Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A built-in microwave over an oven lets you cook and heat food quickly and efficiently. GE provides a variety of styles, cooking technology and control options to fit your kitchen.
Built-in microwaves are positioned behind cabinets or in recessing walls to give them a a sleek and integrated look. These styles require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is one of the most commonly used kitchen appliances, but it can also consume valuable counter space. You can make use of counter space by moving the microwave to another location, like an island in the kitchen.
One of the most popular options is an over the range (OTR) microwave. Hidden away beneath your stove, this model is especially beneficial in kitchens that are smaller and space is limited. Certain OTR models also double as a vent for your cooktop. This can reduce the buildup of steam.
Installing a microwave integrated into your cabinetry will help you save space. This type of appliance offers an elegant, integrated design that can match the color, finish or style of your kitchen appliances and cabinets. It also helps create a more streamlined appearance in your kitchen, which is perfect for those who prefer a clean and uncluttered look.
Installing a built-in microwave could require a professional installation or a kitchen remodel. You might be able, depending on the layout of your home, to cut a hole in a wall for the appliance. However, this will require professional framing and support. Additionally, built-in microwaves need adequate ventilation to avoid overheating and damage the appliance. According to Sam Cipiti of R. M. Tunis Kitchens and Baths, in Chevy Chase, Maryland the minimum cabinet depth for an oven with built-ins is 15 inches. However certain manufacturers offer trim kits that give up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space for ventilation.
A third option to reduce space is a microwave with a drawer that can be installed below your countertop or inside an island. This design is easy to access 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 getting knocked over.
The final aspect to consider for a space-saving microwave is its door design. A lot of brands have doors that opens the same way as other kitchen appliances, like a slide-out or drop-down. This lets you integrate your microwave seamlessly into your cooking process. Some models feature a sleek and smooth exterior that is resistant to fingerprints, giving an attractive, cleaner appearance.
Convenience
Built-in microwaves over ovens are stylish, convenient and easy to clean. They are usually placed near the eye level to make it easier to access, and include turntables to reduce the need to move food from one plate to the next. Built-in microwaves are often equipped with features that enhance their capabilities, like EasyConvection technology for oven conversion and a broiler component that can crisp or brown food items.
In addition to reducing counter space, a built-in microwave that is atop an oven can boost your home's value and appeal by providing a high-end appearance that other appliances might not be capable of matching. These microwaves can be installed either above your stove, or in a separate cupboard. They seamlessly blend into the kitchen to give it a tailored look that shows how much you've invested in your home and kitchen.
Built-in microwaves over ovens are available in a vast variety of sizes, power levels and features to suit any kitchen configuration. Install them underneath the counter in a drawer style to give a more integrated appearance that fits snugly within existing cabinets. This requires no additional space. These microwaves, with their premium features and finishes can enhance the appearance of your kitchen as well as your dining and cooking experiences.
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. Depending on the place you install yours, it might require more space to operate than other microwaves. They're also not as portable, and you can't easily alter the model if you need something else.
If you place your microwave above your range, you'll require an extra kitchen space to accommodate the ventilation system that is required by this configuration. You'll require either a ducting system that directs smoke away from the home or a recirculating system that draws air through the microwave before transferring it to the home. For a smaller kitchen you might want to consider an additional built-in microwave that can be incorporated in a cabinet, wall or island.
Convenient Controls

Microwaves come with a variety of controls depending on the model. Some of the features include turntables, presets such as defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons for a maximum of 30 minutes. Some models have child safety features that 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 easier. This feature is beneficial for new cooks who aren't sure how long to cook certain foods or for those who aren't comfortable 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 integrated look to your kitchen. You can find a selection 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.
In contrast to countertop models built-in microwaves are inserted into a fixed space in the kitchen cabinets or walls for a sleek, custom appearance. The internal components are typically the same as those of conventional countertop models, with the exception of. They are available in various sizes, including some that are designed to fit in smaller spaces. The exteriors of these models may feature doors that open in a swing-out style from left to right or drop-down style.
Some over-the-range microwaves like those from Whirlpool(r) are able to double as vent hoods for your stove in the kitchen. They also have an exhaust system that is built-in to vent fumes outside and recycle air. Certain microwaves have a charcoal filter that removes moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models are placed on your counter top and do not require venting hookups or any special installation which makes them a great option for rental properties or those who want to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Some models have trim kits that can be used to close the gap between the microwave and other countertop appliances, such as toaster ovens, coffee makers or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves are much more efficient at heating food and water when compared to other cooking methods. They also consume less power than conventional stovetops because microwaves focus their energy on the liquid inside instead of heating the air surrounding it. This is why they can cook food more quickly than a conventional oven. They can be installed either in the lower or upper cabinets and come in retro or modern styles to match any kitchen.
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 that reduce the cost of operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically assess whether more stringent standards are technically feasible and economically justified, and if they will result in significant energy saving.
This SNOPR includes the analyses and results that DOE conducted to assess the impact on consumers of the new or amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. talking to 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 for representative sampled households. This analysis is used to calculate energy savings and other consumer analysis within this SNOPR. The analysis is based upon RECS field data from a variety of regions. It also takes into account different patterns of microwave oven use in different households as also regional variations in electricity prices.
To assess the impact of potential changes or new standards on the cost of operating a household, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to determine the lifetime cost of purchasing and using microwave ovens at various efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations are made using a computer model that uses the Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analysis.
This SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact of new or amended standards at the national level, based on the NIA spreadsheet. straight from the source (INPV) in terms of energy savings resulting from the potential amendment or new standard in the form savings on energy consumption at the site and FFC savings.