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Built-In Microwave Ovens

Though less common than countertop microwaves, built-in microwave ovens bring efficiency and convenience to your kitchen without reducing valuable counter space. The trick, of course, is finding or creating a space where your built-in microwave oven will be both accessible and unobtrusive. And if cupboard or wall space is lacking, your kitchen drawers might hold the solution.

The best built-in microwave ovens

The built-in microwaves on the market vary significantly in price, size, and power. Before you go microwave shopping, you should have an idea of which features are essential as well as the size limits you have to work with. A smaller microwave can be supported with a frame, but a built-in microwave that's too large will present problems.

The following built-in microwaves are some of the best in their categories:

• Low price, smaller size

  In this category, the Sharp R-1210 built-in microwave is a good buy. It measures 1.5 cubic feet rather than the standard two, and does not require a built-in kit or shelf for installation. It's a simple, reliable, no frills, built-in microwave oven that operates at 1,100 watts and comes with a turntable and a sensor technology for 11 of the most frequently microwaved foods, all for under $300.

• Mid price, large size

  There are fewer options in this range, but the Bosch HMB402/HMB406 built-in microwave oven provides excellent size and power for slightly under $400. Its 2.1 cubic feet of space is a lot larger than the Sharp, and it cooks with 1,100 watts and comes with such features as a child lockout and 10 different power levels.

• High price, high power

  A lot of the higher priced built-in microwave ovens on the market don't give you enough extra power or features to justify the cost. Not so with the Whirlpool GH7208XRS stainless steel oven. This convection/microwave oven sells for under $900, and for that you get 2 cubic feet of cooking space, 1,200 watts cooking power, 1,500 watts grilling and convection power, staged cooking, steam cooking, and grill and broil racks among a host of other features.

• Built-in microwave drawer

  Built-in microwave drawers are gaining popularity as a solution to the lack of kitchen cupboard space. The Sharp Pro Microwave Drawer is advertised as the world's first stand-alone microwave drawer. A push button slides the microwave drawer open, and it has a capacity of 1.0 cubic foot with 1,000 watts of cooking power. This built-in microwave drawer uses front-mounted glass touch controls and has a control lock for extra safety.