Over-the-Range Microwave Review

Microwave ovens are putting other appliances to shame these days as they continually get more compact and more powerful, overtaking the duties of other equipment and doing a lot of the work of meal preparation for you.

Over-the-range microwave oven hood combinations are the best example. They are installed over your stovetop and perform the job of the former resident, the oven hood, while also cooking, reheating and much more, all without taking any counter space.

Over-the-Range Microwaves: What to Look For

By their very nature these units are pretty impressive. The microwave oven part of the appliance prepares food without much input from the consumer as humidity sensors instruct the machine to shorten or lengthen cook times and temperatures. Also, when the microwave hood part of this equipment senses polluted air coming from the stovetop, many ventilation fans start automatically. The best of these over-the-range microwave ovens – the Whirlpool WMH2175XVS, Sharp R-1874 and GE PNM1871SMSS – offer great features at a fair price. We think you will be surprised at how much they can simplify your life.

We looked at reasonably-priced over-the-range microwaves – neither the most expensive nor the least. This class of microwave can be priced anywhere from $200 to well over $1,000, and the upper range can, in many cases, be justified because of the amazing capabilities of some machines. Many over-the-range microwave oven models are designed to make you forget all about your oven and stovetop as they bake cakes, steam vegetables, and reheat or cook virtually anything. The best of the microwave reviews focus more on the moderate products, which also offer some pretty great features, but do so without causing major stress in most budgets. We looked at microwave ovens that will do the traditional duties of a microwave, and do them well, while adding a great ventilation system for your stovetop. Take a look at our Learning Center for even more information and articles on over-the-range microwave ovens.

Microwave Features
Most modern microwave ovens offer sensor cooking in one form or another. This means the appliance can sense whether food is cooking properly and make temperature adjustments to finish the job. Many over-the-range microwaves include a shelf and generous capacity that allows users to reheat a collection of plates at the same time. If leftovers are on the menu for your family, you won’t have to form a line. You can all come to the table at the same time. Some over-the-range microwave ovens allow you to delay start times and lock the controls so children cannot change settings. We looked for advanced features like that, but we also checked for more common items like turntables, cavity lights and a wide selection of power levels.

Vent Features
The best range microwave oven hoods offer quality vent functions in addition to quality microwave features. If you are going to have a combination appliance take the place of the traditional oven hood, you will want one that does the job of the former occupant well. A wimpy fan to handle stovetop odors will make you wish you had chosen a mere microwave instead of an over-the-range microwave and fan combination unit. A quality vent will offer multiple fan speeds, a grease filter and a charcoal filter that are easy to clean or replace. Throwing in a cooktop light is also fairly standard and very useful.

Design
The stovetop, oven and the microwave you place above them really take center stage in your kitchen’s décor. We like the units that come in a variety of colors and feature attractive designs. Certain design elements, like multi-colored displays, can also add to functionality. We also looked for over-the-range microwaves that hid the vents – or at least made them look sleek and attractive.

Help & Support
As with any product, we looked for a manufacturer that will stand behind the over-the-range microwave oven in question with solid warranties and customer service. Shoppers will purchase their microwave from a wide variety of sources, and it is very unlikely to be the manufacturer itself, but if there is any sign of trouble, or even a question, the original maker should be a great source of information and help – through its website, customer service representatives and warranties.

An over-the-range microwave oven can save you time, counter space and trouble by taking on the job of two appliances. The ones that do both jobs the best will offer solid features across the board and look gorgeous in your kitchen.

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