Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven that has a built-in microwave lets you cook and reheat your food quickly and easily. GE offers a variety of designs, cooking techniques and control options to suit your kitchen's needs.
Countertop microwaves sit on the counter and plug into outlets, while built-in models are installed in a recessed wall or in cabinets to create a sleek, built-in look. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is among the most used appliances in a kitchen however, it can consume valuable counter space. You can free up counter space by moving the microwave to a different place, such as a kitchen island.
Over-the-range microwaves (OTRs) are a popular choice. 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. Certain OTR models can also function as an exhaust for your cooktop. This can help to reduce the amount of steam that builds up.
Another option to save space is to install a built-in microwave that blends in with the cabinetry. This option provides an elegant, seamless appearance that can be matched to your kitchen fixtures and cabinets in color, finish, or style. It can also create an overall look that is more minimalist in your kitchen. This is ideal for homeowners who prefer an uncluttered, clean appearance.
Installing a built-in microwavable might require an expert installation or kitchen remodel. Based on the layout of your home it is possible to cut a space in an existing wall to accommodate the appliance, however, this will require the proper framing and reinforcement, which should be left to professionals. Built-in microwaves also 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 microwave built-in is 15 inches. However, some manufacturers offer trim kits that can provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space to allow for ventilation.
Another option that can be used to save space is a drawer-style microwave that can be installed below your countertop 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 getting damaged by a fall.
The final aspect to consider for an efficient microwave is its door design. There are many brands that have a door that opens in 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 process. Some models even feature a sleek and smooth exterior that wards off fingerprints for a cleaner, more attractive appearance.
Convenience
A built in microwave over oven offers an attractive, convenient and easy-to-clean design. They are usually placed at eye level for easy access, and include turntables that make it easier to move food from one plate to another. In addition, built in microwaves usually have options that improve functionality, such as EasyConvection oven conversion technology, and broil elements that allow you to brown or crisp foods.
In addition to saving counter space, a built-in microwave over oven can also boost your home's value and appeal by giving it a premium appearance that other appliances might not be able to match. The microwaves can be placed above the stove, or in a separate cabinet. They seamlessly blend into the kitchen to give the appearance of a custom-designed look that shows how much you have invested in your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in a variety of sizes power levels, styles, and features that can be customized to fit into any kitchen. Install them under the counter in drawer style to create an elegant look that fits snugly within the cabinets. This requires no additional space. These microwaves, with their premium finishes and high-end functions will enhance the look of your kitchen and your cooking and entertaining experiences.
While microwaves built into ovens are convenient however they aren't as versatile as their counterparts that stand on their own. They may require more space to operate, depending on the place it's placed. Similarly, they aren't as portable, and you won't be able easily swap out the model to a new one if you'd like a different model.
If you put your microwave above your range, you'll need an additional kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system required by this configuration. You'll need either an option for ducting that directs smoke to the outside, or a recirculating venting system that pulls air through the microwave and into the home. If you have a smaller kitchen think about a separate microwave built-in that can be incorporated inside the wall, cabinet or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwaves come with a variety of controls based on the model. Some common features include turntables, preset functions like defrosting and reheating as well as 30 second buttons. Some models have child safety features to avoid accidental operation.
Many microwaves come with pre-programmed recipes and cooking times to make the process of preparing meals quicker and more efficient. This feature is helpful for those who aren't sure of the time to cook certain foods or for those who aren't acquainted with the particular cooking techniques used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid brand offers a wide variety of built-in and oversized microwaves that are designed to complement the style and design of other appliances for an integrated look to your kitchen. Select from stainless steel and black finishes that will match 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 area of your walls or cabinets for a sleek and custom look. They typically use the same components inside as regular countertop models, with some exceptions. These models are available in various sizes, including those designed to fit into a smaller space and their exteriors could have doors that open in a left-to-right swing-out or drop-down manner.
Some microwaves over the range, like those made by Whirlpool(r), can also be used as vent hoods. They have an exhaust system built-in to let fumes out and recirculate the air. Some models come with a charcoal filter to remove moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models are positioned on the kitchen counter. They don't require venting or special installation. This makes them an ideal choice for those who lease their homes or wish to avoid expensive modifications to their kitchens. combination microwave oven built in include trim kits that can be used to fill the gap between the microwave and other countertop appliances like toaster ovens, coffee makers or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are more efficient in heating food and water in comparison to other cooking methods. They also consume less power than conventional stovetops because microwaves focus their energy on the liquid in instead of heating the air surrounding it. They can also heat dishes faster than conventional ovens. They can be put in your lower or upper cabinets, and come with retro or contemporary styles to suit any kitchen design.
In this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR"), the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) proposes new or revised 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 periodically determine whether more-stringent standards would be economically viable and technologically feasible, as well as result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR provides the analysis and results that DOE performed to evaluate the impact on consumers of new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment and screening analysis of engineering analysis, and a national impact analysis.
The energy usage analysis estimates annual average microwave oven operating hours in homes that have been sampled for representativeness. It is the basis for the energy savings assessments and the other consumer analyses included in this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data from various regions. It also takes into consideration different microwave oven usage patterns in different households, as and regional variations in electricity prices.
To evaluate the impact of new or amended standards on household costs, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses to determine the lifetime cost for buying and using a micro-wave oven at various levels of efficiency. The LCC and PBP calculations are built on a computer model that uses the Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variability into the analysis.
In addition to the analysis of energy use and the LCC/PBP, this SNOPR contains an evaluation of the impact on the nation of new or amended standards that are based on the NIA spreadsheet model. The NIA model determines industry net present value ("INPV") in terms of energy savings resulting from potential amended or new standards in the form of site energy savings and FFC energy savings.