Over-the-range microwaves need to be built specifically for that location, but regular built-in microwaves don’t need additional fans and vents added to them. This setup gives you a safer, superior ventilation system, as well as taking up no counter space. Instead, a built-in microwave will occupy other cabinet or wall space elsewhere in the kitchen. Get a built-in microwave and a hoodĪ built-in microwave won’t sit above your oven, meaning that the range hood will stay put and act as your kitchen’s ventilation system. People with smaller kitchens probably won’t have enough space for a built-in microwave. They allow you to save counter space and keep the range hood as your ventilation system.ĭespite these benefits, a larger kitchen space is needed to accommodate having both a range hood and built-in microwave. Instead, built-in microwaves can be placed on an island or mounted on a wall or cabinet. It is great for large families and for the LEDs that do a great job of illuminating the cooktop.īuilt-in microwaves are similar to over-the-range microwaves, except that they don’t sit above the oven, and they do not replace a range hood. The FRIGIDAIRE FGMV17WNVF Over The Range Microwave Oven is one of the best available, thanks to its large size, 1,000-watt capacity and the number of presets and sensors it has. Best over-the-range microwaves Top over-the-range microwave Despite this setback, over-the-range microwaves have been very trendy during the last few decades, and many people like the dual functionality they offer.
However, it is worth noting that the average range hood vents air at an average of 400 to 500 cubic feet per minute, while the average over-the-range oven vents at around 300 CFM. The bottom of the microwave contains a fan and ventilation system that allows you to recycle stale kitchen air with fresh air from outside.
#Microwave over the range pro
The other big pro to an over-the-range microwave is that it acts as both a microwave and a vent. The over-the-range microwave oven takes up zero space on the counter and sits right above the oven, dedicating just a single portion of your kitchen to necessary cooking appliances. People who love to cook and acquire a number of appliances know just how valuable kitchen real estate can be.
#Microwave over the range free
The biggest pro to getting an over-the-range microwave is that you free up counter space in the kitchen. Over-the-range microwaves do not ventilate as well as a traditional range hood, but some microwaves like the Sharp 1.6 Cubic Feet 1000W Over-the-Range Microwave Oven have ventilation speed settings that attempt to make up for the deficit. The microwave has a built-in fan and ventilation system in the bottom of the unit that blows the old kitchen air outside then cycles in clean air. This is typically where the range hood is located, but an over-the-range microwave replaces the range hood and acts as a vent and air filtration system. Over-the-range microwaves are installed in cabinet space above the kitchen oven. Both options come with pros and cons, and factors like the size of the kitchen and quality of the ventilation system will decide which option is better for you. Two popular options are over-the-range microwaves, which are installed above the stove, and built-in microwaves, which are built into a cabinet, wall or island and remain completely separate from the oven. Built-in microwaves were created to get around using up valuable counter space on a microwave. Despite all the benefits of owning a microwave, they do take up a lot of space. They are great for cooking instant meals, defrosting frozen dishes and reheating beverages.
Microwaves have become a necessity in most modern-day kitchens. Are over-the-range or built-in microwaves better? Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated.