Five Built In Microwave Over Oven Lessons From Professionals
Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built in microwave over oven helps you cook and heat food quickly and easily. GE provides a variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options that will suit your kitchen.
Built-in microwaves are positioned behind cabinets or in wall recess to give them an elegant and seamless look. These styles require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a popular appliance in the kitchen, but can also take up valuable countertop space. There are many smart ways to free up counter space by moving your microwave to a different place, such as an island in the kitchen or recessing it into the wall.
One of the most well-known options is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. It is tucked away in a neatly placed above your stove, this option can be especially useful in kitchens with smaller spaces where space is limited. Some OTR models can also function as an air vent for your cooktop. This can help to reduce the amount of steam that builds up.
Another way to save space is to install a built-in microwave which blends seamlessly into the cabinetry. This gives you a sleek, integrated appearance that can match the kitchen cabinets and fixtures in finish, color or style. It can also give a more streamlined look in your kitchen. This is great for homeowners that prefer a minimalist, uncluttered look.
However installing a built-in microwave could require a professional installation or renovation of your kitchen. Depending on your home's layout, you might be able to cut a space into walls to accommodate the appliance however, this will require proper framing and reinforcement and should be left to professionals. In addition, microwaves with built-ins require sufficient ventilation to prevent overheating and damage 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 15 inches, but certain manufacturers offer trim kits that provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space for ventilation.
A drawer-style microwave can be placed beneath your counter or within an island. This type of microwave is easy to access, suitable for all users and requires less countertop space. It also helps prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or being damaged by a fall.
The door's design is the final factor to consider when selecting a microwave that is space-saving. There are many brands that have an open, swing-out or slide-out door that opens using the same motion as other kitchen appliances, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking workflow. Certain models feature a sleek, smooth exterior that resists fingerprints to give better and cleaner appearance.
Convenience

A built-in microwave over oven has a stylish design that is easy to clean and convenient. Unlike countertop models, they're typically placed at the eye level for easy access and are often equipped with turntables that eliminate the necessity of constantly shifting food from plate to plate. In addition, built in microwaves are often equipped with features that increase functionality, like EasyConvection oven conversion technology, and a broil element that allows you to brown or crisp foods.
where to buy built in microwave built-in microwave on top of the oven can help you save counter space and also increase the value of your home by giving it a sleek and high-end appearance that other appliances might not be able to match. If it's installed above the stove or in a separate cabinet, these microwaves seamlessly blend into your kitchen for an elegant look that demonstrates that you've put money into your kitchen and your home.
Built in microwave over ovens are available in a broad range of sizes as well as power levels and features to fit any kitchen layout. You can even install them under your counter in a drawer style to give a more cohesive design that is a perfect fit into existing cabinets and requires no extra space. These microwaves, with their luxurious designs and top-of-the-line functions can enhance the appearance of your kitchen and your dining and cooking experiences.
While the convenience of a built-in microwave oven is evident but keep in mind that these microwaves aren't as versatile as their freestanding counterparts. Depending on where you install yours, it might require more space to operate than other microwaves. They are also not as mobile, and you aren't able to easily alter the model should you want something else.
If you install your microwave above the 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 outside or a recirculating system that draws air through the microwave and into the home. Consider a built-in microwave for small kitchens. It can be mounted into a wall, cabinet or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens are equipped with a variety of convenient controls according to the model you pick. Some common features include turntables, preset functions including defrosting and reheating, and 30 second buttons. Certain models come with safety features for children that stop accidental use of the appliance.
Many microwaves come with pre-programmed recipes and cooking times that make the process of making food faster and simpler. This feature is beneficial for cooks who don't know how long to cook certain foods or for those who aren't acquainted with the specific cooking methods employed in various cuisines.
KitchenAid provides a variety of microwaves with built-ins and over-the-range microwaves that can be matched to your other appliances with design and finish to create a seamless look. Choose from stainless steel and black finishes that will match any 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 for a sleek and custom look. They typically use the same components inside as regular countertop models, with a few exceptions. These models come in a variety of sizes, including those designed to fit in a compact space and their exteriors can feature a door that opens either in a left-to right swing-out or drop-down style.
Certain microwaves over the range like those from Whirlpool(r) are able to double as vent hoods to your kitchen stove and use a built-in exhaust system to exhaust fumes outside and recirculate air. Some microwaves have a charcoal filter that removes moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models sit on your kitchen counter and do not require venting hookups or special installation, making them a great option for rental properties or anyone looking to avoid costly changes to their kitchens. Certain models include trim kits that can be used to close the gap between a microwave and other countertop appliances such as toaster ovens, coffee makers or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are more efficient in heating food and water in comparison to other cooking methods. They also consume less power than conventional stovetops because the microwaves focus their energy on the liquid inside, rather than heating the air surrounding it. They can heat up dishes much faster than conventional ovens. They can be placed in the upper or lower cabinets, and are available with retro or contemporary styles to suit any kitchen design.
In this notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR"), the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) proposes new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens that save consumers money on their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to evaluate on a regular basis whether stricter standards are economically feasible and technologically feasible and result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR contains the analyses and results that DOE performed to evaluate the effects on consumers of the new or revised energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a technology and market assessment and screening analysis as well as an engineering analysis and national impacts analysis.
The energy use analysis estimates the average annual microwave oven operating hours in a sample of homes. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings as well as other consumer analyses within this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data from various regions. It also takes into account different microwave oven usage patterns in different households, as well as regional variations in electricity prices.
To assess the effects of new or amended standards on household expenses, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses to determine the lifetime cost for purchasing and using a micro-wave oven at various levels of efficiency. The LCC and PBP calculations are built on an algorithm for computer models that employs a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainties and variations into the analyses.
This SNOPR includes an evaluation of the impact of amended or new standards at the national scale based on the NIA spreadsheet. The NIA model estimates the industry's net present value ("INPV") in terms of energy savings resulting from potential amended or new standards in the form of site energy savings and FFC energy savings.