Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with integrated microwave lets you cook and reheat your food quickly and conveniently. GE offers a variety of designs, cooking techniques and control options to suit your kitchen's needs.
Countertop microwaves are placed on the counter and plug into an outlet or outlet, while built-in models can be installed in a recessed wall or between cabinets for a sleek, built-in look. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a popular appliance in the kitchen, but can also occupy valuable countertop space. You can make use of counter space by moving the microwave to a different location, like a kitchen island.
One of the most popular options is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. Tucked away neatly above your stove, this option is particularly useful in smaller kitchens where space is limited. Plus, certain OTR models double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which is useful in reducing the amount of steam that builds up.
Another option 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, seamless appearance that can be matched to your kitchen's cabinets and fixtures in color, finish or design. It also helps create a cleaner appearance in your kitchen, which is perfect for homeowners who want an uncluttered and clean look.
Installing a built-in microwave may require a professional installation or a kitchen remodel. Based on microwave oven built in of your home it is possible to cut a space into an existing wall to accommodate the appliance, however, this will require the proper framing and reinforcement which should be left to professionals. 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 microwave built-in is approximately 15 inches, but some manufacturers provide trim kits that can provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space for ventilation.
A microwave with a drawer design can be placed beneath your counter or within an island. This design is simple to use and suitable for everyone and requires less countertop space. It also helps to prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or being damaged by a fall.
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a space-saving microwave is its door design. Many manufacturers offer a swing-out, drop-down or slide-out door that opens with the same motion as other kitchen appliances to allow you to seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking workflow. Some models even come with a sleek and smooth exterior that is resistant to fingerprints, giving a cleaner, more attractive appearance.
Convenience
Built-in microwaves that are built into ovens look attractive, practical, and easy to clean. Unlike countertop models, they're usually placed at the eye level for easy access and come with turntables that eliminate the need to move food from plate to plate. Built-in microwaves are typically equipped with features that enhance their capabilities, like EasyConvection technology that converts ovens and a broiler which can brown or crisp food items.
In addition to reducing counter space, a built in microwave over oven can also improve the value of your home as well as appeal by providing a high-end design that other appliances may not be in a position to match. They can be set up on top of your stove or in a separate cupboard. They blend seamlessly into the kitchen, giving an elegant appearance that demonstrates how much you have invested in your home and kitchen.
Built-in microwaves over ovens are available in a wide range of sizes in terms of power levels, features and models to suit any kitchen configuration. Install them underneath the counter in a drawers to create an elegant look that fits snugly within the cabinetry. It doesn't require any additional space. Designed with premium finishes and high-end features they are sure to complement your kitchen's aesthetic and elevate your cooking and entertaining experience.
While the convenience of a built-in microwave over oven is clear however, you should be aware that they aren't as efficient as their freestanding counterparts. They may require more space to function, based on the location it's installed. They are also not as portable and you won't have the ability to easily switch out the model for a different model if you want something different.
If you install your microwave above your range, you'll need an extra kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system that is required by this configuration. You'll need a ducting option that directs smoke out to the outside or a recirculating venting system that pulls air from the microwave into the home. Consider a built-in microwave to a small kitchen. It can be put to a cabinet, wall or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens come with numerous controls, depending on the model you select. Some features are turntables, presets like defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons that can last for up to 30 minutes. Certain models come with safety features for children that stop accidental use of the appliance.
Many microwaves come pre-programmed with recipes and cooking times, which make the process of cooking food faster and easier. This feature is helpful 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 used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid brand provides a wide range of built-in and over-the-range microwaves that are designed to match the style and finish of your other appliances to create an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. There's a range of stainless steel models as well as 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 models that are built into countertops built-in microwaves are fitted inside a fixed area of your kitchen's cabinets or walls to give your kitchen a sleek, customized appearance. They typically have the same internal components as countertop models, but with a few exceptions. These models are available in a variety of sizes, including some that are designed to be able to fit in smaller spaces. Their exteriors may have doors that open with a swing-out that opens from left to right or a drop-down fashion.
Some over-the-range microwaves, such as those from Whirlpool(r) can also double as vent hoods to your stove in the kitchen. They also have an exhaust system that is built-in to vent fumes outside and circulate air. Others have a built-in charcoal filter to eliminate 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 choice for rental homes or those who want to stay clear of costly renovations to their kitchens. Some options include trim kits to close the gap between your microwave and other countertop appliances like coffee pots and bread makers, as well as toaster ovens.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves use less energy to cook food and water than other cooking methods. They also consume less power than stovetops that are conventional because microwaves concentrate their energy on the liquid within instead of heating the air surrounding it. They can cook food quicker than conventional ovens. They can be put in your lower or upper cabinets, and come with retro or modern style to fit any kitchen design.
In this notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) proposes new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens that will help consumers save money on their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically assess whether stricter standards are technologically feasible and economically justified and if they can result in significant energy saving.
This SNOPR contains the analyses and findings that DOE performed to evaluate the impact on consumers of 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 national impact.
The energy use analysis estimates the average annual microwave oven operating hours in representative sampled homes. It forms the basis for the energy savings assessments as well as the other consumer analysis in this SNOPR. The analysis is based upon RECS field data from multiple regions. It also takes into account different microwave oven usage patterns in different households as also regional variations in electricity prices.
In order to assess the impact of the new or modified standards on household costs, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost for purchasing and using a microwave oven at various levels of efficiency. The LCC and PBP calculations are built on the computer model that utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variability into the analysis.
This SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact of amended or new 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 savings resulting from potential amended or a new standard in terms of energy savings for the site and FFC savings.