Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with a built-in microwave allows you to cook and reheat your food quickly and efficiently. GE provides a range of designs, cooking techniques and control options to suit your kitchen's setup.
Built-in microwaves are positioned behind cabinets or in wall recess to give them an elegant and seamless look. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is one of the most commonly used appliances in a kitchen however, it can consume valuable counter space. You can free up counter space by moving the microwave to another place, such as a kitchen island.
One of the most popular options is an over the range (OTR) microwave. It is tucked away in a neatly placed above your stove, this model is particularly useful in kitchens that are smaller and space is limited. Plus there are some OTR models double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which can be useful in reducing the amount of steam that builds up.
Another space-saving solution is to install a microwave with a built-in design that blends into your cabinetry. This type of appliance offers an elegant, seamless look that is able to match the design, color, or finish of your kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It can also create an elegant look in your kitchen. This is great for homeowners that prefer a clean, uncluttered appearance.
However installing a built-in microwave may require professional installation or a remodel of your kitchen. It is possible to, based on the layout of your house to make a hole in a wall to accommodate the appliance. However, this will require professional framing and support. In addition, microwaves with built-ins require sufficient ventilation to prevent overheating and causing damage to 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 approximately 15 inches, however certain manufacturers offer trim kits that provide up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space to allow for ventilation.
A third option to reduce space is a drawer-style microwave that can be installed under your counter or inside an island. This design is easily accessible, suitable for all ages and requires less counter space. It also helps prevent hot dishes from falling off the edge or getting knocked down.
The door design is a final consideration when selecting a microwave that is space-saving. Many brands offer a door that opens the same way as other kitchen appliances, such as dropping-down or slide-out. This allows you to integrate your microwave seamlessly into your cooking workflow. Some models even feature a sleek and smooth exterior that resists fingerprints for better, cleaner appearance.
Convenience
A built-in microwave that is over the oven has a stylish design, easy to clean and convenient. Contrary to countertop models, they're typically placed at eye level to make it easier to access and can be equipped with turntables that reduce the necessity of constantly shifting food from plate to plate. Built-in microwaves are typically equipped with features that increase their capabilities, like EasyConvection technology for oven conversion and a broiler component that can cook or brown food.
In addition to saving counter space, a built in microwave that is atop an oven can boost your home's value and appearance by offering a luxurious appearance that other appliances might not be capable of matching. If it's installed above the stove or in a separate cabinet these microwaves blend seamlessly into your kitchen, creating an elegant look that demonstrates that you've put money into your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in a variety of sizes power levels, styles, and features that can be adapted to fit any kitchen. Install them underneath the counter in a drawers to create a more integrated appearance that can be easily integrated into existing cabinetry. It doesn't require any additional space. These microwaves, with their luxurious designs and top-of-the-line functions can enhance the appearance of your kitchen and 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. They may require more space to function, based on where it is installed. In addition, they're not as portable and you won't be able to easily switch out the model to a new one if you prefer something different.
If you decide to place your microwave over your range, then you will require more space in your kitchen to allow for the ventilation required in this setup. You'll need either a ducting system that can direct smoke to the outside, or a recirculating venting system that pulls air through the microwave into the home. Consider a built-in microwave for a small kitchen. It can be put on a wall, cabinet or even an island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens come with numerous controls, depending on the model you choose. integrated microwave ovens include turntables, preset functions such as defrosting and reheating, and plus-30-second buttons. Some models offer child safety features that prevent accidental operation of the appliance.
Many microwaves also come with preset recipes and cooking times that make the process of making meals more efficient and less time-consuming. This feature is beneficial for cooks who don't know how long to cook certain foods or for those who aren't familiar with the particular cooking techniques employed in various cuisines.
KitchenAid provides a variety of built-in microwaves as well as over-the-range microwaves designed to match the other appliances in style and design to create seamless appearance. Choose from stainless steel or black finishes that are perfect for 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 an elegant and unique look. They typically use the same components inside as countertop models, with some exceptions. These models are available in various sizes, with some designed to fit into a smaller space and their exteriors could have doors that open either in a right-to-left swing-out or drop-down style.
Some over-the-range microwaves like those from Whirlpool(r) can also double as vent hoods for your kitchen stove and use an exhaust system that is built-in to exhaust fumes outside and recirculate air. Others have a built-in charcoal filter to remove moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models can be placed on the counter in your kitchen and do not require venting hookups or special installations, making them a great choice for rental homes or those who want to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Certain models come with trim kits that can be used to fill the gap between a microwave and other countertop appliances such as toaster ovens, coffee makers or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves require less energy to heat food and water than other cooking methods. They also consume less energy than conventional stovetop ovens since they focus the microwaves' energy on the liquid within, rather than on heating the air or other elements around it. Because of this, they can heat dishes more quickly than conventional ovens. They can be placed on the upper or lower cabinets and are available in modern or retro designs to match any kitchen.
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 their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to evaluate on a regular basis whether more-stringent standards would be economically feasible and technologically feasible and could result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR provides the analysis and results that DOE carried out to assess the impact on consumers of the new or revised 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 use analysis estimates the average annual microwave oven operating hours for households from a representative sample. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings and other consumer analysis within this SNOPR. The analysis is built on RECS field data from a variety of regions, and takes into account the different patterns of usage of microwave ovens in various households and also the variations in electricity prices across the region.
To evaluate the impact of potential changes or new 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 employ the computer model built on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analyses.
This SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact of new or amended standards on the national level, based on the NIA spreadsheet. The NIA model calculates the industry's net present value (INPV) in terms of energy savings from the potential amendment or new standard in terms of savings on energy consumption at the site and FFC savings.