Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built-in microwave over an oven allows you to cook and heat food quickly and efficiently. GE provides a variety of designs, cooking technology 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 between cabinets for an elegant, built-in appearance. These styles require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is among the most frequently used kitchen appliances however, it can take up valuable counter space. There are plenty of smart ways to free up countertop space by moving your microwave to an alternative place, such as a kitchen island or recessing it into the wall.
One of the most popular options is an over the range (OTR) microwave. It is tucked away in a neatly placed above the stove, this option can be especially useful in kitchens that are smaller and space is at a premium. Certain OTR models also double as a vent for your cooktop. This can help reduce the amount of steam that builds up.
Another option to save space is to install a built-in microwave that blends in with the cabinetry. This option offers an elegant, integrated design that is able to match the design, color, or finish of your kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It can also provide a more streamlined look in your kitchen. This is ideal for homeowners that prefer an uncluttered, clean appearance.
However installing a microwave built-in could require a professional installation or remodel of your kitchen. It is possible depending on the layout of your home to cut an opening in the wall for the appliance. However it will require professional framing and strengthening. Built-in microwaves also need adequate 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 for a built-in oven is 15 inches. However certain manufacturers offer trim kits that give up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space to allow for ventilation.
Another option that can be used to save space is a microwave with a drawer that can be set up below your countertop or inside an island. It is accessible and suitable for all ages 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.
The door design is the final factor to consider when selecting a microwave that is space-saving. Many brands offer an open, swing-out or slide-out door that opens in the same motion as other kitchen appliances to help you seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking routine. Some models have a sleek, smooth exterior that resists fingerprints for better and cleaner appearance.
Convenience
Built-in microwaves that are built into ovens look attractive, practical, and easy to clean. lowest price are usually placed near the eye level to make it easier to access, and include turntables to make it less necessary to move food from one plate to the next. Additionally, built-in microwaves usually have options that increase functionality, like EasyConvection oven conversion technology and broil elements that allow you to cook or brown food items.
A built-in microwave over the oven will save counter space, and can also boost the value of your home by giving it a sleek, luxurious appearance that other appliances may not be able to match. If it's installed above the stove or in a separate cabinet these microwaves blend seamlessly into your kitchen for an elegant appearance that shows that you've put money into your kitchen and home.
Built in microwave over ovens are available in a vast range of sizes, power levels and features to suit any kitchen configuration. Install them under the counter in drawer style to give an integrated look that is a perfect fit within the cabinets. This requires no additional space. These microwaves, with their premium features and finishes can enhance the appearance of your kitchen as well as your cooking and entertaining experience.
Although microwaves with built-in microwaves over ovens are convenient but they aren't as versatile as their counterparts that stand alone. Depending on where you install your microwave, it will require more space to operate than other types of microwaves. They're also not as portable, and you cannot easily switch the model should you want something else.
If you place your microwave above the range, you'll require an additional kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system required by this setup. You'll need either an ducting system that sends smoke away from the home or a recirculating ventilation system that pulls the air through the microwave and into the home. For a smaller kitchen, consider a separate microwave built-in that can be installed in cabinets, walls or an island.
Convenient Controls
Microwaves offer a wide variety of controls based on the model. Some features are turntables, presets like defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons for a maximum of 30 seconds. Certain models come with child safety features to prevent accidental operation of the appliance.
Many microwaves have pre-programmed recipes and cooking times that make the process of preparing food quicker and more efficient. This feature is useful for those who are just beginning to cook and are unsure of how long to cook certain foods or who aren't familiar with the cooking techniques employed in various cuisines.
KitchenAid offers a variety of built-in microwaves and over-therange 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, 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.
In contrast to models that are built into countertops built-in microwaves are inserted in fixed spaces on your kitchen walls or cabinets for a sleek, custom appearance. They typically have the same internal components as regular countertop models, with a few exceptions. These models are available in a variety of sizes, and some are designed to fit in smaller spaces. The exteriors of these models may feature a door which opens with a swing-out that opens from left to right or in drop-down design.
Certain microwaves over the range like those made by Whirlpool(r), even double as vent hoods for your kitchen stove and use an exhaust system built-in to let fumes out and recirculate air. Some microwaves come with charcoal filters that eliminate moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models can be placed on your counter top and do not require venting hookups, or special installations which makes them a great choice for rental homes or those who want to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Some options also come with trim kits that can close the gap between your microwave and other countertop appliances, such as coffee pots bread makers, toaster ovens or bread ovens.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves require less energy to heat food and water than other cooking methods. They also use less power than conventional stovetops because microwaves focus their energy on the liquid inside rather than heating the air around it. They can cook food much faster than conventional ovens. They can be installed either in the lower or upper cabinets, and are available in modern or retro designs to fit 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 evaluate on a regular basis whether more-stringent standards would be economically viable and technologically feasible and could result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR contains DOE's analyses and results to assess the effects of new or revised energy standards for microwave ovens on the consumer. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment screening and engineering analysis, and a national impact analysis.
The energy usage analysis calculates the average annual microwave oven operating hours in households from a representative sample. It forms the basis for the energy savings assessments as well as the other consumer analysis in this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data gathered from a variety of 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 impact of potential new or modified standards on the cost of operating a household, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to estimate the cost over time of purchasing and using microwave ovens at various efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations are based on the computer model that utilizes the Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analysis.
In addition to the energy-use and LCC/PBP analyses, this SNOPR contains an evaluation of the national impacts of amended or new standards based on the NIA spreadsheet model. The NIA model calculates the industry net present value (INPV) in terms of energy saving from potential amended or a new standard in the form of site energy savings and FFC savings.