Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with built-in microwaves allows you to cook and heat your food quickly and easily. GE offers a wide range of styles, cooking technology and control options that can be adapted to your kitchen.
Built-in microwaves are positioned behind cabinets or in wall recess to give them sleek and integrated appearance. These models require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a popular appliance in the kitchen, but can also take up valuable countertop space. There are many smart ways to reclaim countertop space by moving your microwave to a different location, such as in an island in the kitchen or recessing it into the wall.
Over-the-range microwaves (OTRs) are a popular option. Tucked away neatly above your stove, this model is especially beneficial in kitchens with smaller spaces where space is limited. Furthermore there are certain OTR models can double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which is useful in reducing the amount of steam that builds up.
Another option to save space is to install a microwave with a built-in design that blends into the cabinetry. This type of appliance offers an elegant, integrated design that is able to match the style, color, or finish of your other kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It can also help create a more streamlined appearance in your kitchen, which is great for homeowners who prefer minimalist and clear design.
However installing a built-in microwave could require a professional installation or remodeling of your kitchen. It is possible, depending on the layout of your home, to cut an opening in the wall to accommodate the appliance. However, this will require professional framing and support. Built-in microwaves also need adequate ventilation to prevent 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, some manufacturers offer trim kits that give up to 1 1/2 inch of additional space for ventilation.
A microwave that is built like a drawer can be set up under the counter or in an island. This configuration is easy-to-access, suitable for all and requires less counter space. It also helps prevent hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge or being thrown down.
The design of the door is the final factor to consider when selecting a microwave that is space-saving. There are many brands that have a door that opens the same way as other kitchen appliances, like dropping-down or slide-out. This lets you integrate your microwave seamlessly into your cooking process. Some models even have a smooth and sleek exterior that is resistant to fingerprints, giving better, cleaner appearance.
Convenience
Built-in microwaves in ovens look attractive, practical, and easy to clean. They are usually set at eye-level for easier access and are equipped with turntables to make it less necessary to transfer food from one plate to the next. Built-in microwaves are typically equipped with features that increase their functionality, such as EasyConvection technology for oven conversion and a broiler component which can brown or crisp food items.
A built-in microwave on top of the oven can save you counter space, and can also boost the value of your home by giving it a sleek, high-end appearance that other appliances may not be able to match. They can be set up above the stove, or in a separate cupboard. They seamlessly blend into the kitchen to give an elegant appearance that shows how much you've invested in your kitchen and home.
Built in microwave over ovens are available in a wide variety of sizes in terms of power levels, features and models to fit any kitchen layout. Install them underneath the counter in a drawers to create an integrated look that fits snugly within existing cabinetry. It doesn't require any additional space. These microwaves, with their luxurious designs and top-of-the-line functions can enhance the appearance of your kitchen as well as 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 yours, it may require more space to operate than other types of microwaves. They're also not as portable, and you can't easily alter the model if you want something else.
If you place your microwave above the range, you'll need a larger kitchen to accommodate the ventilation system required by this arrangement. You'll need 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 which can be fitted in the wall, cabinet or island.
Convenient Controls
Microwave ovens have a variety of convenient controls, depending on the model you choose. The most common features are turntables, preset functions including defrosting and reheating, and 30-second buttons. Some models have child safety features to prevent accidental operation of the appliance.
Many microwaves come with pre-programmed recipes and cooking times, which makes the process of cooking food faster and easier. This feature is beneficial for cooks who are new to cooking and uncertain of the proper time to heat specific foods or are not familiar with the specific cooking techniques used in different cuisines.
KitchenAid offers a range of built-in microwaves and over-therange microwaves that can be matched to your other appliances in design and finish to create seamless appearance. Choose from stainless steel and black finishes that are perfect for 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 placed in a fixed area of your kitchen cabinets or walls to give sleek and distinctive appearance. They typically have the same components inside as regular countertop models, but with a few exceptions. They come in a variety of sizes, including those made to fit in a compact space and their exteriors can have doors that open either in a left-to right swing-out or drop-down fashion.
Some microwaves that are over-the-range like those from Whirlpool(r), even serve as vent hoods for your kitchen stove and use an exhaust system built-in to exhaust fumes outside and recycle air. Certain microwaves have charcoal filters that get rid of odors and moisture in your kitchen.
Countertop models are positioned on the counter of the kitchen. They don't need venting or a special installation. This makes them a good choice for those who lease their homes or stay clear of costly modifications 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 use less energy to heat food and water than other cooking methods. They also use less power than conventional stovetops because microwaves focus their energy on the liquid in rather than heating the air surrounding it. This means that they can cook food much faster than conventional ovens. They can be placed in your upper or lower cabinets, and are available with retro or modern style to suit any kitchen design.
In this supplemental notification of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for microwave ovens which will help consumers save money in their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ("EPCA") requires DOE to periodically determine whether the more stringent standards are economically feasible and technologically feasible and result in significant energy savings.
This SNOPR provides the analysis and results that DOE conducted to assess the impact on consumers of the new or revised energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The analysis includes a technology and market assessment, a screening and engineering analysis and an analysis of the impact on the nation.
The energy use analysis estimates the annual average microwave ovens' operating hours in representative sampled 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 gathered from multiple regions. It also takes into consideration the different patterns of use of microwave ovens in different households, as also regional variations in electricity prices.
To determine the impact of possible new or modified standards on the cost of operating a household, DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to estimate 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 a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainties and variations into the analysis.
In addition to the energy-use and LCC/PBP analyses in this SNOPR includes an analysis of the national impacts of the new or amended standards that are based on the NIA spreadsheet model. The NIA model calculates the industry's net present value (INPV) in terms of energy savings resulting from a potential amended or new standard in the form of site energy savings and FFC savings.