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 designs, cooking techniques and control options that will fit your kitchen's setup.
Built-in microwaves are positioned behind cabinets or in recessed walls to give them sleek and integrated appearance. These styles require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a popular appliance in the kitchen, but it can also occupy valuable countertop space. You can make use of counter space by moving the microwave to another location, like a kitchen island.
One of the most well-known choices is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. This model is tucked behind your stove can be extremely useful in small kitchens with little space. Plus there are some OTR models double as a vent hood for your cooktop, which can be beneficial in reducing the buildup of steam.
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 look that can be matched to the color, finish or style of your kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It can also provide an elegant look in your kitchen. This is ideal for homeowners that prefer an uncluttered, clean appearance.
However installing a built-in microwave could require professional installation or a remodel of your kitchen. You might be able depending on the layout of your home to cut an opening in the wall for the appliance. However it will require professional framing and support. In addition, microwaves with built-ins require 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 built-in microwave is approximately 15 inches, but some manufacturers offer trim kits that can provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space for ventilation.
A microwave that is built like a drawer can be installed under your counter or inside an island. It is accessible and suitable for all and requires less counter space. It can also help avoid hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or being crushed.
A final consideration for an efficient microwave is its door design. There are many brands that have 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 workflow. Some models have a smooth, sleek exterior that is resistant to finger prints for better and cleaner appearance.
Convenience
A built-in microwave over oven offers an attractive design, easy to clean and convenient. They are typically placed at eye level for easy access, and include turntables that make it easier to transfer food from one plate to the next. In addition, 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 over 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. The microwaves can be placed above the stove, or in a separate cabinet. They seamlessly blend into the kitchen, giving it a tailored appearance that shows how much you've invested in 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. They can be placed under your counter in a drawer style to give a more cohesive appearance that blends seamlessly into existing cabinetry and requires no additional space. Designed with top-quality finishes and features, these microwaves are sure to enhance the look of your kitchen and elevate your cooking and entertaining experience.
While the benefits of a built in microwave oven is evident however, you should be aware that these microwaves aren't as versatile 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 mobile, and you aren't able to easily alter the model if you want something different.
If you decide to put your microwave above your range, then you will require a bigger space in your kitchen to allow for the ventilation required in this setup. You'll need either a ducting option that directs smoke to the outside, or a ventilator that recirculates air through the microwave into the house. Consider a built-in microwave to small kitchens. It can be incorporated to a cabinet, wall or an island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens come with numerous controls depending on the model you pick. Some features are turntables, presets for defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons for plus-30 minutes. Certain models come with child safety features to prevent accidental operation of the appliance.
Many microwaves come with pre-programmed recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of preparing food faster and simpler. integrated microwave ovens is helpful for cooks who aren't sure of the time to heat certain foods or for those who aren't comfortable with the particular cooking techniques used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid provides a variety of built-in microwaves and over-therange microwaves that are designed to match the other appliances in style and design to create seamless appearance. Select from stainless steel and black finishes that will complement 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.
Unlike countertop models built-in microwaves are fitted into a fixed space in your kitchen walls or cabinets for a sleek and custom appearance. They typically use the same internal components as countertop models, but with a few exceptions. They are available in various sizes, and some are designed to fit in small spaces. Their exteriors could have doors that open in a swing-out style from left to right or in a drop-down fashion.
Certain microwaves over the range like those made by Whirlpool(r) can also serve as vent hoods for your kitchen stove. They have a built-in exhaust system to exhaust fumes outside and circulate air. Some microwaves come with a built-in charcoal filter to remove moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models sit on the counter in your kitchen and do not require venting hookups or special installation, making them a great choice for rental homes or anyone who wants to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Certain models also come with trim kits that can close the gap between your microwave and other freestanding countertop appliances, such as coffee pots, bread makers or toaster ovens.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are more efficient in heating food and water in comparison to other cooking methods. They also consume less power than stovetops that are conventional because microwaves concentrate their energy on the liquid inside, rather than heating the air around it. They can also heat dishes quicker than conventional ovens. They can be put in in the lower or upper cabinets and are available in retro or modern styles to match any kitchen.
In this additional notification of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for micro-wave ovens which will help consumers save money on operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to examine on a regular basis whether stricter standards are economically feasible and technologically feasible, as well as result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR includes the analyses and results that DOE carried out to assess the impact on consumers of the new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment screening and engineering analysis and an analysis of the impact on the nation.
The energy usage analysis estimates annual average microwave oven operating hours in representative sampled 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 multiple regions. It also takes into consideration the different patterns of use of microwave ovens in different households, as and regional variations in electricity prices.
To determine the impact of new or amended standards on the cost of operating a household, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost of buying and using a microwave oven at different efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations employ the computer model built on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate variations and uncertainty into the analyses.
This SNOPR includes an assessment of the impact of 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 savings on energy consumption at the site and FFC savings.