You can maximize your kitchen counter space by switching from conventional microwave to over the range microwave. Not only that, one of the most significant advantages of the over the range microwave is its venting system. The following review will highlight the features of the best over the range microwave in 2023.
The electric chimneys are a costly investment. It’s a better approach to opt for over the range microwave to save your space and increase your kitchen air quality. The microwave comes with different cooking modes to make your cooking experience pleasant and useful.
Page Contents
- 1 The Best Over The Range Microwave for 2023 Reviews
- 1.1 1. GE JNM3163DJBB 1.6 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.2 2. Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
- 1.3 3. Black + Decker EM044KJN-P2 1.6-Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave
- 1.4 4. Frigidaire FGMV176NTD 30″ Gallery Series Over the Range Microwave
- 1.5 5. Avanti MOTR13D3S 24″ Over The Range Microwave
- 2 Editor’s Choice: The Best Over The Range Microwave
- 3 How to Install Over the Range Microwave?
- 4 How to Remove Over the Range Microwave?
- 5 Conclusion
The Best Over The Range Microwave for 2023 Reviews
If you want to learn about the top 5 best over the range microwave for 2023, read along.
1. GE JNM3163DJBB 1.6 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave
USA based GE Appliances has been in the manufacturing business since 1905. If you are looking to buy a reliable over-the-range microwave, you should go for the JNM3163DJBB Over-the-Range Microwave by GE Appliances. This 30-inches microwave is a perfect combination of sleek, modern, and efficient design.
This microwave facilitates you to operate it in either auto, defrost auto, or manual modes. It ensures an end-to-end cooking experience with its ten different levels of power. These levels allow you to cook other meals such as roasting and baking.
The stylish exterior of this over-the-range microwave makes it a perfect candidate for both household and commercial kitchens. The user-friendly touchpad gives you full access to all the details such as power levels, defrost option, timer, auto, and manual modes.
The built-in two-speed vent system makes the GE JNM3163DJBB one of the best over the range microwave. The kitchen’s air quality degrades over time, depending upon the cooktop’s daily usage and other kitchen appliances. Thanks to the 300 CFM venting system, you can remove the steam, odors, and smoke from the cooktop.
There is a dedicated button to add 30-seconds to the overall timer to make the reheating operation more seamless. You can remove solid stains like grease and other oil spatters from the microwave interior by using the charcoal filter. It’s effortless to replace the charcoal filter after some time to improve the oven’s self-cleaning efficiency.
You can cook six different types of meals, including potato and popcorn options. Not only that, you can set the ounces of the meal placed inside the microwave. You can press the cooking portions’ option once, twice, or thrice for 2, 2.5- and 3-ounces packets.
Pros:
- 1.6 cubic feet capacity
- Time and auto defrost
- Ten power levels
- Six cooking settings
- 1-year warranty
- Two fan speed settings
Cons:
- Huge size
- Not recommended for small kitchens
2. Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
Sharp has been one of the pioneers in manufacturing premium quality appliances, not just for our kitchens but for our entire households. If you have a small or medium-size kitchen, then Sharp has designed this R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave to serve your convection and microwave requirements.
The over-the-range microwave comes with a capacity of 1.1 cubic feet. This internal capacity is enough to reheat, steam, roast, and bake different meals for small and medium families. It obviously occupies less space as compared to the GE JNM3163DJBB Over-the-Range Microwave.
As the name indicates, it comes with visible options for both convection and microwave modes. You can experience even reheating of your meals on a round plate at default power settings. The bake cookies’ ability makes the Sharp R1874T 850W one of the best over the range convection microwave.
Another exciting feature of this over-the-range microwave is its three venting options. This microwave comes with vertical, horizontal, and ductless recirculation to improve the cooktop’s venting process.
You may find its operation keys relatively conventional as compared to the electronic touchpad of the GE JNM3163DJBB Over-the-Range Microwave. However, you can easily access and operate the control keys and cooking modes. The control panel comes with a total of seven smart display settings.
The Sharp R1874T provides four types of convection options to bake, crisp, broil, and brown. The stainless-steel exterior can match any kind of modern or old kitchen design. It comes with two racks to create a high- and low-level partition to simultaneously reheat two different dishes.
Pros:
- User-friendly and simple display
- Auto reheat option
- Automatic broil
- Stainless steel body
- 3-directional venting process
- Consistent reheating performance
Cons:
- Smaller interior capacity
- Loud fan
- Difficult to clean
3. Black + Decker EM044KJN-P2 1.6-Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave
Black + Decker has introduced innovation in the kitchen and household appliances by incorporating state-of-the-art technology in its products. The company aims to facilitate the consumer by converting the cooking experience into a hassle-free task. To serve this purpose, Black + Decker has introduced EM044KJN-P2 1.6-Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave with 1000 watts cooking power.
The microwave comes with ten different power levels, just like GE JNM3163DJBB 1.6 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave. You can select any cooking modes such as reheating, defrosting, or boiling depending upon your cooking requirement. There is a 30 seconds express cooking option, which reheats your dish uniformly.
The touchpad LED display is simple and understandable. The display includes a kitchen timer and a clock to plan a simple meal for dinner or lunch.
The microwave comes with a removal glass turntable. You can easily remove the glass turntable and wash it in a dishwasher. The rotation of the turntable is smooth to ensure even reheating and cooking performance.
The Black + Decker EM044KJN-P2 microwave comes with an interior incandescent light, which allows you to monitor the cooking progress. The recirculating vent system of this Black + Decker will enable you to remove odors, steam, and smoke from your kitchen.
On the downside, the microwave doesn’t come with convection or sensor cooking like the Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave. This microwave is made in China as compared to the USA-based GE over-the-range microwave. Other than that, the unbeatable technology and features like smart cooking and venting systems make it one of the best over the range microwaves.
Pros:
- Ten power levels
- Easy to operate
- Sturdy outlook
- 30-seconds quick reheating option
- Turntable
Cons:
- 1-year limited warranty
- One type of venting system
4. Frigidaire FGMV176NTD 30″ Gallery Series Over the Range Microwave
USA-based Frigidaire has been serving its worldwide consumers since 1918. If you are looking to buy an affordable over-the-range microwave, you should opt for the Frigidaire FGMV176NTD 30″ Gallery Series Over the Range Microwave.
The stainless-steel exterior of the microwave is a combination of a black and gray color. Due to the hybrid outlook, this microwave is suitable for all kitchen types, whether modern, stylish, or simple.
You can transform the 1.7 cubic-feet spacious interiors into two sections with a separation rack. This microwave has the largest interior capacity among the rest of the best over the range microwaves discussed.
This microwave support sensor-cooking, unlike Black + Decker EM044KJN-P2 1.6-Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Microwave. It can adjust its power levels and cooking times according to the type of meal dish placed inside. The extra-large glass turntable ensures even reheating of meals in big bowls and casserole dishes.
The cooking LED lighting allows you to make your meals on the cooktop in a bright and clear view. Over 30 cooking options, including nuggets and other snacks, qualifies this Frigidaire 30-inches gallery series, one of the best small over the range microwave.
You can easily adjust the separating rack according to the height of the dishes. Since there are over 30 cooking options, so you may find its control panel a bit congested. The description displayed on different options allows you to operate the microwave with great convenience.
Pros:
- Sensor cooking
- Extra-large turntable
- Good interior capacity
- 30 cooking options
Cons:
- Not good heating power
- Weak interior lighting
- Hard-to-read control system
5. Avanti MOTR13D3S 24″ Over The Range Microwave
If you are looking to buy a small size yet featureful over the range microwave, then you should go for the Avanti MOTR13D3S 24″ Over The Range Microwave. It is one of the best small over the range microwaves with 1.3 cubic feet’ interior capacity.
The microwave supports ten power levels in 1000 watts. It comes with four types of automatic cooking functions: sensor cook, defrost by weight, reheat, and popcorn. You can check the progress of the reheating and defrosting with its inventive status recall feature.
The sensor cooking function allows you to cook different dishes such as frozen meat or vegetables, fresh meat, ground meat, fresh vegetables, and white rice. The sensor monitors the quality of food and checks the moisture level.
The user-friendly touchpad displays all types of cooking features and modes. These settings include turntable rotation, kitchen timer, surface light, child safety lock, and vent speed.
Let’s talk about the vent system and speed controls. The microwave allows you to select a high or a low vent speed depending upon your meal preparation.
Pros:
- Fast heating
- Small size
- Popcorn option
- Durable design
Cons:
- Can only hold small dishes
Editor’s Choice: The Best Over The Range Microwave
The editor’s recommendation for the best over the range microwave goes to the Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave. It serves the dual purpose of a microwave as well as a convection oven. We all know that Sharp has been manufacturing durable kitchen appliances for decades.
This microwave has an optimal 1.1 cubic feet capacity, which allows it to fit in a small space, even in between the cabinets. The smart cooking feature increases your cooking efficiency. You can segregate the internal space into two compartments for multiple cooking.
The microwave comes with a powerful venting system to improve the air quality of your kitchen.
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How to Install Over the Range Microwave?
Installing over the range microwave is an easy task, which you can conveniently perform with the existing home tools. It effectively utilizes the kitchen space by increasing the kitchen counter space.
All you need are three important things: mounting L-brackets, tools, templates, and an instruction manual. The next step is to measure the dimensions of the available space to fit the microwave. Other things to consider are the spacing between the adjoining cabinets and ductwork connections.
The final installation step takes only a couple of hours before you finally fit the microwave. The drilling includes holes to install the two L-shaped mounting brackets and access holes to feed the electrical cord and vent duct. The last step is to place the microwave over the mounting brackets.
Yes, the process is as simple as illustrated above. One of the main hurdles is the non-availability of the electrical cord and vent duct in most of our kitchens. Other than that, the process to install over the range microwave is quite simple and can be done without any professional for electrical or vent work.
How to Remove Over the Range Microwave?
You remove over the range microwave in only specific conditions to repair it or replace it with a new one. The main idea of an over the range microwave is to make the entire installation and removal process easy for the households.
Before starting the uninstallation process of over the range microwave, you must consider your safety first and unplug the power supply. You must look for the additional mounting screws above and below the microwave.
After unscrewing all the mounting screws, you can safely dismount the microwave from the mounting bracket.
Tilting the microwave during dismounting allows you to disengage the back clips of the mounting plates. You must hold the front door of the microwave firmly to avoid an accidental fall.
To ensure smooth removal of the microwave from the mounting bracket, you must tilt the microwave at an optimal angle of 30-degrees.
It is important to lift the microwave while titling to avoid any scratches on the lower side of the microwave. Sometimes, you have a cabinet or shelf underneath the microwave.
In that case, the disengagement of the back clips becomes a task for two people. One will tilt the microwave, and the other can disengage the back clips.
Conclusion
The cooking trends are shifting towards smart cooking, allowing you to manage your time in the kitchen efficiently. Over-the-range microwave provides an additional venting system to your cooktop on top of the existing microwave features.
Some of the must-have features over the range microwave include the internal capacity, rack spacing, defrost, and reheat capability.
You can select any of the above over the range microwave ranked among the top 5 according to the Consumer Reports 2023.
