Over The Range Microwave Suggestions
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arbilab
Well-known member
Like standalones, they don't require venting. Most over-ranges include a light and fan that exhausts back into the room which is useful for dissipating steam but little else.
In the past 5 years I have had 2 in this apartment, a 1985 GE and a 2001 Whirlpool. The GE was straightforward while the Whirlpool (I suspect really a LG) was cluttered with useless buttons and clumsy firmware.
When I move out the end of March I will take my 1982 GE standalone with me. I will slightly miss the Whirlpool's higher power and rotating tray but NOT its control interface. There's an adjacent thread about a new LG failing 5 times in the first 4 months, so sure can't recommend Whirlpool. And I don't know who makes GEs these days. What does that leave, Panasonic?
In the past 5 years I have had 2 in this apartment, a 1985 GE and a 2001 Whirlpool. The GE was straightforward while the Whirlpool (I suspect really a LG) was cluttered with useless buttons and clumsy firmware.
When I move out the end of March I will take my 1982 GE standalone with me. I will slightly miss the Whirlpool's higher power and rotating tray but NOT its control interface. There's an adjacent thread about a new LG failing 5 times in the first 4 months, so sure can't recommend Whirlpool. And I don't know who makes GEs these days. What does that leave, Panasonic?
mrb627
Well-known member
Micro-Hood
I have been looking at them as well. Been thinking about a complete kitchen appliance change out. I currently have a Kenmore Elite O-T-R microwave. Its best feature is the [SURE SIMMER] button. I use it all the time for making tea and warming soups.
As a replacement, I like the GE Advantium as it can also double as a regular oven, when needed. Multi-purpose is a good thing.
Malcolm
I have been looking at them as well. Been thinking about a complete kitchen appliance change out. I currently have a Kenmore Elite O-T-R microwave. Its best feature is the [SURE SIMMER] button. I use it all the time for making tea and warming soups.
As a replacement, I like the GE Advantium as it can also double as a regular oven, when needed. Multi-purpose is a good thing.
Malcolm
Best OTR Microwaves
In a word DON"T, this is an inferior way to have a MWO in the kitchen and worse as a range hood and even a source of light for cooking they are seldom anything approaching even good. This appliance tends to be short lived expensive [ for what you get ] and when it brakes you usally have to remove the whole thing to make most repairs. OTR MWs have continually been cheapened and cheapened and about the only good thing is that one person can now install and remove them as the weight is now under 50 lbs.
They tend to have a shorter life over gas ranges and a short life in general if you do much serious cooking on the range below. They are also a frequent source of kitchen-home fires both from cook-top fires spreading to the MW and more and more from the MW itself catching on fire, in some fires when the MW was not even put into use.
All that said buy any one that suits your budget and fancy, We work on and replace hundreds of these every year and I who [ have opinions about many things, LOL ] cannot tell that there is any clear advantage in buying any brand over another. About the only problem we have in trying to repair this appliance is getting parts if needed so buying a brand that has good parts distribution may turn out to be a plus.
In a word DON"T, this is an inferior way to have a MWO in the kitchen and worse as a range hood and even a source of light for cooking they are seldom anything approaching even good. This appliance tends to be short lived expensive [ for what you get ] and when it brakes you usally have to remove the whole thing to make most repairs. OTR MWs have continually been cheapened and cheapened and about the only good thing is that one person can now install and remove them as the weight is now under 50 lbs.
They tend to have a shorter life over gas ranges and a short life in general if you do much serious cooking on the range below. They are also a frequent source of kitchen-home fires both from cook-top fires spreading to the MW and more and more from the MW itself catching on fire, in some fires when the MW was not even put into use.
All that said buy any one that suits your budget and fancy, We work on and replace hundreds of these every year and I who [ have opinions about many things, LOL ] cannot tell that there is any clear advantage in buying any brand over another. About the only problem we have in trying to repair this appliance is getting parts if needed so buying a brand that has good parts distribution may turn out to be a plus.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Build a Shelf...
....Over the stove and use it to hold a vintage Radarange.
....Over the stove and use it to hold a vintage Radarange.
I agree with John-
If you can have a counter top microwave, do so.
None of the OTR microwaves I have used in friends' kitchens have been that impressive.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
If you can have a counter top microwave, do so.
None of the OTR microwaves I have used in friends' kitchens have been that impressive.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
It sounds like you already have a OTR NW so want a replacement. If all you want is to defrost and warm things a good one that is less expensive is the Magic Chef at Home Depot. They are under $200.00 in white to blck to stainless. Only thing with them is they do not have off switch for the turntables. Look for any that are the basic lower priced MW.
I have to agree with John. When I remodeled my home kitchen back in 2001, I had a Whirlpool OTR microwave installed. It actually is vented to exhaust out of the house. The microwave works fine - I don't use it much.
But it doesn't vent well, event though it blows up through a duct and outside. Much of the venting still comes through the grate on the unit over the microwave, and so it is always covered with a film of grease, etc. requiring frequent cleaning that is difficult.
If I ever find a nice vintage exhaust hood in white, I'll remove this unit. I can put a small microwave elsewhere, I'd much rather have a good vent and light over the range.
That's my two-cents.
But it doesn't vent well, event though it blows up through a duct and outside. Much of the venting still comes through the grate on the unit over the microwave, and so it is always covered with a film of grease, etc. requiring frequent cleaning that is difficult.
If I ever find a nice vintage exhaust hood in white, I'll remove this unit. I can put a small microwave elsewhere, I'd much rather have a good vent and light over the range.
That's my two-cents.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Alternate Suggestion:
It would, of course, be possible to replace the OTR microwave with a good-quality vent hood, which would pay dividends in both fume extraction and safety - a lot of OTR microwaves are of horrible quality and aren't particularly safe.
But that leaves the question of the microwave - what to do with it besides leaving it on a counter?
One possibility is the custom built-in trim kits produced by Micro Trim, Inc. This company makes trim kits for any microwave, old or new, in a variety of finishes. They can also make filler kits to make a 24-inch wall oven fit a 27-inch space. Their finish selection makes it possible to match pretty much any microwave's finish.
This means that an in-cabinet installation is possible for any microwave, getting the unit up off the counter. It also means that a clean, built-in look is achievable even if you have, say, a vintage Radarange.
You're the only one who can say if this option has any bearing on your situation, but I thought I'd mention it. Not many people know about Micro Trim.
P.S.: They make filler kits for cooktops and slide-in ranges, too - so if you're thinking about an odd-size vintage unit, this is The Source. Here's a linky:
www.microtrim.com
It would, of course, be possible to replace the OTR microwave with a good-quality vent hood, which would pay dividends in both fume extraction and safety - a lot of OTR microwaves are of horrible quality and aren't particularly safe.
But that leaves the question of the microwave - what to do with it besides leaving it on a counter?
One possibility is the custom built-in trim kits produced by Micro Trim, Inc. This company makes trim kits for any microwave, old or new, in a variety of finishes. They can also make filler kits to make a 24-inch wall oven fit a 27-inch space. Their finish selection makes it possible to match pretty much any microwave's finish.
This means that an in-cabinet installation is possible for any microwave, getting the unit up off the counter. It also means that a clean, built-in look is achievable even if you have, say, a vintage Radarange.
You're the only one who can say if this option has any bearing on your situation, but I thought I'd mention it. Not many people know about Micro Trim.
P.S.: They make filler kits for cooktops and slide-in ranges, too - so if you're thinking about an odd-size vintage unit, this is The Source. Here's a linky:
Home - Micro Trim
Custom trim or fill kits for Microwaves, cooktops, wall ovens, ranges, fridges, coffee makers, and more. Call (800) 338-8746 today!
www.microtrim.com
A leading consumer reporting magazine has only two recommended models also the only two that scored excellent for venting
Kenmore Elite 8852(2) $550 scored 80
Panasonic Genius Prestige NN-SD297(SR) $430 scored 73
Kenmore Elite 8852(2) $550 scored 80
Panasonic Genius Prestige NN-SD297(SR) $430 scored 73
Second the motion to get a good vent hood and a separate microwave...together they never work really well.
Well I disagree with all the comments against OTR units. I've had and used the for 25+ years and have had no issues, and the units I've had performed very well. I've use countertop units and feel the OTR is the same and in some cases better than t he countertop version. My two units were both at or near tol units, and do everything well.
I'd avoid the Advantium, my cousin has one and I used it quite a bit when I stayed there, it was just plain slow. Things that took 1-2minutes at home took almost double that in her unit. The browning option was poor compared to that of my wp at home. I wish my unit did function as a small oven, but the grill option does do a very good job.
I have a GE three in one sitting in my basement, I'd use it but its white, I need stainless or black, but I compared it to my current oven and it times out about the same. I put a maytag 4in one in a house I redid and if I was in the market that is the unit I would buy.
I'd avoid the Advantium, my cousin has one and I used it quite a bit when I stayed there, it was just plain slow. Things that took 1-2minutes at home took almost double that in her unit. The browning option was poor compared to that of my wp at home. I wish my unit did function as a small oven, but the grill option does do a very good job.
I have a GE three in one sitting in my basement, I'd use it but its white, I need stainless or black, but I compared it to my current oven and it times out about the same. I put a maytag 4in one in a house I redid and if I was in the market that is the unit I would buy.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Advantium:
If you want to know what someone really knowledgeable thought of the Advantium, Google "advantium julia child" sometime. One of these units was Julia's last major purchase of kitchen equipment during her lifetime.
Julia could usually find something good to say about almost any piece of equipment, but this time, she was vocal about her disappointment - in a ladylike way, of course. Even with Julia's politesse, I'd be willing to bet GE wished they'd never sold it to her.
If you want to know what someone really knowledgeable thought of the Advantium, Google "advantium julia child" sometime. One of these units was Julia's last major purchase of kitchen equipment during her lifetime.
Julia could usually find something good to say about almost any piece of equipment, but this time, she was vocal about her disappointment - in a ladylike way, of course. Even with Julia's politesse, I'd be willing to bet GE wished they'd never sold it to her.
Bad spot for MW
My Aunt Doris has a friend who was badly burned when she was removing a bowl of stew or soup from hers. The container slipped and she spilled the hot liquid down the front of her.
My Aunt Doris has a friend who was badly burned when she was removing a bowl of stew or soup from hers. The container slipped and she spilled the hot liquid down the front of her.
GE Advantium Microwaves
Guys are we talking about 120 volt or 240 Advantiums, they are quite different. The AD oven was first made as a 240 volt appliance and it offered a great way to COOK many foods, this appliance should not be thought of primarily as a MW oven. The AD ovens are also made in non OTR units that are designed to build into wall cabinets.
The AD 240 oven is a 900 watt MW coupled with 6000 watts of resistance heat, it can cook some foods 8 times faster than with conventional methods and many foods better than the old slow ways.
As a great admirer of Julia Child I can certainty see this would not be a great product for someone like her, it takes some relearning to be sure and if you use a MW oven quite a bit you should also have a 1000 watt + separate MW for strictly MW needs.
Guys are we talking about 120 volt or 240 Advantiums, they are quite different. The AD oven was first made as a 240 volt appliance and it offered a great way to COOK many foods, this appliance should not be thought of primarily as a MW oven. The AD ovens are also made in non OTR units that are designed to build into wall cabinets.
The AD 240 oven is a 900 watt MW coupled with 6000 watts of resistance heat, it can cook some foods 8 times faster than with conventional methods and many foods better than the old slow ways.
As a great admirer of Julia Child I can certainty see this would not be a great product for someone like her, it takes some relearning to be sure and if you use a MW oven quite a bit you should also have a 1000 watt + separate MW for strictly MW needs.
verizonbear
Well-known member
Sharp Microwave/Convection OTR
I love my Sharp Microwave/Convection OTR, the sensor reheat and cook works perfect, the high mix/low mix combo settings give excellent results on everything I have made from a roast to apple pie. The interior is stainless and easy to keep clean, the turntable is made from pyroceran not glass. Very happy with the unit and worth every penny.
I love my Sharp Microwave/Convection OTR, the sensor reheat and cook works perfect, the high mix/low mix combo settings give excellent results on everything I have made from a roast to apple pie. The interior is stainless and easy to keep clean, the turntable is made from pyroceran not glass. Very happy with the unit and worth every penny.
