Who knew there were so many types of built in microwave ovens? They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with a variety of features that will make you dizzy! Let’s take a look at each of these microwaves below and how they might work into your kitchen design. As a side note, please make sure to consult the manufacturer’s specifications for the optimal installation height for each as it will vary.
Built In Microwave Speed Oven
This built in microwave speed oven is the best thing you have never heard of. As the name implies, it cooks more quickly – how it does it is by adding an electrical heating element, just like you’d find in a full size electric wall oven. This appliance can be installed just above or below the counter but is not able to be installed in an upper cabinet as the flip down door gets in the way. It’s a great alternative to a full size second oven, especially when you’d like a wall oven but don’t have the space.
Built In Microwave Drawer
As you may imagine, this built in microwave drawer is best installed below the counter so you can see into the drawer from above. With a touch of s button the drawer pops open, ready to receive the goods, with another touch of the button the drawer retracts. This type of microwave is great if you tend to “reheat” more often than not. It’s also great for soups and younger children since the contents are moved in and out by the drawer, spills stay neatly contained in the drawer.
Built In Microwave In Cabinetry
This built in microwave may seem more familiar to you, it’s basically a standard microwave with special accessories (trim kit) that allow for it to be built into you kitchen cabinetry. This appliance is the most versatile in terms of placement, and be as high as an upper cabinet and does just fine below the countertop as well. Some offer convection and other means of enhancements to speed up the cooking process.
Built In Microwave Over Range
This built in microwave packs all the same features as the unit above with the addition of being mounted above the range. This is a great alternative to having a separate hood and microwave when your either tight on budget or tight on space. It can be set up to be a ventilation device or as a recirculating fan with filters. Most microwave exhaust fans are over 400 cfm which means you will be required to install make up air per NJ building codes.
Built In Microwave Above Single Oven
Last but not least in our line up is the not so obvious built in microwave. Disguised as a double wall oven, the top portion of the appliance is a microwave oven with the added benefit of convection and/or electric element just like the first unit. This appliance will need to be installed where you’d typically install a double wall oven so you will need a fair amount of wall space. It’s a great way to free up other space if you’d prefer to have a wall oven for the convenience of height but don’t need a double wall oven.
