Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with integrated microwave lets you cook and heat your food quickly and easily. GE provides a range of styles, cooking technologies and control options to fit your kitchen setup.
Built-in microwaves are placed behind cabinets or in recessed walls to give them a sleek and integrated look. These types of microwaves require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is among the most commonly used appliances in a kitchen but it can consume valuable counter space. There are many smart ways to free up counter space by moving the microwave to a different place, such as the kitchen island or by recessing it into the wall.
One of the most popular choices is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. This model, which is neatly tucked away above your stovetop is particularly helpful in kitchens that are small and have small space. Plus, 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 in with your cabinetry. This can give you an elegant, integrated design that can be matched to the color, finish or style of your kitchen appliances and cabinets. It can also give an elegant look in your kitchen. This is ideal for homeowners who want a clean, uncluttered appearance.
However installing a microwave built-in might require professional installation or a remodeling of your kitchen. Depending on your home's layout, you might be able to cut a space in walls to accommodate the appliance, however, this will require the proper framing and reinforcement and should be left to experts. Additionally, built-in microwaves need adequate ventilation to avoid overheating 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 around 15 inches. However, certain manufacturers offer trim kits that offer up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space to let air circulate.
Another option that can be used to save space is a microwave with a drawer that can be placed below your countertop or inside an island. This configuration is easy to access and suitable for everyone 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. Many manufacturers offer a swing-out, drop-down or slide-out door that opens using the same motion as other kitchen appliances to help you seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking process. Some models have an elegant, smooth exterior that resists finger prints for 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 near the eye level to make it easier to access and are equipped with turntables that make it easier to transfer food from one plate to the next. In addition, built in microwave s are often equipped with features that improve functionality, such as EasyConvection oven conversion technology and a broil element that allows you to brown or crisp food items.
A built-in microwave over the oven can help you save counter space and increase the value of your home by giving it a sleek, luxurious appearance that other appliances may not be able to match. They can be set up either above your stove, or in a separate cabinet. They blend seamlessly into the kitchen to give an elegant appearance that demonstrates how much you've put in your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in various sizes power levels, styles, and features that can be tailored to fit into any kitchen. They can be placed under your counter in a drawer style for a more integrated design that is a perfect fit into your cabinetry and doesn't require any additional space. Made with premium finishes and top-of-the-line features they are sure to complement the style of your kitchen and enhance your cooking and entertaining experience.
While the convenience of a built-in microwave over oven is clear but keep in mind that they aren't as efficient as their freestanding counterparts. It may take more space for your microwave to operate, depending on the place it's placed. They are also not as portable, and you cannot easily alter the model should you want something else.
If you decide to put your microwave above your range, then you'll need a larger space in your kitchen to allow for the ventilation required by this configuration. You'll require either an ducting system that sends smoke away from the home or a recirculating ventilation system that pulls air through the microwave before transferring it to the home. For smaller kitchens, consider a separate microwave built-in that can be incorporated in cabinets, walls or an island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens have numerous controls, depending on the model you choose. The most common features are turntables, preset functions like defrosting and reheating as well as plus-30-second buttons. Certain models come with child safety features to prevent accidental use of the appliance.
Many microwaves come pre-programmed with recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of making food faster and simpler. This feature is beneficial for those who aren't sure how long to heat certain foods or for those who aren't acquainted with the specific cooking methods that are used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid provides a variety of built-in microwaves as well as over-the-range microwaves that can be matched to the other appliances in design and finish to create an elegant look. There's a range of stainless steel models, and black 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.
Unlike countertop models, built-in microwaves are installed into a fixed space in your kitchen walls or cabinets for a sleek and custom appearance. The internal components are typically similar to conventional countertop models, with a few exceptions. These models are available in various sizes, with some designed to fit into a small space and their exteriors can feature a door that opens either in a right-to-left swing-out or drop-down style.
Some microwaves over the range, such as those made by Whirlpool(r) and Whirlpool(r), can be used as vent hoods. They come with an exhaust system built in to let out fumes outside and recirculate air. Some models come with a charcoal filter to eliminate odors and moisture from your kitchen.
Countertop models are placed on your kitchen counter and do not require venting hookups or any special installation making them an excellent option for rental properties or anyone looking to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Certain models also come with trim kits to fill in 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 cook water and food than other cooking methods. They also use less power than conventional stovetops because the microwaves focus their energy on the liquid in instead of heating the air around it. This is why they can cook food more quickly than a conventional oven. They can be put in on the upper or lower cabinets and come in modern or retro designs to match any kitchen.
In this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for microwave ovens, which will save consumers money on their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically assess whether stricter standards are technically feasible and economically justified and will yield significant energy savings.
This SNOPR provides the analysis and findings that DOE carried out to assess the impact on consumers of new or revised energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment, a screening and engineering analysis and a national impact analysis.
The energy usage analysis calculates the average annual microwave oven operating hours for representative sampled households. It is the basis for the energy savings assessments as well as the other consumer analyses included in this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data from various regions and takes into consideration the different usage patterns of microwave ovens in different households and also the variation in regional electricity prices.
To evaluate the impact of the new or modified standards on household expenses, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses in order to estimate the cost over time for purchasing and using a microwave oven at different efficiency level. The LCC and PBP calculations utilize a computer model built on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analysis.
In addition to the energy-use and LCC/PBP analyses in this SNOPR includes an analysis of the national impact of new or amended 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 new standards in terms of energy savings on site and FFC energy savings.