your kitchen. Depending on the layout of your home it is possible to cut a space in a wall to accommodate the appliance, however, this will require the proper framing and reinforcement which should be left to the professionals. Built-in microwaves also need adequate ventilation to avoid 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 microwave built-in is around 15 inches. However, certain manufacturers offer trim kits that can provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space to let air circulate.

A microwave with a drawer design can be placed under the counter or in an island. This configuration is easy-to-access, suitable for everyone and requires less counter space. It also helps prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge or being thrown down.

A final consideration for a space-saving microwave is its door design. Many brands offer a swing-out, drop-down or slide-out door that opens in the same motion as other kitchen appliances, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking process. Certain models feature a sleek, smooth exterior that is resistant to fingerprints to give better and cleaner appearance.

Convenience

A built-in microwave that is over the oven offers an attractive, convenient and easy-to-clean design. Unlike countertop models, they're usually at the eye level for easy access and come with turntables that reduce the need to move food from plate to plate. Built-in microwaves are often equipped with features that enhance their functionality, such as EasyConvection technology that converts ovens and a broiler that can cook or brown food items.

In addition to saving counter space, a built-in microwave oven built in combo over the 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. Whether installed above your stove or in a separate cabinet these microwaves seamlessly blend into your kitchen, creating an elegant look that demonstrates that you've put money into your kitchen and home.

Built-in built oven and microwave microwaves and ovens are available in a wide variety of sizes, power levels and features to suit any Kitchen Innovation configuration. You can even install them under your counter with a drawer design to give a more cohesive appearance that blends seamlessly into your cabinetry and requires no extra space. These microwaves, with their luxurious finishes and high-end functions will enhance the look of your kitchen and your dining and cooking experiences.

Although the built-in microwave over ovens are handy, they are not as versatile as their counterparts that stand alone. Depending on where you install yours, it might require more space to operate than other microwaves. In addition, they're not as portable, and you won't have the ability to easily swap the model for a different one if you decide that you'd like a different model.

If you put your microwave above the range, you'll require an additional kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system that is required by this configuration. You'll need a ducting system that can direct smoke to the outside or a recirculating venting system that pulls air through the microwave and into the home. Consider a built-in microwave to a small kitchen. It can be mounted to a cabinet, wall or island.

Convenient Controls

Microwave ovens come with numerous controls according to the model you pick. The most common features are turntables, preset functions like defrosting and reheating, and plus-30-second buttons. Some models have child safety features to prevent accidental operation.

Many microwaves come with pre-programmed recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of preparing food faster and simpler. This feature is helpful for cooks who are new to cooking and unsure of how long to heat specific foods or who are unfamiliar with the specific cooking techniques that are used in different cuisines.

KitchenAid offers a variety of microwaves with built-ins and over-the-range microwaves designed to match your other appliances with design and finish to create seamless appearance. There's a range of stainless steel models, and black finishes to match any kitchen design. 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.

In contrast to models for countertop use, built-in microwaves are installed in fixed spaces on the kitchen cabinets or walls for a sleek and custom appearance. They typically have the same components inside like countertop models, with a few exceptions. They come in a variety of sizes, including those designed to fit into a small space, and their exteriors may feature a door that opens either in a left-to right swing-out or drop-down manner.

Certain microwaves over the range like those from Whirlpool(r) can also double as vent hoods to your stove in the kitchen. They also have an exhaust system built-in to vent fumes outside and circulate air. Some microwaves come with a built-in charcoal filter that removes odors and moisture from your kitchen.

Countertop models sit on your kitchen counter and do not require venting hookups or any special installation making them an excellent option for rental properties or anyone who wants to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Some options include trim kits that can close the gap between your microwave and other countertop appliances, such as coffee pots, bread makers or toaster ovens.

Energy Efficiency

Microwaves require less energy to cook food and water than other cooking methods. They also use less energy than stovetop ovens because they focus the microwaves' energy on the liquid in the, rather than on heating the air or other elements around it. Because of this, they can heat food much faster than conventional ovens. They can be put in within the upper or lower cabinets and are available in modern or retro styles to match any kitchen.

In this notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR"), the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for microwave ovens that reduce the cost of operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically assess whether stricter standards are technically feasible and economically viable and will result in significant energy saving.

This SNOPR provides the analysis and findings that DOE conducted to assess the impact on consumers of new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave oven built in combo ovens. The analysis includes a technology and market assessment as well as a screening analysis as well as an engineering analysis and national impact analysis.

The energy use analysis estimates the annual average microwave ovens' operating hours in representative sampled households. It is the basis for the energy savings analyses and the other consumer analysis in this SNOPR. The analysis is made using RECS field data from various regions, and takes into account the different patterns of usage of microwave ovens across different households and also the variations in regional electricity prices.

To evaluate the impact of changes or new standards on household operating costs, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost of buying and using microwave ovens at different efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations employ the computer model built on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate uncertainties and variations into the analyses.

This SNOPR includes an evaluation 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 savings resulting from possible new or amended standards in the form of energy savings on site and FFC energy savings.