Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with integrated microwave allows you to cook and reheat your food quickly and efficiently. GE offers a wide variety of styles, cooking technologies and control options that will suit your kitchen.
Built-in microwaves are placed behind cabinets or in recessed walls to give them a sleek and integrated look. These styles require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is among the most frequently used appliances in a kitchen, but it can also consume valuable counter space. There are many smart ways to make the most of your countertop space by moving your microwave to an alternative location, such as in the kitchen island or by recessing it into the wall.
One of the most popular options is an over-the-range (OTR) microwave. This type of microwave is tucked away above your stovetop, can be particularly useful in small kitchens with little space. Some OTR models also double as an exhaust for your cooktop. This can help reduce the amount of steam that builds up.
Installing a microwave integrated into your cabinetry will help you save space. This can give you a sleek, integrated look that can be matched to the style, color, or finish of your other kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It also helps create a cleaner appearance in your kitchen, which is ideal for homeowners who prefer an uncluttered and clean look.
Installing a built-in microwave may require a professional installation or a kitchen remodel. built in microwave might be able to, based on the layout of your house, to cut a hole in a wall to accommodate the appliance. However, this will require professional framing and strengthening. Built-in microwaves also need adequate ventilation to avoid overheating or damaging the appliance. According to Sam Cipiti of R. M. Tunis Kitchens and Baths in Chevy Chase, Maryland the minimum cabinet depth for a built-in oven is 15 inches. However certain manufacturers offer trim kits with up to 1 1/2 inch of extra space for ventilation.
A third space-saving option is a drawer-style microwave that can be installed beneath your countertop or within an island. This configuration is simple to use and is suitable for all users and requires less countertop space. It can also prevent hot dishes or containers falling off the edge or getting knocked down.
The door design is an important factor to consider when choosing a compact microwave. 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 process. Some models also 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 are attractive, convenient, and easy to clean. They are usually set at eye level for easy access, and include turntables to reduce the need to move food from one plate to the next. Built-in microwaves are usually equipped with features that increase their utility, for instance EasyConvection technology that converts ovens and a broiler that can crisp or brown food.
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. They can be set up above the stove, or in a separate cabinet. They seamlessly blend into the kitchen to give the appearance of a custom-designed appearance that demonstrates how much you've put in your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves that are over ovens are available in various sizes power levels, styles, and features that can be adapted to suit any kitchen. Install them underneath the counter in a drawer style to give an integrated look that fits snugly within existing cabinets. It doesn't require any additional space. These microwaves, with their luxurious finishes and high-end functions can enhance the appearance of your kitchen and your dining and cooking experiences.
Although microwaves with built-in microwaves over ovens are useful, they are not as versatile as the microwaves that stand on their own. Depending on where you install yours, it might require more space than other microwaves. Similarly, they aren't as portable, and you won't have the ability to easily switch out the model for a new model if you'd like a different model.
If you decide to place your microwave over your range, then you'll need a larger space in your kitchen to accommodate the ventilation needed by this arrangement. You'll need either a ducting option that directs smoke to the outside, or a recirculating venting system that pulls air from the microwave into the home. For a smaller kitchen you might want to consider a separate microwave built-in which can be fitted in a cabinet, wall or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens are equipped with various controls that are convenient according to the model you pick. Some of the features include turntables, presets for defrosting or reheating, as well as buttons for plus-30 seconds. Certain models come with child safety features to avoid accidental operation.
Many microwaves come pre-programmed with recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of preparing food faster and simpler. This feature is helpful for those who are just beginning to cook and are unsure of how long to cook certain foods or who are unfamiliar with the cooking techniques employed in various cuisines.
KitchenAid brand offers a broad range of built-in and over-the-range microwaves that are designed to match the style and appearance of your other appliances for an integrated look in your 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.
Built-in microwaves, unlike countertop models, are set in a fixed area of your kitchen cabinets or walls to give an elegant and unique look. They typically use the same components inside as countertop models, with some exceptions. These models are available in a variety of sizes, including some that are designed to fit in smaller spaces. The exteriors of these models may feature a door which opens with a swing-out that opens from right to left or a drop-down fashion.
Certain microwaves in the range, like those made by Whirlpool(r) are able to be used as vent hoods. They have an exhaust system built in to vent fumes outdoors and then recirculate the air. Others have a built-in charcoal filter to remove odors and moisture from your kitchen.
Countertop models are placed on the counter in your kitchen and do not require venting hookups or special installation making them an excellent choice for rental homes or those who want to avoid costly changes to their kitchens. Certain models include trim kits that can be used to fill the gap between a microwave and other countertop appliances, such as coffee pots, toaster ovens or bread makers.
Energy Efficiency

Microwaves are much more efficient at heating water and food as compared to other cooking methods. They also consume less power than stovetops that are conventional because the microwaves focus their energy on the liquid inside instead of heating the air surrounding it. This means that they can cook food more quickly than conventional ovens. They can be installed in the upper or lower 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 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 economically viable and technologically feasible and could result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR includes DOE's analysis and findings to assess the impact of new or amended energy standards for microwave ovens on the consumer. The analysis includes a market and technology assessment, a screening and engineering analysis, and an analysis of the impact on the nation.
The energy usage analysis calculates the average annual microwave oven operating hours for households from a representative sample. It forms the basis for the energy savings assessments and the other consumer analyses included in this SNOPR. The analysis is built on RECS field data from a variety of regions and considers the various patterns of use of microwave ovens in various households and also the variations in regional electricity prices.
To determine the impact of potential changes or new standards on household operating costs, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to determine the lifetime cost of buying and using a microwave oven at different efficiency levels. The LCC and PBP calculations are built on an algorithm for computer models that employs a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variation into the analysis.
This SNOPR includes an evaluation of the impact of the new or amended standards on the national scale based on the NIA spreadsheet. The NIA model determines industry net present value ("INPV") in terms of energy savings from possible new or amended standards in the form of site energy savings and FFC energy savings.