The History Of Built In Microwave Over Oven In 10 Milestones
Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built-in microwave over an oven helps you cook and reheat food quickly and efficiently. GE offers a wide variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options to fit your kitchen.
Countertop microwaves sit on the counter and plug into an outlet, while built-in models are installed on a recessed wall or in cabinets to create an elegant, integrated look. These styles 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 free up counter space by moving the microwave to a different location, such as in the kitchen island or by recessing it into the wall.
Over-the-range microwaves (OTRs) are an increasingly popular choice. This type of microwave is tucked away above your stovetop, can be particularly useful in kitchens that are small and have little space. Some OTR models can also be used as an air vent for your cooktop. This can reduce the buildup of steam.
Another way to save space is to install a built-in microwave that blends in with your cabinetry. This gives you a sleek, integrated appearance that can match the kitchen cabinets and fixtures in finish, color, 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.
However installing a microwave built-in might require professional installation or a remodel of your kitchen. You may be able depending on the layout of your home to cut an opening in the wall to install the appliance. However, this will require professional framing and support. Built-in microwaves require ventilation to avoid overheating or damaging the appliance. According to Sam Cipiti of R. M. Tunis Kitchens and Baths, in Chevy Chase, Maryland the minimum cabinet depth of a built-in oven is 15 inches. However some manufacturers offer trim kits that give up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space to allow for ventilation.
A microwave that is built like a drawer can be placed under your counter or inside an island. This configuration 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 getting knocked over.
A final consideration for the space-saving microwave is the door design. There are many brands that have the option of a swing-out, drop-down, or slide-out door that opens with the same motion as other kitchen appliances to allow you to seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking process. Some models also feature a sleek and smooth exterior that is resistant to fingerprints, giving better, cleaner appearance.
Convenience
Built-in microwaves over ovens look attractive, practical, and easy to clean. They are usually placed at eye level for easy access, and include turntables to make it less necessary to move food from one plate to another. 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 brown or crisp foods.
A 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 may not be able to match. These microwaves can be installed either above your stove, or in a separate cabinet. They seamlessly blend into the kitchen to give an elegant appearance that demonstrates how much you've invested in your home and kitchen.
Built-in microwaves over ovens are available in a wide range of sizes as well as power levels and features to suit any kitchen configuration. You can even put them under your counter with a drawer design for a more integrated design that is a perfect fit into existing cabinetry and requires no additional space. These microwaves, with their premium designs and top-of-the-line functions will enhance the look of your kitchen and enhance your cooking and entertaining experiences.
Although the built-in microwave over ovens are convenient but they aren't as flexible as microwaves that stand on their own. 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 switch the model if you want something else.
If you put your microwave above the range, you'll require an additional kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system required by this configuration. You'll require either a ducting system that directs smoke outside or a recirculating ventilation system that pulls air through the microwave before transferring it to the home. Consider a built-in microwave for a small kitchen. It can be mounted to a cabinet, wall or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens come with numerous controls depending on the model you choose. Some features are turntables, presets like defrosting or reheating, and buttons for plus-30 minutes. Certain models include safety features for children to prevent accidental operation.
Many microwaves also come with pre-made recipes and cooking times that help you prepare meals faster and easier. This feature is useful for cooks who don't know how long to heat certain foods or for those who aren't familiar with the specific cooking methods employed in various cuisines.
KitchenAid brand offers a broad selection of built-in and over the-range microwaves that are designed to complement the style and design of your other appliances for an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. You can find a selection of stainless steel models and black finishes to complement 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 that are built into countertops, built-in microwaves are installed into a fixed space in the kitchen cabinets or walls to give your kitchen a sleek, customized appearance. They typically have the same components inside as regular countertop models, with some exceptions. integrated microwave ovens come in different sizes, and some are designed to be able to fit in smaller spaces. The exteriors of these models may feature a door which opens in a swing-out from left to right or in drop-down style.
Certain microwaves that are over the range, like those made by Whirlpool(r), can also be used as vent hoods. They come with an exhaust system built in to let out fumes outside and then recirculate the 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 those who want to avoid costly changes to their kitchens. Certain models come with trim kits that can be used to close the gap between the microwave and other countertop appliances such as coffee pots, toaster ovens or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are much more efficient at heating food and water when compared to other cooking methods. They also use less power than conventional stovetops because microwaves concentrate their energy on the liquid in instead of heating the air surrounding it. They can cook food much faster than conventional ovens. They can be placed in your lower or upper cabinets, and are available with modern or retro styling to fit any kitchen design.
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 on operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to evaluate on a regular basis whether stricter standards are technologically feasible and economically viable and will yield significant energy savings.
This SNOPR contains the analyses and findings that DOE conducted to assess the effects 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 a national impact analysis.
The energy usage analysis estimates the average annual microwave oven operating hours in representative sampled homes. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings and other consumer analysis within this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data from multiple regions and takes into consideration the various patterns of use of microwave ovens across different households and the variations in the regional electricity prices.
In order to assess the effects of new or amended standards on household expenses, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses in order to estimate the lifetime cost of purchasing and using a microwave oven with different levels of efficiency. The LCC and PBP calculations are built on a computer model that uses a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainties and variations into the analyses.
This SNOPR includes an assessment of the impact of amended or new standards on the national scale 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.