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Over The Range Microwave Ovens

Most microwave ovens sold today are countertop microwaves, but an increasing number of larger microwave ovens are being sold. Over-the-range microwave ovens account for about 15% of the microwave market, and are large and powerful enough to cook meals for an entire family. If you're considering an over the range microwave for your home, these are the facts you should know.

Home, Over the Range

The advantages of an over the range microwave oven are size and power. Many over the range microwaves are 2.2 cubic feet or larger with a power capacity of 1,000 to 1,200 watts. That means larger meals in less time. If you do a lot of entertaining or have a large family you cook for regularly, an over the range oven will likely be extremely useful.

Installation and venting

Installation and venting are the primary challenges of owning an over the range microwave. The cost and inconvenience of installation is a deterrent for some families, which is why over the range microwaves are most often purchased by people who are remodeling a kitchen, building a new home, or looking to replace an old above the range oven.

Over the range microwave ovens are installed under the hood of a conventional oven, replacing the built-in range lights and fans. This can result in less efficient smoke and steam removal, because unlike a hood and blower ventilation system, an over the range microwave doesn't extend over the front burners.

Over the range microwaves use a fan to ventilate themselves and the range. The microwave may recirculate kitchen air or vent to the outside. Inside ventilation requires a charcoal filter.

Before purchasing an over the range microwave, you should also be aware that airflow and smoke removal are not the same thing. A manufacturer may promote the cubic feet per minute air exhaustion, but a range hood is almost always superior to an over the range microwave in smoke and steam removal.