Shopping Guide: Built-in Microwaves
Tired of staring at a big metal box, but can’t live without the conveniences your microwave affords? Perhaps it’s time you considered upgrading to a built-in microwave that tucks neatly into a wall or cabinet. Manufacturers across the board have recently unveiled a variety of new builtin models. Here’s what you need to know to find the model that’s right for you.
Just the Facts
Like countertop or undermount microwave ovens, built-ins get their power from a standard 120-volt outlet. The difference is in the way they are installed. Many (but not all) countertop models can be installed as a built-in with the additional purchase of a trim kit. The appliance is “framed” with strips of metal designed to conceal the gaps between the body of the cabinet and the body of the microwave, leaving only the face of the appliance visible. Other models recess fully into a cabinet or wall opening. Because there are no gaps between the appliance and the cabinet, there’s no trim kit required. And it’s this second option that’s been catching on of late, with such manufacturers as Electrolux and Sharp debuting sleek, streamlined 24- and 30-inch-wide units that function like drawers. “Ergonomically they’re easier to use. Because the drawer slides out, you don’t have to bend down below the counter to remove dishes or check on food,” says Brett Hunt, marketing manager for Dacor, a California-based appliance manufacturer. The 24-inch variety easily retrofits into existing cabinetry; 30-inch models require new cabinets or some cabinetry reconfiguration. One thing to note is that unlike integrated dishwashers, microwave drawers will not be flush to the cabinetry: The drawer will stick out slightly from the face of the cabinet.
Power and Capacity
Power and capacity are two factors that will not only impact cost but also the oven’s ability to help you prepare meals in a timely, efficient manner.
Power is measured in watts. As a general rule, the larger the number, the faster the oven. Entry-level built-ins—countertop models with trim kits—operate on 800 to 1,000 watts. Mid-size models up the power to 1,000 watts. High-end units go a step further, increasing outputs to 1,200 watts. That said, wattage must be matched to oven cavity size in order for the power to be effective, notes John Hines, senior product development manager at Whirlpool appliances. For example, he says, higher wattage in a small cavity (1,000 watts in a .8 cubic-foot oven) will produce overcooked food just as a low wattage in a large cavity (500 watts in a 1.4 cubic-foot oven) will result in undercooking.
Capacity, which is calculated in cubic feet, is important because it determines what will fit in the oven. Small built-ins typically have capacities around 1 cubic-foot. Size typically increases by .5 cubic feet; the largest built-ins top out around 2 cubic feet, a size that can easily accommodate a 10-inch square baking dish. To be sure you get the right size, Dee David, a Falls Church, Virginia– based kitchen designer, suggests bringing your largest cooking dish to the store. “Place it inside the models you’re considering to make sure it fits,” she says.
Bells and Whistles
Features and extras like one-touch buttons with preprogrammed times and power settings for making popcorn, defrosting frozen foods or cooking things like baked potatoes help distinguish one model from another. Generally, the more you spend, the more features your microwave will have. But be realistic when making your selections, says David. “If you’re going to use preprogrammed recipe settings, for example, then it’s worth buying a model that has them.” If you’re mainly going to be making popcorn and reheating leftovers, you may want to think about spending the extra money for something else.
If you do use your microwave to cook full meals, two features that may be worth a splurge (they’re currently only found on models costing upwards of $700) are speed and convection cooking modes. Speed cooking further reduces cooking time, often by half. (So a dish that would take 30 minutes to cook in a conventional oven is done in 15 minutes.) It does this using a combination of microwaves and heat from halogen bulbs. Convection cooking modes ensure foods come out browned and crispy rather than soggy, long a common complaint about microwave cooking, says Hines.
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