Benefits of a Built in Microwave Over Oven
A microwave oven with a built-in microwave lets you cook and heat your food quickly and easily. GE provides a range of cooking styles, cooking technology and control options to fit your kitchen's setup.
Built-in microwaves are positioned behind cabinets or in wall recess to give them sleek and integrated appearance. These types of microwaves require professional installation.
Space Saver
The microwave is a popular appliance in the kitchen, but it can also take up valuable countertop space. You can make use of counter space by moving the microwave to another space, such as an island in the kitchen.
Over-the-range microwaves (OTRs) are an increasingly popular choice. This model, which is neatly tucked away above your stovetop, can be particularly useful in kitchens that are small and have limited space. Plus certain OTR models double as a vent hood to your cooktop, which is helpful in reducing steam buildup.
Installing a microwave that is integrated into your cabinetry will help you save space. This option offers an elegant, integrated design that can match the color, finish or style of your kitchen fixtures and cabinets. It can also give a more streamlined look in your kitchen. This is great for homeowners who want an uncluttered, clean appearance.
Installing a built-in Microwave may require an expert installation or kitchen remodel. Depending on your home's layout it is possible to cut out a space within walls to accommodate the appliance, however, this requires adequate framing and support, which should be left to the professionals. 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 of a built-in oven is 15 inches. However certain manufacturers offer trim kits that provide up to 1 1/2 inches of extra space to allow for ventilation.
A microwave that is built like a drawer can be placed beneath your counter or within an island. This configuration is easy-to-access, suitable for all and requires less counter space. It can also help avoid hot dishes or containers from falling off the edge of the microwave or being crushed.
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a space-saving microwave is its door design. There are many brands that have a door that can be opened in the same manner as other kitchen appliances, such as dropping-down or slide-out. This allows you to integrate your microwave seamlessly into your cooking process. Some models have an elegant, smooth exterior that resists fingerprints to give better and cleaner appearance.
Convenience
A built-in microwave over oven offers an attractive design, easy to clean and convenient. They are usually set at eye level for easy access and are equipped with turntables to reduce the need to transfer food from one plate to another. Additionally, built-in microwaves are often equipped with features that increase functionality, like EasyConvection oven conversion technology, and broiling elements that allow you to cook or brown foods.
In addition to saving counter space, a built in microwave that is atop an oven can increase the value of your home and appeal by providing a high-end look that other appliances may not be able to match. Whether installed above your stove or in a separate cabinet these microwaves blend seamlessly into your kitchen for an elegant appearance that shows that you've put money into your kitchen and home.
Built-in microwaves and ovens are available in a wide range of dimensions, power levels and features to suit any kitchen configuration. Install them underneath the counter in a drawer style to create a more integrated appearance that fits snugly within the cabinetry. They do not require additional space. These microwaves, with their luxurious features and finishes, will enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen and enhance your cooking and entertaining experience.
Although built in microwave best with built-in microwaves over ovens are useful, they are not as flexible as microwaves that stand on their own. Depending on the location you put yours, it might require more space than other microwaves. Similarly, they aren't as portable and you won't be able to easily swap the model for a new one if you prefer something different.
If you install your microwave above the range, you'll need a larger kitchen to accommodate the ventilation system required by this arrangement. You'll either need a ducting option that directs smoke out to the outside or a recirculating venting system that pulls air through the microwave and into the home. If you have a smaller kitchen, consider a separate microwave built-in that can be installed into 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 like defrosting and reheating and plus-30-second buttons. Certain models include child safety features to prevent accidental operation.
Many microwaves come with pre-programmed recipes and cooking times that make the process of cooking food quicker and more efficient. This feature is useful for new cooks that are uncertain of the proper time to cook specific food items or who aren't familiar with the specific cooking techniques employed in various cuisines.
KitchenAid provides a variety of microwaves with built-ins and over-the-range microwaves that can be matched to your other appliances with design and finish to create an elegant look. 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, in contrast to countertop models, are placed in a fixed location of your kitchen cabinets or walls to give sleek and distinctive appearance. The internal components are generally identical to those of traditional countertop models, with the exception of. These models come in different sizes, including some that are designed to be able to fit in smaller spaces. Their exteriors may have a door which opens in a swing-out style from left to right or in a drop-down fashion.
Certain microwaves that are over the range, such as the ones made by Whirlpool(r) and Whirlpool(r), can be used as vent hoods. They come with an exhaust system that is built-in to vent fumes outdoors and recirculate air. Some models come with a charcoal filter to eliminate moisture and odors from your kitchen.
Countertop models are placed 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 save money on costly changes to their kitchens. Some options include trim kits to fill in the gap between your microwave and other freestanding countertop appliances, such as coffee pots bread makers, toaster ovens or bread ovens.
Energy Efficiency

Microwaves are more efficient in heating food and water in comparison to other cooking methods. They also consume less energy than stovetop ovens due to the fact that they focus the microwaves' energy on the liquid within, rather than on heating the air or other elements surrounding it. They can heat up dishes faster than conventional ovens. They can be placed within the upper or lower cabinets and come in retro or modern styles to fit any kitchen.
In this supplemental notification of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposes new or modified energy conservation standards for micro-wave ovens, which will save consumers money on their operating costs. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to regularly assess whether more stringent standards are technologically feasible and economically justified and if they can result in significant energy saving.
This SNOPR contains the analyses and findings that DOE carried out to assess the effects on consumers of the new or amended 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 calculates the annual average of microwave oven operating hours in representative sampled homes. It forms the basis for the energy savings analyses and the other consumer analyses included in this SNOPR. The analysis is based upon RECS field data from multiple regions. It also takes into account different microwave oven usage patterns in different households as well as regional variations in electricity prices.
To assess the impact of the new or modified standards on household expenses, DOE conducted LCC analyses and PBP analyses to estimate the cost over time of purchasing and using a micro-wave oven at various levels of efficiency. The LCC and PBP calculations are based on an algorithm for computer models that employs a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainties and variations into the analysis.
This SNOPR includes an analysis of the impact of the new or amended standards on the national scale based on the NIA spreadsheet. The NIA model calculates the industry net present value (INPV) in terms of energy saving from potential amended or a new standard in the form savings on energy consumption at the site and FFC savings.