Frigidaire Over the Range Microwave, 1000-Watts

Do you rely heavily on a microwave to make your life in the kitchen a little easier? Is your current microwave taking up valuable prep space on your counters? If you’ve answered yes, then consider purchasing an over-the-range microwave to free up that countertop for other things. You can find an affordable unit with ease and be on your way to having an abundance of counter space for prepping.

To start, you might be wondering how an over the range microwave vents. Your countertop microwave usually vents out the top or sides and you must leave clearance around it to accommodate the vents. With an over the range unit, you’ll most likely have the top and sides all covered by the cabinets around it. So sometimes, with a unit that is over the range, a recirculating vent is built into the unit itself. The concept is that the vent draws the odor or moisture coming off the stove through an internal filter and blows it back out into the kitchen. It can be made of many different types of filters, but one type is a charcoal filter. These charcoal filters will need frequent replacing, between six and twelve months to keep the ventilation system working at its best. The GE 1.7 Cu. Ft. Over-The-Range Microwave even comes with a recirculating charcoal filter kit for non-vented applications. For a better ventilation system, you’ll need a contractor to create a ventilation system to the outdoors that connects to your microwave. This will help to keep all the odors from smoke and cooking at a minimum. The Panasonic Countertop/Built-In Microwave is a unit that can be interchangeable with the correct installation.

Now that you know a bit about the ventilation systems on an over the range microwave, let’s see what features you want to look for in a good unit. Julie Chernoff, a culinary expert and member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, offers a few things to consider when looking for the best. First, she recommends looking for a retail option that offers free installation, which is sometimes offered with pricier models. You’ll also want to consider size.  “Size is an important consideration with any microwave, but with an over the range model, you also have to consider height,” Chernoff says. If you are one for reheating coffee or only using the microwave for popcorn, you don’t need a huge microwave, but for reheating large casseroles, you’ll want a bit more in size and in strength. The Panasonic Microwave offers 2.2 cubic feet of space and 1250 watts for power.

One more tip from Chernoff is to find a microwave that is easy to use and has a display that is easy to read. As simple as it sounds, some microwaves are not so user-friendly. The GE JVM3160EFES and the GE JVM3160DFBB are both 30-inch over the range microwaves that are extremely straightforward for users. They feature preset buttons for common foods such as popcorn, a minute timer setting and a turntable setting. It won’t take long to figure out these microwaves.

Find a microwave with the features that matter most to you. This will give you a customized unit that will do exactly what you need it to. There are several options to go as fancy or as simple as you need when it comes to finding the best over the range microwave for your lifestyle.

• Be sure to measure your space above the range before buying your microwave unit.
• Decide what type of exhaust you want to use.
• Compare cubic feet per minute rating of the fan between different models.
• If choosing a recirculating exhaust option, learn how to change the filter.
• Make a list of the most important features before shopping to help you narrow down the units in your price range.
• If you are conscientious of the environment, check the microwave’s “green” rating.