Whirlpool has a new squishy microwave. It is a cute little 1.1 cf over the range unit.
New Whirlpool MHC
- Thread starter jkbff
- Start date
Help Support :
whatsername
Well-known member
I like it. Always hated when people would update their appliances and put a microhood where a cheap vent hood had been before. Way too close to the top of the range and looks like a complete lack of planning.
Unfortunately those same idiots will probably balk at the price of this unit--$569 MSRP. I would presume that the high cost is in part due to three separate control panels (left/light and fan controls, inner/main controls, right/start and stop).
Unfortunately those same idiots will probably balk at the price of this unit--$569 MSRP. I would presume that the high cost is in part due to three separate control panels (left/light and fan controls, inner/main controls, right/start and stop).
An idiot here.....
.....that did what you hate, "whatsername" BUT I was smart enough to get a "sunken" cooktop (the ONLY one I could find at the time other than the one like this with built-in downdraft venting) so that the microwave would not be too close to the cooktop. This was installed in 1989. That new "squishy" microwave would be perfect if only it were not that horrible stainless steel finish. I like black.[this post was last edited: 3/13/2018-21:57]
.....that did what you hate, "whatsername" BUT I was smart enough to get a "sunken" cooktop (the ONLY one I could find at the time other than the one like this with built-in downdraft venting) so that the microwave would not be too close to the cooktop. This was installed in 1989. That new "squishy" microwave would be perfect if only it were not that horrible stainless steel finish. I like black.[this post was last edited: 3/13/2018-21:57]
Friggin' brilliant! Solves all my issues. (except the needed $600)
If I had absolutely no other earthly option than a MHC, this is the one. The size is brilliant, although it might be a long reach for those shorter-stature cooks. If it does well, perhaps WP will make a "base model" without all the frills (and electric door). The price isn't out of line for a high-end appliance as they'll likely sell for below MSRP anyway.
My sister's old kitchen had the countertop lowered to 32" in the cooktop area. It wasn't to clear a hood, though - they didn't have one.
vacerator
Well-known member
How much?
I think $600 is steep for a microvent, unless it's an Advantium.
You can get a full size 1,000 watt with sensor cooking for around $400, in a stainless, or titanium color tone. Most of them aren't any more powerful today.
GE's, etc. are all made by and with the same components as LG's. Korean design, China assembly now.
Mine was about $300 in 2011.
My old 1996 made in Korea GE profile with temp. probe and all the whistles still worked fine when we remodeled. I used the probe once or twice until 2011. The reminder time alarm was nice. I do miss that.
I used the money saved in the budget for a dual fuel convection range.
I think $600 is steep for a microvent, unless it's an Advantium.
You can get a full size 1,000 watt with sensor cooking for around $400, in a stainless, or titanium color tone. Most of them aren't any more powerful today.
GE's, etc. are all made by and with the same components as LG's. Korean design, China assembly now.
Mine was about $300 in 2011.
My old 1996 made in Korea GE profile with temp. probe and all the whistles still worked fine when we remodeled. I used the probe once or twice until 2011. The reminder time alarm was nice. I do miss that.
I used the money saved in the budget for a dual fuel convection range.
vacerator
Well-known member
philco-bendix,
hey, if they still work, don't fix them. Nice and well kept also. Roper made cook top, GE made Kenmore oven, micro.
hey, if they still work, don't fix them. Nice and well kept also. Roper made cook top, GE made Kenmore oven, micro.
Wow someone was thinking about kitchens not designed for a microwave over the range finally. I have a full size OTR microwave and it really limits the clearance over the stove to the point it is annoying. I have one large stock pot for brewing that won't fit under the microwave. I'd really need about 6" cut out of the cabinets to make it work.
I think I'm over the idea of an OTR microwave though. The vent function on this one is worthless, noisy and seems like it doesn't move any air. They get messy too and are annoying to clean. I've been looking for a good hood to replace it with...
I think I'm over the idea of an OTR microwave though. The vent function on this one is worthless, noisy and seems like it doesn't move any air. They get messy too and are annoying to clean. I've been looking for a good hood to replace it with...
Home Depot
Web lists this black version for under $400
lawrence
Web lists this black version for under $400
lawrence
vacerator
Well-known member
One issue with stock
and some semi-custom cabinetry is that they are designed to be higher above the cook top than say 90's sizes. If remodeling, you can lower the cabinet above the range, which also requires side crown moldings because cabinets are at different heights. If you have a soffit between the cabinet tops and ceiling, it is not possible. Using this new size oven will make the reach in height much higher.
Not very ergonomic for heavy hot items or the elderly.
Of course, a Sharp drawer microwave unit, or a counter top type is more suited to persons with mobility or sight issues.
and some semi-custom cabinetry is that they are designed to be higher above the cook top than say 90's sizes. If remodeling, you can lower the cabinet above the range, which also requires side crown moldings because cabinets are at different heights. If you have a soffit between the cabinet tops and ceiling, it is not possible. Using this new size oven will make the reach in height much higher.
Not very ergonomic for heavy hot items or the elderly.
Of course, a Sharp drawer microwave unit, or a counter top type is more suited to persons with mobility or sight issues.
more suited to persons with mobility or sight issues
THAT'S ME!!!!!! It took me quite a while to overcome my partner's affinity to absolutely having to have an OTR cuz that's what's in his kitchen. I use mine. It's not a beverage warmer or frozen veggie cooker. It's dangerous to try and lift heavy things out of there over my head.
THAT'S ME!!!!!! It took me quite a while to overcome my partner's affinity to absolutely having to have an OTR cuz that's what's in his kitchen. I use mine. It's not a beverage warmer or frozen veggie cooker. It's dangerous to try and lift heavy things out of there over my head.
Wouldn't consider it
after my Aunt Doris told me about one of her friends being badly burned when removing a pot of soup or stew from her OTR microwave.
Not sure I understand Vacerator's comment about cabinet heights. Wall cabinets come in standard heights ranging from 12" to 42" in 3" increments. This has been common since the 30s. In addition, nearly any cabinet of decent quality can be ordered modified in increments of 1/4".
I plan to put my MW at counter height or slightly below, in a cabinet designed for one.
after my Aunt Doris told me about one of her friends being badly burned when removing a pot of soup or stew from her OTR microwave.
Not sure I understand Vacerator's comment about cabinet heights. Wall cabinets come in standard heights ranging from 12" to 42" in 3" increments. This has been common since the 30s. In addition, nearly any cabinet of decent quality can be ordered modified in increments of 1/4".
I plan to put my MW at counter height or slightly below, in a cabinet designed for one.
vacerator
Well-known member
Re; cabinet sizes:
When we ordered our all cherry cabinets in 2011, there were two height sizes available for over a refrigerator, or range hood vent. The larger would have been too tall for above the range, unless mounted closer to the ceiling. We didn't want stepped cabinet heights, so we got the smaller size. Now our microwave is two inches higher than our old one was with the former oak kitchen. They were NKBA certified, mid grade cabinets, with vinyl veneer end facings.
Our new ones are made for Thomasville by Masterbrand, in Indiana, and Illinois.
We mounted the new cabinets the same level above the counters as the old ones were.
A neighbor has older similar cabinets as we did. They replaced their standard vent hood with a microwave recently. Now when they use their gas oven which has it's vent on top, the fan in the microwave runs all the time on it's own.
That means it is too low over the range. Maybe the microwave sizes are taller?
When we ordered our all cherry cabinets in 2011, there were two height sizes available for over a refrigerator, or range hood vent. The larger would have been too tall for above the range, unless mounted closer to the ceiling. We didn't want stepped cabinet heights, so we got the smaller size. Now our microwave is two inches higher than our old one was with the former oak kitchen. They were NKBA certified, mid grade cabinets, with vinyl veneer end facings.
Our new ones are made for Thomasville by Masterbrand, in Indiana, and Illinois.
We mounted the new cabinets the same level above the counters as the old ones were.
A neighbor has older similar cabinets as we did. They replaced their standard vent hood with a microwave recently. Now when they use their gas oven which has it's vent on top, the fan in the microwave runs all the time on it's own.
That means it is too low over the range. Maybe the microwave sizes are taller?
This is great product. There appear to be two versions WML55011HW and ML75011HW, I can't tell what the difference is besides the first one being $40 cheaper.
I could only see paying $360 for this if it was made well enough to last at least 10 years. And there's no way to know.
I've only used cheap microwaves in my adult life. I think my first one lasted six years, some after that considerably less.
The $60 Kenmore I'm now using is a great little unit, maybe my favorite one so far. It's four years old, still OK mechanically but the interior is rusting out in several places.
<h1 class="product-model"> </h1>
I could only see paying $360 for this if it was made well enough to last at least 10 years. And there's no way to know.
I've only used cheap microwaves in my adult life. I think my first one lasted six years, some after that considerably less.
The $60 Kenmore I'm now using is a great little unit, maybe my favorite one so far. It's four years old, still OK mechanically but the interior is rusting out in several places.
<h1 class="product-model"> </h1>
magic_clean
Well-known member
The difference
between the two models; the higher priced model adds:
*4th exhaust fan speed
*sensor cooking
*non-stick interior
*LED lighting
between the two models; the higher priced model adds:
*4th exhaust fan speed
*sensor cooking
*non-stick interior
*LED lighting
I'd certainly opt for the non-stick interior. My previous MRH had that and it was great. My current one is stainless steel interior and it's harder to clean. Especially if I use the convection option, bakes on any food that did not get wiped out prior to use.
That only thing that is a no go for me with this unit is its' depth, 18" is WAY WAY too deep. In fact I modified my wall above the range to inset the standard OTR unit, I did not want it sticking out 3 inches.
That only thing that is a no go for me with this unit is its' depth, 18" is WAY WAY too deep. In fact I modified my wall above the range to inset the standard OTR unit, I did not want it sticking out 3 inches.
The main objective is to give people a microwave option with a hood still.
Most people use the front two burners the most on their range so they brought the depth out to expand the coverage area.
Most people use the front two burners the most on their range so they brought the depth out to expand the coverage area.
