Over the Range Micowave

[Chetlaham]

What is the best over the range Microwave? If you had to buy one, what would you get? Mine needs repair and I am thinking of replacing the whole thing. Its already 12 years old, and its nasty on the inside. BTW, Combo52 was right, Over the range units are awful in the long run. My previous Condo had a vent hood and a micro on the counter. The whole setup was a lot more convenient. And there was no nasty water condensation and dripping while boiling water. Yes use the fan on my micro, but also hate how loud it is. The hood was quieter.

 

[appnut]

You aren't willing to have a counter top micro again and use a regular hood like your previous condo?

 

[Chetlaham]

I would certainly consider it.

My concern being how the hood will fit where a micro previously stood. I've never done a conversion before.

 

[appnut]

Consider the opposite, several OTR Microwaves are designed to fit where a hood had been.  This was a marketing ploy when OTRs first came out.  Free up counter space with an OTR. 

 

[fan-of-fans]

I agree, would probably go with a regular hood if you otherwise have space for a microwave.

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[appnut]

I just remembered when my partner remodeled his kitchen about 10 or 11 years ago, he replaced the standard vent hood with an OTR. 

 

[Chetlaham]

I could do that, but what about the bracket? Won't holes be visible when the hood goes in.

 

[vacerator]

I think most

are about the same quality. 800 to 1,100 watts, no more powerful. Made in China now by LG or Samsung. LG makes them for GE.
300 to 400 cfm or so. some are three speed, some 4. Some have one work light bulb, some two, some Led.

 

[countryguy]

Whirlpool has a new slimmer OTR microwave model, 400 cfm fan, 900 watts.

Gary

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[Chetlaham]

Thanks

who makes Whirlpool?

 

[48bencix]

Advantium

How about a GE Advantium. Cook and brown probably could do a lot of cooking with this.

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products.geappliances.com

 

[Chetlaham]

Advantium

I will certainly consider that.

 

[tolivac]

I have the GE Advantium and LOVE it!!!One of the best cooking machines out there!You can use it as a microwave,speed oven,or a forced air convection oven.Mine is the over the range version.the vent blower in it works well.My Advantium "grills" steaks BETTER than my grill-and easier and faster to use.Just use the grill pan that comes with it.

 

[tolivac]

The Advantium link doesn't work.Shows page not found.

 

[cuffs054]

The WP low rise has been around a couple of months. I thought it might be just what I wanted until I saw one installed. It is supposed to install at the same height as the normal MW door, Which means that there will be a gap over it to the bottom of the  upper cabinet. The one I saw looked funny with the gap but my trusty Sears guy raised it up and then it would be uncomfortable for my short ass to use it safely. Bottom line is you would have to rework the cabinets.

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www.automaticwasher.org

 

[thomasortega]

Cleaning the hood or OTR microwave is always a PITA and if you leave it dirty, they can cause fires.

Thinking of that and also the layout and limitation si have in my kitchend (rented apartment) I seriously considered the Whirlpool slim OTR, but when i saw the price i decided to go with a BOL hood (I don't remember if it was Broan or Nutone, Whatever crap, just to satisfy the landlord.

Of course I'll always clean it, but if it gets too dirty, as it was a cheap crap, I won't have a stroke If i just need to replace it.

 

[tolivac]

I have had no problem cleaning my Advantium-and the new one I have replaced an Advantium OVR that lasted over 15 years!

 

[mattl]

A few years ago when I was doing an up-scale flip house I put in what I think was the best all around OTR microwave- it was a Maytag 5 in 1 iirc.  It was 1- obviously a microwave, 2- convection oven- 3- broiler 4 combination microwave/convection, 5- combination micro/broiler.  Basically it covered all the bases.

 

My previous OTR unit had a grill option, and I used it a fair amount.  My current OTR is a convection combination, I've been using the convection a bit more lately.  I can't say I've come across any OTR that have all the functions the Maytag did, but the Advantium may be close.  In doing some research on them a year or so ago I found that the 220V version was the best performer, many said the 110v version was a bit lacking.  I have no experience with the 220v version so I can't comment, but I have used the 110v version and it did work quite well.

 

As to fire hazards I can't possibly imagine how dirty a hood or OTR would have to be to present ANY risk of fire- that is just an odd comment.

 

[thomasortega]

Yes, to become a fire hazar they must be REALLY dirty.

Most people here at AWO, as we "know" appliances and most of all are "talented" housekeepers will never have any issue (but truth be said, cleaning a hood or the bottom of a OTR microwave is not the favorite task in the kitchen).

However, there are people and people. By consumer service experience, i had to deal dozens of times with customers that had kitchen fires or "incidents" BECAUSE they never cleaned the hood.

Some people have nasty cooking habits and they believe that if the hood or the OTR MW fan is on, 100% of the grease will be sucked and blown 50 miles away from the kitchen without leaving any residue.

Just like those peole that never clean the dryer vent duct and when we tell them do do so they say: "- I don't need to do that because my dryer has a lint filter and I clean it once every 1000 laods. the manufacturer exaggerates and puts a giant tag asking to clean the filter before each load, but that's a hassle, we're in 2018, not in 1960's anymore. Applainces are modern now"