Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built-in microwave over an oven helps you cook and reheat food quickly and easily. GE offers a variety of cooking styles, cooking technology and control options to suit your kitchen's needs.
Countertop microwaves are placed on the counter and plug into outlets and built-in models are placed in a wall with a recess or among cabinets for a sleek, built-in look. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is among the most commonly used appliances in a kitchen, but it can also take up valuable counter space. There are plenty of smart ways to free up countertop space by moving the microwave to a different place, such as a kitchen island or recessing it into the wall.
One of the most well-known options is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. Hidden away beneath your stove, this model can be especially useful in kitchens that are smaller and space is limited. Certain OTR models can also be used as an air vent for your cooktop. This can help to reduce steam buildup.
Installing a microwave that is integrated into your cabinetry can help you save space. This can give you an elegant, integrated look that will match your kitchen's cabinets and fixtures in finish, color or style. It also helps to create a more minimalist look in your kitchen, which is ideal for homeowners who prefer a clean and uncluttered look.
However installing a microwave built-in could require a professional installation or remodeling of your kitchen. It is possible to, based on the layout of your home to cut a hole in a wall to accommodate the appliance. However, this will require professional framing and strengthening. Built-in microwaves also require adequate ventilation to avoid overheating or 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 built-in microwave is approximately 15 inches. However, certain manufacturers offer trim kits that provide up to 1 1/2 inches of additional space for ventilation.
A third space-saving option is a drawer-style microwave that can be placed beneath your countertop or within an island. This design is easily accessible, suitable for all 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.
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a space-saving microwave is its door design. Many manufacturers offer an open, swing-out or slide-out door that opens in the same motion as other kitchen appliances to help you seamlessly integrate your microwave into your cooking workflow. Some models come with a sleek and smooth exterior that wards off fingerprints for better, cleaner appearance.
Convenience
A built-in microwave over oven is attractive, convenient and easy-to-clean design. They are usually placed at eye-level for easier access, and include turntables that make it easier to transfer food from one plate to the next. Additionally, built-in microwaves usually have options that increase functionality, like EasyConvection oven conversion technology and broiling elements that allow you to cook or brown food items.
A built-in microwave on top of the oven will save counter space and increase the value of your home by giving it a sleek and high-end appearance that other appliances might not be able to match. If it's installed above the stove or in a separate cabinet, these microwaves seamlessly blend into your kitchen, creating a tailored appearance that shows that you've put money into your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves over ovens come in various sizes as well as power levels and features that can be tailored to fit any kitchen. You can even install them under your counter in a drawer style to create a more seamless design that is a perfect fit into your cabinetry and requires no extra space. These microwaves, with their luxurious designs and top-of-the-line functions can enhance the appearance of your kitchen and enhance your cooking and entertaining experiences.
While the benefits of a built in microwave oven is evident however, you should be aware that these microwaves aren't as versatile as their freestanding counterparts. Depending on the place you install your microwave, it will require more space to operate than other microwaves. In addition, they're not as portable and you won't have the ability to easily swap the model to a new model if you prefer something different.
If you put your microwave above your range, you'll require an additional kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system that is required by this arrangement. You'll need either an option for ducting that directs smoke out to the outside or a recirculating venting system that pulls air from the microwave into the house. Consider a built-in microwave to the kitchen that is small. It can be incorporated into a wall, cabinet or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwaves have a wide range of controls depending on the model. Common features include turntables, preset functions including defrosting and reheating, and 30-second buttons. Some models have child safety features to prevent accidental operation.
Many microwaves come pre-programmed with recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of preparing food quicker and more efficient. This feature is useful for those who are just beginning to cook and are unsure of how long to heat specific foods or who aren't familiar with the specific cooking methods that are used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid brand provides a wide selection of built-in and over the-range microwaves that are designed to match the style and design of your other appliances to create an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. There's a range of stainless steel models, as well as black and white finishes to complement 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.
Unlike models that are built into countertops built-in microwaves are fitted into a fixed space in the kitchen cabinets or walls to give your kitchen a sleek, customized appearance. They typically use the same internal components as countertop models, but with a few exceptions. They come in a variety of sizes, including those made 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 fashion.
Some microwaves that are over-the-range, such as those from Whirlpool(r) can also double as vent hoods to your kitchen stove. They have an exhaust system that is built-in to exhaust fumes outside and circulate air. Others have a built-in charcoal filter that removes odors and moisture from your kitchen.
Countertop models are installed on the counter in the kitchen. They don't require venting or any special installation. This makes them an ideal option for people who rent their homes or wish to save money on costly changes to their kitchens. integrated microwave have trim kits that can be used to bridge the gap between the microwave and other countertop appliances, such as coffee pots, toaster ovens or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are more efficient at heating food and water when compared to other cooking methods. They also consume less power than conventional stovetops because the microwaves focus their energy on the liquid in, rather than heating the air around it. Because of this, they can cook food much faster than a conventional oven. They can be put in on the upper or lower cabinets, and are available in modern or retro designs to fit any kitchen.
In this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for micro-wave ovens that will save consumers money on operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to evaluate on a regular basis whether stricter standards are economically feasible and technologically feasible and could result in significant energy savings.
The SNOPR contains DOE's analyses and findings to assess the effects of new or revised energy standards for microwave ovens on consumers. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment as well as a screening analysis of engineering analysis, and a national impacts analysis.
The energy use analysis estimates the average annual microwave oven operating hours in the sample of households. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings as well as other consumer-related analyses in this SNOPR. The analysis is based on RECS field data from various regions. It also considers different patterns of microwave oven use in different households as and regional variations in electricity prices.
To determine the impact of potential new or modified standards on the cost of operating a household, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to estimate the lifetime cost of buying and using a microwave oven at different efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations are made using the computer model that utilizes the Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analyses.
This SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact of new or amended 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 saving from potential amended or a new standard in the form site energy savings and FFC savings.