Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with built-in microwaves lets you cook and heat your food quickly and efficiently. GE offers a variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options to fit your kitchen's needs.
Countertop microwaves are placed on the counter and plug into outlets or outlet, while built-in models can be installed in a recessed wall or in cabinets to create an elegant, built-in appearance. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is among the most frequently used kitchen appliances however, it can consume valuable counter space. There are plenty of smart ways to make the most of your counter space by moving your microwave to a different location, such as in a kitchen island or recessing it into the wall.
Over-the-range microwaves (OTRs) are an increasingly popular choice. Hidden away beneath the stove, this option is particularly useful in kitchens with smaller spaces where space is limited. Additionally there are some OTR models double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which is helpful in reducing steam buildup.
Installing built in microwave small integrated into your cabinetry can save you space. This type of appliance offers an elegant, seamless look that can be matched to the design, color, or finish of your kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It can also help create a cleaner appearance in your kitchen, which is ideal for homeowners who prefer a clean and uncluttered look.
However installing a built-in microwave might require a professional installation or renovation of your kitchen. Depending on the layout of your home it is possible to cut out a space within an existing wall to accommodate the appliance, but this requires adequate framing and support which should be left to experts. Also, built-in microwaves require 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, but some manufacturers provide trim kits that can provide up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space to allow for ventilation.
Another option that can be used to save space is a drawer-style microwave which can be placed beneath your countertop or within an island. This design is easily accessible, suitable for all ages and requires less counter space. It also helps to prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or getting damaged by a fall.
A final consideration for an efficient microwave is its door design. A lot of brands have doors that can be opened in the same manner as other kitchen appliances, such as a slide-out or drop-down. This lets you integrate your microwave seamlessly into your cooking process. Some models have a smooth and sleek exterior that resists fingerprints for an attractive, cleaner appearance.
Convenience
A built-in microwave over oven offers an attractive design, easy to clean and convenient. They are typically placed at eye-level for easier 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 improve their utility, for instance EasyConvection technology for oven conversion and a broiler element which can brown or crisp food.
A built-in microwave on top of the oven will save counter space, and can also boost the value of your home by giving it a sleek, luxurious 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 for a tailored appearance that shows you've put in the time to improve your kitchen and your home.
Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in a broad range of dimensions, power levels and features to fit any kitchen layout. Install them under the counter in drawers to create an integrated look that fits snugly within the cabinetry. They do not require additional space. These microwaves, with their high-end features and finishes can enhance the appearance of your kitchen as well as your cooking and entertaining experience.
While the convenience of a built in microwave over oven is obvious, keep in mind that these microwaves aren't as flexible as their freestanding counterparts. They may require more space to operate, depending on where it is installed. They are also not as portable, and you won't be able to easily swap out the model for a different one if you decide that you want something different.
If you place your microwave above your range, you'll require a larger kitchen to accommodate the ventilation system that is required by this arrangement. You'll require either a ducting system that directs smoke to the outside or a recirculating system that pulls the air through the microwave before transferring it to the home. If you have a smaller kitchen think about an additional built-in microwave that can be incorporated in the wall, cabinet or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens are equipped with numerous controls, depending on the model you select. Some features include turntables presets like defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons for plus-30 seconds. Some models have safety features for children to prevent accidental operation.
Many microwaves come pre-programmed with recipes and cooking times that make the process of cooking food quicker and more efficient. This feature is helpful for new cooks who don't know how long to cook certain meals or for those who aren't acquainted with the particular cooking techniques used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid offers a range of built-in microwaves and over-therange microwaves that are designed to match your other appliances in style and design to create seamless appearance. There's a variety of stainless steel models as well as black 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.
Built-in microwaves, unlike countertop models, are installed in a fixed area of your kitchen cabinets or walls to give a sleek and custom look. They typically use the same components inside as regular countertop models, but with a few exceptions. They are available in various sizes, including those designed to fit in a compact space and their exteriors could 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) are able to be used as vent hoods. They have an exhaust system built in to let out fumes outside and recirculate air. Others have a built-in charcoal filter that removes moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models can be placed on the counter in your kitchen and do not require venting hookups or any special installation which makes them a great choice for rental homes or those who want to avoid costly modifications to their kitchens. Certain models come with trim kits that can be used to close the gap between a microwave and other countertop appliances, such as toaster ovens, coffee makers or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency
Microwaves consume less energy to heat food and water than other cooking methods. They also use less energy than conventional stovetop ovens since they focus the microwave's energy on the liquid within instead of heating the air or other elements around it. Because of this, they can cook food more quickly than a conventional oven. They can be placed in the lower or upper cabinets and come in modern or retro styles to fit any kitchen.
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, which will reduce the cost of operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to periodically determine whether stricter standards are technologically feasible and economically justified and could result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR contains DOE's analyses and results to assess the impact of new or amended energy standards for microwave ovens on consumers. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment, a screening analysis of engineering analysis, and a national impacts analysis.
The energy usage analysis calculates the average annual microwave oven' operating hours in the sample of households. 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 collected from a variety of regions. It also takes into account the different patterns of use of microwave ovens in different households as and regional variations in electricity prices.
To determine the impact of possible 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 different efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations employ the computer model built on Monte Carlo simulations to incorporate variations and uncertainty into the analyses.
This SNOPR includes an evaluation of the impact of new or amended standards on the national level, based on the NIA spreadsheet. The NIA model calculates the industry's net present value (INPV) in terms of energy savings from potential amended or a new standard in the form of savings on energy consumption at the site and FFC savings.