Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built in microwave over oven lets you cook and reheat food quickly and easily. GE offers a wide variety of designs, cooking technology and control options to fit your kitchen.
Countertop microwaves are placed on the counter and plug into outlets and built-in models are placed in a wall with a recess or between cabinets for an elegant, integrated look. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a well-loved appliance in the kitchen, but it can also take up valuable countertop space. You can free up counter space by moving the microwave to another space, such as an island in your kitchen.
One of the most well-known options is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. This type of microwave, which is neatly tucked behind your stove is particularly helpful in kitchens with a small space. Furthermore, built in oven and microwave can double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which is helpful in reducing steam buildup.
Another option to save space is to install a microwave with a built-in design which blends seamlessly into your cabinetry. This option provides an elegant, integrated look that will match your kitchen fixtures and cabinets in finish, color or style. It can also create an overall look that is more minimalist in your kitchen. This is great for homeowners who prefer a minimalist, uncluttered look.
Installing a built-in microwavable might require a professional installation or a kitchen remodel. Depending on your home's layout you may be able to cut out a space within walls to accommodate the appliance but this requires proper framing and reinforcement which should be left to experts. In addition, microwaves with built-ins require adequate ventilation to ensure that they don't overheat 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 built-in microwave is 15 inches, but some manufacturers offer trim kits that provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space to let air circulate.
A third option to reduce space is a drawer-style microwave which can be placed below your countertop or inside an island. This design is easily accessible, suitable for everyone and requires less counter space. It also helps prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or getting damaged by a fall.
The door design is an important factor to consider when choosing a space-saving microwavable. There are many brands that have an open, swing-out or slide-out door that opens in the same motion as other kitchen appliances, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking routine. Certain models feature a smooth, sleek exterior that is resistant to fingerprints to give a cleaner and more attractive appearance.
Convenience
Built-in microwaves that are built into ovens are attractive, convenient and easy to clean. They are typically placed at eye-level for easier access and are equipped with turntables to make it less necessary to move food from one plate to another. Built-in microwaves are typically equipped with features that enhance their functionality, such as EasyConvection technology to convert ovens and a broiler element that can cook or brown food.
A built-in microwave that is integrated into 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. They can be set up on top of your stove or in a separate cabinet. They blend seamlessly into the kitchen to give the appearance of a custom-designed look that shows how much you've invested in your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in a vast variety of sizes as well as power levels and features to fit any kitchen layout. You can even put them under your counter with a drawer design to create a more seamless appearance that blends seamlessly into existing cabinetry and 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.
While the convenience of a built-in microwave oven is evident, keep in mind that these microwaves aren't as flexible as their freestanding counterparts. Depending on the place you install your microwave, it will require more space than other microwaves. They are also not as mobile, and you aren't able to 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 setup. You'll need an option for ducting that directs smoke out to the outside or a ventilation system that recirculates air from the microwave into the home. Consider a built-in microwave to small kitchens. It can be incorporated to a cabinet, wall or even an island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens come with a variety of convenient controls, depending on the model you pick. The most common features are turntables, preset functions including defrosting and reheating as well as 30-second buttons. Some models have safety features for children that stop accidental use of the appliance.
Many microwaves have pre-programmed recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of preparing food faster and simpler. This feature is helpful for new cooks that are unsure of how long to cook certain foods or are not familiar with the cooking techniques used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid offers a range of built-in microwaves and over-therange microwaves that are designed to match your other appliances in style and design to create an elegant look. You can find a selection of stainless steel models, as well as 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 that are built into countertops, built-in microwaves are installed into a fixed space in your kitchen's cabinets or walls for a sleek, custom appearance. They typically use the same internal components as regular countertop models, with a few exceptions. They are available in various sizes, with some designed to fit into a smaller space and their exteriors can feature a door that opens in a left-to-right swing-out or drop-down manner.
Some microwaves that are over-the-range like those from Whirlpool(r), even double as vent hoods for your kitchen stove and use an exhaust system that is built-in to exhaust fumes outside and recycle air. Some microwaves come with a built-in charcoal filter that removes odors and moisture from your kitchen.
Countertop models are placed on the counter in your kitchen and do not require venting hookups, or any special installation, making them a great option for rental properties or anyone looking to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Certain models have trim kits that can be used to close the gap between a microwave and other countertop appliances such as coffee pots, toaster ovens or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves use less energy to heat food and water than other cooking methods. They also consume 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 surrounding it. They can cook food quicker than conventional ovens. They can be put in your upper or lower cabinets, and come with retro or modern style to match any kitchen style.
In this supplemental notification of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposes new or revised energy conservation standards for micro-wave ovens that will save consumers money on their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to evaluate on a regular basis whether the more stringent standards are economically feasible and technologically feasible and result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR contains 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 a sample of homes. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings and other consumer analysis within this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data gathered from a variety of regions. It also takes into consideration different microwave oven usage patterns in different households, as well as regional variations in electricity prices.
To assess the impact of new or amended standards on household costs, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost for buying and using a microwave oven at various levels of efficiency. The LCC and PBP calculations use a computer model based on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analysis.
In addition to the analysis of energy use and the LCC/PBP, this SNOPR includes an assessment of the national impacts of amended or new standards based on the NIA spreadsheet model. The NIA model calculates the industry's net present value (INPV) in terms of energy savings from potential amended or a new standard in terms of energy savings for the site and FFC savings.